Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 8th January 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. While rat-hole mining is indeed a method involving narrow seams, it is predominantly practiced in Meghalaya, not Assam. Assam has seen incidents of illegal mining, but the practice is more associated with Meghalaya.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a ban on rat-hole mining in 2014, primarily due to the numerous environmental and safety issues associated with the practice. The ban was reaffirmed in 2015, highlighting the significant risks posed by this method.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Rat-hole mining is characterized by its lack of adequate ventilation and structural support, leading to frequent accidents and posing significant risks to miners' safety.

Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right choice.

The main aim of the UJALA scheme in India is to promote energy efficiency in households by replacing traditional bulbs and CFLs with LED bulbs. This initiative not only contributes to energy conservation but also helps in reducing carbon emissions, making it a significant step towards sustainable and efficient energy usage.

The significant increase in India's coffee exports, resulting in a historic high in the 2024 calendar year, was primarily driven by adverse weather conditions in key producing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam. These conditions led to heightened global demand for Indian coffee, prompting European buyers to make advance purchases, anticipating the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This boost in export demand, alongside a 37% increase in unit value per tonne, significantly contributed to the record export revenue achieved by India's coffee industry.

1. Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) - Measures the ratio of crop yield to the total nitrogen applied in fertilizers: Incorrect. NUE measures a plant’s capability to utilize nitrogen for biomass production, specifically the ratio of crop yield to the quantity of nitrogen absorbed from the soil or atmosphere, not just the total nitrogen applied.

2. Panch Pran - Five pillars focusing on economic reforms and industrial growth: Incorrect. Panch Pran is a framework that emphasizes personal responsibility, traditional values, environmental sustainability, cultural pride, unity, and self-reliance, rather than focusing solely on economic reforms and industrial growth.

3. Kalpeni Island - Known for its historical shipwrecks from the 17th or 18th century: Correct. A recent discovery highlighted the presence of what appears to be the wreckage of a European warship from the 17th or 18th century near Kalpeni Island.

4. National Cadet Corps (NCC) - Established in 1917 under the Indian Defence Act: Incorrect. The NCC was established in 1948, although its roots can be traced back to the "University Corps," formed under the Indian Defence Act of 1917.

Only the third pair is correctly matched.

1. Lhasa Terrane - Correctly matched. The Lhasa terrane is indeed a region affected by the earthquake and is crucial for geophysical studies. It forms part of the complex tectonic structure in Tibet and is significant for understanding seismic activity in the area.

2. Tingry County - Correctly matched. Tingry County is located in the Shigatse region of Tibet and is recognized as a significant spiritual hub due to its association with the Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism.

3. Yarlung Tsangpo River - Correctly matched. The Yarlung Tsangpo River is notable for the ambitious hydroelectric project, which aims to generate 300 billion kWh annually, making it one of the largest such initiatives globally.

4. Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary - Incorrectly matched. Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is not located in Solapur district, Maharashtra; it is located in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. This sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is often referred to as a "Green Oasis" due to its abundant water supply.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

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

1. The first statement correctly states that lowering nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants can enhance the activity of high-affinity nitrate transporters (HATs), thus improving nitrogen uptake. This is a core finding of the recent research aimed at increasing Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE).

2. The second statement is incorrect. Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is defined as the ratio of crop yield to the quantity of nitrogen absorbed by the plant. The statement reverses this definition, suggesting an incorrect understanding of NUE.

3. The third statement is correct. Traditional nitrogen management practices, such as excessive use of fertilizers, can indeed lead to increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to global warming. This highlights the environmental impact of conventional farming methods.

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

Statement-I correctly defines rat-hole mining as a method used in Meghalaya to extract coal from narrow seams. Statement-II accurately mentions the NGT's ban on rat-hole mining due to fatalities related to flooding, specifically in Meghalaya. The second statement explains why the ban was imposed on this mining practice, making both statements correct and interconnected.

Statement-I is correct because recent research has indeed shown that lowering nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants can enhance nitrogen uptake and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in crops like rice and Arabidopsis. Statement-II is also correct because Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) does measure a plant's capability to utilize nitrogen for biomass production. Furthermore, Statement-II explains why lowering nitric oxide levels can enhance NUE by emphasizing the importance of nitrogen uptake for biomass production, thus supporting Statement-I.

Statement 1 is correct. In the 2024 calendar year, India's coffee exports indeed surpassed USD 1 billion, reaching $1.684 billion, which marked a 45% growth in dollar terms compared to the previous year.

Statement 2 is also correct. Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee in India, contributing approximately 70% of the country's total coffee production, with Kerala and Tamil Nadu following as the next largest producers.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Coffee Board of India was established in 1942, not 1952. It plays a crucial role in promoting the Indian coffee industry, focusing on export enhancement, market development, and quality improvement.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is a crucial metric that measures a plant's capability to utilize nitrogen for biomass production. It is defined as the ratio of crop yield to the quantity of nitrogen absorbed from the soil or atmosphere. Enhancing NUE is essential for optimizing fertilizer usage and improving crop yields sustainably.