Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 19th August 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Alaskan Winds Summit - India gained significant diplomatic leverage
This pair is incorrectly matched. The Alaskan Winds Summit did not result in significant diplomatic leverage for India. Instead, it highlighted India's vulnerabilities and lack of influence in the discussions between the U.S. and Russia.

2. Strategic Autonomy - Adhering to UN-mandated sanctions only
This pair is correctly matched. Strategic Autonomy refers to India's policy of adhering only to UN-mandated sanctions, emphasizing its economic independence and credibility.

3. Palmyra Palm - Source of toddy, a local beverage
This pair is correctly matched. The Palmyra Palm is indeed a source of toddy, a popular local beverage harvested from the inflorescence tip of the tree.

4. Election Petitions - Filed in the Supreme Court for local elections
This pair is incorrectly matched. Election petitions for local elections are not filed in the Supreme Court; they are filed in district-level civil courts. The Supreme Court handles petitions related to Parliamentary and Assembly elections only in certain circumstances.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched: pairs 2 and 3.

1. Sahariya Tribe - Predominantly reside in Gujarat: Incorrect. The Sahariya tribe primarily resides in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, not Gujarat.

2. PAM (Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis) - Caused by bacteria: Incorrect. PAM is caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, not by bacteria. It is a rare and highly fatal disease.

3. UPI System - Part of India's Digital Sovereignty initiatives: Correct. The UPI system is indeed a part of India's efforts to establish digital sovereignty and is a significant component of the Digital India initiative.

4. PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana - Focused on healthcare innovation: Incorrect. The PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is aimed at employment generation, not specifically focused on healthcare innovation.

The correct pair is only Pair 3.

Statement-I correctly highlights that the new Income Tax Bill, 2025, has reduced the number of chapters and sections compared to the previous legislation, aiming to enhance the taxpayer experience. Statement-II is also correct in stating that the Income Tax Bill, 2025, expands the powers of tax officials regarding access to digital information. However, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to Statement-I, making option (b) the most appropriate choice.

The recent genetic study has revealed a potential genetic connection to the unusually high prevalence of tuberculosis within the Sahariya tribe of central India. This finding highlights unique health challenges faced by this tribe. Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern globally, and understanding genetic factors associated with its prevalence can aid in developing targeted interventions and healthcare strategies for at-risk populations.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. Plastics indeed contain over 16,000 chemicals, and many of these chemicals pose unknown health risks. The complexity and variety of chemicals used in plastic production are significant contributors to health concerns.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Microplastics are defined as plastics smaller than 5 mm, not 10 mm. They have been detected in human blood and tissues, raising health concerns, but the size definition in the statement is incorrect.

- Statement 3: This statement is inaccurate as it stands. While plastics have been linked to health issues such as thyroid dysfunction and various cancers, the link is not yet conclusively established across the scientific community; rather, there are indications and concerns about potential risks.

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

Statement 1 is correct. The Income Tax Bill, 2025 has indeed reduced the number of chapters from 47 to 23 and the sections from 819 to 536, thereby simplifying the previous legislation. This reduction aims to enhance the taxpayer experience by making the law more accessible and less complex.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The new law allows for tax returns to be updated within four years without penalties, not one year. This extended timeline is intended to offer taxpayers more flexibility and reduce the likelihood of harassment.

Statement 3 is correct. The Income Tax Bill, 2025 expands the powers of tax officials to access digital information, which has raised concerns about privacy and surveillance. This aspect of the law has been a point of contention as it poses potential conflicts between administrative efficiency and individual privacy rights.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only. Statements 1 and 3 accurately reflect the provisions and implications of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, while Statement 2 does not accurately describe the timeline for updating tax returns.

Let's analyze each statement:

1. The Palmyra palm tree is native to tropical Africa but is widely cultivated in India.

• This statement is correct. The Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) is indeed native to tropical Africa and is extensively cultivated in India due to its various uses and adaptability.

2. Palmyra palms adapt well to regions with more than 1000 mm of annual rainfall.

• This statement is incorrect. Palmyra palms adapt well to semi-arid regions with less than 750 mm of annual rainfall, not regions with more than 1000 mm. They are suited to drier climates and can withstand harsh conditions, which is why they thrive in such environments.

3. The sweet sap collected from the Palmyra palm is known as toddy and is a popular local beverage.

• This statement is correct. The sap, known as toddy, is harvested from the inflorescence tip of the Palmyra palm and is indeed a popular local beverage in many parts of India.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Statement-I correctly identifies the Sahariya tribe as one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), which is accurate based on the provided information. Statement-II correctly mentions that the Sahariya tribe practices traditional ethnic religions while also integrating Hindu values into their identity. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional information about the cultural practices of the tribe. Therefore, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not serve as an explanation for Statement-I.

The main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is to promote financial inclusion in the country. This scheme was launched in 2014 as the world's largest financial inclusion mission, aiming to provide banking services to the unbanked, insurance to the unsecured, and credit to the unfunded. Through initiatives like offering Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts with zero balance, facilitating e-KYC, and providing various benefits like accident insurance, overdraft facilities, and more, PMJDY has significantly contributed to enhancing financial literacy and access to banking services in India.

1. Sliteye Shark - Found primarily in offshore waters of the North Atlantic: Incorrect. The sliteye shark is primarily found in inshore waters of the Indo-West Pacific, not in the North Atlantic.

2. Loxodon macrorhinus - Belongs to the family Carcharhinidae: Correct. The sliteye shark, scientifically named Loxodon macrorhinus, is indeed a member of the requiem shark family, Carcharhinidae.

3. Slit-like eyes - Enhance vision in low-light environments: Correct. The unique slit-like eyes of the sliteye shark are believed to help enhance vision in low-light conditions, aiding its survival in deeper, dimly lit waters.

4. Conservation Status - Classified as Endangered by the IUCN: Incorrect. The sliteye shark is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, not Endangered.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.