Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 5th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) primarily focuses on reducing poverty in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1966, the ADB aims to promote sustainable growth, reduce inequalities, and foster economic development across its member countries. By providing financial assistance, technical support, and engaging in policy dialogues, the ADB plays a crucial role in addressing development challenges and promoting inclusive growth in the region.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Khichan, a newly designated Ramsar site in Rajasthan, is known for hosting thousands of migratory Demoiselle cranes, not the cinereous vulture. The cinereous vulture is one of the rare birds found in Menar, another Ramsar site in Rajasthan.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. One of the key objectives of the Ramsar Convention is to promote international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands. This involves identifying and designating wetlands of global importance and ensuring their effective management.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Tamil Nadu indeed has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India, with a total of 20 sites.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only.

Statement-I correctly describes Mount Etna as a stratovolcano based on its geological structure with layers of lava, ash, and rocks. This classification is widely accepted in the field of volcanology.
However, Statement-II is incorrect. The recent eruption of Mount Etna in June 2025 was not primarily triggered by tectonic plate movements in the region. Rather, volcanic eruptions like those of Mount Etna are typically caused by the movement of magma from within the Earth's mantle towards the surface through the volcano's vent. Tectonic plate movements can influence volcanic activity indirectly, but they are not the primary trigger for specific eruptions such as the one mentioned in the statement.

The Ramsar Convention focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands globally. Its key objectives include identifying and designating wetlands of global importance, ensuring the effective management of these sites, and promoting international cooperation for wetland protection. This treaty aims to safeguard these vital ecosystems and the biodiversity they support, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address wetland conservation challenges worldwide.

Statement-I correctly identifies the key factors exacerbating India's environmental crisis, including fossil fuel reliance, deforestation, and poor waste management. These factors significantly contribute to environmental degradation in the country.
Statement-II accurately highlights the severe impact of India's environmental health challenges, leading to nearly three million annual deaths attributed to environmental risk factors, with a notable emphasis on the vulnerability of children. This statement further reinforces the gravity of India's environmental health crisis, aligning with the broader context provided in the source material.

- Statement 1 is correct. Between 2015 and 2024, India's carbon emissions escalated from 2.33 to 3.12 billion metric tonnes. This increase is primarily due to the country's ongoing dependency on fossil fuels such as coal and oil. This reflects a significant growth that aligns with the global trend of rising carbon emissions, which have increased due to similar dependencies.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The statement wrongly claims that nearly 70% of India's electricity is generated from renewable sources. In reality, nearly 70% of India's electricity is derived from coal, which is a fossil fuel, not a renewable source. This misrepresentation of data is critical as it affects the understanding of India's energy mix and its environmental impact.

- Statement 3 is correct. Marginalized communities in India indeed bear the brunt of environmental degradation and climate change effects. These communities often lack the resources to mitigate or adapt to environmental challenges, making them more vulnerable to pollution, climate shocks, and other environmental impacts.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only, as statements 1 and 3 are accurate, while statement 2 is not.

The SPMEPCI scheme, initiated in 2024, primarily aims to incentivize local electric vehicle (EV) production and reduce import reliance. By encouraging manufacturers to partner with Indian suppliers and meet domestic value addition targets, the scheme seeks to boost the indigenous production of electric vehicles within the country. This move aligns with the broader objective of fostering a self-reliant and sustainable EV ecosystem in India, essential for the nation's transition towards cleaner and greener transportation solutions.

- Statement 1 is correct. India is indeed a megadiverse country, contributing significantly to global biodiversity. It holds approximately 8% of the global biodiversity while covering only 2% of the world's landmass, which underscores its rich and varied biological resources.

- Statement 2 is also correct. Orphan crops, which include small millets, buckwheat, amaranth, and other indigenous crops, are being increasingly recognized for their role in enhancing food security and climate resilience. These crops are often neglected in mainstream agriculture but are valuable due to their nutritional benefits and adaptability to changing climates.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Odisha Millet Mission is not aimed at promoting monoculture practices. Instead, it is an initiative to integrate millets and other minor crops into local food systems to enhance agrobiodiversity and ensure nutritional diversity. The focus is on reviving traditional farming techniques and promoting neglected crops, rather than increasing agricultural output through monoculture.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only. This makes Option B the correct answer.

1. Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS) - Small millets, buckwheat, and amaranth: This pair is correctly matched. NUS includes crops like small millets, buckwheat, and amaranth, which are often overlooked but have high nutritional value and adaptability to changing climates.

2. Odisha Millet Mission - Initiative to promote rice cultivation: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Odisha Millet Mission aims to integrate small millets and other minor crops into local food systems to enhance nutritional diversity, not rice cultivation.

3. Regenerative Farming - Focuses on restoring soil health and increasing biodiversity: This pair is correctly matched. Regenerative farming indeed focuses on restoring and enhancing soil health, increasing biodiversity, and improving ecosystem resilience.

4. PM MITRA Scheme - Supports the development of Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks: This pair is correctly matched. The PM MITRA Scheme is designed to establish Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks to streamline the entire textile value chain, reducing logistics costs and increasing competitiveness.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The upcoming Population Census of India, scheduled for 2027, will indeed include caste-based data collection for the first time since Independence. This marks a significant shift in the data collection process, aiming to capture comprehensive social data.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The reference date for most of India during this census will be October 1, 2026, not April 1, 2026. The April 1, 2026 date mentioned refers to the commencement of the census process, not the reference date.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The census will be conducted under the Census Act of 1948 and the Census Rules of 1990, not the Census Act of 2002. The Census Act of 1948 provides the legislative framework for conducting the census in India.

Hence, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the correct answer.