Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 17th February 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The F&V sector in India does not receive policy support comparable to that of the cereals sector. In fact, one of the challenges faced by the F&V sector is its inadequate policy support compared to cereals, leading to issues like lack of organized value chains and proper storage facilities.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The post-harvest losses in the F&V sector do indeed amount to Rs 1.53 trillion annually. This is a significant issue that highlights the need for better infrastructure and policy initiatives to reduce these losses.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been noted to play a crucial role in stabilizing prices and mitigating losses in the F&V sector. For example, the Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company Ltd (SFPCL) is a successful case study demonstrating how FPOs can enhance the value chain and support farmers effectively.

Thus, only Statement 2 is correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights the challenges faced by the Fruits & Vegetables sector in India, emphasizing the need for policy support and addressing post-harvest losses. Statement-II accurately portrays the ongoing crisis of rat-hole mining in Assam and Meghalaya, detailing the risks to miners and environmental degradation. The two statements address distinct issues in the agricultural and mining sectors, both of which are pertinent to the economic and environmental landscape of India. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional context that aligns with Statement-I.

Statement-I correctly describes the objective of the mRNA cancer vaccine, which aims to provide personalized treatment for cancer patients. Statement-II accurately describes how the measles virus spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets, affecting the respiratory tract. However, the two statements are unrelated and do not explain each other. The mRNA cancer vaccine and the measles virus are distinct topics with no direct correlation, hence both statements are correct independently, but they are not interrelated.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. mRNA cancer vaccines do not work by introducing a weakened form of a virus. Instead, they provide genetic instructions to the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This method is different from traditional vaccines that often use inactivated or attenuated pathogens.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. mRNA cancer vaccines are indeed personalized for each patient. They are designed to target specific tumor antigens, making the treatment highly tailored and potentially more effective for individual patients. This personalization aims to improve the immune system's ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The mRNA used in these vaccines does not remain in the cell permanently. mRNA is naturally degraded after it is used to guide protein synthesis. It provides temporary instructions, which makes it a safe and controlled method for therapeutic applications without long-term presence in the cells.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct, making Option D the best choice.

Statement-I correctly identifies the loggerhead turtle as the world's largest hard-shelled turtle, slightly larger than the Green sea turtle and the Galapagos tortoise. Statement-II accurately describes the diet of loggerhead turtles, highlighting their omnivorous nature and preference for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. The second statement complements the first by providing specific details about the turtle's diet, thereby explaining the significance of the first statement. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) serves as a platform for global leaders to engage in discussions about pressing international security issues. It has evolved from its original focus on military matters during the Cold War to encompass broader topics such as current security challenges, making option C the correct choice.

1. mRNA Cancer Vaccine - Provides preventive treatment for cancer.

This statement is incorrectly matched. The mRNA cancer vaccine is designed for therapeutic purposes, meaning it is intended for patients who already have cancer, not for prevention.

2. Measles Virus - Caused by a virus from the paramyxovirus family.

This statement is correctly matched. Measles is indeed caused by a virus from the paramyxovirus family.

3. Sovereign Green Bonds - Primarily used to finance real estate projects.

This statement is incorrectly matched. Sovereign Green Bonds are issued to finance environmentally friendly projects, such as energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, and climate resilience, not primarily for real estate projects.

4. Koplik Spots - Associated with Measles infection.

This statement is correctly matched. Koplik spots are small white spots inside the cheeks that are a characteristic symptom of measles infection.

The correctly matched pairs are 2 and 4, making Option B the correct answer.

1. Statement 1: Incorrect. The Munich Security Conference was initially established in 1963 to focus on military issues during the Cold War. It has since expanded to include broader topics like climate change and migration, but its original focus was not on these issues.

2. Statement 2: Correct. The U.S. has indeed initiated talks with Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict without Ukraine's participation, which has alarmed European allies who are concerned about the security and sovereignty of Ukraine.

3. Statement 3: Correct. Article 356 of the Indian Constitution provides for President's Rule in a state if the state government is unable to function according to the provisions of the Constitution. This mechanism allows for direct governance by the central government when there is a failure of constitutional machinery in a state.

Therefore, based on the analysis, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

Loggerhead turtles demonstrate their exceptional learning abilities through a behavior known as the 'turtle dance', where they exhibit a unique response upon encountering locations associated with food sources. This behavior underscores the cognitive capacities of loggerhead turtles, particularly in recognizing and remembering the magnetic signatures of specific areas to locate food.

Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Loggerhead turtles are not exclusively herbivorous. They are omnivorous and primarily feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as gastropods, bivalves, and decapods. Thus, the claim that they exclusively eat seagrass and algae is false.

Statement 2: This statement is correct. Loggerhead turtles utilize the Earth's geomagnetic field as a navigational tool, enabling them to travel vast distances across the ocean. This remarkable ability assists in their long migrations and is a key adaptation for their survival.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Loggerhead turtles are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, not Critically Endangered. While they face significant threats and their conservation status is of concern, they have not been categorized as Critically Endangered.

Thus, only statement 2 is correct, which aligns with Option D: 2 Only.