Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th August 2024 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is indeed the apex regulatory body responsible for overseeing drug approval and clinical trials in India. It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and plays a crucial role in regulating clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy.

- Statement 2 is incorrect: The waiver for clinical trials in India does not cover all new drugs regardless of their approval status in other major global markets. The waiver specifically applies to certain categories of drugs such as orphan drugs for rare diseases, gene and cellular therapy products, new drugs for pandemics and defense purposes, and drugs with significant therapeutic advancements that are already approved in major global markets like the US, the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the European Union.

- Statement 3 is correct: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) does set ethical guidelines and standards for clinical trials conducted in India. These guidelines ensure that trials are conducted ethically, with informed consent and protection of vulnerable populations, among other considerations.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Oestrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, not the adrenal glands and fat cells. While small amounts of oestrogen are produced by the adrenal glands and fat cells, the primary source is the ovaries.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. During breastfeeding, oestrogen production decreases, which could potentially weaken bones as the body focuses on milk production.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. KISS1 neurons in the hypothalamus release the CCN3 hormone, which helps maintain bone mineralization independently of oestrogen, as discovered in recent studies.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D.

Statement-I talks about the establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh as the third largest tiger reserve in India, which is an accurate representation of the news provided in the source material. This statement aligns with the information given about the new tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh.
Statement-II discusses neutron stars as the remnants of massive stars that have undergone a supernova explosion. While this statement accurately describes neutron stars according to the information provided in the source material, it is not directly related to the content of the news about the new tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh. Therefore, Statement-II is unrelated to the context of the question and is considered incorrect in this scenario.

Ethics Committees (ECs) play a crucial role in clinical trials by reviewing trial protocols and ensuring participant safety. They are responsible for assessing the ethical aspects of the trials to safeguard the well-being and rights of the participants involved. This oversight is essential to maintain the integrity and ethical standards of clinical research.

The decision to establish the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh was prompted by a significant decline in the state's tiger population. This decline was highlighted through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2019, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect the tigers in the region. This reserve is a crucial step towards preserving the wildlife and biodiversity of Chhattisgarh.

1. Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve - Andhra Pradesh: Correct. Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is indeed located in Andhra Pradesh and is the largest tiger reserve in India, covering 3,296.31 sq km.

2. Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam: Correct. Manas Tiger Reserve is situated in Assam and is the second-largest tiger reserve in India, with an area of 2,837.1 sq km.

3. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve - Odisha: Incorrect. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh, not Odisha. It is Chhattisgarh's fourth tiger reserve.

4. Neutron Stars - Remnants of massive stars after supernova explosion: Correct. Neutron stars are indeed the remnants of massive stars that have undergone a supernova explosion. They are among the densest entities in the universe, surpassed only by black holes.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) - Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

- Correct. CDSCO is indeed under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is the primary regulator for clinical trials in India.

2. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - Grants approvals for clinical trials

- Incorrect. ICMR sets ethical guidelines and standards for clinical trials but does not grant approvals. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is responsible for granting approvals.

3. Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) - Oversees drug approval

- Correct. The DCGI is responsible for overseeing drug approval and ensuring compliance with regulations in India.

4. Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) - Registers all trials in India before participant enrollment

- Correct. CTRI was launched by ICMR to ensure that all clinical trials conducted in India are registered before the enrollment of participants.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct option Option C: Only three pairs.

Oestrogen plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle in females. It is responsible for various aspects of sexual development and reproductive health. During the menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels fluctuate, influencing ovulation, the thickening of the uterine lining, and other processes essential for reproduction.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is not Chhattisgarh's third largest tiger reserve. It is Chhattisgarh's fourth tiger reserve and will become the third largest tiger reserve in India.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve was indeed prompted by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2019, emphasizing the decline in the state's tiger population.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India, not the second largest. Manas Tiger Reserve is the second largest.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 Only.

Statement-I is correct as per the information provided in the source material. The government of India has indeed waived the requirement for local clinical trials for specific drug categories approved in major global markets.
Statement-II is also correct and explains Statement-I. The waiver covers specific categories of drugs like orphan drugs for rare diseases, gene and cellular therapy products, new drugs for pandemics and defense purposes, and drugs with significant therapeutic advancements. This waiver aims to expedite the availability of advanced medications in India, particularly for critical conditions such as cancer, rare diseases, and autoimmune disorders.