Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 10th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

A bear market signifies a financial market experiencing prolonged price declines of 20% or more. This period is typically characterized by widespread investor pessimism and significant liquidation of securities. Bear markets are often associated with economic downturns and are the opposite of bull markets, which are characterized by rising prices.

Statement-I correctly defines a bear market as a financial market facing sustained price declines of 20% or more, typically accompanied by pessimism and security liquidation. This aligns with the definition provided in the source material.
Statement-II, on the other hand, inaccurately suggests that the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme focuses on increasing the production of active electronic components like semiconductors. However, as per the details provided in the source material, the scheme specifically targets passive electronic components, while semiconductors fall under a separate initiative called the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect in its assertion.

1. Repo Rate: The repo rate is actually the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), not the other way around. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.

2. Monetary Policy Stance 'Accommodative': An 'accommodative' stance by the Monetary Policy Committee indicates the potential for future rate cuts to stimulate economic growth, not hikes. Hence, this pair is incorrectly matched.

3. Akash Missile System: The Akash missile system is indeed an indigenously developed surface-to-air missile system by India's DRDO, designed to protect critical areas from aerial threats. This pair is correctly matched.

4. Cape Town Convention: The Cape Town Convention is actually a global treaty that provides an international legal framework for the protection of interests in mobile equipment such as aircraft, not related to cultural heritage. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.

Based on the analysis, only the third pair is correctly matched.

China's military modernization under President Xi Jinping is distinguished by a significant increase in defense spending, exemplified by a growth rate of 7.2% in 2025. This surge in investment underscores China's strategic focus on enhancing its military capabilities, posing challenges for neighboring countries like India. The disparity in defense expenditure between China and India underscores the need for India to carefully navigate its strategic environment and bolster its military preparedness to address potential threats effectively.

- Statement 1 is correct. Under President Xi Jinping, China has been using its historical narratives, particularly invoking the legacy of the Qing Dynasty, to justify its assertive territorial claims and reshape regional dynamics. This approach is evident in its actions in areas like the Himalayas and the South China Sea.

- Statement 2 is correct. There is a strategic imbalance between India and China due to China's higher military expenditure. China's defense budget is increasing significantly, highlighting a disparity in military spending compared to India, which spends under 2% of its GDP on defense.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Contrary to the statement, China's influence in South Asia is not diminishing; rather, it is growing, as seen in its increasing diplomatic efforts and economic ties with countries like Bangladesh. While China is also active in Africa, this has not resulted in a diminished focus on South Asia; instead, it complicates India's strategic environment.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the right choice.

1. Historical Legacy: Qing Dynasty invoked by China for territorial claims in the South China Sea.
This pair is incorrectly matched. The Qing Dynasty is invoked by China primarily for territorial claims in regions such as the Himalayas, not the South China Sea. The South China Sea claims are more related to the Nine-Dash Line and historical maritime claims.

2. Military Modernization: China's defense budget increases at a rate of 7.2% in 2025.
This pair is correctly matched. China's defense budget is indeed increasing at a rate of 7.2% as mentioned in the source material, highlighting the strategic imbalance with India.

3. Technological Advancements: China's lead in Artificial Intelligence poses a threat to India's strategic autonomy.
This pair is correctly matched. China's advancements in Artificial Intelligence and cyber warfare are noted as posing threats to India's strategic autonomy.

4. Diplomatic Efforts: China's engagement in Africa for energy resources aligns with India's influence in the region.
This pair is incorrectly matched. China's proactive engagement in Africa for energy resources does not align with India's influence; rather, it contrasts sharply with India's limited influence in the region.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: Pairs 2 and 3.

The Navkar Mahamantra Divas celebrates the Navkar Mantra, which embodies the principle of Ahimsa (Non-Violence). This principle promotes peace, harmony, and non-violence by recognizing the interconnectedness of life and advocating for kindness towards all beings. Ahimsa is a fundamental tenet of Jain philosophy and plays a crucial role in fostering global spiritual harmony and understanding among individuals.

Statement-I is correct as the Navkar Mahamantra Divas indeed promotes peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony through collective chanting of the Navkar Mantra, as mentioned in the provided information. Statement-II is also correct as the Jain philosophy does emphasize that the world is created and maintained by Universal Law, Universal Truth, Universal Faith, and Universal Soul, as outlined in the details provided. However, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to Statement-I. The two statements are correct independently but do not have a direct explanatory relationship.

A catalyst in a chemical reaction primarily functions to decrease the activation energy required for the reaction to occur without being consumed in the process. By providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, a catalyst speeds up the rate of the reaction. This allows the reaction to proceed faster and at lower temperatures, making it more efficient.

1. Brahmaputra - Mansarovar Lake: Correctly matched. The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier near Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.

2. Godavari - Trimbakeshwar: Correctly matched. The Godavari River originates from Trimbakeshwar, near Nasik in Maharashtra.

3. Krishna - Mahabaleshwar: Correctly matched. The Krishna River originates from the Mahabaleshwar region in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

4. Kaveri - Amarkantak: Incorrectly matched. The Kaveri River originates from Talakaveri in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, not from Amarkantak. Amarkantak is the origin of the Narmada River.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.