Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 1st May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. S8 Value - Incorrectly matched. The S8 value measures the "clumpiness" or clustering of matter in the universe, not temperature fluctuations in the CMB. Temperature fluctuations in the CMB are instead characterized by different parameters related to the early universe's anisotropies.

2. Gravitational Lensing - Correctly matched. Gravitational lensing is indeed used to map the distribution of dark matter by observing the distortions it causes in the light coming from distant galaxies.

3. Big Bang - Correctly matched. The Big Bang is widely accepted to have occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago, marking the beginning of the universe.

4. Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) Model - Incorrectly matched. The ΛCDM model indeed includes dark energy (represented by Lambda, Λ), but it does not describe dark energy as a form of cold dark matter. Instead, ΛCDM models the universe as being composed of dark energy (which is distinct from dark matter), cold dark matter, and ordinary matter.

Hence, there are two correctly matched pairs: Gravitational Lensing and Big Bang.

- Statement 1 is correct: FIIs are permitted to invest in any single Indian company up to a limit of 10% of the company's equity. This is a regulatory measure to prevent undue influence by foreign investors on domestic companies.

- Statement 2 is incorrect: The cumulative investment limit for FIIs, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in a single Indian company is actually capped at 24%, not 49%. This cap is set to ensure that domestic companies remain majorly owned by domestic stakeholders and to avoid excessive foreign control.

- Statement 3 is correct: FIIs are indeed allowed to invest in unlisted securities in India. This is part of the broader framework that allows FIIs to bring capital into various sectors, thereby contributing to capital formation and economic growth.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B: 1 and 3 Only the correct choice.

1. Alok Joshi - Chairman of National Security Advisory Board: This pair is correctly matched. Alok Joshi has been appointed as the chairman of the NSAB.

2. Batagur kachuga - Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle: This pair is correctly matched. Batagur kachuga is the scientific name of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle, which is critically endangered and has recently been observed in the Ganga River.

3. National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary - Hosts population of Gharials only: This pair is incorrectly matched. While the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is known for its population of Gharials, it also hosts other species such as the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle and other aquatic wildlife.

4. NSAB - Statutory body under National Security Council Secretariat: This pair is incorrectly matched. The NSAB is an advisory body and does not have statutory or constitutional status. It operates under the National Security Council Secretariat but its recommendations are non-binding.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

1. The NSAB has statutory status and operates under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
- This statement is incorrect. The NSAB does not have statutory status; it operates as an advisory body under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) without any legislative backing. Therefore, its recommendations are not legally enforceable.
2. The NSAB is composed of members from diverse fields, including diplomacy, military, and academia.
- This statement is correct. The NSAB is indeed composed of experts from various sectors such as diplomacy, military, and academia, which allows it to provide comprehensive perspectives on national security matters.
3. The NSAB provides policy recommendations to the National Security Council (NSC) that are binding.
- This statement is incorrect. While the NSAB provides policy recommendations to the National Security Council (NSC), these recommendations are advisory and non-binding. The NSAB serves to inform and guide strategic decision-making but does not have the authority to enforce its recommendations.
Therefore, the only correct statement is Statement 2, making Option D: 2 Only the correct answer.

1. FII Investment Ceiling: The statement that FIIs can invest up to 15% in any single Indian company is incorrect. The correct limit is up to 10% in any single Indian company, with a cumulative limit of 24% for all FIIs, NRIs, and PIOs combined.

2. Regulatory Oversight: This statement is correctly matched. FIIs are indeed governed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) alongside other regulations like the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and oversight by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

3. Eligible FII Entities: This statement is correctly matched. University funds and charitable endowments with at least a five-year operational track record are eligible to be considered as FIIs.

4. Recent Investment Trends: This statement is incorrect. FIIs have reduced their exposure to the IT sector due to concerns about a potential U.S. recession and its implications for technology earnings, not increased investments.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

The S8 value in cosmology quantifies the clustering or "clumpiness" of matter in the universe across a specific scale. It indicates the density of matter, both visible and dark, in different regions of the cosmos. This parameter plays a crucial role in understanding the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe.

1. Sigma-8 (S8) Tension : Measures the clumpiness of visible matter only. This statement is incorrectly matched. Sigma-8 (S8) measures the distribution of all matter in the universe, including both visible and dark matter, not just visible matter.

2. High S8 Tension : Indicates matter is clustered in specific areas. This statement is correctly matched. High S8 tension suggests that matter is more clustered in specific areas rather than being evenly distributed.

3. Lambda-CDM Model : Describes the universe's structure, primarily composed of dark energy. This statement is correctly matched. The Lambda-CDM model is the standard model of cosmology that describes the universe's structure, largely composed of dark energy and dark matter.

4. Rubin Legacy Survey : Aims to explore potential new forces affecting matter behavior. This statement is correctly matched. The Rubin Legacy Survey is expected to provide better observations that could help identify new forces or particles influencing the behavior of matter.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly explains that S8 measures the distribution of matter in the universe, indicating how "clumpy" or evenly dispersed it is. On the other hand, Statement-II incorrectly states that S8 tension signifies matter is evenly dispersed in the universe, which is not accurate. In reality, high S8 tension signifies that matter is clustered in specific areas, while low S8 indicates a more uniform distribution. Thus, while Statement-I is accurate, Statement-II provides a misleading description of S8 tension.

The Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) primarily focuses on developing new antibiotic treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections. This organization plays a crucial role in addressing the urgent need for effective antibiotic treatments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where many infections are inadequately treated due to gaps in access to appropriate antibiotics. By prioritizing public health needs in antibiotic development, GARDP aims to tackle the immediate antimicrobial resistance crisis and safeguard public health for future generations.

Statement-I is correct as the S8 value is indeed a critical parameter in cosmology that measures the clumpiness of matter in the universe.
Statement-II is also correct as it describes the beginning of the universe with the Big Bang about 13.8 billion years ago and the highly uniform state supported by the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation or direct correlation to Statement-I, making option (b) the correct answer.