Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 11th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1 is correct. National Technology Day is indeed celebrated to recognize significant technological achievements in India, including the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, the Hansa-3 aircraft test flight, and the successful firing of the Trishul missile, all of which occurred in 1998. This day marks these milestones, emphasizing India's substantial progress in technology.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. LICONN technology does not primarily use electron microscopy for mapping brain cell connections. Instead, it represents a significant advancement by using light microscopy in combination with other technologies, including artificial intelligence, to map brain cell connections. This method expands brain tissue and applies fluorescent stains to reveal nanoscale details, overcoming the limitations of traditional electron microscopy.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The theme for National Technology Day 2025, "YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration," indeed emphasizes India's transformation from a technology adopter to a leader in global technological advancements. This theme reflects a broader strategic vision of enhancing India's role in the global innovation landscape.

The correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only, as both statements 1 and 3 are accurate reflections of the details provided, while statement 2 is not correct regarding the specifics of LICONN technology.

Statement-I is accurate as magnetars are indeed known for their extraordinarily strong magnetic fields, which are significantly more powerful compared to standard neutron stars.
Statement-II is also correct as recent research has provided evidence that magnetar flares can generate heavy elements like gold through r-process nucleosynthesis, challenging the prior belief that gold primarily formed in neutron star mergers. This statement explains the unique aspect of how magnetars contribute to the creation of heavy elements.

1. Statement 1: The Gomti River is primarily snow-fed and originates from the Himalayan region.

- This statement is incorrect. The Gomti River is unique in that it is both rain-fed and groundwater-fed, unlike other major tributaries in the region that are primarily snow-fed. It originates from Gomat Taal in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, not from the Himalayan region.

2. Statement 2: It flows through major cities such as Lucknow, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, and Lakhimpur Kheri.

- This statement is correct. The Gomti River indeed flows through these major cities as it traverses the state of Uttar Pradesh.

3. Statement 3: The Gomti River eventually merges with the Yamuna River near Saidpur.

- This statement is incorrect. The Gomti River merges with the Ganges River near Saidpur, not the Yamuna River.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct, making Option C the correct answer.

The growing concern that led the government of India to reassess safe harbour protections for social media platforms primarily revolves around the spread of fake news and misinformation. With the rise of these issues, there is a pressing need to ensure that social media platforms adhere to Indian laws and regulations to curb the dissemination of false information and uphold online integrity.

- Statement 1: Correct. Magnetars are indeed a type of neutron star with extraordinarily strong magnetic fields, estimated to be a thousand times stronger than typical neutron stars. These strong magnetic fields can lead to intense energy emissions during flares, which is a unique characteristic of magnetars.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. While magnetar flares are associated with the production of heavy elements, the process involved is r-process nucleosynthesis, not s-process nucleosynthesis. R-process nucleosynthesis involves rapid neutron capture and occurs in environments rich in neutron flux, which is characteristic of magnetar flares.

- Statement 3: Correct. The unusual gamma-ray emissions observed from a giant flare emitted by a magnetar in 2004 provided evidence of the ejection of r-process material at nearly light speed. This discovery was significant as it suggested that magnetars could contribute to the universe's inventory of heavy elements, challenging the previous belief that such elements primarily formed in neutron star mergers.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the correct answer.

1. Tariff Reductions: This pair is incorrectly matched. According to the provided information, India will decrease tariffs on 90% of U.K. product categories, with 85% becoming tariff-free within ten years. It is the U.K. that will eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports.
2. Key Beneficiary Sectors for India: This pair is correctly matched. The India-U.K. FTA is expected to increase export opportunities for Indian sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, automotive parts, engineering goods, and gems and jewellery.
3. Labour Mobility: This pair is incorrectly matched. Under the Double Contribution Convention, Indian workers and their employers will be exempt from social security contributions in the U.K. for three years, not contributing during this period.
4. Impact on MSMEs: This pair is correctly matched. There are concerns that foreign competition could undermine MSMEs, particularly in public procurement and other key sectors.
Pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

1. Gomti River Origin - Gomat Taal in Pilibhit district: This pair is correctly matched. The Gomti River originates from Gomat Taal, also known as Fulhaar Jheel, located in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.

2. Major Tributary - Yamuna River: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Gomti River's major tributaries include the Sai River, Chowka River, Kathina River, and Saryu River, not the Yamuna River.

3. End Point - Merges with the Ganges near Kanpur: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Gomti River merges with the Ganges near Saidpur, not Kanpur.

4. Unique Feature - Both rain-fed and groundwater-fed: This pair is correctly matched. The Gomti River is unique in that it is both rain-fed and groundwater-fed, distinguishing it from other major tributaries in the region that are primarily snow-fed.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

Recent research has provided evidence that magnetar flares can produce heavy elements like gold through a process known as r-process nucleosynthesis. This discovery challenges the previous belief that gold primarily formed in neutron star mergers, showcasing the significant role magnetars can play in the creation of heavy elements in the universe.

To determine the correct answer, let's analyze each statement:
1. India will eliminate tariffs on 99% of U.K. product categories over ten years.
This statement is incorrect. According to the details of the India-U.K. FTA, it is the U.K. that will eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, not the other way around.
2. The U.K. will reduce tariffs on whisky and gin from 150% to 40% over a decade.
This statement is correct. The FTA outlines a reduction in tariffs on whisky and gin, specifically from 150% to 75% initially, and further down to 40% over a decade.
3. The India-U.K. FTA is expected to double the bilateral trade volume by 2030.
This statement is correct. India aims to double the trade volume by 2030, as part of the growth potential outlined in the agreement.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights that LICONN is a groundbreaking technology that reconstructs brain tissue with all synaptic connections without relying solely on electron microscopy. Statement-II is also accurate as it mentions that LICONN combines various technologies, including artificial intelligence, to map brain cell connections using light microscopes. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II indeed explains the significance of Statement-I in the context of LICONN technology.