Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 8th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Pink Bollworm Resistance - Correctly matched. The pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bt cotton toxins cry1Ac and cry2Ab, impacting the effectiveness of Bt cotton.

2. Import Projection 2024-25 - Incorrectly matched. India is projected to import 30 lakh bales, not 17 lakh bales, while exporting only 17 lakh bales.

3. GM Cotton Approval - Correctly matched. No new genetically modified cotton hybrids have been commercialized since Bollgard-II in 2006 due to regulatory hurdles.

4. Lint Yield Decline - Correctly matched. The national average lint yield increased to 566 kg/ha in 2013-14 but has since fallen to the range of 436-437 kg/ha due to heightened pest pressure.

Thus, only pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option C: Only three pairs.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. The report projects the AI market to grow to USD 4.8 trillion by 2033, indicating its substantial role in driving global digital transformation. This reflects the significant impact of AI across various sectors, aligning with the report's emphasis on AI's capacity to transform economies and societies.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The report highlights India's improvement in the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, moving up from 48th place in 2022 to 36th in 2024. This improvement underscores India's growing capabilities and investments in emerging technologies, particularly in AI.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. While the report notes that approximately 100 companies from the U.S. and China contribute to 40% of global corporate R&D spending, it does not mention a 60% share. The precise figure given is 40%, which is significant but not as high as stated in the option.

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

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Supreme Court of India has not mandated the linkage of Voter ID cards with Aadhaar numbers. In fact, the court has ruled that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for voting because voting is a constitutional right. The proposal to link Aadhaar with Voter ID is being considered to enhance electoral integrity, but it is not a court directive.

2. Statement 2 is correct. There are significant concerns regarding data privacy and the potential exclusion of marginalized groups in the proposed linkage of Aadhaar with Voter ID. Linking biometric data to voter records raises issues of misuse, and individuals who lack Aadhaar documentation might be excluded from the electoral rolls.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024 revealed flaws in the Voter ID system, including duplication and fraud, which underscored the need for a more robust system to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voter list.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D, as statements 2 and 3 are correct.

1. Voter ID - Biometric Identifier: Incorrect. A Voter ID is not a biometric identifier. It is a functional ID used for voting purposes. Biometric identifiers, like fingerprints or iris scans, are not linked with a Voter ID inherently.

2. Aadhaar - Unique Identifier: Correct. Aadhaar is a unique identifier in India, as it is based on biometric and demographic data that are unique to each individual.

3. CAPTCHA - Online Security Mechanism: Correct. CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is indeed an online security mechanism used to distinguish between human users and automated bots.

4. INS Varsha - Western Coast of India: Incorrect. INS Varsha is located on the eastern coast of India, near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh, and not on the western coast.

The correctly matched pairs are 2 and 3.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct. Statement-I highlights the Election Commission of India's efforts to link Voter IDs with Aadhaar numbers, affecting the fairness of Indian democracy. Statement-II correctly points out the legal paradox associated with Aadhaar, which prevents its mandatory use for voting due to Supreme Court decisions safeguarding voting as a constitutional right. Statement-II explains why the linkage cannot be made compulsory, thereby supporting and elaborating on the implications of Statement-I. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

1. Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000 - This pair is correctly matched. The Shishu category under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) offers loans up to ₹50,000 for new or small businesses.

2. Kishore: Loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh - This pair is correctly matched. The Kishore category provides loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for growing enterprises.

3. Tarun: Loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh - This pair is correctly matched. The Tarun category is designed for more established businesses with greater capital needs, offering loans from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

4. TarunPlus: Loan limit up to ₹15 lakh - This pair is incorrectly matched. The TarunPlus category, which was introduced in July 2024, has a loan limit of up to ₹20 lakh for larger businesses, not ₹15 lakh.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the decline in India's cotton production due to the pink bollworm pest, leading to a shift in trade balance. Statement-II accurately mentions the emerging solutions being explored to address the pest resistance issue. However, Statement-II does not directly explain the situation described in Statement-I but provides additional information about potential solutions. Therefore, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, making option (b) the correct choice.

Regulatory delays in the approval and use of pest-resistant cotton varieties have contributed significantly to the decline in India's cotton production. This delay has hindered the adoption of genetically modified cotton hybrids that could resist pests like the pink bollworm, ultimately impacting the country's cotton output. Effective pest management strategies and timely approvals are crucial to combatting this decline and ensuring sustainable cotton production in India.

1. Statement 1: The pink bollworm pest has developed resistance to Bt cotton toxins, which has significantly impacted cotton yields in India. This statement is correct. The pink bollworm has shown resistance to Bt cotton toxins such as cry1Ac and cry2Ab, leading to reduced effectiveness of Bt cotton and impacting yields negatively.

2. Statement 2: The approval process for new genetically modified cotton hybrids in India is swift and efficient, facilitating timely commercialization. This statement is incorrect. The approval process in India is notably lengthy and complex, causing delays in the commercialization of new GM cotton hybrids. This regulatory hurdle is a significant challenge in addressing pest resistance and improving cotton production.

3. Statement 3: India is currently a net cotton exporter due to increased production and decreased pest pressures. This statement is incorrect. India has shifted from being a net cotton exporter to a net importer due to declining domestic production and increased pest pressures, primarily from the pink bollworm.

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

Statement-I correctly mentions the anticipated growth of the AI market to USD 4.8 trillion by 2033, a significant driver of global digital transformation. Statement-II also accurately states that around 100 companies, mainly from the U.S. and China, contribute to 40% of global corporate Research and Development (R&D) spending. However, the two statements are not directly related or explanatory of each other, hence option B is the correct answer.