Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights the drop in India's average Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for fiscal year 2025, indicating a slowdown in industrial growth. Statement-II correctly mentions the Supreme Court's stance on the use of spyware for national security and the examination of its application against individuals. However, there is no direct connection or explanation between the two statements, making option (b) the correct answer.

India's long-term strategy for Kashmir, as highlighted in the text, includes targeted security operations, moderation in force usage, and promoting democratic participation. This approach emphasizes a mix of security measures with a focus on involving the local populace in democratic processes. By combining security operations with democratic engagement, India aims to address the challenges in Kashmir while upholding democratic values and participation.

- Statement 1 is correct. The New Education Policy (NEP) includes a focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning experiences and improve educational outcomes. This is part of the government’s broader initiative to modernize education and align it with the demands of the 21st century.

- Statement 2 is correct. The PM e-Vidya initiative indeed aims to create a unified digital education infrastructure, offering resources in multiple languages to ensure equitable access. This is part of the efforts to enhance digital accessibility and inclusivity in education.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. While the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is proposed to facilitate research growth and innovation, it is not related to the establishment of Indian educational institutions' campuses abroad. The expansion of Indian institutions globally is a separate initiative.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the impact of rising temperatures on mango trees, resulting in early flowering, reduced sweetness, and shorter shelf life of mangoes. This aligns with the information provided in the source material regarding the effects of heat stress on mango production.
Statement-II accurately mentions the genetic diversity of mango trees across cultivars, which contributes to their adaptability to changing climates. This information is also supported by the details provided in the source material regarding the resilience and adaptability of mango trees.
While both statements are individually correct based on the information provided, they do not directly explain each other. Statement-I focuses on the immediate effects of rising temperatures on mango production, while Statement-II discusses the genetic diversity aspect of mango trees. Therefore, the correct answer is option (b), indicating that both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. Early Flowering and Fruiting: This pair is incorrectly matched. High temperatures cause mango trees to flower earlier, not later, disrupting their natural growth cycles. Farmers report that mangoes are arriving too early in the market, which affects planned harvest timelines.

2. Reduced Sweetness and Shelf Life: This pair is incorrectly matched. High temperatures do not enhance sugar accumulation; instead, they diminish it, making mangoes less sweet and affecting the shelf life of mango pickles. Anecdotal evidence suggests that mango pickles do not last throughout the year due to reduced sweetness.

3. Fruit Drop and Uneven Ripening: This pair is correctly matched. High temperatures indeed lead to premature fruit drop and uneven ripening, impacting overall fruit quality. This is observed in varieties like Alphonso, where spongy tissue disorder is increasingly noted.

4. Sun Scalding and Physical Damage: This pair is correctly matched. Intense heat can cause sunburn-like damage on mango skins, diminishing their visual appeal and market value. Farmers have noted sun scalding of mangoes during heatwaves.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched (Pairs 3 and 4 are correct, Pair 1 is incorrect, Pair 2 is incorrect).

The primary objective of India's New Education Policy (NEP) introduced in 2020 is to equip India's youth with essential skills and resources to foster innovation and global competitiveness. This policy aims to bring about significant changes in the education system, focusing on conceptual clarity, experiential learning, and multilingual education to prepare the youth for the challenges of the 21st century.

- Statement 1 is correct. The growth of the mining sector indeed declined from 7.5% in FY24 to 2.9% in FY25. This decline is part of the broader slowdown in key industrial sectors impacting industrial growth.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The manufacturing sector did not experience a significant growth increase; instead, it saw a slight decline, contributing to the overall industrial slowdown.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The government did not increase capex lending rates; rather, the rates decreased. However, this reduction in lending rates did not translate into significant private sector investment due to cautious sentiment, contradicting the statement.

Therefore, only statement 1 is correct, making Option A the correct answer.

Reduced private capital expenditure has been a key factor hindering industrial growth in India as highlighted in the news for fiscal year 2025. This decline in private sector investment has negatively impacted industrial growth despite decreasing capex lending rates, mainly due to cautious private sector sentiment. It has posed challenges to sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and electricity, leading to a slowdown in overall industrial output.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. India's long-term strategy for Kashmir indeed includes the formation of specialized security units like the Rashtriya Rifles, which are tasked with maintaining security and combating terrorism in the region. Additionally, India has been emphasizing moderation in the use of force to minimize collateral damage and promote stability.

2. Statement 2: This statement is also correct. The return of Sheikh Abdullah to democratic politics marked a significant shift away from prolonged soft separatism. This move reinforced India's commitment to integrating Jammu and Kashmir into its democratic framework, thereby reducing the influence of separatist sentiments.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct as well. Pakistan's actions in Jammu and Kashmir are often viewed as reactions to India's evolving security and diplomatic strategies. India's focus on promoting democratic engagement and institutional resilience contrasts with Pakistan's unstable governance and has forced Pakistan to respond to India's increasing strategic and security measures in the region.

Given that all three statements accurately reflect India's strategic approach to Jammu and Kashmir and its broader international relations context, the correct answer is Option D

1. Rashtriya Rifles - Specialized unit for counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
This pair is correctly matched. The Rashtriya Rifles is indeed a specialized counter-insurgency force of the Indian Army, specifically tasked with operations in Jammu and Kashmir to combat terrorism.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) - Measures emissions per unit of GDP
This pair is incorrectly matched. GEI measures emissions per unit of output, such as per tonne of product like cement or aluminum, rather than per unit of GDP. The concept of emissions intensity of GDP involves reducing emissions relative to the economic output, but GEI specifically pertains to industrial sectors.

3. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) - Allows industries to trade carbon credits
This pair is correctly matched. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is a mechanism where industries that meet their Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity targets can earn carbon credits, which can be traded, thus providing economic incentives for reducing emissions.

4. Sheikh Abdullah's Return - Marks the end of soft separatism in Jammu and Kashmir
This pair is correctly matched. Sheikh Abdullah's return to democratic politics marked a significant shift from separatist politics in Jammu and Kashmir, contributing to the region's political stabilization and integration into the Indian democratic framework.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.