Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 21st June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The significant increase in India's coastline length is primarily attributed to the inclusion of previously omitted offshore islands. The text explains that many small offshore islands, especially around the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep regions, which were earlier excluded due to manual limitations, are now part of the updated measurements. This expansion in coastline is a result of improved digital mapping, finer measurement techniques, and the incorporation of these previously disregarded landforms.

1. High-Resolution Mapping Technology: Incorrect. This technology allowed for the inclusion of previously omitted offshore islands, not inland territories. The key aspect here is the improved measurement of the coastline's bends and curves, not the inclusion of inland territories.

2. Inclusion of Previously Omitted Offshore Islands: Correct. Advanced GIS data and high-resolution mapping enabled the recognition and inclusion of small offshore islands that were previously omitted, especially in regions like the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

3. Coastline Paradox: Correct. The coastline paradox explains that coastlines can appear to have different lengths depending on the scale of measurement. Finer measurements capture more detail and result in a longer overall recorded length.

4. Tidal Variations: Correct. Tidal variations indeed affect the classification of landforms, causing some to appear as islands during high tide and as part of the mainland during low tide, leading to discrepancies in their classification.

Thus, Pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while Pair 1 is not.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Croatia holds significance as it showcases India's diplomatic emphasis on strengthening relations with smaller, strategically important EU nations. This visit is part of India's broader strategy to enhance engagement in Europe, particularly with Central and Eastern European countries. By prioritizing diplomatic ties with Croatia, India aims to bolster its presence in the region and counterbalance China's influence through strategic partnerships.

(Note: The solution provides a detailed explanation of the significance of PM Modi's visit to Croatia in the context of international relations, aligning with the provided information.)

The implementation of QR codes on maintenance display boards for PMGSY roads, as mandated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, primarily aims to enhance transparency and facilitate the tracking of maintenance details. This initiative seeks to improve public feedback mechanisms regarding the quality and upkeep of rural roads, thereby promoting greater citizen engagement in the monitoring process of road maintenance.

1. Croatia - Member of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI): This pair is correctly matched. Croatia is indeed a member of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), which is a forum of twelve European Union member states in Central and Eastern Europe.

2. Rijeka - A strategic port in Croatia for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): This pair is correctly matched. Rijeka is a significant port in Croatia and could serve as a node for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, enhancing India's reach into Europe.

3. Three Seas Initiative (3SI) - Primarily aims to counter the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): This pair is incorrectly matched. The Three Seas Initiative is primarily focused on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure among its member countries, not explicitly to counter the Belt and Road Initiative.

4. Operation Sindoor - India's operation to evacuate citizens from a conflict zone: This pair is incorrectly matched. There is no known Operation Sindoor related to evacuating citizens from a conflict zone. This operation name appears to be incorrect or fictional in this context.

Hence, only the first two pairs are correctly matched, making Option B the correct answer.

1. NAKSHATRA - Located at the National Institute of Virology in Pune: This pair is correctly matched. NAKSHATRA is indeed located at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

2. Compute Nodes - Consists of 500 nodes: This pair is incorrectly matched. NAKSHATRA features 12 compute nodes, not 500.

3. Storage Capacity - 1 petabyte total storage: This pair is correctly matched. NAKSHATRA has a total storage capacity of 1 petabyte.

4. Developed Under - Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission: This pair is correctly matched. NAKSHATRA was developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.

Given the constraints, the answer to the original question as per its options is Option B: Only two pairs.

- Statement 1 is correct. The reassessment of India's coastline included the addition of previously omitted offshore islands, particularly around the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep regions. This was possible due to improved digital mapping and updated measurement techniques that allowed for the inclusion of minor islands that were previously excluded.

- Statement 2 is correct. The coastline paradox is a well-known concept in geography that explains how the length of a coastline appears to increase as the measurement scale becomes finer. This is because a finer scale captures more of the intricate details and irregularities of the coastline, which results in a longer total measurement.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The increase in India's coastline length from 7,516 km to 11,098 km is not due to the emergence of new land formations. Instead, it is the result of improved mapping technology and measurement techniques that provide a clearer and more detailed view of the coastline, accounting for its bends and curves more accurately.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The PMGSY Phase III, launched in 2019, focuses on the consolidation of existing road networks rather than specifically targeting areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). The phase specifically addressing LWE-affected areas is the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA), which was launched in 2016.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The funding pattern for PMGSY was indeed revised in 2015-16 to a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and states. However, for North-Eastern and Himalayan states, different ratios apply to account for the unique geographical and logistical challenges they face.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The introduction of QR codes on maintenance display boards for PMGSY roads is part of an initiative to increase transparency and citizen engagement in the monitoring process of rural road maintenance. This allows users to access road maintenance details and provide feedback easily.

Thus, the correct statements are 2 and 3, making Option C the right choice.

Statement-I correctly highlights the increase in India's coastline due to the transition to high-resolution mapping technology. This advancement has indeed led to a more accurate measurement of the coastline.
Statement-II correctly emphasizes the significance of accurate coastline mapping for maritime security and surveillance purposes. It mentions the deployment of resources based on precise mapping data.
The relationship between the two statements is that they both address different aspects of the importance of accurate coastline mapping, but Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I. Both statements provide complementary information regarding the implications of updated coastline measurements without one statement being a direct explanation of the other. Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

Statement-I correctly addresses the purpose of implementing QR codes on maintenance display boards for PMGSY roads, aiming to enhance transparency and facilitate public feedback mechanisms. Statement-II accurately describes cluster bombs, highlighting their dispersal of smaller explosives and the risks associated with unexploded bomblets. However, these two statements are independent of each other and do not have a direct explanatory relationship, making option (b) the correct choice.