Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 11th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas indeed commemorates the day when Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, at Sarnath. This sermon introduced the foundational teachings of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas marks the beginning of the Varsha Vassa, it is considered the second most important Buddhist festival after Buddha Purnima, not the most important one.

- Statement 3 is correct. The day is celebrated internationally under various names, such as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand, highlighting its global significance.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct choice.

Statement I is accurate as it highlights a key factor contributing to infrastructure failures in India, emphasizing the critical role of regular audits and maintenance. The collapse of the bridge in Vadodara serves as a recent example underscoring this point.

Statement II correctly points out the vulnerability of peri-urban areas to infrastructure collapse due to the lack of proper zoning laws and building codes. These areas often face challenges in maintaining infrastructure, leading to increased risks of decay and structural failures.

Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement II logically explains how the absence of proper zoning laws and building codes in peri-urban areas contributes to infrastructure collapse, aligning well with the challenges highlighted in Statement I.

1. TALASH Initiative - National Education Society for Tribal Students and UNICEF India: This pair is correctly matched. The TALASH initiative is indeed a collaboration between the National Education Society for Tribal Students and UNICEF India, focusing on the holistic development of tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

2. Psychometric Assessments - Inspired by NCERT’s 'Tamanna': This pair is correctly matched. TALASH incorporates psychometric assessments inspired by NCERT’s ‘Tamanna’ to help students identify their interests and potential, aiding in career guidance.

3. Eastern Zonal Council - Includes Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal: This pair is correctly matched. The Eastern Zonal Council comprises these states, aiming to promote cooperation and coordination among them.

4. Northern Zonal Council - Includes Goa and Gujarat: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Northern Zonal Council includes Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Chandigarh. Goa and Gujarat are part of the Western Zonal Council.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I accurately summarizes the key takeaway from the UNEP report regarding the risks associated with climate change-induced flooding and legacy pollutants. Statement-II correctly defines legacy pollutants as toxic substances that persist in the environment after being banned, highlighting the health risks they pose. Statement-II provides a complementary explanation to Statement-I by elaborating on the nature of legacy pollutants, hence both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I.

Statement 1 is correct. Infrastructure failures in India often result from outdated and ageing structures that have exceeded their intended lifespan without necessary upgrades. This is a well-documented issue contributing to incidents like the Vadodara bridge collapse.

Statement 2 is correct. Peri-urban infrastructure development indeed suffers from challenges such as unregulated urban expansion and jurisdictional ambiguity. These factors contribute to substandard construction practices, as mentioned in the context of challenges in peri-urban areas.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Unified Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), along with AMRUT 2.0, does promote the use of digital monitoring of assets through geo-tagging and digital tracking systems to improve infrastructure maintenance and monitoring.

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

1. Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - First Sermon of Buddha: This is correctly matched. The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is indeed the first sermon delivered by Gautama Buddha after his enlightenment at Sarnath, where he introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

2. Ashadha Purnima - Celebrates Buddha's Enlightenment: This is incorrectly matched. Ashadha Purnima, also known as Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas, commemorates the day Buddha delivered his first sermon. Buddha's enlightenment is celebrated on Buddha Purnima, which is different from Ashadha Purnima.

3. Vinaya Pitaka - Collection of Buddha's Discourses: This is incorrectly matched. The Vinaya Pitaka is a collection of texts concerning the rules of monastic discipline for monks and nuns, not the discourses. The Sutta Pitaka is the collection of Buddha's discourses.

4. Kathavattu - Philosophical Debates in Buddhism: This is correctly matched. Kathavattu is a text that records debates on points of doctrine in Buddhism, compiled during the Third Buddhist Council under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka.

Only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

1. Lead - Neurotoxicity: This pair is correctly matched. Lead exposure is well-known for causing neurotoxicity, affecting the nervous system, particularly in children, leading to cognitive deficits and behavioral issues.

2. DDT - Endocrine disruption: This pair is correctly matched. DDT, a persistent organic pollutant, is known for its endocrine-disrupting effects, which can interfere with hormonal systems, potentially causing reproductive and developmental problems.

3. Cadmium - Hepatotoxicity: This pair is incorrectly matched. Cadmium is primarily known for causing kidney damage (nephrotoxicity) and is also recognized as an endocrine disruptor, rather than primarily causing hepatotoxicity.

4. PCBs - Carcinogenicity: This pair is correctly matched. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemicals that have been classified as probable human carcinogens, with evidence linking them to cancer in humans.

In summary, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

Legacy pollutants encompass a range of toxic substances that endure in the environment, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, along with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as DDT, Aldrin, PCBs, dioxins, and furans are examples of these enduring environmental hazards. These pollutants, originating from past industrial practices and waste mismanagement, can lead to severe health consequences even at low exposure levels, highlighting the critical need for awareness and action to mitigate their impact.

The TALASH initiative primarily aims at fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, life skills, and career clarity among tribal youth. It focuses on holistic development by providing psychometric assessments, career counseling, and life skills modules to empower students with essential skills and guidance for personal and professional success.

To determine the correct answer, let's evaluate each statement based on the provided information:

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The TALASH initiative is a collaboration between the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) and UNICEF India, not UNESCO. This partnership focuses on the holistic development of tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. TALASH indeed aims to be implemented in all EMRSs nationwide by the end of 2025, which aligns with the initiative's goals for widespread reach and impact.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. TALASH includes psychometric assessments inspired by NCERT's 'Tamanna', designed to help students identify their interests, abilities, and potential, thus offering tailored career guidance.

Given the above analysis, statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only.