Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 11th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The primary objective of the KATRIN experiment is to measure the absolute mass of electron antineutrinos with high precision. This experiment, located in Germany, focuses on analyzing the energy spectrum of emitted electrons through tritium beta decay to derive the upper limit on the neutrino mass. By concentrating on electrons emitted near the maximum energy limit influenced by neutrino mass, KATRIN aims to contribute significantly to our understanding of these elusive particles and their properties.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment is specifically designed to measure the absolute mass of electron neutrinos, not muon neutrinos. The experiment focuses on the decay of tritium, which involves electron antineutrinos.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. Neutrinos are known to oscillate, meaning they can change from one type (or flavor) to another—such as from electron neutrinos to muon neutrinos or tau neutrinos. This phenomenon is evidence that neutrinos must have mass, as flavor oscillation would not occur if neutrinos were massless.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The existence of neutrino oscillations presents a challenge to the Standard Model of particle physics. The Standard Model originally posited neutrinos as massless. However, the observed oscillations imply that neutrinos have mass, indicating that the Standard Model is incomplete and suggesting the possibility of new physics beyond it.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only, as both statements 2 and 3 accurately describe phenomena related to neutrinos and the implications for the Standard Model.

Erdogan's Neo-Ottoman foreign policy primarily aims to establish Turkey as a regional power with Islamic influence, moving away from its previous secular stance. This shift reflects Turkey's aspirations to redefine its role in the global order by emphasizing Islamic values and strategic activism in conflict zones like Syria and Libya.

1. Türkiye's Foreign Policy Approach: Secularism - Incorrect. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye has shifted from a secular foreign policy to one influenced by Islamic values, aiming to establish itself as a regional power with an Islamist-oriented approach.

2. Ankara's Strategic Activism: Interventions in Syria and Libya - Correct. Ankara has been strategically active in conflict zones like Syria and Libya to expand its influence and support Islamist factions.

3. Antyodaya Philosophy: Uplifting the last person in the queue - Correct. The Antyodaya philosophy is about uplifting the last person in the queue, ensuring that growth and development reach the most marginalized sections of society.

4. Blue NDC Challenge Initiative: Launched by India and Brazil - Incorrect. The Blue NDC Challenge initiative was launched by France and Brazil, not India, to enhance climate action focused on the ocean.

Only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights Türkiye's shift from a secular to an Islamist-oriented foreign policy under President Erdogan. This aligns with the key takeaway that Türkiye has moved towards an Islamist approach inspired by Ottoman-era ideologies. Statement-II correctly mentions strategic activism in conflict zones like Syria and Libya, emphasizing the expansion of Türkiye's influence and support for Islamist factions. However, it does not fully explain the broader transition of Türkiye's foreign policy from secularism to an Islamist-oriented approach, making option (b) the correct choice.

The primary purpose of MagIC in the context of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is to enhance the performance of cryo-EM for less abundant samples by utilizing magnetic isolation and concentration. This method allows scientists to visualize even very low concentrations of target molecules, which was challenging with traditional cryo-EM techniques.

1. Statement 1 is correct. MagIC enhances cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) by allowing it to work with samples up to 100 times more dilute. This innovation addresses the challenge of studying rare or hard-to-purify molecules, which was difficult with traditional cryo-EM methods.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The MagIC method employs magnetic beads that are 50 nanometers in size, not 100 nanometers, to bind to target molecules. The use of these small beads is crucial for the method's ability to cluster and concentrate the target molecules effectively.
3. Statement 3 is correct. Traditional cryo-EM indeed requires samples to be concentrated to obtain clear images, which poses a challenge when dealing with rare or dilute samples. This limitation is what the MagIC method seeks to overcome by allowing for the analysis of much more dilute samples.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The main objective behind Kerala's appeal to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is to gain permission for controlled culling of wild animals that invade human settlements and pose threats to lives and property. This measure aims to manage wildlife populations effectively and ensure the safety of local communities and agricultural interests amidst rising human-wildlife conflicts.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. Kerala has identified 273 conflict hotspots where wildlife attacks are prevalent, highlighting the significant issue of human-wildlife conflicts in the state.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, requires that all possible non-lethal options, such as capture and relocation, be exhausted before considering the culling of Schedule I protected animals. Immediate culling without exhausting these options is not allowed, which creates legal hurdles in emergency situations.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Kerala is seeking to classify wild boars as vermin under Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, which would allow for their controlled culling over a specified period. This classification is aimed at managing their population and mitigating the damage caused to agriculture.

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

1. Tigers - Crop raiding: Incorrect. Tigers are known for causing human casualties and livestock attacks rather than crop raiding. Crop raiding is more typically associated with species like wild boars or bonnet macaques.

2. Wild Boars - Legal Classification Sought by Kerala: Correct. Kerala seeks to classify wild boars as vermin under Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act to allow for controlled culling.

3. UNOC3 Co-Host Countries: Correct. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.

4. Marine Biodiversity Efforts in India: Incorrect. The expanded Marine Protected Areas cover 6.6% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, not 10%.

Thus, there are two pairs correctly matched: pairs 2 and 3.