Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. National Statistics Day is indeed celebrated on June 29 each year to honor P.C. Mahalanobis, who is considered the Father of Indian Statistics. This day emphasizes the importance of statistics in national development and commemorates Mahalanobis's contributions to the field.

- Statement 2 is correct. P.C. Mahalanobis founded the journal "Sankhya" to advance statistical research in India. "Sankhya" was modeled after the journal "Biometrika" and aimed to promote the development and dissemination of statistical knowledge.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Mahalanobis Distance was not introduced in 1956 nor was it specifically related to the Second Five-Year Plan. It was introduced in 1936 as a statistical measure to identify outliers in datasets. The Mahalanobis Distance is a significant contribution to the field of statistics, but it is unrelated to the timeline of the Second Five-Year Plan.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Botrytis cinerea - Produces spores in asci with each asci containing eight ascospores.
Correct. Botrytis cinerea belongs to the ascomycetes group, which is characterized by producing spores in sac-like structures called asci, each containing eight ascospores.

2. Noble rot - Affects unripe grapes, causing them to shrivel.
Incorrect. Noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) affects ripe grapes, not unripe ones, causing them to shrivel while concentrating sugar and flavor.

3. Sauternes - A type of premium dessert wine enhanced by Botrytis infection.
Correct. Sauternes is a renowned premium dessert wine from France, significantly enhanced by the Botrytis infection, which concentrates the sweetness and aroma.

4. Botrytis cinerea - Enhances the bitterness and aroma of wines.
Incorrect. Botrytis cinerea enhances the sweetness and aroma of wines, not the bitterness.

Thus, the correctly matched pairs are 1 and 3.

The primary objective of India's First Genomic Atlas, as highlighted in the news, is to understand ancient migrations and social structures shaping Indian genomes. This groundbreaking study aims to provide insights into the genetic makeup of Indian populations, emphasizing the influence of historical movements and societal organizations on the genetic diversity observed today.

1. Amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) aim to align with the 1997 Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.

- This statement is correct. The amendments are intended to bring India's nuclear liability laws in line with international norms, specifically the Convention on Supplementary Compensation, which India joined in 2016.

2. The proposed changes will allow private companies to operate nuclear power plants in India.

- This statement is correct. The amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, propose allowing private companies to operate nuclear power plants, a role currently restricted to state-owned entities, thus opening the sector to private participation.

3. The reforms include clarifying the definition of 'supplier' to protect Indian sub-vendors from liability unless explicitly mentioned in contracts.

- This statement is correct. One of the key reforms is to clarify the definition of 'supplier' to alleviate concerns among Indian sub-vendors about potential liabilities, providing protection unless they are explicitly mentioned in contracts.

All three statements accurately reflect the legislative changes being proposed and discussed in India's nuclear sector, making Option D the correct answer.

The Election Commission of India's initiative to delist 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) is primarily aimed at enforcing compliance with electoral norms. This crackdown targets parties that have not contested elections in the last six years, failed to maintain physical offices, or neglected statutory filing requirements. By doing so, the Election Commission aims to clean up non-functional political parties and ensure accountability and transparency in the electoral process.

- Statement 1 is correct. Botrytis cinerea, known as noble rot, infects ripe grapes, causing them to shrivel. This process concentrates the sugar and enhances the sweetness and aroma of the wine, which is a desirable effect in the production of certain high-quality sweet wines.

- Statement 2 is correct. Botrytis cinerea belongs to the ascomycetes group, which is characterized by the production of spores in sac-like structures called asci. Each ascus typically contains eight ascospores.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Recent scientific findings reveal that Botrytis cinerea cannot be cloned because none of its nuclei possess a complete set of chromosomes, which challenges conventional genetics. This unique genetic characteristic prevents easy cloning of the fungus.

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

Statement-I talks about the Genomic Atlas study in India, which is accurate based on the provided information. It highlights the sequencing of Indian genomes for comprehensive mapping. Statement-II refers to legislative reforms in the Civil Nuclear Sector aimed at enhancing investments, which is also correct based on the details given. However, these statements are independent of each other and do not explain or relate to one another, making option B the correct choice.

1. Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) - Not enjoying any tax exemptions: Incorrect. RUPPs do enjoy certain privileges, including tax exemptions under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act.

2. Secondary pollutants - Directly emitted from vehicles: Incorrect. Secondary pollutants are not directly emitted; they are formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere involving primary pollutants. Primary pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) may be emitted directly from vehicles, but secondary pollutants such as ammonium sulfate and ground-level ozone are formed later.

3. Three-language policy in NEP 2020 - Mandatory imposition of Hindi: Incorrect. The three-language policy under NEP 2020 does not mandate the imposition of Hindi. It allows states and schools to choose any two Indian languages along with one foreign language, giving flexibility and ensuring no language is imposed.

4. Ammonium sulfate - Formed from coal plants reacting with ammonia: Correct. Ammonium sulfate is a secondary pollutant formed when emissions from coal plants, such as sulfur dioxide, react with ammonia, which can come from sources like fertilizers.

Therefore, only the fourth pair is correctly matched.

Botrytis cinerea plays a crucial role in winemaking by enhancing the sweetness and aroma of wines. This fungus infects ripe grapes, causing them to shrivel while concentrating sugar and flavor, which is essential for producing certain high-quality wines. In ideal conditions, Botrytis infection significantly improves the sensory characteristics of wines, making it a desirable element in controlled vineyard environments.

Statement-I correctly highlights the role of Botrytis cinerea in enhancing the sweetness and aroma of wines, which is significant in winemaking. Statement-II accurately mentions India's imposition of restrictions on jute imports from Bangladesh to safeguard its domestic jute industry and address strategic concerns. The connection between the two statements lies in the context of agricultural products and industry regulations, making both statements correct with a logical relationship where Statement-II explains the need for the restrictions mentioned in Statement-I.