Test: Weekly Current Affairs: April 15th to 21st - UPSC MCQ

1. Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY): Correctly matched. It provides health coverage for over 39.94 crore beneficiaries up to USD 5 lakh per family, aiming to reduce financial burden on poor and vulnerable groups arising out of catastrophic hospital episodes.

2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Incorrectly matched. This scheme does not involve health check-ups for the elderly. Instead, it is one of the largest food security schemes globally, providing free food grains to 80.67 crore people.

3. eShram Portal: Correctly matched. It is indeed a national database for unorganised workers with over 30.68 crore registrations, designed to promote inclusive social protection coverage for informal sector workers.

4. Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Correctly matched. It aims to strengthen retirement security for informal sector workers with 7.25 crore enrolments, providing a fixed pension to subscribers after the age of 60.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

A Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) is specifically designed to accelerate machine learning workloads. Unlike CPUs which are for general-purpose computing and GPUs which are optimized for parallel processing and graphics rendering, TPUs are specialized for handling machine learning tasks efficiently, making them highly suitable for deep learning and neural networks. This specialization enables TPUs to significantly enhance the training of AI models and improve overall computational performance in AI applications.

The Ironwood TPU is specifically designed for deep learning and AI tasks, distinguishing it from traditional CPUs and GPUs. While CPUs are general-purpose processors and GPUs are optimized for parallel processing, TPUs are tailored to accelerate machine learning workloads with a focus on tensor operations. This specialized design allows TPUs to handle complex AI models efficiently, making them particularly well-suited for applications in artificial intelligence, such as neural network training and inference. The advancement of TPUs like Ironwood represents a significant leap in computational capabilities for AI applications.

The study conducted by IIM Amritsar in 2025 emphasizes that stubble burning in Punjab is largely influenced by structural market distortions. This factor plays a significant role in incentivizing farmers to resort to this unsustainable agricultural practice.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are factually correct based on the information provided in the text. Dwarka being one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites associated with Lord Krishna and Beyt Dwarka's association with the Mahabharata and Guru Vallabhacharya are historically accurate. Furthermore, Beyt Dwarka being linked to the Mahabharata aligns with its historical significance and archaeological findings. Hence, both statements being correct and Statement-II providing additional context about Beyt Dwarka's association with the Mahabharata validate option (a) as the accurate answer.

- Statement 1 is correct. Dwarka is indeed recognized as the first capital of Gujarat, according to legend, established by Lord Krishna after reclaiming land from the sea. It is home to the historic Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, which was rebuilt in the 16th century following its destruction by Mahmud Begada.

- Statement 2 is correct. Beyt Dwarka, also referred to as Shankhodhar, is linked to the Mahabharata. Excavations on this island have uncovered habitation evidence from the Harappan and Mauryan periods, confirming its ancient historical significance.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Sudarshan Setu, which enhances access to Beyt Dwarka, is indeed India's longest cable-stayed bridge, inaugurated in 2024. This modern infrastructure development plays a crucial role in connecting the island to the mainland and facilitating transport and tourism.

All statements are accurate and consistent with the historical and archaeological details of Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka, making Option D the correct answer.

The State of Social Protection Report 2025 highlights that globally, 88% of individuals living in extreme poverty lack sufficient social protection. This emphasizes the critical need for enhancing social protection systems to safeguard vulnerable populations against economic shocks, climate change, and conflicts.

1. Dwarka - Mahabharata association: Correctly matched. Dwarka is associated with Lord Krishna, who is a central figure in the Mahabharata, and is a significant location in Hindu mythology as the place where Krishna settled after leaving Mathura.

2. Beyt Dwarka - Lord Krishna’s first capital: Incorrectly matched. Dwarka, not Beyt Dwarka, is believed to be Lord Krishna’s first capital after leaving Mathura. Beyt Dwarka, also known as Shankhodhar, is associated with the Mahabharata but not specifically as Krishna's capital.

3. Dwarkadhish Temple - Built by Mahmud Begada: Incorrectly matched. The Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is a major Krishna Bhakti shrine that was rebuilt in the 16th century after its destruction by Mahmud Begada, not built by him.

4. Sudarshan Setu - Cable-stayed bridge to Beyt Dwarka: Correctly matched. Sudarshan Setu is indeed India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, enhancing access to Beyt Dwarka, and was inaugurated in 2024.

The pairs correctly matched are 1 and 4, thus two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Pineapple Express - A type of Atmospheric River affecting the US East Coast: Incorrect. The Pineapple Express is a well-known type of Atmospheric River that affects the US West Coast, particularly California, and not the East Coast.

2. Category 4 Atmospheric River - Primarily beneficial for drought recovery: Incorrect. Category 4 Atmospheric Rivers are mainly hazardous, with potential for severe flooding. They can aid drought recovery but are not primarily beneficial due to their destructive nature.

3. Atmospheric River Formation - Driven by high evaporation over warm ocean waters: Correct. Atmospheric rivers form when warm ocean waters lead to high levels of evaporation, creating moist air that is transported to mid-latitudes by jet streams.

4. AR in India - Predominantly occur during the winter monsoon season: Incorrect. In India, major atmospheric river events predominantly occur during the summer monsoon season, as per the research data from 1951 to 2020.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: Pair 3 is correct, while Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.

- Statement 1: This is correct. The World Bank's State of Social Protection Report 2025 highlights that nearly two billion people in low- and middle-income countries (LICs and MICs) lack adequate social protection. This statement aligns with the key findings of the report.

- Statement 2: This is correct. The report indicates that in low-income countries (LICs) and sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of social protection is indeed as high as 98% and 97%, respectively. This reflects the severe deficiencies in social protection systems in these regions.

- Statement 3: This is incorrect. India's spending on social protection is around 5% of GDP (excluding health), which is lower than the global average of about 13% as per the World Social Protection Report 2024-26 by the ILO. The statement incorrectly suggests that India's spending is higher than the global average, which is not the case.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the reason for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, linking it to the peaceful protest against the Rowlatt Act. Statement-II accurately describes the Rowlatt Act of 1919 as a repressive legislation enacted by the British government to suppress anti-colonial activities, replacing the Defence of India Act (1915). Both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II provides the historical context for the events leading to the tragic incident at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919. Thus, Option A is the correct answer.

An atmospheric river is characterized as a long, narrow band in the atmosphere that carries vast amounts of water vapor, akin to a "river in the sky." This phenomenon is crucial in influencing weather patterns and water resources, particularly in regions impacted by its effects.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The India Justice Report 2025 highlights that Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana rank highest among large and mid-sized states in terms of delivering justice. This is explicitly mentioned in the report's overall rankings section.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The per capita expenditure on legal aid is not Rs 182 per person per year. Instead, Rs 182 is the overall spending on the judiciary per person per year. The per capita expenditure on legal aid is actually Rs 6.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. India's police officer to population ratio is substantially lower than the global norm. The report states that India has 120 police officers per lakh population, whereas the global norm is 222 officers per lakh. This indicates a shortfall rather than an excess.

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

A major concern linked with Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) during the traditional recycling process is the presence of toxic lead. This raises environmental issues as the conventional methods of recycling rely on hazardous solvents. To address this, a recent study published in Nature introduced a sustainable, water-based method that safely extracts lead, promoting a circular economy and enhancing environmental sustainability in solar energy production.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are accurate. Statement-I highlights the influence of structural market distortions and policy incentives, particularly the Minimum Support Price (MSP), on stubble burning in Punjab. This indicates how these factors contribute to the prevalent agricultural practice. Statement-II is also correct, noting that farmers resort to burning stubble due to the absence of viable alternatives for managing crop residue. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but rather provides additional context regarding why farmers engage in stubble burning. Therefore, option (b) is the correct choice as both statements are accurate but not interdependent in terms of explanation.

Dwarka holds importance as a place where Lord Krishna settled, while Beyt Dwarka is linked to the Mahabharata and features a temple associated with Guru Vallabhacharya. These sites have archaeological significance and are deeply rooted in Indian mythology and history.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Ironwood TPU is specifically designed for executing AI models such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and Mixture of Experts (MoEs). This design enables the TPU to handle advanced AI tasks effectively.

- Statement 2 is correct. India's ethanol blending program has set a target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by the year 2025-26. This target is part of India's broader strategy to diversify energy sources and increase the use of renewable energy.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Ironwood TPU is noted for its energy efficiency, providing double the performance per watt compared to its predecessor. This improvement is partly due to the advanced liquid cooling technology, which enhances power efficiency rather than increasing energy consumption per watt.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The MSP system in India has indeed encouraged farmers to focus on wheat and rice cultivation. This is because these crops offer guaranteed income due to MSP, leading to a lack of crop diversification and resulting in the buildup of paddy stubble, which is often burned.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While stubble burning is a significant issue, it is not primarily due to the absence of penalties. In fact, there are penalties for stubble burning, but the problem persists largely due to the lack of viable alternatives for managing crop residue and economic pressures faced by the farmers.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Although the Pusa Decomposer is an eco-friendly solution intended to manage crop residues, it is not widely used across Punjab. Its underutilization is due to logistical challenges and insufficient follow-up, limiting its effectiveness in large-scale applications.

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

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 was a response to a peaceful protest against the repressive Rowlatt Act. General Dyer's troops opened fire on an unarmed crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, leading to the deaths of over 1,000 men, women, and children. This tragic event marked a significant turning point in India's struggle for independence, fueling public sentiment against British rule and sparking movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

Statement 1: This statement is correct. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in response to widespread protests against the Rowlatt Act of 1919, which was seen as repressive legislation by the Indian populace. The Act allowed the British colonial government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism without trial, which led to significant unrest.

Statement 2: This statement is also correct. The massacre took place on April 13, 1919, which coincided with the festival of Baisakhi. This led to a large number of people gathering at Jallianwala Bagh, many of whom were unaware of the imposition of a ban on public gatherings.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The Hunter Commission was set up to investigate the massacre, but it did not impose any significant penalties on Brigadier-General Dyer. Although the commission condemned his actions, Dyer was not formally punished by the British government, which led to widespread outrage in India and further fueled the independence movement.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B

1. Ironwood TPU - Tailored for general-purpose computing: Incorrect. The Ironwood TPU is specifically designed for AI tasks such as large language models and mixture of experts, not for general-purpose computing, which is typically the domain of CPUs.

2. Ethanol - Produced from sugarcane, maize, and rice: Correct. Ethanol in India is indeed produced from various agricultural feedstocks including sugarcane, maize, and rice.

3. TPU Function - Specialized in accelerating machine learning workloads: Correct. TPUs are optimized for handling AI-specific computational tasks and are specialized in accelerating machine learning workloads, unlike general-purpose CPUs.

4. India's Ethanol Blending Target for 2030 - 20% blending in petrol: Incorrect. The target for ethanol blending in petrol in India by 2030 is set at 30%, not 20%.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 2 and 3.

The primary aim of the Startup India initiative is to boost innovation and create jobs. Launched by the Indian government, this program seeks to foster a supportive environment for startups, encouraging new ideas and entrepreneurship across various sectors. By focusing on innovation, the initiative aims to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth, particularly in underrepresented regions and industries.

A significant environmental concern associated with ethanol production in India is the threat to food security due to crop diversion. As India increases its ethanol production by diverting sugarcane towards biofuels, there is a risk that land and resources will be allocated away from food crops, potentially leading to shortages and increased food prices. This challenge highlights the need for careful balancing between energy production and agricultural sustainability to ensure that food security is not compromised.

The discoveries at Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka, such as stone jetties and fortified walls, strongly suggest that these sites were once home to a thriving ancient port. These structures indicate advanced engineering and maritime activities, reflecting the area's importance in trade and commerce during its peak. Additionally, the presence of anchors further supports the notion of a bustling port environment. This archaeological evidence highlights the historical significance of these locations in India's maritime history.

Statement-I correctly defines an atmospheric river as a meteorological phenomenon that transports water vapor from oceans to continents. Statement-II accurately highlights the significant role of atmospheric rivers in replenishing water supplies, contributing to snowpack, and dominating water vapor transport in the mid-latitudes. Statement-II further explains the importance and impact of atmospheric rivers, providing additional context to Statement-I. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically elaborates on Statement-I, making option (A) the correct answer.