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

1. Lac Insect Life Cycle: The life cycle of the lac insect is correctly described as hemimetabolous, consisting of stages such as egg, nymph instars, pupa, and adult. This pair is correctly matched.

2. Lac Insect Reproduction: The lac insect reproduces through an ovoviviparous method, where eggs hatch within the body and live young are born. This pair is correctly matched.

3. Primary Host Plants: The Flame of the Forest is accurately identified as a primary host plant for lac insect cultivation. This pair is correctly matched.

4. Main Lac Producing Genus: While Laccifer is indeed a genus that includes lac-producing insects, it is not the only genus for commercial lac production. The statement that it is the sole genus is incorrect. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.

The correctly matched pairs are 1, 2, and 3. Hence, Option C: Only three pairs is the correct answer.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA) is indeed a tri-service command established to address cybersecurity threats. It is fully operational with Cyber Emergency Response Teams (CERT) formed by each branch of the Indian Armed Forces, enhancing the nation's cybersecurity capabilities.
- Statement 2 is correct. 'Cyber Suraksha' is a cybersecurity exercise that involves a multi-phased approach to strengthen national cyber resilience. It includes gamified environments designed to train participants and simulate real-world cyber threats, thereby enhancing their analytical and cyber defense skills.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The headquarters of the Defence Cyber Agency is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B

Statement-I rightly points out that the AI171 crash generated fear and mistrust in air travel because of widespread misinformation and speculative media reports. Statement-II accurately describes how India’s growth has benefited from global integration and how recent protectionist measures have hampered export growth. Since the two statements deal with different topics, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

The main objective of Project Vishnu led by DRDO is to advance India's hypersonic missile technologies. This initiative is crucial in strengthening India's strategic deterrence against regional threats, particularly from countries like China and Pakistan. The project involves the development of multi-platform deployment capabilities, enabling launches from land, air, and naval systems.

The misinformation surge post the Air India flight AI171 crash led to increased public fear and mistrust surrounding air safety. Misinformation and speculative coverage can distort public understanding and exacerbate anxiety about aviation safety. This emphasizes the critical role of accurate reporting and transparency in maintaining public trust in air travel safety.

1. Air India flight AI171 crash - June 2025: Correctly matched. The crash of Air India flight AI171 occurred in June 2025.

2. Protectionist Shift in India - 2000 to 2010: Incorrectly matched. This period is incorrectly labeled; the protectionist shift in India occurred from 2010 to 2020, not 2000 to 2010.

3. Golden Decade of Global Integration - 2010 to 2020: Incorrectly matched. The Golden Decade of Global Integration for India actually refers to the period from 2000 to 2010, characterized by lower import tariffs and significant improvements in global exports and GDP.

4. Historical Parallel: Indian Airlines flight IC571 crash - 1986: Correctly matched. The 1986 crash of Indian Airlines flight IC571 serves as a historical parallel for examining pilot decision-making under pressure.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. The protectionist shift post-2010 resulted in increased import duties, which actually hindered India's export capabilities and slowed down economic growth rather than increasing them.

- Statement 2 is correct. The period from 2000 to 2010, often referred to as the "Golden Decade," was characterized by lower import tariffs and saw significant improvements in India's global exports and GDP growth.

- Statement 3 is correct. Recent trends have shown that India's integration with global financial markets, especially in equities, has been stronger compared to its trade integration. This indicates a one-sided integration favoring financial markets over trade.

Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, which aligns with Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

Statement-I is correct because the lac insect relies on symbiotic partners to produce laccaic acid, the precursor of lac pigment. Statement-II is correct as fossil evidence shows Nothopegia migrated from Northeast India to the Western Ghats in response to past climate shifts. However, the biochemical process in the lac insect and the plant’s migration history are unrelated phenomena, so Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The lac insect undergoes a hemimetabolous life cycle, which includes stages such as egg, nymph instars, pupa, and adult. This is consistent with the known developmental process of the lac insect.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Although laccaic acid requires tyrosine for its synthesis, the lac insect does not obtain this amino acid directly from tree sap. Instead, the tyrosine necessary for the synthesis of laccaic acid is supplied by symbiotic fungi or bacteria residing within the insect, not from the sap itself.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Kusumi and rangeeni are indeed two prominent strains of lac insects in India, and both are capable of producing commercial lac. These strains are significant contributors to the lac production industry in India.

In conclusion, statements 1 and 3 are accurate while statement 2 is not, so the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Cyber Suraksha - Correct. Cyber Suraksha is indeed an initiative by the Defence Cyber Agency aimed at enhancing cybersecurity at the national level.
2. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) - Correct. QKD is a method used in quantum communication for the secure transmission of encryption keys, leveraging the principles of quantum physics.
3. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki - Incorrect. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki is located in East Nusa Tenggara province on Flores Island, Indonesia, not in Bali.
4. Netanyahu's Endgame - Correct. This refers to Israel's strategy to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities, involving air strikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: pairs 1, 2, and 4.