Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 28th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I discusses the stratification issues within the legal profession in India, focusing on the designation of senior advocates. This is accurate based on the provided information regarding the systemic inequalities and the challenges posed by the current criteria for designating senior advocates.

Statement-II talks about silica gel desiccants being composed of silicon dioxide and their effectiveness in absorbing excess moisture. This statement is also correct as per the information provided in the text about the composition and functionality of silica gel desiccants in various industries.

While both statements are factually correct based on the information provided, they are independent of each other and do not have a direct explanatory relationship. Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

1. Kharai Camel - Indigenous to Rajasthan: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Kharai Camel is indigenous to Gujarat, not Rajasthan. It is specifically associated with the Kachchh region of Gujarat, where it is adapted to both desert and coastal environments.

2. Conservation Status of Kharai Camel - Endangered by IUCN: This pair is correctly matched. The Kharai camel is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), facing significant threats due to habitat loss and industrial encroachments.

3. Statistics Day 2025 Theme - 75 Years of National Sample Survey: This pair is correctly matched. For the year 2025, the theme of Statistics Day is indeed "75 Years of National Sample Survey," highlighting the importance of the survey in providing crucial socio-economic data for planning and governance.

4. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis - Founder of Indian Statistical Institute: This pair is correctly matched. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931 and is recognized for his significant contributions to the field of statistics in India.

Based on the information provided, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched. Hence, the answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

- Statement 1 is correct. The designation of senior advocates under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961, indeed creates a stratification within the legal profession, which institutionalizes inequality. The criteria, such as 'standing at the Bar' and 'special knowledge or experience in law,' are often seen as ambiguous and contribute to legal inequality.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Although the Supreme Court of India has made procedural adjustments regarding the designation of senior advocates, it has not fully addressed the core constitutional challenge of inequality posed by such classifications.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The American legal system does exhibit elite capture similar to the Indian legal profession. This is evidenced by the presence of a small group of elite lawyers dominating legal discourse, similar to India's situation.

Therefore, only the first statement is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the right choice.

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) play a crucial role in forensic science and genetic research by tracing genetic lineages. These short, repeating sequences of DNA bases are unique to each individual, making them ideal for criminal investigations, forensic victim identification, and ancestry testing. By analyzing the variations in these STR patterns, researchers can accurately trace genetic lineages and establish relationships between individuals.

1. Salkhan Fossil Park - Mahua tree: Incorrect. Salkhan Fossil Park is known for its stromatolite fossils, not the Mahua tree. The park is significant for its ancient fossils dating back to the Mesoproterozoic era and is located in Uttar Pradesh. Mahua trees are not the defining feature of this park.

2. Vindhyan Supergroup - Bhander limestone: Correct. The fossils at Salkhan Fossil Park are preserved in Bhander limestone, which is part of the Vindhyan Supergroup. This geological formation is significant for its rich collection of Proterozoic rocks.

3. Indira Jaising Case - Designation of Senior Advocates: Correct. The case of Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017) dealt with the process of designating senior advocates and addressed issues related to the lack of transparency and potential for elitism within this designation process.

4. TRIFED Initiative - Mahua Nutra Beverage: Correct. TRIFED, in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FIIT), has developed the Mahua Nutra Beverage. This initiative aims to enhance tribal incomes and promote dietary diversity through value addition.

Three pairs are correctly matched: pairs 2, 3, and 4.

1. DNA Polymorphisms - Used for criminal investigations: Correct. DNA polymorphisms are variations in DNA sequences unique to individuals and are crucial for identity verification in forensic science, including criminal investigations.

2. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) - Involved in the process of creating a unique genetic profile: Correct. STRs are short, repeating sequences of DNA bases that are unique to each individual, making them ideal for creating a unique genetic profile in DNA fingerprinting.

3. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - Used in the separation of DNA fragments by size: Incorrect. PCR is a technique used to amplify small amounts of DNA, not for the separation of DNA fragments by size. The separation of DNA fragments by size is typically done using gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis.

4. DNA Fingerprinting - Creates a unique genetic profile based on STR variations: Correct. DNA fingerprinting involves creating a unique genetic profile by analyzing the variations in STRs, which is essential for forensic identification and genetic research.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Kharai camel is indeed known for its unique ability to adapt to both desert and coastal environments. It is particularly notable for its capability to swim long distances, sometimes over 3 kilometers, to graze on mangroves, which are a key part of its diet and habitat.

- Statement 2 is correct. Statistics Day is observed on June 29 each year to honor Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, a pioneer in Indian statistics and planning. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and evidence-based policy making.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Kharai camel is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, not Vulnerable. The primary threats to its survival include the encroachment of its habitat due to industrialization along the coast, which disrupts traditional grazing routes and leads to the decline of mangrove forests.

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

Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) holds significant economic value for Central India's tribal communities. The tree plays a crucial role in sustaining livelihoods by providing various products like food, alcoholic beverages, and innovative items such as the Mahua Nutra Beverage. This economic importance underscores the tree's cultural significance and its contribution to the tribal economy, making it a lifeline for these communities.

Statement-I correctly identifies DNA polymorphisms as variations in DNA sequences unique to individuals, which are indeed crucial for forensic identification. Statement-II accurately describes Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) as repeating sequences of DNA bases that provide robust evidence for genetic relationships and are highly useful in criminal investigations. Additionally, STRs are indeed ideal for such purposes, aligning with the information provided in the context. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II effectively explains the significance of STRs in genetic research and forensic science.

Let's examine each statement:

Statement 1: This statement is correct. Salkhan Fossil Park is indeed famous for its stromatolite fossils, which are ancient layered structures formed by cyanobacteria. These fossils date back to the Mesoproterozoic era, making them up to 1.4 billion years old. This highlights the park's significance in the study of early microbial life and Earth's history.

Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. While Salkhan Fossil Park has been included in UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites, it is not yet a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. A site must remain on the tentative list for at least one year before it can be formally nominated and potentially designated as a World Heritage Site.

Statement 3: This statement is correct. The fossils in Salkhan Fossil Park are indeed preserved in the Bhander limestone of the Vindhyan Supergroup. This geological setting is renowned for its rich collection of Proterozoic rocks, making it globally significant in the study of ancient life forms.

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