Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 6th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. While the NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of mother tongue instruction, it does not mandate strict implementation without exceptions. Instead, it encourages the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction in the foundational stages, but it focuses on using dialogue and sensitivity to contextual needs rather than imposing strict mandates.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. Numerous studies indicate that children who learn in their mother tongue demonstrate better comprehension and critical thinking skills. This is because they can relate more easily to the content and concepts when taught in a familiar language, enhancing their learning experience.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Kothari Commission (1964–66) is indeed one of the key early documents that stressed the importance of using the mother tongue in education. It laid the groundwork for later policies that recognized the mother tongue as a crucial component of effective learning, especially in the early years of education.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D, as statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the emphasis on mother tongue-based education in India, while statement 1 misrepresents the NEP's approach.

1. Chital - Most widespread and adaptable: Correct. Chital is indeed the most widespread and adaptable species among ungulates in India, making it a crucial prey species for tigers.

2. Sambar - Sharp decline due to wetland degradation: Incorrect. Sambar remains stable in central and southern forests, rather than experiencing a sharp decline due to wetland degradation.

3. Hog deer - Stable in central and southern forests: Incorrect. The hog deer shows a sharp decline, largely attributed to wetland degradation and habitat isolation, not stability in central and southern forests.

4. Barasingha - Decline due to habitat isolation: Correct. Barasingha is indeed experiencing a decline due to habitat isolation, which affects its population sustainability.

Pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement-I: True
The Grand Inga hydropower project, located on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is indeed intended to be the world’s largest hydropower project, with a projected capacity of up to 40,000 megawatts (MW). This would surpass the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam in China.

Statement-II: True
The Sindoor plant, also known as Bixa orellana, is native to Brazil. It produces red seeds from which a natural dye called annatto is extracted. This dye is widely used in:

• The food industry (as a coloring agent),
• The cosmetics industry (in lipsticks and creams),
• The textile industry,
• The paint industry.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, as they refer to entirely unrelated topics — one about energy infrastructure in Africa and the other about a plant native to South America.

The CBSE's mandate regarding mother tongue-based instruction aims to enhance early education by emphasizing instruction in a child's home language. Research indicates that learning in a child's mother tongue can significantly improve comprehension, critical thinking, and emotional security, making it a crucial aspect of foundational education. By focusing on mother tongue-based instruction, the CBSE seeks to align with the National Education Policy's goal of promoting multilingualism and culturally inclusive educational practices.

1. Grand Inga Hydropower Project - Located in China: Incorrect. The Grand Inga Hydropower Project is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, not China. It is situated on the Congo River and is proposed to be the world's largest hydropower scheme.

2. Sindoor Plant (Bixa orellana) - Native to Brazil: Correct. The Sindoor plant, scientifically known as Bixa orellana, is indeed native to Brazil. It is widely recognized for its red seeds and is commonly referred to as 'Annatto' in English.

3. Inga 3 Dam - Harnesses flow from Inga Falls: Correct. The Inga 3 Dam is part of the Grand Inga Project and will harness the flow from Inga Falls, which are already part of existing hydroelectric facilities (Inga 1 and Inga 2) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

4. Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution - Relates to Right to Equality: Incorrect. Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, not the Right to Equality. The Right to Equality is covered under Articles 14 to 18 of the Indian Constitution.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Grand Inga Hydropower Project is indeed planned to be the world's largest hydropower scheme, with a potential to produce up to 40,000 MW of electricity. This aligns with the project's ambition to significantly surpass existing large-scale hydropower projects like the Three Gorges Dam in China.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Inga 3 phase is projected to generate 4,800 MW and has an estimated cost of $14 billion. This phase is part of the broader development strategy for harnessing the hydropower potential of the Congo River.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The project is planned to be developed in seven phases, not ten. Inga 3 is indeed the first phase, but the total number of phases is seven. This statement does not accurately reflect the phased development plan as outlined.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.

The core objective of the NAMASTE Scheme is to support and formalize India's informal sanitation workforce. This scheme aims to enhance safety, dignity, skill development, and social inclusion for sanitation workers, initially focusing on sewer and septic tank workers and later expanding to include waste pickers. By integrating these workers into formal support systems, the scheme seeks to improve their working conditions, livelihoods, and overall well-being.

Statement-I is correct as per the data provided in the text. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has indeed facilitated the resolution of 1,194 companies with a recovery rate of 32.8% against admitted claims, as mentioned in the information.
Statement-II is also correct based on the information given. The statement highlights that judicial delays are a significant challenge, with 78% of ongoing cases exceeding the stipulated 270-day limit. This indicates that delays in the judicial process are hindering the effective resolution of cases under the IBC.
Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II explains the potential impact of judicial delays on the effectiveness of the IBC in resolving corporate insolvencies.

1. Statement 1 is correct: The report on the status of ungulates in tiger habitats of India indeed establishes that a density of 30 ungulates per sq km is necessary to support 4 tigers per 100 sq km. This highlights the critical importance of sufficient prey density for maintaining healthy tiger populations.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The decline in ungulate populations in East-Central India, particularly in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, is attributed to habitat loss caused by deforestation, urbanization, mining, and civil unrest. These factors contribute significantly to the reduction in viable habitats for ungulates, thereby impacting their populations.

3. Statement 3 is correct: The report titled "Status of Ungulates in Tiger Habitats of India" was indeed released by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), making this statement accurate.

All three statements are correct, hence the correct answer is Option D.

The Grand Inga hydropower project is situated on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project is proposed to be the world's largest hydropower scheme, with the capacity to generate up to 40,000 megawatts of electricity. The location of this project is strategic due to its potential to supply a significant portion of Africa's current electricity needs.