Current Affairs MCQs – June 13-14

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the following pairs given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

• The railway budget increased ~9 times; electrification rose to ~99.6% of the network. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (2023) to modernise railway stations. Vande Bharat & Amrit Bharat Express trains are operational.
• Safety: Kavach Automatic Train Protection System deployed. Train accidents reduced from 135 (2014-15) to 16 (2025-26).
• Landmark Projects:
  • Chenab Bridge: World’s highest railway arch bridge.
  • Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
  • Pamban Bridge: India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following statements regarding the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025:

1. The CPPI is published jointly by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) was the highest-ranked Indian port in CPPI 2025.
3. Pipavav Port was the highest-ranked private container port in India in CPPI 2025.
4. More than half of the world’s top 10 ports in CPPI 2025 were located in China.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1, 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

All four statements are correct

• The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025 is published jointly by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. Among Indian ports, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Maharashtra remained the highest-ranked, securing the 22nd position globally. Pipavav Port in Gujarat ranked 28th globally, making it India’s best-performing private container port, while Mundra Port was placed 30th. Further, seven of the world’s top ten ports in CPPI 2025 were located in China, with the Port of Fuzhou securing the top global rank.

Answer: (d)1, 2, 3 and 4; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following statements regarding Agave americana:

1. It is a drought-tolerant succulent native to Mexico that can thrive in arid and semi-arid regions with minimal irrigation.
2. It is known as the “Century Plant” because it flowers repeatedly every year after attaining maturity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Agave americana is a drought-tolerant Mexican succulent well-suited to arid and semi-arid climates and requires very little irrigation.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Although it is commonly called the “Century Plant,” it does not flower repeatedly; rather, it typically grows for 7–12 years

Answer: (a)1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Consider the following statements regarding the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative:

1. It has been launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers to strengthen India’s capabilities in biologics and biosimilars.
2. The initiative aims to launch 100 biologics by 2047 and is supported by schemes such as the PRIP Scheme, National Biopharma Mission, and BIRAC programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are correct

• India, which is already known as the “Pharmacy of the World” for generic medicines, Biopharma SHAKTI aims to extend this leadership into the high-value biologics and biosimilars segment. Launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore for five years (2026–31).

• Aims to launch 100 biologics by 2047, supporting the goals of Viksit Bharat and Swasth Bharat. Biologics are expected to account for nearly 40% of global prescription drugs by 2031.
• Supported by schemes such as the PRIP Scheme, National Biopharma Mission, and BIRAC programs.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

India’s cotton production has declined at an average annual rate of ~2% since 2014–15, with total output reaching a low of 29 million bales in 2025-26. With reference to this, consider the following statements:

1. India has the largest area under cotton cultivation in the world, but its average yield remains significantly below the global average.
2. More than 65% of cotton acreage is under rain-fed farming.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are correct

• Challenges in India’s Cotton Sector
• Yield Stagnation: India’s average cotton yield stagnates at ~440 kg/hectare, well below the global average of ~770 kg/hectare, due to limited high-density planting and severe fragmentation of landholdings.
• Pest Destruction: Overreliance on ageing Bt cotton has triggered widespread Pink Bollworm resistance, causing seasonal yield losses of 20–30% and sharply escalating pesticide costs.
• Monsoon Vulnerability: With 67% of cotton acreage under rain-fed farming, seasonal crops remain susceptible to erratic monsoon cycles, with historical output declines of 10-15% in poor rainfall years.
• Picking Burden: Manual harvesting, covering ~95% of India’s cotton acreage, consumes 30-35% of farmers’ seasonal cultivation budget and introduces 3-7% trash content into raw lint.
• Technology Bottleneck: A regulatory freeze since the 2006 rollout of Bollgard II (BG-II) has blocked the development of next-generation transgenic traits, halting genetic progress against abiotic stresses.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Medium