Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 20th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct. Nocturnal bull ants indeed rely on polarized moonlight for navigation, and the stable pattern of polarization in moonlight serves as a reliable celestial cue throughout the night. The polarized moonlight creates a specific pattern in the sky called the E-vector pattern, which helps nocturnal bull ants orient themselves. Therefore, Statement-II explains why Statement-I is correct.

Statement-I correctly discusses the implications of Donald Trump's return to the presidency on U.S. foreign policy, focusing on European security, global trade dynamics, and domestic political ideologies. Statement-II accurately describes the humanitarian crisis in the India-Myanmar border region, specifically in Manipur, highlighting armed conflict, displacement, and resource scarcity. While the two statements address different topics, both are factually accurate in their respective contexts, making the correct option (a), where both statements are correct and Statement-II provides information distinct from Statement-I.

Recent research has unveiled that polarized moonlight serves as a navigational aid for nocturnal bull ants, specifically Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia midas. The stable pattern of polarization in moonlight acts as a reliable celestial cue throughout the night, allowing these ants to navigate effectively even during reduced light conditions, such as crescent or waning moons.

1. Statement 1: Correct. Nocturnal bull ants detect the E-vector pattern using their specialized compound eyes, which are sensitive to polarized light. This ability allows them to navigate effectively at night using celestial cues.

2. Statement 2: Incorrect. The intensity of polarized moonlight is significantly lower than that of polarized sunlight. This lower intensity makes it challenging for many animals to detect, but nocturnal bull ants have adapted to utilize this faint cue for navigation.

3. Statement 3: Correct. Research has shown that during the new moon phase, when moonlight is absent, nocturnal bull ants struggle to navigate. This highlights their reliance on polarized lunar light for effective navigation.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B the right choice. The solution is justified based on the scientific understanding of how nocturnal bull ants utilize polarized moonlight for navigation and their dependence on it, especially evident during the new moon phase when they struggle without it.

- Statement 1 is correct. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) is indeed responsible for formulating policies and guidelines that govern the construction, maintenance, and operation of dams in India. This is a key function of the NDSA as it oversees the safety and operational standards of dams across the country.
- Statement 2 is correct. The NDSA is structured with a chairman and five members, each overseeing different specialized areas such as policy and research, technical aspects, regulation, disaster resilience, and administration. This organizational setup ensures a comprehensive approach to dam safety and management.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The headquarters of the National Dam Safety Authority is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai. This detail is crucial as it situates the authority within the capital, aligning it with other central government agencies.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Myrmecia pyriformis - Uses polarized moonlight for navigation: Correctly matched. Myrmecia pyriformis, a nocturnal bull ant, does indeed utilize polarized moonlight as a navigational aid, as revealed in the research conducted by Macquarie University.

2. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - Established under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Incorrectly matched. The CPCB was actually established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, although it also has powers under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

3. MPID Act - Governs actions against fraudulent financial establishments: Correctly matched. The Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act is designed to protect investors from fraudulent financial schemes, allowing for the attachment and sale of assets belonging to fraudulent entities.

4. E-vector pattern - Refers to the pattern created by polarized sunlight: Incorrectly matched. The E-vector pattern refers to the alignment of polarized light, but in this context, it is associated with polarized moonlight used by nocturnal bull ants for navigation, not sunlight.

Thus, only the first and third pairs are correctly matched.

1. The first pair is correctly matched. A water gap indeed refers to the difference between renewable water availability and consumption while ensuring adequate flows for aquatic environments. This concept is critical in understanding future water scarcity challenges as highlighted in the analysis.

2. The second pair is incorrectly matched. While the Evo 2 AI system is indeed developed by Nvidia for genetic research, it was in collaboration with the Arc Institute and Stanford University, not MIT.

3. The third pair is correctly matched. The Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin is projected to experience the largest increase in water gaps under different warming scenarios, making it a crucial area for water management efforts.

4. The fourth pair is correctly matched. The BRCA1 gene is associated with breast cancer, and the Evo 2 AI system has shown a 90% accuracy in identifying harmful mutations in this gene, showcasing its potential in genetic research.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: Correct. The text indicates that the U.S. is moving from multilateral trade agreements to bilateral deals, which is impacting European economies. This signifies a shift in trade policy under Trump's return to the presidency.

2. Statement 2: Correct. The return of Donald Trump has been associated with a reduced commitment to European security, particularly concerning NATO, which has raised concerns among European allies.

3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The text does not suggest that India's foreign policy is becoming more aligned with China due to the fragmentation of the West. Instead, it highlights India's pragmatic approach to recalibrate its foreign policy amidst changing geopolitical dynamics, without specifically aligning with China.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the right choice.

The Evo 2 AI system introduced by Nvidia is primarily focused on advancing genetic research. This revolutionary AI system is designed to understand the genetic code across all life forms, making significant strides in genomic data analysis. Trained on a massive dataset and developed in collaboration with leading institutions, Evo 2 represents a breakthrough in genetic research with diverse applications in scientific fields.

The primary function of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) is to regulate, oversee, and inspect the construction, maintenance, and operation of dams across the country. This includes formulating policies and guidelines governing dam safety, as well as mediating and resolving disputes related to dam safety. The NDSA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and proper functioning of dams in India.