Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 6th March 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I is accurate as it describes the goals and objectives of the Suposhit Maa Abhiyan, a campaign focused on empowering mothers and improving the health of pregnant women and newborns by providing nutritional support, medical care, and health awareness. Statement-II is also correct as it highlights the focus areas of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme (LHDCS), which aims to enhance animal health, control livestock diseases, and improve veterinary services. Statement-II explains the broader context of animal health initiatives, which complements the maternal and child health initiative described in Statement-I. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional relevant information that supports Statement-I.

The primary advantage of using refined kerosene in semi-cryogenic engines over liquid hydrogen is cost-effectiveness. Refined kerosene is more economical and simpler to manage than liquid hydrogen, significantly reducing overall mission costs. This cost-effective feature makes refined kerosene a preferred fuel choice for semi-cryogenic engines, enhancing their operational efficiency and economic viability.

Statement 1 is correct. The Suposhit Maa Abhiyan indeed provides monthly nutrition kits weighing 17 kg to pregnant women as part of its strategy to combat malnutrition and ensure the health of mothers and newborns.

Statement 2 is incorrect. While Phase-III of the campaign indeed aims to improve maternal health outcomes, it does not solely focus on the reduction of maternal mortality rates. The phase includes continuous health monitoring, nutritional support, and health card tracking, among other objectives.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The adoption model under the Suposhit Maa Abhiyan allows for the support of one pregnant woman per family, not multiple women. This is designed to ensure that each supported woman receives adequate attention and resources.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the correct answer.

1. Suposhit Maa Abhiyan - Provides monthly nutrition kits of 17 kg to pregnant women: Correct. The Suposhit Maa Abhiyan indeed provides monthly nutrition kits weighing 17 kg to pregnant women as part of its initiative to combat malnutrition.

2. Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme (LHDCS) - Focuses on the eradication of livestock diseases through mass vaccination: Correct. The LHDCS aims to control livestock diseases and includes components like mass vaccination against diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and others.

3. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) - Provides interest subvention on loans up to ₹5 crore: Incorrect. The AIF provides an interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore, not ₹5 crore.

4. Suposhit Maa Abhiyan Phase 3 - Launched in February 2025: Correct. The third phase of the Suposhit Maa Abhiyan was launched in February 2025, focusing on continuous health monitoring and provision of nutrition kits.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

The main goal of the Suposhit Maa Abhiyan initiative is to improve the health of pregnant women and newborns by providing nutritional support, medical care, and health awareness. This campaign aims to eliminate malnutrition among pregnant women and newborns through various interventions such as monthly nutrition kits, health check-ups, and awareness drives on maternal and infant health.

1. US-Ukraine Mineral Deal - Incorrect. The deal establishes a Reconstruction Investment Fund equally managed by both nations, not solely by the U.S.

2. Indus River - Incorrect. The Indus River originates from Mansarovar in Tibet, not the Pamir Mountains in Pakistan.

3. Dnipro River - Incorrect. The Dnipro River flows through Ukraine and empties into the Black Sea, not the Caspian Sea.

4. Ukraine's Mineral Reserves - Correct. Ukraine holds 5% of the world’s mineral resources, which includes 23 out of the 50 materials classified as critical by the U.S. government.

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

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The semi-cryogenic engine uses refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel, not liquid hydrogen. Liquid oxygen (LOX) is indeed used as an oxidizer, but the statement incorrectly mentions liquid hydrogen as the fuel.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The semi-cryogenic engine is designed to produce a thrust of 2000 kN, which will power the booster stages of upcoming heavy-lift launch vehicles. This increased thrust capability enhances the payload capacity of ISRO's current and future launch vehicles, such as the LVM3 and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Semi-cryogenic engines, which use refined kerosene, are indeed lighter and simpler to store compared to traditional cryogenic engines that use liquid hydrogen. Kerosene can be stored at ambient temperatures, simplifying storage and handling logistics.

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

- Statement 1 is correct. Crassolabium dhritiae is indeed a newly discovered species of nematode named in honor of Dhriti Banerjee, the director of the Zoological Survey of India, recognizing her contributions to zoology and taxonomic research.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The discovery of Crassolabium dhritiae took place in the Deccan Peninsular biogeographic zone, specifically within the Keonjhar district of Odisha, not in the Himalayan biogeographic zone.

- Statement 3 is correct. Soil nematodes are known to be valuable indicators of soil health due to their varied feeding habits and sensitivity to changes in soil conditions, such as disturbances or pollution.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, the answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The discovery of the new nematode species, Crassolabium dhritiae, is significant as it enhances soil fertility and biodiversity. Nematodes play a crucial role in maintaining soil health by consuming plant roots and various soil organisms, aiding in nutrient recycling and serving as indicators of soil health. This discovery not only contributes to the understanding of nematode diversity but also underscores the importance of soil health and biodiversity in ecosystems.

Statement-I correctly emphasizes the significance of nematodes in maintaining soil fertility, as they play a crucial role in soil health and biodiversity. The discovery of Crassolabium dhritiae contributes to the understanding of nematode diversity and their role in ecosystems.
Statement-II accurately reflects the content of the NITI Aayog report, which stresses the importance of enhancing quantum computing capabilities for national security. The report highlights the strategic implications of quantum computing and the necessity for India to adopt measures like post-quantum cryptography to safeguard its data and technology. Thus, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides further context and explanation for Statement-I.