Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 2nd April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. The initial diplomatic ties between China and India were indeed established in 1950 by Mao Zedong and Jawaharlal Nehru. This marked the beginning of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While there is significant economic interdependence due to increased trade between China and India, the trade imbalance has historically favored China, not India. China exports more to India than it imports, leading to a trade deficit for India.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Although China and India have ongoing border disputes, they have generally been managed through dialogue and diplomatic channels rather than prolonged military engagements. Both countries have shown a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Thus, only statement 1 is correct, making Option A the right choice.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. Majorana particles are indeed unique because they are their own anti-particles, which distinguishes them from many other particles like electrons, which have separate anti-particles known as positrons.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip leverages Majorana particles to improve the stability and reliability of quantum bits (qubits), making them less susceptible to external disturbances, which is a significant challenge in quantum computing.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Neutrinoless double beta decay has not been definitively observed yet. It remains a theoretical concept that, if observed, would suggest that neutrinos are indeed Majorana particles. However, current experiments, such as the AMoRE experiment, are still attempting to detect this phenomenon and have not yet provided conclusive evidence.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the right answer.

- Statement 1 is correct. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was indeed initiated to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% in 132 cities, using 2017 levels as a baseline, by the year 2026. This is a well-documented goal within India's efforts to address air pollution.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) norms, introduced in 2020, were designed to reduce vehicular emissions rather than specifically targeting industrial emissions. These norms represent a significant advancement in emission standards for vehicles, aiming to curb pollution from the transport sector.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to reduce reliance on polluting biomass fuels by providing LPG connections to rural households, which is a step towards cleaner cooking fuels and reducing indoor air pollution.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only, as the second statement incorrectly describes the scope of BS-VI norms.

The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report did not recommend a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general government by 2023. The central government indeed has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP, while the state governments have domestic liabilities of 49% of GDP. Therefore, Statement-II is correct in stating the difference in domestic liabilities between the Central Government and State Governments. However, Statement-I is incorrect regarding the recommended debt to GDP ratio.

The NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal aims to enhance data accessibility and support evidence-based policymaking at the state level. By providing a centralized repository of data, research reports, and expert commentary on state-level finances, the portal enables easy access to key trends and insights regarding state performance. This initiative fosters transparency, data-driven decision-making, and informed policy formulation at the state level, promoting cooperative federalism and facilitating sustainable development.

1. Internet Shutdowns - Correctly matched. The US contends that India's internet shutdowns disrupt commercial activities, which is a point of criticism in their trade relations.
2. Dairy Feed Regulations - Incorrectly matched. The US argues that India's requirement for dairy products to come from animals not fed blood meal or internal organs lacks scientific basis. The pair states it has a scientific basis, which is incorrect according to US criticism.
3. Data Localization Rules - Correctly matched. The RBI's mandate requires that electronic payment data related to Indian citizens be stored on local servers, which the US criticizes as a barrier for foreign firms.
4. Intellectual Property Issues - Correctly matched. India is criticized for lengthy patent approval processes and inadequate protection of trade secrets, aligning with the US concerns.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% in 132 cities by 2026, using 2017 levels as a baseline. This initiative focuses on improving air quality by targeting specific pollutants and implementing measures to mitigate their impact on public health and the environment.

1. Majorana 1 Chip - Utilizes Majorana particles to enhance qubit stability
This pair is correctly matched. The Majorana 1 chip indeed leverages the unique properties of Majorana particles to enhance the stability and reliability of qubits in quantum computing.

2. Beta Decay - Involves the transformation of a proton into a neutron
This pair is incorrectly matched. Beta decay typically involves a neutron transforming into a proton (beta-minus decay) or a proton transforming into a neutron (beta-plus decay). The statement is partially correct but not fully accurate as it only describes beta-plus decay.

3. Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay - Suggests neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are the same particle
This pair is correctly matched. Neutrinoless double beta decay is theorized to occur if neutrinos are Majorana particles, meaning they are their own anti-particles.

4. AMoRE Experiment - Conducted in South Korea to detect 0νββ decay using Mo-100
This pair is correctly matched. The AMoRE experiment in South Korea aims to detect neutrinoless double beta decay using molybdenum-100.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The US has criticized India's trade policies primarily concerning intellectual property issues. This includes concerns about inadequate protection of trade secrets, slow patent approval processes, and weak enforcement of intellectual property rights. These criticisms aim to push for stronger intellectual property protections in India to benefit American firms and innovation.

- Statement 1 is correct. The United States has indeed raised concerns about India's data localization rules. These rules, enforced by the Reserve Bank of India since 2018, require all electronic payment data concerning Indian citizens to be stored on local servers, which the US argues hampers the ability of foreign firms to operate effectively in India.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While the US Trade Representative has indeed criticized India's requirements regarding dairy products, the criticism is that these requirements lack a scientific basis, not that they are scientifically justified. The US argues that the requirement for dairy products to come from animals not fed blood meal or internal organs is not supported by scientific evidence.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Far from being praised, India's intellectual property protections have been criticized by the US, particularly due to slow patent approval processes and inadequate protection of trade secrets. India remains on the US 'Priority Watch List' for these reasons.

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