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UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on the International Relations Quiz to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Weekly Current Affairs.
With reference to the Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC), consider the following statements:
1. The Rural Community Immigration Class is a new programme launched by Australia.
2. It aims to address labour shortages and promote development in smaller rural communities by attracting individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
— Recently, Canada stated that the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) of almost 7.66 lakh international students will expire at the end of next year. However, Canada has implemented a new program that provides additional options for such students to settle in the nation.
— The Rural Community Immigration Class is a new program introduced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
— Its goal is to address workforce shortages and foster development in tiny rural towns by recruiting people who want to live there for the long term. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— For students whose PGWPs are about to expire and who are failing to satisfy the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for PR or get high-paying jobs, this program provides an excellent chance.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Consider the following pairs:
| Place in news | Region (where it is located) |
| Tristan da Cunha | Middle of the Atlantic Ocean |
| Easter Island | Indian Ocean |
| Yakutia | United States |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None of the above pairs
Explanation
— The Gregorian calendar, based on the solar calendar that marks December 31 as the end of the year, was first introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in October 1582. His decision was likely based on the fact that January marked the feast of Janus, the Roman god of new beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, frames, doorways and endings.
— The eventual adoption of the Gregorian calendar in some of the world’s most remote areas may be traced back to the widespread spread of colonisation, particularly in the 1800s, by colonial powers who brought their administrative procedures, culture, and religion along.
| Place in news | Region (where it is located) | Description |
| Tristan da Cunha | Middle of the Atlantic Ocean | Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, is located in the centre of the Atlantic Ocean and has approximately 250 permanent residents, all of whom are British Overseas Territories citizens. The only method to get to Tristan da Cunha is by ship from South Africa, which might take up to a week depending on the weather and the conditions of the Atlantic. |
| Easter Island | Pacific Ocean | Hanga Roa is the major town on Easter Island, a Chilean municipality located in the Pacific. According to the World Population Review, Easter Island has a population of around 8,600. According to travel bloggers who have visited the island on New Year’s Eve, fireworks near the town square in Hanga Roa have long been part of the festivities. |
| Yakutia | Russia | Yakutia, also known as Sakha, is Russia’s largest administrative region and one of the world’s largest, located 450 kilometres from the Arctic Circle.
While Yakutsk, the largest city, is home to a sizable population, many people live in rural areas as well. Yakutsk is the world’s coldest city, with temperatures as low as −35 °C. |
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Muan International Airport was recently in the news due to an airplane crash. The airport is located in:
(a) Thailand
(b) China
(c) South Korea
(d) Japan
Explanation
— According to Yonhap News, all but two of the 181 passengers on board the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok are assumed dead when the aircraft crashed during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning.
— This is just one of several horrific airline catastrophes that have rocked the world in recent years.
— The Jeju Air aircraft from Bangkok to South Korea included 181 passengers and six crew members. According to Yonhap news agency, the jet had troubles with its front landing gear, which most likely failed to deploy during its final approach at Muan International Airport.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Which of the following countries will provide Sri Lankan Rupees 290 million to develop the Karainagar Boatyard in the Northern Province of the island nation?
(a) India
(b) China
(c) Russia
(d) Australia
Explanation
— India will provide Sri Lankan Rupees 290 million to develop the Karainagar Boatyard in the Northern Province of the island nation, the Indian High Commission said.
— The project envisions the rehabilitation of the Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd’s Karainagar Boatyard, which is incorporated under the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development and operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources.
— The project will include civil works and procurement, such as the installation of plant, machinery, equipment, materials, and services. Once fully operational, the renovated boatyard will provide livelihood prospects for local fishermen, create more work opportunities in the area, particularly through small establishments near the boatyard, and help improve the availability of quality fisheries goods, according to the release.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. Workers from India have joined Israel’s construction sector over the past year, as part of an effort to address the labour shortage.
2. Indian workers are motivated by higher earnings in Israel, where they can earn three times more than in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
— According to the Times of Israel, some 16,000 Indian workers have joined Israel’s construction sector in the last year, as part of an effort to overcome the labour shortfall caused by the ban on Palestinian workers following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— Hamas’ raid killed around 1,200 people and took 251 captives. In reaction, Israel barred tens of thousands of Palestinian workers, who had previously made up a sizable proportion of the construction workforce.
— Before the war, 80,000 Palestinians and 26,000 foreign workers worked in construction. There are currently only roughly 30,000 foreign workers available, resulting in a 25% decline in sector activity compared to pre-war levels.
— Many Indian workers are motivated by higher earnings in Israel, where they can earn three times more than in India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 91)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 91)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 91)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 91)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 90)
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 90)
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