Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 13th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

To determine the correct statements, let's analyze each one:

Statement 1: Ramgarh Lake was indeed constructed in 1876 by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II to support the local population's water needs. This statement is correct.

Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. Ramgarh Lake is situated approximately 32 kilometers from Jaipur city, not 50 kilometers.

Statement 3: This statement is correct. The region surrounding Ramgarh Lake was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1982, and it is home to various wildlife species.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the correct answer.

1. Genome India Project - Sequencing genomes of 10,000 individuals from India: Correctly matched. The Genome India Project aims to sequence the entire genomes of 10,000 healthy and unrelated Indians from various population groups. This project highlights the genetic diversity within India.

2. Bullet Curtain - A close-in anti-drone system developed by India: Incorrectly matched. The Bullet Curtain is a close-in anti-drone barrage system developed by China's state-run defense company Norinco, not by India. It is designed to counter aerial threats, particularly drone swarms.

3. Carbon Tax - A tax on carbon emissions, recently adopted globally for the shipping industry: Correctly matched. India, along with other nations, has supported a global carbon tax targeting the shipping industry, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. International Maritime Organization (IMO) - Specialized agency of the United Nations for shipping safety: Correctly matched. The IMO is indeed a specialized UN agency responsible for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping, contributing to sustainable ocean resource use.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I is correct as efforts are indeed underway to revive Ramgarh Lake, a historical water body crucial for Jaipur's water supply. Statement-II is also correct as Ramgarh Lake is located near the Jamwa Ramgarh subdivision of Jaipur district. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation or additional information about Statement-I; hence, it does not explain Statement-I. Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

Microplastics primarily enter the environment through product use, abrasion, or naturally occurring processes. These tiny plastic particles, measuring up to 5 millimeters in diameter, are non-biodegradable and can accumulate within ecosystems, posing risks to both the environment and living organisms.

The main objective of the Genome India project is to sequence the entire genomes of 10,000 healthy and unrelated Indians from diverse population groups to identify genetic mutations and understand India's rich genetic diversity. This initiative aims to enhance the understanding of population-specific health issues and pave the way for precision medicine tailored to the unique genetic makeup of Indian populations.

1. Global Carbon Tax on Shipping - Implemented in 2028: This pair is correctly matched. The global carbon tax on the shipping industry is scheduled for implementation in 2028.
2. rt-LAMP Assay for TB Detection - Approved by the World Health Organization: This pair is incorrectly matched. While the rt-LAMP assay for TB detection is being evaluated by the World Health Organization's Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP), it has not been officially approved by the WHO. It is currently under validation by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
3. Countries Opposing Global Carbon Tax - Saudi Arabia and Russia: This pair is correctly matched. Saudi Arabia and Russia are among the countries that opposed the global carbon tax initiative.
4. Financial Impact of Global Carbon Tax - Projected revenues of up to $40 billion by 2030: This pair is correctly matched. The projected revenues from the global carbon tax are expected to reach up to $40 billion by 2030, aimed at decarbonizing the maritime sector.
Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making a total of three correctly matched pairs.

Statement-I correctly mentions India's support for the global carbon tax targeting the shipping industry, as detailed in the news. Statement-II accurately describes the rt-LAMP assay developed for TB detection at the SCTIMST. However, these statements are unrelated and do not explain each other. Statement-I focuses on a global environmental initiative, while Statement-II pertains to a scientific development in healthcare. Hence, both statements are correct individually, but they are not interrelated or explanatory of each other.

1. Ramgarh Lake - Located in the city center of Jaipur: Incorrect. Ramgarh Lake is not located in the city center of Jaipur; it is situated approximately 32 kilometers from Jaipur city.

2. Typhloperipatus williamsoni - Rediscovered in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh: Correct. This species was indeed rediscovered in the Siang Valley after an absence of 111 years.

3. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) - Initiative connecting India directly to Europe via land: Incorrect. The IMEEC aims to enhance multimodal connectivity but does not involve a direct land connection from India to Europe. It consists of an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe.

4. Ramgarh Lake Wildlife Sanctuary - Established in 1982: Correct. The area around Ramgarh Lake was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1982.

Hence, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

The primary goal of the global carbon tax supported by India and other nations is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping. This initiative aims to address the environmental impact of the shipping industry by imposing a tax on large vessels, encouraging them to switch to cleaner fuel technologies or face penalties based on their emission levels. By implementing this tax, the international community seeks to significantly decrease maritime emissions and combat climate change.

Statement 1 is correct. Microplastics can penetrate plant leaves through stomata (tiny pores on the leaf surface that facilitate gas exchange) and the cuticle (a protective waxy layer). Once inside, microplastics have the potential to accumulate in trichomes, which are small hair-like structures on leaves.

Statement 2 is also correct. The study reveals that microplastics, once inside the plant, can move through its water and nutrient transport systems. This suggests that microplastics are capable of reaching various tissues, although the role of trichomes in limiting their movement to roots is highlighted as they act as "sinks."

Statement 3 is incorrect. The ecological impact of microplastics is not limited to marine environments. The text emphasizes that microplastics pose significant ecological risks in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, with the potential to bioaccumulate throughout the food chain. Therefore, their impact is widespread and significant across different environments, including terrestrial ecosystems.

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