Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 7th August 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly defines legal insanity as a mental state that can excuse legal responsibility for a crime by establishing that the defendant was unable to comprehend the nature of their actions or discern right from wrong. Statement-II complements this by explaining the evidential requirement for proving legal insanity, emphasizing the need for psychiatric evaluations to demonstrate the lack of control over reasoning faculties during the incident. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II indeed explains Statement-I.

1. Hyblaea puera: Major pest of teak trees - This pair is correctly matched. Hyblaea puera is indeed a significant pest that severely affects teak trees and mangroves. It is known for its destructive impact on teak plantations, causing defoliation.

2. HpNPV virus: Chemical pesticide used for teak pests - This pair is incorrectly matched. The Hyblaea puera Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (HpNPV) is not a chemical pesticide; it is a biocontrol agent. It is a virus that provides an eco-friendly solution to combat the teak defoliator moth by causing lethal infections in pest larvae.

3. Legal Insanity: Defense in criminal law due to mental incapacity - This pair is correctly matched. Legal insanity is indeed a defense in criminal law. It is based on the premise that the accused was unable to understand the nature of their actions due to severe mental illness, thus negating legal responsibility for the crime.

4. Emotional Insanity: Temporary mental state at the time of crime - This pair is incorrectly matched. Emotional insanity refers to a mental condition characterized by intense emotional disturbance, but it is not specifically synonymous with a temporary mental state at the time of the crime. Temporary insanity is a separate legal concept that may exist at the time of the crime, but emotional insanity is not defined in these terms.

Thus, two pairs (1 and 3) are correctly matched.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was a significant Cold War-era agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union, aimed at eliminating a specific class of missiles.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The INF Treaty indeed led to the elimination of ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This was a central provision of the treaty, resulting in the destruction of 2,692 missiles by June 1, 1991.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The treaty was signed in 1987, not 1989. It was a landmark agreement signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, marking a pivotal step in arms control.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Russia's withdrawal from the INF Treaty was influenced by several factors, including escalating NATO tensions and U.S. military deployments such as the Tomahawk launchers and other strategic assets, which Russia viewed as threats to its security.

Therefore, the correct option is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Statement I correctly describes the alarming phenomenon of over 5 billion starfish deaths since 2013 along North America's Pacific coast due to a wasting disease caused by Vibrio pectenicida. Statement II correctly mentions details from the RBI's recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting regarding India's current account deficit and forex reserves, which are not related to the starfish deaths. Therefore, both statements are individually correct, but they are not interrelated, indicating that Option B is the correct answer.

1. Statement 1: The Lalit Kala Akademi is indeed an autonomous organization established under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. This statement is correct. The Akademi was inaugurated by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and gained statutory status in 1957, which aligns with its foundation under this Act.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The Lalit Kala Akademi does not solely focus on classical Indian art forms. It actively promotes modern, contemporary, folk, and tribal visual arts of India. It organizes various exhibitions, including those focused on contemporary art, such as the National Exhibition of Art.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Lalit Kala Akademi organizes the National Exhibition of Art annually, which serves as a platform for showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions across the country, including both emerging and established artists.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Sunflower Sea Star - Vibrio pectenicida: This pair is correctly matched. The sunflower sea star has been heavily impacted by a wasting disease linked to the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida.

2. Starfish - Keystone predator of sea urchins: This pair is correctly matched. Starfish are known as keystone predators in marine ecosystems, particularly impacting the population of sea urchins.

3. Starfish body structure - Bilateral symmetry in adults: This pair is incorrectly matched. Adult starfish exhibit radial symmetry, not bilateral symmetry. Bilateral symmetry is present in starfish larvae.

4. Starfish feeding habits - Exclusively scavengers: This pair is incorrectly matched. Starfish have diverse feeding habits; they can be carnivorous, detritivorous, or scavengers, not exclusively scavengers.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 1 and 2, making the total correctly matched pairs as two.

The main objective of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was to prohibit ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometers. This treaty, signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, aimed to reduce the threat of nuclear war by eliminating a specific class of missiles. Its implementation led to the destruction of thousands of missiles, contributing to nuclear arms control efforts during the Cold War era.

The Lalit Kala Akademi was established in 1954 and subsequently received statutory status in 1957 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. This institution plays a crucial role in promoting various forms of visual arts in India and has been a significant part of the country's cultural landscape since its inception.

Statement-I is correct as Russia's withdrawal from the INF Treaty does indeed mark a crucial shift in nuclear arms control, as mentioned in the news. Statement-II is also correct as the DFSI developed by researchers evaluates historical flood severity in India, aligning with the details provided in the source material. Furthermore, Statement-II explains the significance of the DFSI in assessing flood impacts, supporting and providing context to Statement-I.

The Hyblaea puera Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (HpNPV) serves as a biocontrol agent aimed at combating the teak defoliator moth by preventing widespread defoliation of teak trees. By infecting the pest larvae, this virus helps in controlling the population of the moth and protecting teak plantations from economic losses caused by extensive defoliation.