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

Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. OCI cardholders are not allowed to acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India. The OCI status provides several privileges akin to those of Indian citizens but explicitly restricts the acquisition of agricultural land.

Statement 2: This statement is correct. OCI cardholders do not have political rights in India, which means they cannot vote or hold any constitutional office such as President, Vice-President, or Supreme Court judges. This is a significant limitation of the OCI status, distinguishing it from full citizenship.

Statement 3: This statement is correct. The OCI card provides its holders with a multiple-entry, multipurpose lifelong visa to visit India. This benefit allows OCI cardholders to travel to India without the need for a separate visa each time, facilitating easy and frequent visits.

Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

1. SPHEREx Mission - Captures 3D images of the solar corona. Incorrect. The SPHEREx mission is designed to create a detailed 3D map of the universe using optical and infrared light. It does not capture 3D images of the solar corona; that is the objective of the PUNCH mission.

2. PUNCH Mission - Maps the universe using optical and infrared light. Incorrect. The PUNCH mission is focused on capturing 3D images of the solar corona and studying solar winds and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using polarized light. It does not map the universe; that is the objective of the SPHEREx mission.

3. Bharat 6G Alliance - Collaborative initiative for India's leadership in 6G technology. Correct. The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) is indeed a collaborative initiative that aims to establish India's leadership in the design, development, and deployment of 6G technology.

4. World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) - Assessing new spectrum bands for 6G. Correct. The WRC-27 is involved in assessing new spectrum bands for 6G, which includes various frequency ranges under consideration for international telecommunication standards.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: the Bharat 6G Alliance and the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027.

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card serves as a form of permanent residency with limited rights for individuals of Indian origin living abroad. It does not grant full citizenship rights in India but provides various privileges such as visa-free travel, residency rights, and economic benefits while allowing cardholders to maintain their foreign citizenship. This status bridges the gap between foreign nationals of Indian origin and their connections to India without conferring full citizenship rights.

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in India is primarily responsible for framing policies regarding wildlife, conserving wildlife and forests, and recommending the establishment of new national parks and sanctuaries. Its core objective revolves around the management and conservation of national forests and wildlife reserves to ensure the protection and well-being of India's diverse wildlife species and their habitats.

Statement-I correctly states that India's venture capital market experienced significant growth in 2024, reaching $13.7 billion due to regulatory reforms. This reflects the information provided in the text about the surge in VC funding in 2024.
Statement-II accurately mentions the growth potential of the Indian online gaming industry, valued at ₹33,000 crore in 2023 and projected to reach ₹66,000 crore by 2028. This aligns with the details provided in the text regarding the growth and challenges faced by the online gaming sector in India.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the growth potential and challenges faced by the Indian online gaming industry, which complements the information about the surge in venture capital funding in 2024.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The venture capital market in India indeed saw a significant rebound in 2024, with total funding reaching $13.7 billion. This resurgence was attributed to several regulatory reforms, including the removal of the angel tax and a reduction in long-term capital gains tax rates, which created a more conducive investment ecosystem.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The streamlining of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) process and the simplification of foreign venture capital investor registrations also played a significant role in fostering a favorable environment for venture capital investments.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: Venture Capital funds in India are not regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. Instead, they fall under the purview of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as per the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Regulations, 2012.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, since both statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.

Streamlining the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) process was one of the factors that significantly contributed to the resurgence of India's venture capital market in 2024. By simplifying the NCLT process, it became easier for companies to navigate legal procedures, encouraging more investments and fostering a conducive environment for venture capital growth in the country.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was indeed established in 2003 through an amendment to The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This amendment aimed to strengthen the framework for wildlife conservation in India.
2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex officio chairman of the NBWL. This role underscores the importance of the board in national wildlife governance, given the high-level leadership involved.
3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. While a standing committee of the NBWL is tasked with appraising projects located on forest lands near national parks and sanctuaries, its recommendations can be overridden by the environment ministry. Therefore, the NBWL does not have the independent authority to veto projects without the ministry's consent.
Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

1. The first statement is correct. The SPHEREx mission is indeed designed to create a detailed 3D map of the universe. It maps the positions of 450 million galaxies to study cosmic inflation, providing insights into the rapid expansion of the universe that occurred about 14 billion years ago.

2. The second statement is also correct. PUNCH, which stands for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere, is set to deliver the first 3D imaging of the solar corona using polarized light. This mission is crucial for understanding solar winds and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), thereby enhancing space weather predictions.

3. The third statement is incorrect. The description of utilizing a four-camera system to generate large-scale imagery data pertains to the PUNCH mission, not SPHEREx. PUNCH employs a unique virtual instrument approach with a four-camera system to provide a 3D view of the sun's outer atmosphere.

Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect, making Option B: 1 and 2 Only the right choice.

1. Citizenship Eligibility: This statement is incorrect. Individuals whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other specified countries are ineligible for OCI registration. Hence, foreign nationals who were citizens of Pakistan are not eligible for OCI.

2. Economic Rights: This statement is incorrect. OCI holders enjoy parity with Non-Resident Indians regarding economic, financial, and educational facilities, except in acquiring agricultural land or plantation properties. Thus, they cannot acquire agricultural land in India.

3. Revocation: This statement is correct. The OCI card can indeed be revoked if the holder violates Indian laws or engages in activities detrimental to India's interests.

4. Dual Citizenship: This statement is incorrect. India does not permit dual citizenship as per the Citizenship Act of 1955. OCI is not dual citizenship; it is a form of permanent residency with limited rights, and OCI cardholders maintain their foreign citizenship while enjoying certain benefits in India.