Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 17th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The in-house procedure for handling judicial misconduct in India is known for its lack of transparency and accountability, as it is conducted internally by judges without public oversight or the requirement to disclose outcomes. This mechanism is criticized for its opacity and the absence of procedural safeguards that would otherwise ensure public confidence in the judiciary's integrity.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. Historical precedents in India, such as allegations against certain judges, have illustrated a pattern of handling misconduct with secrecy and minimal public oversight. This has been a point of criticism and highlights the systemic issues within the judiciary's accountability mechanisms.

3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The current system of judicial accountability in India lacks independent external oversight. It relies primarily on internal procedures conducted by fellow judges, which do not include independent bodies or external checks that might ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Thus, only Statement 2 is correct, making Option C: 2 Only the correct answer. The solution explains the reasoning behind each statement's validity, aligning with the correct answer.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. Sowa-Rigpa is indeed officially recognized under the AYUSH systems in India since 2010. AYUSH is a governmental body in India dedicated to promoting traditional and alternative medicine systems, which include Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, as well as Sowa-Rigpa.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Sowa-Rigpa originated over 2,000 years ago and was codified during the reign of King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century CE in Tibet. It did not originate in Mongolia; rather, it is practiced in Mongolia along with other regions such as Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of India, Russia, and China.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Diagnostic methods used by practitioners of Sowa-Rigpa include pulse and urine analysis, which are traditional methods for assessing the health and diagnosing the conditions of patients.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only. This option accurately reflects the correct statements regarding the origins, recognition, and diagnostic methods associated with Sowa-Rigpa Traditional Medicine.

1. Justice Yashwant Varma Case - Correctly matched. The discovery of cash and subsequent opaque proceedings indeed highlight significant issues of judicial accountability. The controversy surrounding Justice Varma emphasizes the weaknesses in transparency and accountability within the judiciary.

2. In-House Procedure - Incorrectly matched. The in-house procedure is not a formal inquiry procedure with legal standards; it is informal and lacks legal safeguards and public accountability, which are key criticisms against it.

3. First Caste-Based Census since 1931 - Correctly matched. The 2027 Census will indeed include a caste-based enumeration, making it the first such exercise since 1931.

4. Digital Census Challenges - Incorrectly matched. While digital literacy among enumerators is being improved, it is not the sole solution. Challenges are also addressed through measures like offline data collection in remote areas and enhanced training with multilingual interfaces.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

The key challenge of digital literacy and connectivity in remote areas is being addressed through extensive training for enumerators and the implementation of multilingual interfaces. This ensures that even in regions with limited access to technology, the Census can be conducted effectively. By overcoming these hurdles, the government aims to enhance the accuracy and inclusivity of the Census data, providing a comprehensive demographic profile of the country.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. Portulaca bharat is indeed a newly discovered species of flowering plant, but it was found in the Aravali hills near Jaipur, not the Western Ghats. The plant exhibits opposite, slightly concave leaves and pale-yellow flowers that turn creamish-white towards the apex, but its habitat is specific to the Aravali hills, not the Western Ghats.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The PRASHAD scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, not the Ministry of Culture. It focuses on enhancing spiritual tourism by developing key pilgrimage sites across India.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Portulaca bharat is vulnerable to climate change due to its narrow endemism and specific habitat requirements. It is currently known from only one location, the Galtaji hills, with just 10 individuals found, making it susceptible to environmental changes and habitat degradation.

The correct answer is Option C: 3 Only, as this statement accurately reflects the information regarding the vulnerability of Portulaca bharat due to its specific habitat needs.

The 2025 G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, primarily emphasized climate action initiatives and responses to wildfires. This focus underscored the global leaders' commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices to combat climate change effectively.

Statement-I is true, as rain forests do indeed produce a significant amount of oxygen through photosynthesis. Statement-II is also accurate, indicating that marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria are responsible for about 50% of the world's oxygen production. However, these two statements are not directly related or explanatory of each other. While both are correct independently, they do not establish a causal or explanatory relationship between rain forests and marine oxygen production. Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

Sowa-Rigpa, also known as Traditional Tibetan Medicine or the Amchi system, places a significant emphasis on holistic health and maintaining harmony with nature. This approach focuses on disease prevention and promoting longevity through a comprehensive approach to mind-body well-being, aligning with the natural balance and rhythms of the environment.

Statement-I correctly mentions that Sowa-Rigpa integrates concepts from various medicinal traditions, including Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. This integration is a key aspect of Sowa-Rigpa's approach to healing. Statement-II accurately states that Sowa-Rigpa originated over 2,000 years ago and was codified during the reign of King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century CE. This historical context provides insight into the ancient origins and development of Sowa-Rigpa, supporting the integration of different medicinal traditions. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II indeed explains the historical background that led to the codification of Sowa-Rigpa during King Trisong Detsen's reign.

Statement-I is correct because the atmosphere is indeed heated more by incoming solar radiation rather than terrestrial radiation. Solar radiation is the primary source of energy that heats the Earth's atmosphere.
Statement-II is also correct because greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are efficient absorbers of long-wave radiation. These gases absorb the Earth's emitted infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Thus, Statement-II explains why the atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides an explanation for Statement-I.