Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 24th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. The Bamiyan Buddhas were constructed during the rule of the Hephthalites around 600 CE and are known for their vibrant colors and Greco-Buddhist art style.

- This statement is correct. The Bamiyan Buddhas were indeed constructed during the Hephthalite rule in the 6th century CE. They are famed for their vibrant colors and represent a blend of Greco-Buddhist art, showcasing influences from Sasanian and Byzantine styles.

2. The Bamiyan Buddhas were destroyed by the orders of Genghis Khan in 1221.

- This statement is incorrect. Although the region did face invasions by Genghis Khan, he did not destroy the Bamiyan Buddhas. The statues were actually destroyed in 2001 under the orders of the Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar.

3. The statues were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site even before their destruction in 2001.

- This statement is incorrect. The site where the statues were located was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its immense cultural and historical significance after their destruction in 2001, as part of efforts to preserve what remained of the site and highlight its importance.

Hence, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only, as only the first statement is correct.

Recent judgments by the Supreme Court of India have sparked debates regarding the balance of power among the judiciary, legislature, and executive, raising concerns about potential "judicial despotism." This concept questions whether the judiciary is overstepping its boundaries and exerting excessive authority, highlighting the need for a delicate balance of power between the branches of government to ensure the functioning of a healthy democracy.

1. United Kingdom Supreme Court - Ruling excludes trans women from the definition of women under the Gender Recognition Act, 2004: Incorrectly matched. The ruling excludes trans women from the definition of women under the Equality Act, 2010, not the Gender Recognition Act, 2004.

2. Akshvi Platform - An e-digital wallet for disaster relief and reporting in India: Correctly matched. Akshvi is indeed an e-digital wallet launched in India for disaster relief and accurate reporting of losses during climate-related events.

3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) - Responsible for regulating food adulteration and ensuring food safety: Correctly matched. FSSAI is the designated authority in India responsible for food safety and addressing issues related to food adulteration.

4. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) - Reports on the nutritional status of children under five in India: Correctly matched. NFHS-5 provides data on various health indicators, including the nutritional status of children under five years old in India.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct in the context of the provided information. Statement-I highlights the alignment between trans-exclusionary feminism and far-right ideologies, illustrating how trans women are often portrayed as threats. Statement-II correctly points out that the U.K. Supreme Court's decision has implications for the Gender Recognition Act, 2004, casting doubts on the equality provisions within the law. Furthermore, Statement-II explains the broader impact of the court ruling on the legal framework concerning transgender rights, thereby substantiating Statement-I. Hence, option (a) is the correct choice as both statements are accurate, and Statement-II indeed provides additional context that supports Statement-I.

• Indus Waters Treaty Suspension - Until Pakistan ceases support for cross-border terrorism: Correctly matched. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is conditional on Pakistan ceasing support for cross-border terrorism, as announced by India following the Pahalgam attack.
• Closure of Attari-Wagah Border - Permanent closure affecting all cross-border traffic: Incorrectly matched. The Attari-Wagah border was closed with immediate effect, affecting all cross-border traffic, but sources do not confirm the closure as permanent; a return deadline of April 30, 2025, suggests it may be temporary.
• Cancellation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme - Only for Pakistani nationals: Correctly matched. The cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme specifically targets Pakistani nationals, with a 48-hour departure ultimatum.
• Expulsion of Military Advisors - Only Pakistani military advisors declared Persona Non Grata: Incorrectly matched. India expelled Pakistani military advisors, declaring them Persona Non Grata, but also withdrew its own advisors from Islamabad, indicating a reciprocal action, not limited to Pakistani advisors.

The Bamiyan Buddhas located in Afghanistan served as a major Buddhist religious center along the Silk Road. These monumental statues represented important figures in Buddhism and played a crucial role in the spread of religion, philosophy, and art across different regions. The destruction of these statues in 2001 was a significant loss to cultural heritage and history.

• Statement-I: Correct. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam Terror Attack, with the suspension explicitly conditional on Pakistan ceasing support for cross-border terrorism, as confirmed by official statements.
• Statement-II: Correct. The Attari-Wagah border check post was closed with immediate effect, halting all cross-border traffic, including trade and movement, as part of India’s response to the attack.
• Explanation Relationship: Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. The suspension of the IWT (Statement-I) and the closure of the Attari-Wagah border (Statement-II) are independent actions within India’s multi-pronged response to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. The border closure does not provide a reason for the treaty suspension, nor does it directly result from it; both are separate measures addressing the same issue. Therefore, while both statements are correct, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) : Transportation sector - Incorrect. The largest source of SO2 emissions in India is energy production, primarily from coal-fired power plants, not the transportation sector.

2. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) : Energy production from coal - Correct. While the main contributor to NOx emissions is the transportation sector, particularly diesel vehicles, energy production from coal is also a significant source.

3. Methane (CH4) : Agriculture sector - Correct. Agriculture is the predominant source of methane emissions, primarily due to enteric fermentation in livestock and flooded rice paddies.

4. Ammonia (NH3) : Industrial waste - Incorrect. The major sources of ammonia emissions are nitrogen-based fertilizers and livestock waste, not industrial waste.

Therefore, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The UK Supreme Court's decision to exclude trans women from the definition of women does mirror the ideologies often associated with far-right groups that portray trans women as threats to cisgender women. This reflects deeper ideological conflicts regarding inclusion, justice, and human rights in democratic societies.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The argument for "equal but separate" facilities for cis and trans women is not widely accepted as it echoes the discredited doctrine of racial segregation— "separate but equal”—which historically dehumanized marginalized groups and failed to provide genuine equality or protection.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Modern biology challenges binary models of sex and gender, advocating for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes a spectrum of sexual and gender identities. This scientific perspective supports inclusivity and challenges traditional binary divisions.

Thus, the only correct statement is 1, making Option A: 1 Only the correct answer. This solution aligns with both the current scientific understanding of gender and the human rights perspectives that critique exclusionary legal rulings.

Statement-I correctly identifies that the largest source of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in India is energy production, primarily from coal-fired power plants. This is accurate as coal contains sulfur impurities that are released during combustion, contributing significantly to SO2 pollution.
Statement-II correctly points out that transportation is the main contributor to nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, especially from diesel vehicles. This is accurate as diesel-powered vehicles are a significant source of NOx emissions.
Both statements are factually correct in identifying the sources of SO2 and NOx emissions in India. However, they address different pollutants and sources independently, without one statement explaining the other, leading to the correct answer being option (b).