Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 12th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. International Criminal Court (ICC) - Established under the Rome Statute in 2002: This pair is correctly matched. The ICC was indeed established under the Rome Statute, which came into force in 2002. The court is tasked with prosecuting individuals for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

2. Sanchar Mitra Scheme - Initiative by the Department of Education: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Sanchar Mitra Scheme is an initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), not the Department of Education. It aims to engage students as digital ambassadors to promote telecom literacy and digital safety.

3. Urban Maoism - Strategy involving armed insurgency in rural areas: This pair is incorrectly matched. Urban Maoism refers to strategies used by Maoist groups to expand influence in urban areas, often through mobilizing students and professionals, rather than armed insurgency, which is typically more associated with rural areas.

4. Trust Fund for Victims - Component of the ICC: This pair is correctly matched. The Trust Fund for Victims is indeed a component of the ICC, aimed at providing assistance to victims of crimes within the court's jurisdiction.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly describes the historical timeframe and significance of the Maratha Military Landscapes, emphasizing the strategic and architectural aspects of the forts. Statement-II further elaborates on the importance of the UNESCO World Heritage List inscription, emphasizing the preservation and recognition of these cultural landmarks. Both statements are accurate, with Statement-II providing additional context and support to Statement-I. Hence, Option (A) is the correct choice.

1. Gini Index - Compares top 10% income share to bottom 40%: Incorrect. The Gini Index quantifies inequality within a population by measuring the distribution of income or wealth. The Palma Ratio, not the Gini Index, compares the top 10% income share to the bottom 40%.

2. Palma Ratio - Measures inequality using consumption data: Incorrect. The Palma Ratio actually compares the income share of the richest 10% to that of the poorest 40%, providing a direct measure of income inequality. It is not specifically based on consumption data.

3. Theil Index - Offers a detailed analysis of disparities within and between groups: Correct. The Theil Index is indeed used to decompose inequality into within-group and between-group components, allowing for a more detailed analysis of disparities.

4. World Inequality Database (WID) - Uses income and wealth tax data: Correct. The World Inequality Database is considered more reliable because it uses income and wealth tax data, capturing the top earners often missed in surveys.

Pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. The Maratha Military Landscapes indeed include forts spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, showcasing the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Not all forts are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Some, such as Salher, Rajgad, Khanderi, and Pratapgarh, are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Maharashtra.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The Maratha Military Landscapes were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, marking them as India's 44th property to receive this recognition. However, the current text states that this happened recently, and not necessarily in 2025.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

• Statement I is correct as it describes the "Donkey Route," a perilous migration path used by Indian migrants to reach the United States through multiple countries.
• Statement II is also correct as it explains the E-Truck Incentive Scheme introduced by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to promote the adoption of electric trucks, specifically targeting N2 and N3 category trucks.
• However, the two statements are not related or interconnected, hence both are correct individually but do not explain each other.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. The Gini Index primarily measures income or wealth inequality, but it is often criticized for not accurately reflecting consumption disparities. Particularly when based on consumption data, the Gini Index can underestimate real inequality because high-income individuals might consume less relative to their wealth, leading to a misleading portrayal of equality.

- Statement 2 is correct. The World Inequality Database (WID) is considered more reliable for capturing the true extent of inequality as it uses income and wealth tax data, which includes information on top earners often missed in typical surveys. This approach provides a clearer and more comprehensive picture of inequality, particularly in countries like India.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Palma Ratio is an alternative measure of inequality that compares the income share of the top 10% of the population to that of the bottom 40%. It is often used to offer a more direct and understandable measure of income inequality.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only, as Statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the measures and methodologies used to assess inequality, while Statement 1 mischaracterizes the Gini Index.

Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are set up under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to provide autonomy to tribal communities, allowing them to maintain their culture and govern local affairs. These councils have legislative, executive, and limited judicial powers tailored to address the specific needs of tribal populations, promoting self-governance and preserving cultural identities.

This question assesses the understanding of the key purpose and functions of ADCs within the constitutional framework, emphasizing the significance of local autonomy and cultural preservation for tribal communities in India.

1. Salher - Hill Fort: Correctly matched. Salher is indeed a hill fort located in Maharashtra, known for its strategic height and historical significance in the Maratha Empire.

2. Khanderi - Coastal Fort: Incorrectly matched. Khanderi is actually an island fort, not a coastal fort. It is located off the coast of Maharashtra.

3. Gingee Fort - Hill-Plateau Fort: Incorrectly matched. Gingee Fort is a hill fort, not a hill-plateau fort. It is located in Tamil Nadu and is known for its significant elevation and fortifications.

4. Suvarnadurg - Island Fort: Correctly matched. Suvarnadurg is an island fort off the west coast of India, in Maharashtra, surrounded by the Arabian Sea.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: Salher as a hill fort and Suvarnadurg as an island fort.

The E-Truck Incentive Scheme, part of the PM E-DRIVE initiative, is specifically aimed at providing financial incentives for electric trucks. This scheme focuses on N2 and N3 category trucks, requiring applicants to scrap an old diesel truck to qualify for the incentives. By targeting these categories of vehicles, the scheme aims to promote clean and efficient electric trucks, contributing to sustainable freight mobility in India.

1. Gagandeep Singh - Key operative involved in trafficking Indians via the "Donkey Route": This pair is correctly matched. Gagandeep Singh is identified as a key operative involved in trafficking Indians through the illegal "Donkey Route."

2. Darién Gap - A dangerous region in Latin America crossed by migrants en route to the U.S.: This pair is correctly matched. The Darién Gap is indeed a perilous region in Latin America that migrants cross on their journey to the United States.

3. Dunki - An official term used by the Indian government for illegal migration pathways: This pair is incorrectly matched. "Dunki" is not an official term used by the Indian government; it was popularized by the 2023 film "Dunki," referring to illegal migration routes.

4. E-Truck Incentive Scheme - A scheme by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to promote electric trucks: This pair is incorrectly matched in the context of illegal immigration and human trafficking. The E-Truck Incentive Scheme is unrelated to illegal immigration topics; it is a program aimed at promoting electric trucks in India.

Thus, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, while pairs 3 and 4 are incorrectly matched. Only two pairs are correctly matched.