Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 5th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

In Statement-I, the description of ham radio as a licensed radio service utilizing radio waves for communication, serving educational purposes, and being crucial for emergency communication is accurate based on the provided information.
In Statement-II, the mention of Girmitiyas as 19th-century indentured Indian laborers recruited mainly from impoverished regions like eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who played a significant role in shaping Indo-Caribbean culture, aligns with the details presented in the text.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II indeed provides historical context that explains the significance of amateur radio and the role of Girmitiyas in shaping cultural interactions in the Caribbean.

The primary purpose of the Collegium System in the Indian judiciary is to safeguard judicial independence by minimizing executive interference in the appointment and transfer of judges. This system was developed by the Supreme Court to reduce the role of the executive branch in judicial appointments and ensure that judges are selected based on merit and transparency, thereby upholding the independence of the judiciary.

The primary significance of ham radio, as emphasized in the text, lies in its ability to facilitate educational interactions. Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, not only serves as a tool for emergency communication but also fosters educational engagement. It allows licensed operators to communicate locally, globally, and even in space, highlighting its educational potential beyond traditional communication methods.

1. The Collegium System is responsible for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts of India. This statement is correct. The Collegium System indeed governs the appointment and transfer of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts of India. It is a mechanism developed by the judiciary to ensure that the appointments are made independently, without undue influence from the executive branch.

2. The Collegium System was established by an amendment to the Constitution of India. This statement is incorrect. The Collegium System was not established by a constitutional amendment. It was developed through a series of judgments by the Supreme Court, known as the Three Judges Cases, which interpreted the term "consultation" in the context of judicial appointments to mean "concurrence," thereby giving the judiciary primacy over the executive in these matters.

3. The Supreme Court Collegium is composed of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. This statement is correct. The Supreme Court Collegium indeed consists of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, as established by the judgments that created and evolved the Collegium System.

Thus, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

1. India's Top 15 Cities - Contribute 30% of national GDP: This is correctly matched. India's top cities do indeed contribute 30% of the national GDP as mentioned in the source material.

2. Solid Waste Management - 50% of waste processed: This is incorrectly matched. The correct information states that only 25% of solid waste is processed in Indian cities, not 50%.

3. Urban Water Crisis - 40% of population faces water scarcity by 2030: This is correctly matched. The source material indicates that predictions suggest 40% of the population may face water scarcity by 2030.

4. Governance Reforms - Planner-to-population ratio of 1:50,000: This is incorrectly matched. The correct ratio as per the source material is 1:100,000, indicating a shortage of urban planning resources.

Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, thus making Option B the correct answer, which is "Only two pairs."

1. Ham radio operators require a license from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India. This statement is correct. In India, individuals interested in operating ham radios must obtain a license, which is regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This ensures that operators are knowledgeable and adhere to specific regulations.

2. The use of ham radio is primarily for commercial broadcasting and profit-making activities. This statement is incorrect. Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is not used for commercial purposes. It is a non-commercial service primarily used for personal enjoyment, education, and emergency communication. Operators engage in non-commercial exchanges of messages, wireless experimentation, and emergency communication.

3. Ham radio has been crucial in providing communication support during natural disasters in India. This statement is correct. Ham radio has played a significant role during emergencies by providing reliable communication when conventional means fail. Historical instances in India include the Bhuj earthquake in 2001, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, and the Uttarakhand floods in 2013, where ham radio operators were vital in maintaining communication lines.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses a significant risk to India's farming and food security due to potential disruptions in key shipping routes for fertiliser imports. Disruptions in regions like the Gulf, through which India imports essential fertilisers, could impact availability, leading to concerns regarding agricultural productivity and food security.

The primary objective of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms in India is to reduce air pollution, lower oil imports, and promote cleaner vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs). These norms are designed to regulate fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions from passenger vehicles, aiming to improve environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in the automotive sector.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. India's top 15 cities currently contribute 30% of the national GDP. While these cities are critical to economic growth, the statement exaggerates their current contribution without providing evidence of an increase to 50% by 2047.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Indian cities process only about 25% of the solid waste generated daily, not 50%. The figure mentioned significantly overstates the current waste processing capabilities.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Increasing the floor space index (FSI) is indeed proposed as a solution to promote vertical growth and address the housing deficit in urban areas, which is a critical issue given the projected shortfall in affordable housing by 2030.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 3 Only, as only the third statement accurately reflects the solutions proposed for urban planning challenges in India.

1. Article 124 - Correctly matched. It governs the appointment of Supreme Court judges, where the President appoints judges after consulting relevant judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts.

2. Article 217 - Correctly matched. It involves the appointment of High Court judges, which includes consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.

3. ADM Jabalpur Case - Incorrectly matched. This case did not demonstrate judicial independence; rather, it is infamous for the Supreme Court's failure to protect fundamental rights during the Emergency, ruling that even the right to life could be suspended.

4. 44th Amendment - Correctly matched. It amended Article 352 to replace "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion" to restrict the grounds for declaring an Emergency.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched.