Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 28th March 2025 - UPSC MCQ

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty. This alliance was established to counter Soviet expansion in post-World War II Europe. NATO's core principle of collective defense, where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, has been a fundamental aspect of its operations since its inception.

Statement-I emphasizes the need for India to balance its defense strategy between enhancing indigenous capabilities and forming strategic partnerships. This aligns with the broader discussion in the text about the challenges India faces in balancing indigenous production and foreign partnerships in the defense sector. The statement accurately reflects the key takeaway from the text.

Statement-II discusses the capabilities of the Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS) in engaging and destroying heavily armored enemy tanks, including those with advanced armor types. This statement directly relates to the details provided in the text about the features and purpose of the NAMIS system, showcasing its effectiveness in anti-tank warfare.

Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the importance of maintaining a balance in defense strategy by highlighting a specific advanced defense system like NAMIS that contributes to India's defense capabilities.

India's recent progress in deep-sea exploration with the Matsya-6000 submersible primarily aims at enhancing economic development. By exploring underwater minerals along India's coastline, such as polymetallic nodules and gas hydrates, India aims to secure essential resources crucial for its industrial growth. Deep-sea exploration not only contributes to economic development but also strengthens India's strategic and technological capabilities in the long run.

All three statements provided are accurate and reflect key aspects of the India BioEconomy Report and the associated policy directions:

1. Statement 1 is correct: The India BioEconomy Report indeed projects that India's bioeconomy will exceed $165 billion by 2024, comprising over 4.2% of the country's GDP. This projection indicates significant growth from previous years, highlighting the expanding role of the bioeconomy in India's economic landscape.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The pharmaceutical sector is a major component of India's bioeconomy, accounting for 35% of its total value. This substantial share is largely driven by advancements in vaccine development, reflecting the sector's pivotal role in the bioeconomy.

3. Statement 3 is correct: The BioE3 policy aims to establish India as a global leader in bio-manufacturing and biotech research. It emphasizes areas such as bio-based chemicals, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, and climate-resilient agriculture, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to enhancing India's bioeconomy.

Thus, all three statements are correct, and the correct answer is Option D, as they collectively reflect the current and future projections and policy directions outlined in the report.

Statement-I correctly describes Mount Kenya and its glaciers, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Lewis Glacier and Tyndall Glacier. Statement-II accurately portrays India's Matsya-6000 submersible and its role in deep-sea exploration for resources like polymetallic nodules and gas hydrates. However, these statements are unrelated and do not explain each other, making option (b) the correct choice.

1. Mount Kenya - Location: The location is incorrectly matched. Mount Kenya is actually situated in central Kenya, just south of the Equator.

2. Matsya-6000 - Maximum Depth: This is correctly matched. The Matsya-6000 is capable of diving up to 6 kilometers below the ocean's surface.

3. DPDP Act - Year Introduced: This is correctly matched. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act was introduced in 2023.

4. Lewis Glacier - Location: This is incorrectly matched. The Lewis Glacier is located on Mount Kenya, not Mount Kilimanjaro.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. NATO was indeed founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, primarily to counter Soviet expansion in Europe following World War II.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. NATO's core principle of collective defense, as articulated in Article 5, has been invoked only once in its history, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. It is a common misconception that it has been invoked multiple times.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The most recent country to join NATO is Sweden, which joined in 2023. Ukraine has not yet become a member of NATO but applied for membership in 2022 and received security assurances in 2023.

Therefore, the only correct statement is 1, making Option A the correct answer.

The Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS) was developed with the primary objective of countering armored threats effectively. It is specifically designed to engage and destroy heavily armored enemy tanks, including those with composite and reactive armor. The system features advanced technology, such as a third-generation 'fire-and-forget' missile capability, and is equipped with night-strike capability for operations in low visibility conditions. By integrating systems like the Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and offering versatile attack modes, the NAMIS significantly enhances India's defense technology capabilities, especially in anti-tank warfare.

The India BioEconomy Report aims to showcase the significant growth and potential of India's bioeconomy sector. It highlights the increasing value of India's bioeconomy, the key sectors driving this growth, regional contributions, global comparisons, and policy directions to position India as a global hub for bio-manufacturing and biotech research and development. This report underscores the importance of the bioeconomy for sustainable development and economic growth in India.

1. Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS): Incorrect. NAMIS features a third-generation 'fire-and-forget' missile capability, not first-generation. This advanced technology allows the missile to engage targets without requiring further guidance after launch.

2. Tejas Mk1A: Correct. The Tejas Mk1A is an indigenous fighter aircraft developed by India, and its operational capabilities are indeed partially dependent on U.S. engines. This highlights India's strategic partnerships for critical technological components.

3. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI): Incorrect. While the DTTI aims to enhance defense cooperation, it does not guarantee complete technology transfer, including intellectual property rights. The unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy also complicates assurances of full technology transfer.

4. S-400: Correct. The S-400 is a Russian air defense system supplied to India, demonstrating Russia's role as a stable supplier. This system is critical for India's strategic defense capabilities and is part of efforts to diversify defense procurements.

In conclusion, pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched, resulting in a total of two correctly matched pairs.