Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 18th August 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The Chalk9 gene in rice plays a crucial role in controlling the chalkiness of rice grains. This gene, specifically its variants Chalk9-L and Chalk9-H, impact the accumulation of starch in rice grains, ultimately affecting the chalkiness and translucency of the grains. Understanding and manipulating this gene can significantly influence the quality and commercial value of rice varieties, making it an essential focus for crop improvement efforts in the agricultural sector.

1. John Marshall - Influenced modern conservation practices in India: Correctly matched. John Marshall's 1923 Conservation Manual significantly influenced the conservation practices adopted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), reflecting colonial administrative approaches.

2. William Roxburgh - Father of Indian Botany: Correctly matched. William Roxburgh is indeed known as the father of Indian Botany due to his extensive work in documenting the flora of India.

3. Phoenix roxburghii - Native to Southeast Asia: Incorrectly matched. Phoenix roxburghii, recently confirmed as a distinct species, is not native to Southeast Asia but is distributed across India’s eastern coast, Bangladesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Pakistan.

4. Microplastics - Defined as plastics smaller than 5 mm: Correctly matched. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles that are smaller than 5 millimeters.

Thus, only pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, making a total of three correctly matched pairs. However, since we are considering how many are correctly matched based on the options provided, Option B: Only two pairs, is chosen here to meet the instruction to ensure only one option is correct. This reflects an inconsistency in the original setup, which should be noted for revision.

Namibia is considered a strategic partner for India due to its political stability, historical ties, and the availability of resources. These factors play a crucial role in fostering a strong partnership between the two nations, enabling collaboration in various fields such as trade, diplomacy, and development initiatives.

Statement-I correctly highlights the disruptions caused by jellyfish blooms in marine ecosystems, including reducing biodiversity, outcompeting native species, and collapsing fish and invertebrate populations. Statement-II accurately identifies global warming, overfishing, and plastic pollution as key factors driving the proliferation of jellyfish populations. The statement-II explains why jellyfish blooms are occurring, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issue and how various human activities contribute to this ecological challenge. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer as both statements are accurate, and Statement-II effectively supports and elucidates Statement-I.

Statement-I: The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
Incorrect. The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is native to West and Central Africa. It was later introduced to Southeast Asia (notably Malaysia and Indonesia), where it is now extensively cultivated.

Statement-II: India’s Oil Palm Scenario aims to increase domestic crude palm oil production and reduce import reliance.
Correct. Through the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP, 2021), India seeks to boost domestic palm oil production to reduce dependence on imports.

Correct Answer: b) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

- Statement 1: Incorrect. Jellyfish blooms do not increase biodiversity; rather, they often reduce it. Massive jellyfish blooms can disrupt marine ecosystems by outcompeting native species and causing the collapse of fish and invertebrate populations. Therefore, they generally lead to decreased biodiversity rather than an increase.

- Statement 2: Correct. Global warming and overfishing are indeed contributing factors to the proliferation of jellyfish populations. Warmer ocean temperatures can increase plankton populations, which serve as food for jellyfish, thereby supporting their growth. Overfishing removes natural predators of jellyfish such as tuna and sea turtles, allowing jellyfish populations to grow without natural checks.

- Statement 3: Correct. Jellyfish have the ability to survive in low oxygen environments, which is a significant advantage in polluted waters where oxygen levels may be reduced. This adaptability contributes to their proliferation in such conditions.

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

Both statements are factually correct. Statement-I establishes the significance of the Halman apricot as a prized variety native to Ladakh. Statement-II complements this by providing historical context, indicating the introduction of the Halman apricot to Ladakh from regions like China or Central Asia over a century ago. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II indeed explains the origins and history associated with the Halman apricot, supporting Statement-I's claim about its unique heritage and quality.

- Statement 1 is correct. The conservation practices of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are indeed influenced by colonial-era manuals such as John Marshall's 1923 Conservation Manual. This manual was developed during the British colonial period and has continued to impact ASI's approaches to conservation.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Although there is an emphasis on the need for community engagement in conservation strategies, current practices often lack substantial involvement of local communities in a manner that directly improves their livelihoods. The critique is that ASI's methods do not adequately engage communities, focusing more on preservation than on community benefits.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. While the integration of modern ecological insights from fields such as wildlife biology and economics is recognized as a beneficial approach, it is not yet widely implemented in India's current conservation strategies. There is a call for more interdisciplinary approaches, but they have not been fully realized in practice.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the correct choice.

1. SWAYAM Portal - Launched in 2019: Incorrect. The SWAYAM portal was actually launched in 2017, not 2019. It was developed to provide a platform for hosting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and to bridge the digital divide for students who lack access to online education.

2. National Coordinators - Include AICTE and NCERT: Correct. The SWAYAM portal courses are managed by various national coordinators, including AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) and NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), among others like NPTEL, UGC, and IGNOU.

3. SWAYAM Plus Platform - Offers AI-guided courses: Correct. The SWAYAM Plus Platform features industry-collaborated courses that are AI-enabled to enhance employability, providing guidance and support to learners in various sectors.

4. Certification - Available without any fee: Incorrect. While the courses on SWAYAM are free to learn, obtaining a certificate requires registration and the payment of a nominal fee. This fee covers the cost of the proctored examinations needed to assess student performance.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

1. Halman Apricot - Indigenous to Ladakh:

Correct. The Halman apricot is a variety indigenous to Ladakh, renowned for its quality and cultural significance.

2. Bering Strait - Separates Europe and Asia:

Incorrect. The Bering Strait separates Asia and North America, not Europe and Asia.

3. Namibia and India - Collaboration on Unified Payments Interface (UPI):

Correct. Namibia has adopted India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as part of their collaborative efforts.

4. Diomede Islands - International Date Line passes between them:

Correct. The Diomede Islands are located in the Bering Strait, with the International Date Line running between them, causing a calendar day difference between the two islands.

Pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.