Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 13th September 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1: "National Lok Adalat is organized annually across all courts in India." This statement is incorrect. National Lok Adalat is organized four times a year, not annually. The sessions take place simultaneously across various courts, from the Supreme Court to Taluk Courts, as per the schedule set by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

Statement 2: "The decisions made by Lok Adalats are equivalent to a civil court decree and are not subject to appeal." This statement is correct. The awards or decisions made by Lok Adalats have the same status as a civil court decree. They are final and binding on the parties involved, and no appeal lies against such a decision in any court, ensuring a quick and amicable resolution.

Statement 3: "Non-compoundable offences are under the jurisdiction of Lok Adalats." This statement is incorrect. Lok Adalats do not have jurisdiction over non-compoundable offences. They focus on resolving disputes that are suitable for amicable settlement, such as matrimonial disputes, compoundable criminal cases, and other civil matters.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

1. National Lok Adalat - Resolves only pre-litigation disputes: Incorrect. National Lok Adalat resolves both pending cases and pre-litigation disputes that are suitable for compromise. It is not limited to pre-litigation disputes only.

2. Permanent Lok Adalat - Established for public utility services: Correct. Permanent Lok Adalats are indeed established to handle disputes related to public utility services, as per the amendment to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

3. Decentralised Finance (DeFi) - Operates on blockchain technology: Correct. DeFi operates on blockchain technology, allowing financial transactions to be conducted without intermediaries.

4. Smart Contracts - Require intermediaries to execute transactions: Incorrect. Smart contracts are designed to execute transactions automatically when predefined conditions are met, eliminating the need for intermediaries.

The correctly matched pairs are pair 2 and pair 3.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are indeed recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. These sites are designated to conserve areas of high biodiversity and ecologically sensitive zones. The involvement of local communities is crucial for the effective management and protection of these sites, which enhances both conservation efforts and community quality of life.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a significant initiative by the Indian government aiming to bolster the country's scientific and technological capabilities. It involves substantial investments to drive mission-oriented research and development in critical areas, which is essential for achieving strategic autonomy and strengthening India's position in global technology landscapes.

3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. While India has various fellowship schemes and initiatives to attract international talent, it faces challenges in effectively recruiting and retaining top-tier researchers. Issues such as uncompetitive compensation packages, lack of world-class laboratories, and inadequate career progression pathways have hindered India’s ability to attract global academic talent at the desired scale.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. The first two statements accurately reflect the initiatives and policies in place, while the third statement does not align with the current challenges faced by India in attracting international research talent.

- Pair 1: Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) - Recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- This pair is correctly matched. Biodiversity Heritage Sites are recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which allows state governments to declare areas of significant biodiversity as BHS.

- Pair 2: First BHS in India - Nallur Tamarind Grove, Bengaluru
- This pair is correctly matched. The Nallur Tamarind Grove, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was indeed the first Biodiversity Heritage Site notified in India in 2007.

- Pair 3: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) - Government commitment of ₹1 lakh crore towards mission-oriented investments in science
- This pair is correctly matched. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation is part of the Indian government's initiative with a significant financial commitment to enhance mission-oriented scientific research and development.

- Pair 4: Young Thousand Talents Program - Initiative by India to attract global talent
- This pair is incorrectly matched. The Young Thousand Talents Program is actually an initiative by China to attract global talent, not India.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 1, 2, and 3.

1. Statement 1: "The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2010 and is part of the UNESCO Western Ghats World Heritage Site."
- This statement is correct. The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve was indeed declared a Tiger Reserve in 2010 and was included as part of the UNESCO Western Ghats World Heritage Site in 2012.

2. Statement 2: "The primary objective of the recent translocation of tigers to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is to connect it with the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve."
- This statement is incorrect. While corridor connectivity is important, the primary objective of the translocation is to bolster the tiger population in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve due to its low numbers, not specifically to connect it with other reserves.

3. Statement 3: "The vegetation in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes moist evergreen, semi-evergreen, and dry deciduous forests."
- This statement is correct. The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve features a variety of forest types, including moist evergreen, semi-evergreen, and dry deciduous forests.

Thus, only statements 1 and 3 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

One of the key challenges faced by Manipur as highlighted in the text is the issue of inter-community trust. Ongoing ethnic tension and the lack of dialogue hinder progress towards reconciliation and stability in the region. Building trust between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities is crucial for fostering peace and harmony in Manipur amidst the conflicts and challenges it currently faces.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. The imposition of President's Rule in Manipur has complicated political transitions and governance rather than facilitating them. It has been a challenge rather than a smooth transition, as political resolution remains a concern with minimal dialogue between communities.

- Statement 2 is correct. During the conflict, security forces have established buffer zones between valley and hill districts, significantly restricting movement between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. This has increased tensions by confining Meiteis to the valley and limiting Kuki-Zos' access to Imphal and essential services.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Contrary to being strengthened, the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar was ended by the central government, which has caused discontent among local communities and contributed to border tensions rather than reducing them.

Thus, only statement 2 is correct, making Option C the correct answer.

1. Displacement: Over 57,000 individuals remain in relief camps due to ethnic clashes. This pair is correctly matched. Over 57,000 individuals are indeed in relief camps due to ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

2. Security and Movement Restrictions: Meiteis have access to highways while Kuki-Zos can reach Imphal. This pair is incorrectly matched. The situation is reversed: Meiteis are confined to the valley without access to highways, and Kuki-Zos cannot reach Imphal or access essential services like the airport.

3. Political Transition: Enforcement of "free movement" along highways has led to violence. This pair is correctly matched. The central government's attempt to enforce "free movement" along highways in the state did indeed lead to violence, complicating political transitions.

4. Border Issues: The Free Movement Regime has been abolished, leading to local discontent. This pair is correctly matched. The abolition of the Free Movement Regime and plans for border fencing have caused discontent among local communities, contributing to instability.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The SWAGAT-FI framework introduced by SEBI aims to enhance access for trusted foreign investors, including FPIs and FVCIs, by providing a Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access. This initiative includes features such as a unified registration and KYC cycle extended to 10 years, exemption from certain caps on contributions, and reduced compliance paperwork via the India Market Access portal. This framework is designed to streamline the process and improve access for foreign investors in the Indian market.

1. SWAGAT-FI framework - Single Window Access for Government and Trusted Investors: Incorrect. The SWAGAT-FI framework is designed for foreign investors, specifically providing a Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for trusted foreign investors, including FPIs and FVCIs from categories such as sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, not for government access.
2. IPO Norm Relaxation - Reduction of the minimum public offer requirement to 2.75-2.8% for companies with Rs. 1-5 lakh crore market cap: Correct. SEBI has indeed relaxed the minimum public offer requirements for large companies to 2.75-2.8% for companies with a market cap of Rs. 1-5 lakh crore.
3. RTI Section 8(1)(j) - Amendment to enhance public access to personal information: Incorrect. The recent amendments to Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act have actually been criticized for potentially broadening the scope of "personal information," which could allow more withholding of information, not enhancing public access.
4. Tribal Succession Act Proposal - Ensures equal property rights for tribal women: Correct. The issue of property rights for tribal women has been highlighted in the context of ensuring gender equality in inheritance rights, and there is a proposal for a dedicated Tribal Succession Act to address these issues.
Thus, pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.