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

Statement-I correctly highlights that rising temperatures in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh significantly impact India's wheat production. These regions are major contributors to the country's wheat output, making them crucial in the context of wheat cultivation.
Statement-II effectively explains how extreme heat affects wheat yield by accelerating ripening, resulting in lighter grains and ultimately leading to reduced production. This phenomenon underscores the direct impact of rising temperatures on wheat production, aligning with the challenges highlighted in Statement-I. Hence, both statements are accurate, with Statement-II providing a logical explanation for the effects described in Statement-I.

Statement-I is correct as per the provided information. The Indian Railways has indeed witnessed a significant decrease of 90% in train accidents and derailments since the period of 2005-2006, as highlighted by the Union Railway Minister. Statement-II is also accurate as it reflects the establishment of Shishtachar Squads in Delhi to combat harassment and ensure the safety of women in public spaces, as per the details provided in the text. Furthermore, Statement-II logically explains the need for such squads in the context of enhancing women's safety, aligning with the establishment of these units. Thus, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides context to Statement-I.

The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced a remarkable decrease of 90% in train accidents and derailments since the 2005-06 period. This significant improvement underscores the effectiveness of safety measures implemented over the years, showcasing a substantial enhancement in railway safety standards.

1. National Cancer Grid (NCG): Correctly matched. It was established in 2012 to standardize cancer care across India, providing a network of cancer centers, research institutes, and patient groups.

2. Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Correctly matched. Launched in 2018, it aims to provide universal health coverage, including benefits for economically vulnerable families, for cancer treatment among other health services.

3. Sarthi Initiative: Incorrectly matched. The Sarthi Initiative is an internal workflow digitization system for the RBI, not for external regulatory applications. The Pravaah system, not Sarthi, is the one designed for external users to submit regulatory applications digitally.

4. Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative: Correctly matched. Launched in 2024, this initiative aims at eliminating cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting global cooperation in cancer treatment and prevention.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option C: Only three pairs.

The primary aim of establishing cancer daycare centres in district hospitals is to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of chemotherapy treatment. These centres are designed to provide chemotherapy, counseling services, and necessary medications, equipped with essential staff to support cancer patients in their treatment journey. By offering these services at district hospitals, the initiative aims to improve the overall patient experience and ensure that cancer treatment is more accessible to those in need.

The PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Education, primarily aims at mentoring young authors under the age of 30. It focuses on fostering new writers exploring themes such as the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in nation-building, the Indian Knowledge System, and the makers of Modern India (1950-2025). This scheme represents a significant step towards nurturing the literary talents of young authors in India, contributing to the rich tapestry of Indian literature.

1. Statement 1: The Election Commission of India (ECI) indeed enforces the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), but it does not have the authority to impose penalties on political parties for violations. The MCC is a set of guidelines for the conduct of political parties and candidates, but enforcement relies on moral and political pressure rather than legal penalties. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Statement 2: The Supreme Court of India did indeed mandate the verification of 5% of EVMs with VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) in each constituency to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. This decision was aimed at increasing transparency and trust in the electoral process. Thus, Statement 2 is correct.

3. Statement 3: The Representation of the People Act, 1951, contains provisions that regulate spending by individual candidates during elections but does not impose limits on the spending of political parties. This is a significant gap in the regulatory framework concerning election expenditures. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Given the analysis, Statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.

Let's analyze each statement:

1. The number of train accidents has decreased by 90% from 2005-06 to 2024-25.
This statement is correct. The Union Railway Minister reported that train accidents and derailments have significantly decreased by 90% compared to the 2005-06 period, demonstrating the effectiveness of the safety measures implemented over the years.

2. The Indian Railways has achieved financial stability post-Covid-19 by generating revenue equal to its expenses.
This statement is correct. The Indian Railways generated a revenue of ₹2.78 lakh crore against expenses of ₹2.75 lakh crore, achieving financial stability in the post-Covid-19 era.

3. Indian Railways aims for Scope 1 and Scope 2 Net Zero by 2025 and 2030, respectively.
This statement is correct. Indian Railways has set ambitious electrification goals, aiming for Scope 1 Net Zero by 2025 and Scope 2 Net Zero by 2030, indicating a strong commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

All three statements are accurate as per the given information, thus the correct answer is Option D.

1. Article 324 - Correctly matched. Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Election Commission of India to supervise, direct, and control elections, thereby ensuring they are conducted freely and fairly.

2. Representation of the People Act, 1950 - Incorrectly matched. This Act primarily deals with the allocation of seats in the legislatures, the qualifications of voters, and the preparation of electoral rolls. The conduct of elections and management of election disputes are covered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

3. VVPAT - Correctly matched. Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is indeed used alongside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to ensure transparency and integrity in the voting process.

4. Aadhaar-EPIC Linking - Incorrectly matched. While linking Aadhaar to EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) is suggested to prevent duplicate entries, it is not mandatory as per current legal provisions. The proposal aims to enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched, making Option B the correct answer.

To determine the accuracy of the statements:

1. The National Cancer Grid (NCG): This statement is correct. The National Cancer Grid was indeed established in 2012 with the objective of standardizing cancer care across India. It serves a significant number of cancer patients annually and plays a crucial role in improving the quality and consistency of cancer treatment in the country.

2. Ayushman Bharat Yojana: This statement is also correct. Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a flagship initiative of the Indian government aimed at providing universal health coverage. It specifically includes provisions for the treatment of cancer among other diseases, targeting economically vulnerable families to ensure they receive necessary medical care.

3. India’s first indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy - NexCAR19: This statement is correct as well. NexCAR19 was developed in April 2024 and represents a significant advancement in the treatment of blood cancers. This indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy is noted for being a cost-effective solution, making cutting-edge cancer treatment more accessible within the country.

All three statements are accurate as per the provided details, which confirms that Option D: 1, 2 and 3 is the correct answer.