Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 15th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Karnataka - Ranked first in Panchayat Devolution Index: This pair is correctly matched. Karnataka was indeed ranked as the top state in the Panchayat Devolution Index.

2. Uttar Pradesh - Improved rank due to enhanced financial autonomy: This pair is incorrectly matched. Uttar Pradesh improved its rank due to enhanced accountability measures, not financial autonomy.

3. Bihar - Suffered from a shortage of Panchayat secretaries: This pair is correctly matched. Bihar is noted for having many Panchayats suffering from a shortage of essential personnel, such as Panchayat secretaries.

4. Telangana - Model for effective digital governance: This pair is correctly matched. Telangana is mentioned as a model for effective digital governance.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 1, 3, and 4. However, the statement specifies that only pairs 1 and 3 are correct, making the choice "Only two pairs" as per the information provided.

Note: The correct option should have been Option C: Only three pairs, based on the pairs given above and the solution provided.

Statement-I is correct as it accurately defines the condition of "foetus in foetu" where a malformed foetus grows inside the body of its twin. Statement-II is also correct as it describes an Einstein Ring as a circular formation of light resulting from gravitational lensing. However, these two statements do not have a direct explanatory relationship, so the correct answer is option (b), where both statements are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim was indeed destroyed by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which was triggered by the failure of a moraine slope at the South Lhonak Lake. This catastrophic event led to significant flooding and damage.

- Statement 2 is correct. Between 2011 and 2024, the number of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region increased by 10.8%, while their surface area increased by 33.7%. This is attributed to the accelerated glacier melt driven by global warming, which has heightened the risk of GLOFs.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Amsterdam Island does not have a permanent human population and is instead home to a small scientific research station. The island is known for its unique ecosystem, including the rare Amsterdam albatross, but it is not inhabited by a large human population.

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

The destruction caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023 ignited significant debate regarding the recommendation to reconstruct the Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim. This catastrophic event resulted in over 100 fatalities and extensive damage across four districts. The incident raised critical environmental, geological, and socio-economic concerns that experts believe must be thoroughly assessed before any reconstruction efforts are undertaken.

Statement-I correctly identifies the cause of the Teesta-3 dam's destruction as a moraine slope failure, leading to catastrophic flooding. Statement-II accurately links the increased risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) to climate change effects such as accelerated glacier melt and the expansion of glacial lakes. The destruction of the dam and the subsequent discussions highlight the interplay between environmental factors and infrastructure vulnerabilities in the face of climate change, making both statements accurate and interconnected.

1. Teesta-3 Dam – Moraine Slope Failure: Correctly matched. The Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim was destroyed due to a moraine slope failure, which led to a catastrophic flooding event.

2. Amsterdam Island – Endangered Amsterdam Albatross: Correctly matched. Amsterdam Island is home to the endangered Amsterdam albatross, which is one of the rarest bird species in the world.

3. Bhadra Tiger Reserve – Located in Eastern Ghats: Incorrectly matched. The Bhadra Tiger Reserve is located in the Western Ghats region of India, not the Eastern Ghats.

4. South Lhonak Lake – Trigger for GLOF in 2023: Correctly matched. The moraine on the flank of South Lhonak Lake failed, triggering the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in 2023 that led to the destruction of the Teesta-3 dam.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Indirect Prompt Injection: This pair is incorrectly matched. Indirect prompt injection involves embedding covert, not overt, commands within content to manipulate AI chatbots into unintended actions.

2. China's Monopoly Over Critical Manufacturing Equipment: This pair is correctly matched. China indeed plays a pivotal role in the production of high-tech machinery necessary for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, impacting global supply chains.

3. Control Over Key Raw Materials: This pair is correctly matched. China has imposed export restrictions on key raw materials like gallium and germanium, which are crucial for technology sectors, affecting global supply chains.

4. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024: This pair is incorrectly matched. India's CPI score for 2024 was 38, not 48, reflecting a decline and indicating ongoing challenges in public sector integrity.

Only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, thus making Option B: Only two pairs the correct answer.

The Panchayat Devolution Index Report assesses states and Union Territories (UTs) based on six fundamental areas: Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Enhancement, and Accountability. This evaluation helps in understanding how powers are distributed to Panchayats across various states and UTs. By analyzing these dimensions, the report provides insights into the level of devolution and governance in Panchayats.

- Statement 1 is correct. Indirect prompt injection attacks are a security threat where covert commands are embedded within content processed by AI chatbots, leading them to execute unintended actions. This manipulation exploits the inherent processing abilities of large language models (LLMs).

- Statement 2 is correct. One potential consequence of such attacks is that chatbots might perform unauthorized actions, including altering their long-term memory settings. This highlights the severity of the threat posed by these types of injections.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Mitigating the risks associated with indirect prompt injection requires more than just improving AI algorithms. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes enhancing security measures, increasing awareness among users and developers, and possibly updating the protocols and systems that interact with AI chatbots.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Foetus in foetu is indeed a rare congenital disorder where a malformed foetus develops inside the body of its twin. This condition is characterized by one twin being significantly underdeveloped and becoming enveloped within the other twin's body.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the parasitic twin may exhibit some characteristics of a normal foetus, such as an umbilical cord-like structure, it typically lacks fully developed vital organs. This is a distinguishing feature of foetus in foetu, differentiating it from other conditions like teratomas.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Foetus in foetu usually occurs in monozygotic (identical) twin pregnancies, where one twin becomes enveloped within the other. It can often remain undetected for many years due to its location and the subtlety of its symptoms.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only, as both statements 1 and 3 accurately describe aspects of the foetus in foetu condition, while statement 2 does not.