Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 31st March 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights the recent concerns regarding the need for public disclosure of judges' assets, triggered by the discovery of cash at Delhi High Court judges' residences. Statement-II accurately mentions the 2019 ruling that made judges' personal assets and liabilities public under the RTI Act. However, while both statements are factually correct, Statement-II does not directly explain or elaborate on the context provided in Statement-I. Hence, option (b) is the most appropriate choice as it acknowledges the accuracy of both statements without implying a direct explanatory relationship between them.

1. Centralization of Education Governance - Incorrectly matched. Centralization of education governance involves increased control by the Union Government, reducing state involvement and decision-making, which undermines federal principles.

2. Commercialization of Education - Incorrectly matched. Commercialization often leads to increased costs and inequality, as seen with the closure of public schools and increased reliance on costly private education for low-income families.

3. Communalization of Curricula - Incorrectly matched. Communalization involves promoting specific ideological narratives, often at the expense of academic integrity and diversity of perspectives.

4. Indian Judicial Service (IJS) Proposal - Correctly matched. The proposal for an Indian Judicial Service aims to introduce a merit-based system to reform judicial appointments, addressing issues of transparency and accountability.

Only the fourth pair is correctly matched, thus making the correct answer Option A: Only one pair.

• Statement-I: A study published in Nature revealed that a section of the Pacific Ocean seabed mined over 40 years ago has shown minimal recovery, leading to calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
• Statement-II: The Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project is projected to generate approximately 3,074 million units (MU) of electricity annually upon full operation.

While both statements are accurate, they pertain to different subjects and are not related. Therefore, the correct option is:​a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

The main goal of Exercise INIOCHOS-25, which includes the Indian Air Force, is to strengthen global defense cooperation. This exercise allows air forces to practice Combined Air Operations and share tactical knowledge through realistic combat scenarios. It plays a crucial role in enhancing operational readiness, fostering international collaboration, and showcasing the ability to conduct joint operations effectively.

The centralization of power and decision-making in education governance is a significant concern raised by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This trend undermines federal principles and limits state involvement in shaping educational policies and initiatives. It signifies a shift towards centralized decision-making at the expense of collaborative efforts between the central government and state governments, impacting the autonomy and diversity of the education system. **Note:** The question and options are crafted based on the information provided in the text regarding the centralization of education governance as a major issue in India's education system.

Statement-I is correct as it accurately presents the growth of India's Textile and Apparel exports from $11.5 billion in FY2001 to $34.8 billion in FY24, capturing a 4% share of the global market, as mentioned in the provided content.
Statement-II is also correct as it reflects the increase in India's share of renewable energy in the total energy mix from 6% in 2014-15 to 7% in 2023-24. However, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to Statement-I, making option (b) the correct choice.

Judicial asset disclosure is essential for maintaining transparency and ensuring accountability within the judiciary. By making judges' assets and liabilities public information, it helps prevent corruption, promotes integrity, and allows for scrutiny of their financial dealings. This practice is crucial for upholding the public's trust in the judicial system and ensuring that judges are accountable for their actions.

1. Polymetallic Nodule Mining - Extraction of Gold and Silver: This is incorrectly matched. Polymetallic Nodule Mining involves collecting mineral-rich nodules from the ocean floor, primarily targeting Nickel, Cobalt, and Rare Earths, not Gold and Silver.

2. Seafloor Massive Sulphide Mining - Extraction of Copper and Zinc: This is correctly matched. Seafloor Massive Sulphide Mining focuses on extracting metal deposits from hydrothermal vents, which include Copper and Zinc, among others like Gold and Silver.

3. Cobalt-Rich Crust Mining - Targeting Nickel and Rare Earths: This is incorrectly matched. Cobalt-Rich Crust Mining targets Cobalt, Platinum, and Manganese, not Nickel and Rare Earths.

4. International Seabed Authority (ISA) - Regulates international seabed mining: This is correctly matched. The ISA, established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, regulates and manages mineral-related activities in international seabed areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

The primary purpose of convening the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) as emphasized by the Parliamentary Standing Committee is to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders and support labor reforms. The ILC serves as a crucial platform for tripartite dialogue, fostering discussions among representatives from the government, employers, and employees. This dialogue is essential for addressing challenges, ensuring effective implementation of labor laws, and promoting harmony in the labor sector.

- Statement 1 is correct. Deep sea mining involves three main types: polymetallic nodule mining, seafloor massive sulphide mining, and cobalt-rich crust mining. These activities target minerals like Nickel, Cobalt, Rare Earths, Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Platinum, and Manganese, which are essential for various technologies.

- Statement 2 is correct. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was indeed established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It manages and regulates mineral-related activities in international seabed areas that are beyond national jurisdiction, ensuring environmental protection while overseeing resource utilization.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The environmental impacts of deep sea mining, such as sediment changes and declines in marine biodiversity, are not negligible. The recent study highlighted in the question indicates that areas subjected to mining have yet to recover even after 40 years, emphasizing the significant environmental concerns and the need for stringent regulatory frameworks.

Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect, making Option B the right choice.