Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: Incorrect. The policy requires that the Domestic Value Addition (DVA) should be at least 25% in three years and increase to 50% by the fifth year, not achieve 50% within three years. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

- Statement 2: Correct. The policy indeed reduces the customs duty on fully built electric cars priced above $35,000 to 15%, which is a significant decrease from the previous range of 70-100%. This aims to make electric vehicles more financially accessible while encouraging local manufacturing through reduced duties.

- Statement 3: Correct. Critics do express concern that without the transfer of core technology, the policy might transform India into an assembly hub for foreign companies, which could undermine the goals of fostering innovation and domestic job creation. This highlights the potential risk of hindering India's ambitions for self-reliance in manufacturing if not managed properly.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D, as both statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the details and concerns of the EV Localisation Policy.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Indian judiciary has indeed shown a trend towards managing speech with a focus on national pride and public sensitivity, moving away from a robust protection of free speech. This is a concern as it shifts free speech from being a right to a privilege, where individuals must justify their expressions, thus inhibiting honest discourse and dissent.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Recent financial regulatory reforms in India, particularly by RBI and SEBI, have included mandates for public consultations to enhance transparency and promote consultative governance. These reforms mark a move away from opaque processes, not towards them.

- Statement 3 is correct. DIGIPIN is a geo-coded digital address system launched in India to improve the accuracy and efficiency of address identification. Developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre, DIGIPIN provides unique alphanumeric codes for locations, enhancing mapping and service delivery.

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

1. Customs Duty Reduction: This pair is correctly matched. The policy indeed reduces customs duty on fully built electric cars from 70-100% to 15% for vehicles priced above $35,000.

2. Minimum Investment Requirement: This pair is incorrectly matched. The correct minimum investment requirement for manufacturers to benefit from the reduced duty is Rs. 4,150 crore, not Rs. 5,000 crore.

3. Domestic Value Addition: This pair is correctly matched. The investment should lead to domestic value addition of at least 25% in three years, increasing to 50% by year five.

4. Defence Production Growth: This pair is correctly matched. Defence production in India indeed reached a record ₹1.3 lakh crore in FY24, highlighting India's evolving capability to produce defence equipment domestically.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Kashmir Merino - Developed in the 1960s: This pair is correctly matched. The Kashmir Merino breed was indeed developed in the 1960s at the Govt. Sheep Breeding and Research Farm in Reasi, Jammu. It was created by cross-breeding local breeds such as Poonchi, Gaddi, and Bakerwal with exotic breeds like Australian Merino to enhance its productivity in terms of wool and meat.

2. Gene-editing Technique - CRISPR-Cas9: This pair is correctly matched. CRISPR-Cas9 is the gene-editing technique used to create India's first gene-edited sheep. This technique allows for precise editing of the genome, and in this case, it was used to target the myostatin gene.

3. Targeted Gene - Myostatin Gene: This pair is correctly matched. The gene-editing targeted the myostatin gene, which is a known suppressor of muscle growth. By editing this gene, a 30% increase in muscle mass was achieved, which is significant for producing quality meat.

4. Origin - Exclusively from exotic breeds: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Kashmir Merino is not exclusively from exotic breeds. It is a product of cross-breeding between local breeds (such as Poonchi, Gaddi, and Bakerwal) and exotic breeds like Australian Merino, thus combining traits for improved adaptability and productivity.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

Statement 1 is correct. The Kashmir Merino breed was indeed developed in the 1960s at the Government Sheep Breeding and Research Farm in Reasi, Jammu, by integrating native breeds such as Poonchi, Gaddi, and Bakerwal with exotic breeds like the Australian Merino. This effort aimed to enhance productivity in terms of wool and meat.

Statement 2 is incorrect. While the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique was used on the Kashmir Merino, it specifically targeted the myostatin gene, which is a known suppressor of muscle growth, resulting in a 30% increase in muscle mass, not wool quality.

Statement 3 is correct. The Kashmir Merino sheep is well-suited to thrive in harsh climatic conditions and has high adaptability and resistance to diseases prevalent in the Kashmir Valley. This makes it an ideal breed for the region's environment.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Statement I correctly highlights the growing concern regarding the erosion of free speech protections in India, emphasizing a shift towards prioritizing cultural sentiments over individual liberties. Statement II further explains how the current judicial stance in India leans towards managing speech based on national pride and public sensitivity rather than preserving free speech as an inherent right. The statements align in illustrating the evolving trend within the Indian judiciary towards valuing cultural sentiments over traditional free speech protections, showcasing a shift that raises concerns about the implications for democracy and dissent.

1. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) - Injecting nitrogen dioxide into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight.
- Incorrect. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection involves the injection of sulfur dioxide (SO2), not nitrogen dioxide, into the stratosphere to form sulfate aerosols that reflect sunlight. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.

2. Thitu Island - Located in the Spratly Islands and administered by Vietnam.
- Incorrect. Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, is located in the Spratly Islands but is administered by the Philippines, not Vietnam. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.

3. Operation Black Forest - A collaborative operation between the CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police.
- Correct. Operation Black Forest was indeed a collaborative operation between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Chhattisgarh Police, aimed at dismantling a major Maoist stronghold. Therefore, this pair is correctly matched.

4. Himalayan Long-tailed Myotis - A bat species found in the Western Himalayan region.
- Correct. The Himalayan Long-tailed Myotis is a bat species that has been identified in the Western Himalayan region, indicating its preference for specific forested habitats. Therefore, this pair is correctly matched.

Thus, only pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched.

The main goal of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) is to mitigate the effects of climate change by cooling the planet. This technique involves injecting tiny reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to mimic the natural cooling effects of volcanic eruptions. By reflecting sunlight away from the Earth's surface, SAI aims to counteract the warming effects of greenhouse gases and reduce global temperatures.

Statement-I correctly describes India's EV Localisation Policy, emphasizing the balance between consumer affordability and the promotion of self-reliance in EV manufacturing. Statement-II discusses the boost to India's defence sector following Operation Sindoor, highlighting the benefits to private companies and small businesses in defence manufacturing. While both statements are factually correct based on the provided information, they address different topics and are not directly related or explanatory of each other. Thus, option (b) is the accurate choice as both statements are correct but do not explain each other.

The DIGIPIN system in India aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of address identification across the nation. It provides unique 10-character alphanumeric codes for locations, developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre. This system enhances location identification, supports e-commerce delivery, improves emergency response services, and aids in the inclusion of remote regions in national mapping efforts.