Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 18th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is primarily dedicated to ending the abusive treatment of animals in various sectors, focusing on promoting the consideration of animal interests in everyday decision-making. The organization works through public education, investigations, legislation, and negotiations to advocate for the ethical treatment of animals across the globe.

1. PETA's Mission - Incorrect. PETA’s mission is broader, encompassing the end of abusive treatment of animals in business and society, not solely focused on ending all animal testing globally. It promotes the consideration of animal interests in everyday decision-making, including issues beyond animal testing.

2. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - Incorrect. The JWST is primarily designed for infrared observations, not ultraviolet. It aims to expand upon the discoveries made by the Hubble Space Telescope with enhanced sensitivity and longer wavelength coverage, allowing it to see deeper into the universe.

3. AI Development - Incorrect. AI development is primarily driven by private companies and research institutions, not controlled by state actors. While governments may be involved in regulation and policy, the innovation and development are largely in the private sector.

4. Dimethyl Sulphide Production - Correct. Dimethyl sulphide (DMS) is indeed linked to marine phytoplankton on Earth. These gases are significant as potential biosignatures because they are typically associated with biological processes.

Only pair 4 is correctly matched, so the correct answer is Option A: Only one pair.

Let's analyze each statement:

Statement 1: "PETA was founded in 1980 and is the largest animal rights organization globally."
This statement is correct. PETA, founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, is recognized as the largest animal rights organization globally, with a significant membership base and influence.

Statement 2: "PETA's mission focuses exclusively on eliminating animal testing in pharmaceutical research."
This statement is incorrect. While PETA does work to end animal testing, its mission is broader and includes ending the abusive treatment of animals in various sectors, such as the food industry, clothing trade, and entertainment business. It also addresses other issues like speciesism and the treatment of animals labeled as "pests."

Statement 3: "PETA has influenced global policies through public education, legislation, and negotiations."
This statement is correct. PETA actively engages in various forms of activism, including public education, investigations, legislation, and negotiations, to influence policies worldwide and promote animal rights.

Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 3 are correct, but statement 2 is not. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C

The main objective of NASA's Curiosity Rover mission on Mars is to investigate the potential for past life on the Red Planet. By analyzing the geological features, minerals, and compounds on Mars, the rover aims to gather crucial data that could indicate whether conditions for life existed in the planet's past. This exploration is vital for understanding Mars' history and its capacity to support life, paving the way for future exploratory missions.

(Note: This question assesses the understanding of the Curiosity Rover mission's scientific goals and its significance in the exploration of Mars.)

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) plays a crucial role in studying the chemical signatures and atmospheric compositions of distant exoplanets like K2-18b. By analyzing the gases present in exoplanet atmospheres, such as dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), the JWST aids scientists in identifying potential indicators of biological activity. This advanced space observatory, positioned at the L2 Lagrange Point, allows for deep-space observations primarily in the infrared spectrum, providing valuable insights into the possibility of extraterrestrial life beyond Earth.

Statement-I is accurate as it highlights key information about PETA, the largest animal rights organization founded in 1980. Statement-II correctly describes the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as an orbiting infrared observatory launched in December 2021 by NASA, ESA, and CSA. However, there is no direct relationship or explanatory link between the two statements, making option (b) the correct answer.

1. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - Operates primarily in the visible spectrum: Incorrect. The JWST operates primarily in the infrared spectrum, not the visible spectrum. This allows it to observe distant celestial objects that are too faint to be seen in visible light.

2. K2-18b - Detected gases like dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS): Correct. Scientists have identified chemical signatures of gases such as DMS and DMDS in the atmosphere of K2-18b, suggesting potential biological processes.

3. L2 Lagrange Point - Approximately 5 million km beyond Earth: Correct. The L2 Lagrange Point, where the JWST is positioned, is indeed approximately 5 million kilometers beyond Earth. This location provides a stable environment for deep-space observations.

4. India Justice Report 2025 - Focuses exclusively on prison healthcare: Incorrect. Although the India Justice Report 2025 highlights issues in prison healthcare, it does not focus exclusively on this area. It evaluates justice delivery systems across sectors like police, judiciary, prisons, legal aid, and human rights commissions.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

The primary purpose of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems in coal-fired power plants is to reduce the emission of sulfur compounds, primarily sulfur dioxide (SO2), from the exhaust emissions. This technology plays a crucial role in environmental protection by helping to mitigate air pollution caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly coal. By implementing FGD systems, power plants can significantly decrease the release of harmful sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, thus contributing to improved air quality and environmental health.

1. Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) - Correctly matched. FGD systems are indeed designed to remove sulfur dioxide from the exhaust emissions of fossil-fuel power stations.

2. Ayushman Bharat Scheme - Correctly matched. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), part of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, provides health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually.

3. National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) - Incorrectly matched. NQAS is aimed at enhancing the quality of public healthcare services in India by ensuring they adhere to standardized procedures, but it does not ensure international accreditation for all healthcare facilities.

4. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) - Incorrectly matched. AMR is primarily caused by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, not vaccines.

Hence, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Both statements are independently accurate as they pertain to different subject areas – science and technology for Statement-I, and the economy for Statement-II. There is no causal or explanatory connection between the two. Therefore, although both statements are correct, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, making option (b) the correct choice.