Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 4th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Aravalli Range - Correctly matched. The Aravalli Range acts as a natural barrier preventing the Thar Desert from encroaching into eastern Rajasthan and the Gangetic plains, serving as a green wall.

2. Integral Humanism - Correctly matched. Integral Humanism is indeed the philosophy introduced by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, focusing on holistic development and the upliftment of the last person in society.

3. Prosopis juliflora - Incorrectly matched. Prosopis juliflora is not a native tree species being planted; it is an invasive species that the Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to eradicate. Native species like Khair, Ronjh, and Neem are being planted instead.

4. Antyodaya Diwas - Correctly matched. Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary since 2014.

Thus, only pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement I is correct. There are indeed some microorganisms known as thermophiles that can grow in environments with temperatures above the boiling point of water, such as hot springs where thermophilic bacteria thrive.
Statement II is incorrect. While microorganisms can survive in extreme environments, the statement about microorganisms growing in environments with temperatures below the freezing point of water is not accurate. Most microorganisms struggle to grow in such extreme cold conditions due to the freezing temperatures inhibiting their metabolic processes.

The establishment of NITI Aayog in 2015 replaced the Planning Commission and promoted a shift from top-down policymaking to a more collaborative federal approach. NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in facilitating state empowerment and enabling states to define their development strategies, marking a significant enhancement in cooperative federalism in India.

Statement-I correctly highlights the core idea of Deendayal Upadhyay's philosophy of Integral Humanism, emphasizing holistic development and the upliftment of the last person in society. Statement-II provides a detailed explanation of Integral Humanism's principles, which align with the essence of Deendayal Upadhyay's philosophy. The concepts of a minimum living standard, employment for all, and the promotion of indigenous technology are integral to Integral Humanism, as advocated by Deendayal Upadhyay. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II effectively explains the principles underlying Statement-I.

1. Statement 1: The Aravalli Range indeed serves as a natural barrier that prevents the Thar Desert from encroaching into eastern Rajasthan and the Gangetic plains. This is a well-documented geographical function of the Aravalli Range, making this statement correct.

2. Statement 2: One of the key objectives of the Aravalli Green Wall Project is to restore the local ecosystem by removing invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora and planting native species like Khair, Ronjh, and Neem. This approach is intended to enhance the biodiversity and ecological balance of the region. Thus, this statement is also correct.

3. Statement 3: The project aligns with global environmental commitments, specifically the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. The afforestation and reforestation initiatives under the project contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, thus supporting India's commitments to the Paris Agreement. Therefore, this statement is correct as well.

All three statements are accurate regarding the Aravalli Green Wall Project, making Option D the correct answer.

1. Statement 1: "A High Court judge can be removed from office by the President of India without requiring parliamentary approval."
- This statement is incorrect. High Court judges can only be removed through a procedure of impeachment, which involves a motion in Parliament requiring a two-thirds majority in both Houses, as per Article 124(4) of the Constitution. The President cannot remove a judge unilaterally.

2. Statement 2: "The Collegium System, which includes the Chief Justice of India and two senior-most Supreme Court judges, plays a crucial role in recommending candidates for the appointment of High Court judges."
- This statement is correct. The Collegium System is indeed responsible for recommending appointments and transfers in the higher judiciary, including High Court judges. The system includes the Chief Justice of India and the two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.

3. Statement 3: "In India's history, no High Court judge has ever been successfully impeached by Parliament."
- This statement is also correct. While there have been attempts to impeach judges, such as Justice V. Ramaswami and Justice Soumitra Sen, no High Court judge has been successfully impeached in India.

Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

The primary environmental benefit of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology in thermal power plants is preventing acid rain. FGD technology helps in removing sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from flue gases, which, if released into the atmosphere, can lead to the formation of acid rain. By reducing SO2 levels, FGD plays a crucial role in protecting ecosystems, crops, and buildings from the harmful effects of acid rain.

The Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to create a green corridor to combat desertification and ecological degradation in the region by eradicating invasive species and planting native trees. This initiative is crucial for enhancing environmental sustainability and biodiversity, aligning with global initiatives like the Paris Agreement for reducing carbon emissions through afforestation.

1. NITI Aayog - Replaced Planning Commission in 2015 to promote collaborative federalism.

- Correct. NITI Aayog was indeed established in 2015, marking a shift from the Planning Commission's top-down approach to a more collaborative federal approach, empowering states.

2. GST Council - Composed of Centre and States with equal representation.

- Incorrect. The GST Council consists of the Union Finance Minister as the chairperson and Ministers in charge of finance or taxation of all the states, but the representation is not equal. The Centre has one-third of the votes, and the states collectively have two-thirds.

3. 14th Finance Commission - Increased States' share of the divisible tax pool from 32% to 42%.

- Correct. The 14th Finance Commission recommended increasing the states' share of the divisible tax pool to 42%, enhancing their fiscal capacity.

4. Jal Jeevan Mission - Aimed at providing universal health care coverage.

- Incorrect. The Jal Jeevan Mission focuses on providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024, not on health care coverage.

Thus, out of the four pairs, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology is indeed designed to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the emissions of coal-fired thermal power plants. This is its primary purpose, as SO2 contributes to environmental issues like acid rain.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Contrary to the statement, the high-powered committee chaired by Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood recommended discontinuing the mandatory installation of FGDs in most coal-fired thermal power plants. This recommendation is based on the observation that India's current SO2 levels are already below permissible limits and that the coal used in India has low sulphur content. Additionally, it was noted that the installation of FGDs could lead to increased CO2 emissions and higher electricity tariffs.

3. Statement 3 is correct. It is stated in the source material that FGDs have limited effectiveness in reducing particulate matter levels. This is one of the reasons cited by the expert committee for recommending the end of mandatory FGD implementation.

Thus, the statements that are correct are 1 and 3, making Option B the accurate answer.