Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 1st July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights one of the key benefits of GST, which is the simplification of tax collection by replacing multiple indirect taxes. Statement-II accurately points out a specific area where GST has fallen short, which is the inadequacy in addressing tobacco taxation, leading to increased affordability of tobacco products. The second statement explains why this could be a concern despite the overall success of GST in simplifying tax structures. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides a context that explains the implications of Statement-I in the context of tobacco taxation.

- Statement 1 is correct. Altermagnets are indeed characterized by having zero net magnetism externally, yet they display internal electron behaviors that are beneficial for applications in spintronics. This unique property makes them a significant area of study for enhancing future electronic materials.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Altermagnets like chromium antimonide (CrSb) are not constructed exclusively from rare and toxic elements. In fact, CrSb is noted for being constructed from earth-abundant and non-toxic elements, making it a promising candidate for environmentally friendly technologies.

- Statement 3 is correct. Chromium antimonide (CrSb) is a notable altermagnet that maintains magnetic order at temperatures exceeding twice that of room temperature, which highlights its potential for practical applications in electronic technologies.

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

Statement-I correctly mentions that the terms "socialist" and "secular" were indeed added to the Preamble of India's Constitution during the Emergency period through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment. Statement-II is also accurate in stating that the 42nd Constitutional Amendment was enacted during the Emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership, with the aim of reshaping the Constitution to reflect her political ideology. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides the necessary context and explanation for Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

1. Non-Performing Asset (NPA) Ratio - 2.3% as of March 2025: This pair is correctly matched. The Financial Stability Report for June 2025 mentions that the gross non-performing asset ratio stands at 2.3% as of March 2025.

2. First Satellite Launch of SBS-III Programme - By April 2026: This pair is correctly matched. The SBS-III programme expects the first satellite launch by April 2026.

3. ZSI New Genus of Skink - Dravidoseps gouensis from the Western Ghats: This pair is correctly matched. The Zoological Survey of India documented the discovery of a new genus of skink named Dravidoseps gouensis from the Western Ghats.

4. Capital Adequacy Ratio of Banks - 12% minimum regulatory requirement: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Financial Stability Report mentions that the capital adequacy ratios of banks are well above regulatory requirements, but it does not specify 12% as the minimum regulatory requirement. Typically, the minimum requirement is around 9% in India, as per the Basel III norms, not specifically mentioned as 12%.

Thus, only three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The terms "socialist" and "secular" were indeed added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 during the Emergency period. This amendment aimed to reflect the political ideology of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly affirmed secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution. Key cases like Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and S.R. Bommai (1994) have established and reinforced secularism as an essential feature of the constitutional framework.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the 44th Amendment did reverse several changes made by the 42nd Amendment, it did not reverse the addition of the terms "socialist" and "secular" in the Preamble. These terms have remained unchanged and are considered fundamental to the identity of the Indian Constitution.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A: 1 Only the correct answer.

1. Goods and Services Tax (GST): Correctly matched. The GST was indeed initiated in 2017 to simplify India's indirect tax system by replacing multiple taxes with a single tax system under the slogan 'One Nation, One Tax'.

2. Tobacco Taxation under GST: Incorrectly matched. While GST was implemented, it did not increase tobacco taxes to align with global health standards. The GST system has been criticized for not adequately addressing the taxation of tobacco products, which remain more affordable due to reliance on ad valorem taxation instead of specific excise taxes.

3. India Energy Stack (IES): Correctly matched. The India Energy Stack is indeed intended to create a unified, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure for the energy sector, facilitating better management and innovation.

4. MRgFUS Procedure: Correctly matched. Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-surgical intervention used for treating essential tremors by using focused ultrasound to target specific brain tissue.

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

The primary goal of the Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme is to enhance India's defense capabilities through advanced satellite technology, specifically by improving surveillance over key areas such as China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. This initiative represents a significant advancement in India's strategic capabilities, aimed at countering potential threats and bolstering national security through advanced surveillance technologies.

- Statement 1 is correct. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India aimed to replace a multitude of indirect taxes with a single tax system, thereby simplifying the tax structure and creating a unified national market. This was indeed one of the primary objectives of implementing GST.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Despite GST's comprehensive reform of the tax system, it has been criticized for not adequately addressing tobacco taxation. This inadequacy has, in fact, led to an increase in the affordability of tobacco products, contrary to what the statement suggests. The economic burden of tobacco use remains significant, and the GST regime has not sufficiently increased tobacco taxes to counter this issue.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The GST framework predominantly relies on ad valorem taxation, which is not deemed effective for controlling the consumption of harmful products like tobacco. Fixed specific excise taxes are considered more effective in such cases, as they provide a more stable and predictable method of taxation that can better align with public health objectives.

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

Altermagnets exhibit a unique combination of features from ferromagnets and antiferromagnets, distinguishing them from conventional magnetic materials. These materials display characteristics such as no net magnetization externally while showcasing useful electron behaviors internally, making them promising for spintronics applications.

The term "socialist" was added to India's Constitution during the Emergency period primarily to align with the political ideology of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This addition aimed to support her leftward shift policies, which included the nationalization of banks and an emphasis on social welfare programs. It was a reflection of the socialist-leaning economic approach that the government was adopting during that period.