UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | March 23 to March 29, 2025

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), consider the following statements:

1. It is a regional organisation that was established in 1997.

2. The latest members to join the BIMSTEC grouping are Sri Lanka and Thailand in 2004.

3. The 6th BIMSTEC Summit will be hosted by India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bangkok on April 3 and 4 for a meeting with his Thai counterpart and the BIMSTEC Summit, before travelling to Sri Lanka for a State visit from April 4 to 6.

— The 6th BIMSTEC Summit will take place on April 4, 2025, and will be hosted by Thailand, the current Chair. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organisation created on June 6, 1997, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation). The association is known as BIMSTEC, and it currently has seven Member States, including Myanmar, which joined on December 22, 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in February 2004. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), consider the following statements:

1. They have signed an agreement to improve the overall safety of the nuclear power plants at the Tarapur site.

2. Under this agreement, INCOIS will work towards the development of critical and customised multi-hazard early warning services.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The nuclear power station in Tarapur, Maharashtra, will shortly undergo flood, storm surge, and tsunami risk assessments.

— The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai to improve the overall safety of the Tarapur nuclear power plants, as well as to improve preparedness for tsunamis and storm surges. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— INCOIS will work under this deal to develop vital and tailored multi-hazard early warning systems. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Tarapur, in Maharashtra’s Thane district, is the first nuclear power station site that Hyderabad-based INCOIS will study for potential marine disasters. It is also the first power plant for which the Centre will create a unique early warning system.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the solar eclipses, consider the following pairs:

1. Annular solar eclipse – It occurs when an eclipse shifts between annular and total, with the shadow of the moon moving across the globe.

2. Hybrid solar eclipse – It occurs when the moon crosses the path of the sun close to the farthest point from Earth.

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly marked?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— A partial solar eclipse will occur on Saturday (March 29), when the moon’s shadow covers a portion of the sun. This phenomenon will be observed in areas of the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and Africa, but not in India.

— A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. The moon completely or partially covers the sun’s light, casting a shadow over some portions of the world.

— An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon crosses the path of the sun near its farthest point from Earth. This is when only the sun’s edge becomes visible, resembling a ring of fire. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— During both partial and annular eclipses, the areas outside the moon’s umbra—the central and darkest section of the lunar shadow—will experience a partial solar eclipse.

— The most rare variety is a hybrid solar eclipse, which occurs only once every decade. It occurs as an annular eclipse transitions to totality, with the moon’s shadow sweeping across the world. In this situation, some portions of the planet see a total solar eclipse, while others view an annular eclipse. The last hybrid solar eclipse happened in April 2023. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

The place ‘Mandalay’ was in the news due to a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7. The place is located in:

(a) Philippines

(b) Thailand

(c) Myanmar

(d) Laos

Explanation

— A violent 7.7 earthquake and at least six aftershocks rocked central Myanmar on Friday, destroying buildings in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, and killing at least 144 people.

— An under-construction building in Thailand’s capital Bangkok collapsed, killing at least nine people. Parts of Northeast India also felt the shake, though no casualties or serious property damage were reported.

— The epicentre of the earthquake was 17.2 kilometres from Mandalay, a metropolis with a population of approximately 1.5 million. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was the strongest in the globe in the last two years and occurred at a depth of only 10 kilometres.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Consider the following statements about the Martian dust:

Statement 1: It is likely to cause respiratory issues and an elevated risk of disease among astronauts.

Statement 2: The fine particles of the dust could penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— According to a new study, Martian dust is likely to induce respiratory difficulties and increase the risk of sickness among astronauts. It discovered that the small dust particles might penetrate deep into the lungs and into the circulation. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

— The study, titled ‘Potential Health Impacts, Treatments, and Countermeasures of Martian Dust on Future Human Space Exploration’, was just published in the journal GeoHealth. It was carried out by researchers from the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Colorado Boulder, and NASA’s Johnson Space Centre.

— The findings are crucial since NASA and China’s Manned Space Agency (CMS) intend to deploy astronauts to Mars in the coming decade. Their missions entail humans living on Mars for months, eventually leading to the construction of long-term dwellings on the surface.

— Every Martian year (which lasts 686.98 Earth days), the planet has regional dust storms that correspond to summer in the southern hemisphere. Every three Martian years, these storms intensify into dust storms that surround the planet.

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

With reference to Asbestos, consider the following statements:

1. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.

2. It is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion.

3. Recently, the Ministry of Education has banned the use of asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The Ministry of Education has prohibited the use of asbestos in the construction or restoration of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Asbestos is designated as a Group 1 carcinogen, and more than 65 countries have banned its usage. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The term “asbestos” refers to a collection of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are heat and corrosion resistant. Because of these features, asbestos has been utilised in a variety of commercial items, including insulation and fireproofing, automotive brakes, and wallboard materials. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Asbestos exposure is responsible for the majority of mesotheliomas (a very rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen); it can also cause lung, laryngeal, and ovarian cancer.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

With reference to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, consider the following statements:

1. It will replace the 1925 Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.

2. It aligns India’s maritime law with international conventions and seeks to modernise provisions governing the transport of goods by sea.

3. The Act is applicable when ships are carrying goods from an Indian port to a foreign port and does not apply to ships carrying from an Indian port to any other Indian port.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, was passed by the Lok Sabha, replacing a century-old law and, according to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, simplifies maritime laws.

— The Bill, which replaces the 1925 Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, intends to modernise rules controlling marine transport in India and aligns it with international norms. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

— During the Bill’s debate in the House, the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways stated that it aims to give unambiguous responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities for shipping carriers.

— The Act applies when ships transport products from an Indian port to a foreign port or from an Indian port to another Indian port, encompassing both international and domestic carriers of goods by water. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

Consider the following statements about Studio Ghibli:

1. It is a Chinese animation studio founded in 1985.

2. The word ‘ghibli’ is Italian for strong, dry, and gusty winds that blow from the deserts of Southern California.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki started Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio, in 1985. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Its videos use hand-drawn, vibrant frames with a rich colour palette and acrylic paints, with little use of computer technology.

— The term ‘ghibli’ is Italian for “hot wind blowing through the Sahara Desert“. It refers to Italian scouting planes from World War II. Miyazaki named the studio after his passion for aeroplanes and Italy. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The studio’s two films, Spirited Away (2001) and The Boy and the Heron (2023), earned Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. Five additional films have been nominated for an Oscar.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 9

India has delivered relief materials to which of the following countries under its Operation Brahma?

(a) Nepal

(b) Maldives

(c) Mauritius

(d) Myanmar

Explanation

— India provided 15 tonnes of relief items to Myanmar as part of its ‘Operation Brahma’, which was initiated in response to a severe earthquake that struck both the neighbouring country and Thailand.

— India delivered relief items to the Myanmarese city of Yangon via an Indian Air Force C130J military cargo aircraft.

— Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generators, and vital medicines were among the goods provided.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 10

With reference to vitamin D, consider the following statements:

1. It tends to undergo hydroxylation steps to become active.

2. Calcium is beneficial in activating vitamin D in the liver and kidneys.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— According to studies, magnesium helps to activate vitamin D in the liver and kidneys. Magnesium aids the enzymes found in both the liver and the kidneys in completing this process smoothly and efficiently. Vitamin D may not be adequately activated if magnesium levels are low. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Notably, vitamin D typically requires two hydroxylation stages to become active.”The first is calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), produced in the liver when vitamin D is transformed into 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol). Another process occurs in the kidney, where it is transformed into 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— These steps require magnesium-dependent enzymes. These enzymes will be unable to conduct their activities properly if magnesium levels are low.

— Most individuals receive enough magnesium from a well-balanced diet that includes lots of green vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 11

With reference to anti-dumping duty, consider the following statements:

1 In India, the Department of Commerce recommends and levies the anti-dumping duty.

2. Indian law provides that the anti-dumping duty to be recommended/levied shall not exceed the dumping margin.

Which of the statements given above is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Under WTO rules, a country has the option to impose anti-dumping countermeasures to balance the effects of dumping. To do so, the investigating authorities of the importing country must determine the “injury” suffered due to dumping. This includes material injury to a domestic industry or a threat of it, or material retardation of the establishment of a domestic industry.

— According to India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, “injury” may be analysed in terms of the volume effect and price effect of the dumped imports.

— Countries can impose duties up to the margin of dumping – the difference between the normal value and the export price. Indian law also provides that the anti-dumping duty to be recommended/levied shall not exceed the dumping margin. Further, the anti-dumping duty is levied over and above the normal customs duty chargeable on importing the goods. For instance, in the recent case of Chinese goods, an anti-dumping duty of up to $873 per tonne has been provisionally imposed on aluminium foil for six months. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— In India, while the Department of Commerce recommends the anti-dumping duty, the Ministry of Finance levies them. The CBIC has to accept or refuse DGTR’s anti-dumping duty recommendation within three months from the date of the final hearing in such cases. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The national authority of a country also has the remedy to terminate or suspend the investigation after the preliminary findings, if the exporter concerned furnishes an undertaking to revise her price to remove the dumping.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 12

The CHNV programme was recently seen in the news with reference to the developments in the United States of America. The program relates to:

(a) The tariffs reshaping US trade policy and overhauling decades of free-trade agreements

(b) A legal measure intended to prevent or restrict the possession or use of guns, particularly firearms.

(c) The cut in Medicare, which is federally provided health insurance for older people.

(d) The humanitarian parole programme that allowed migrants from certain countries legal pathways into the US.

Explanation

— The US Friday (March 21) announced that it was ending a Biden-era programme that allowed migrants from certain countries “legal pathways” into the US.

— In a notice posted to the Federal Registry the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that it would revoke the temporary legal status of 532,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, who had arrived in the US since October 2022.

— The parole period, including the work permits and protection from deportation under the programme, will expire on April 24. All parolees under the programme now face the imminent threat of deportation.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 13

With reference to ‘equalisation levy’ consider the following statements:

1. It is a levy to ‘equalise’ the tax component of a resident e-commerce company as well as a non-resident e-commerce company.

2. This levy, colloquially called “Google tax,” affects online advertising services provided by offshore technology firms like Google, Meta and Amazon, requiring them to withhold and remit the tax to the government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— In a move which is likely to benefit American big technology companies and also assuage US concerns about India being a high tariff nation, the Central government has proposed to abolish the equalisation levy on online advertisements, a part of amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025.

— Experts believe that the move by the Indian government is aimed to ease trade tension with the United States, with New Delhi wanting to show a more accommodative stance as the two countries discuss a potential trade deal.

What is equalisation levy

— By definition, an equalisation levy is a levy to ‘equalise’ the tax component of a resident e-commerce company as well as a non-resident e-commerce company. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— As part of the 35 amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, the Centre wants to remove the 6 per cent equalisation levy (EL) it charges on digital ads from April 1, 2025. This has been in force since 2016, on payment exceeding Rs 1 lakh a year to a non-resident service provider for online advertisements.

— This levy, colloquially called “Google tax,” affects online advertising services provided by offshore technology firms like Google, Meta and Amazon, requiring them to withhold and remit the tax to the government. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 14

With reference to Gaia Mission, consider the following statements:

1. NASA shut down its space observatory mission, Gaia, to comply with President Trump’s executive orders which aims at finding and eliminating every government expenditure it considers excess or unnecessary.

2. Launched into space over a decade ago, the mission has been instrumental in charting the Milky Way galaxy, revealing its past and estimating its future.

Which of the statements given above is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The European Space Agency (ESA) shut down its space observatory mission, Gaia on Thursday (March 27). Hence, statement 1 is not true.

— Launched into space over a decade ago, Gaia has been instrumental in charting the Milky Way galaxy, revealing its past and estimating its future. Hence, statement 2 is true.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 15

Why was Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara awarded this year’s Abel Prize?

(a) for his fundamental contributions to probability theory and in particular for creating a unified theory of large deviations.

(b) for the pioneering achievements in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems, and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.

(c) for his groundbreaking contributions to probability theory and functional analysis, with outstanding applications in mathematical physics and statistics.

(d) for his fundamental contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory, in particular the development of the theory of D-modules and the discovery of crystal bases.

Explanation

— Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara was awarded this year’s Abel Prize.

— First awarded in 2003, the Abel prize is often considered to be an equivalent of the Nobel prize, which does not have a category for mathematics. It has been modelled as such.

Kashiwara’s contributions

— Kashiwara, 78, was awarded “for his fundamental contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory, in particular the development of the theory of D-modules and the discovery of crystal bases,” according to the Abel citation.

— His work has not only helped solve some hard problems that have been around for a long time but also opened new avenues for research by connecting areas that were not known to be connected before. For instance, Kashiwara discovered crystal bases which allowed mathematicians to replace complex calculations with much simpler graphs of vertices connected by lines.

— Over the years, Kashiwara has “reshaped and deeply enriched the fields of representation theory, in its numerous incarnations, and algebraic analysis,” the citation said.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Weekly Quiz

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | March 09 to March 15, 2025

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | March 02 to March 08, 2025

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | February 23 to March 01, 2025

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | February 16 to February 22, 2025

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | February 9 to February 15, 2025

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