Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 25th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The Battle of Karnal (1739) had significant consequences:

• The battle led to the looting of the Mughal treasury, which included valuable items like the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Peacock Throne.
• Despite having a larger army, the Mughal forces were defeated by Nadir Shah's forces in less than three hours.
• Contrary to some beliefs, the battle did not strengthen the Mughal Empire; instead, it weakened its central authority.

Thus, only the first and second statements are correct.

The primary objective of the Spices Board in India is to enhance the quality and boost the export potential of spices. By focusing on quality control and establishing international standards, the Spices Board aims to facilitate sustainable growth in spice exports, serving as a crucial link between Indian spice exporters and international importers.

1. Nadir Shah - Persian Army Commander: Correctly matched. Nadir Shah led the Persian army to victory against the Mughal Empire at the Battle of Karnal in 1739.
2. Muhammad Shah 'Rangila' - Mughal Emperor: Correctly matched. Muhammad Shah was the Mughal Emperor during the Battle of Karnal and was defeated by Nadir Shah.
3. Ahmad Shah Abdali - Captured Delhi in 1771: Incorrectly matched. Ahmad Shah Abdali was a prominent invader of India and did attack Delhi multiple times, but it was the Marathas, not Ahmad Shah Abdali, who captured Delhi in 1771.
4. Koh-i-Noor Diamond - Looted by Nadir Shah: Correctly matched. The Koh-i-Noor diamond was one of the treasures taken by Nadir Shah after his victory at Karnal and subsequent sacking of Delhi.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly identifies the outcome of the Battle of Karnal in 1739, where Nadir Shah's Persian army decisively defeated the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah 'Rangila'. Statement-II accurately describes the broader implications of the battle, highlighting its role in the economic collapse, weakening of central power, and the rise of regional powers in India. Therefore, both statements are correct, with Statement-II providing an explanation for the events described in Statement-I.

1. Type 0 SMA: Most severe form, onset before birth.
- Correct. Type 0 SMA is indeed the most severe form and presents before birth. It is characterized by severe muscle weakness and respiratory issues at or before birth.
2. SMN1 Gene: Responsible for producing a protein crucial for motor neuron survival.
- Correct. Mutations in the SMN1 gene lead to a deficiency in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is essential for the survival of motor neurons. This is the primary cause of SMA.
3. Type 4 SMA: Adult onset with milder symptoms.
- Correct. Type 4 SMA is known for its adult onset and generally milder symptoms compared to other types. It typically manifests after the age of 18 and affects motor function more slowly.
4. Type 2 SMA: Onset after 18 months and causes severe muscle weakness.
- Incorrect. Type 2 SMA typically presents between 6 and 18 months of age, not after 18 months. It does cause significant muscle weakness but not as severe as Type 1.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Spices Board was indeed established in 1987 through the merger of the Cardamom Board (established in 1968) and the Spices Export Promotion Council (established in 1960). This merger was formalized under the Spices Board Act of 1986, creating a statutory body to oversee the development and export promotion of spices.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Spices Board operates under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, not the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Its primary focus is on the export promotion and development of spices, which falls under the purview of commerce and trade rather than agriculture.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Spices Board is responsible for the promotion and regulation of 52 scheduled spices, including cardamom, but not all agricultural products exported from India. Its mandate is specific to spices, aiming to enhance quality control and establish international standards for spice exports.

Thus, only the first statement is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the right answer.

Statement 1 is correct. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is indeed a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1), which leads to a deficiency in a protein essential for motor neuron survival.

Statement 2 is incorrect. SMA primarily affects motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement, leading to progressive muscle weakness, while involuntary muscles typically remain unaffected.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Currently, there is no cure for SMA. The available treatments focus on managing symptoms, such as using physical therapy to improve posture, prevent joint immobility, and slow muscle weakness, rather than outright curing the condition.

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

The Battle of Karnal in 1739 marked a crucial turning point in the history of the Mughal Empire. This battle resulted in a decisive victory for Nadir Shah's Persian army over the Mughal forces, leading to the plunder of Delhi and the massacre of civilians. The aftermath of this battle significantly weakened the Mughal Empire, paving the way for the rise of regional powers like the Marathas and the British expansion in India.

1. Slender-Billed Gull - Breeds along the northern coast of the western Indian Ocean. This pair is correctly matched. The slender-billed gull is known to breed sporadically around the Mediterranean and the northern part of the western Indian Ocean.

2. Tea Horse Road - Originated during the Tang Dynasty to facilitate trade between China and India. This pair is correctly matched. The Tea Horse Road originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) to facilitate trade, linking China, Tibet, and India.

3. Pallikaranai Marshland - Recognized as one of the Ramsar sites in India. This pair is correctly matched. The Pallikaranai Marshland is indeed recognized as one of the Ramsar sites in India.

4. Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS) - A fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen and 20% phosphorus. This pair is incorrectly matched. While APS contains 20% nitrogen, it also contains 13% sulphur, not 20% phosphorus. The phosphorus content is part of its formulation, but the statement as given is misleading in its specifics.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, but pair 4 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

Statement-I correctly describes the establishment of the Spices Board in 1987 under the Spices Board Act of 1986 through the merger of the Cardamom Board and the Spices Export Promotion Council. Statement-II talks about the introduction of the Right to Information (RTI) Act to enhance transparency and empower citizens. Both statements are factually correct but are unrelated to each other, hence option (b) is the correct answer.