Current Affairs MCQs – July 08

Which one of the following best describes the term ‘SpudCell’, recently seen in the news?

1. A genetically modified potato cell developed to enhance resistance against fungal diseases.
2. The world’s first bottom-up synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components that can perform basic cellular functions such as growth, DNA replication, and division.
3. A stem cell therapy developed for the regeneration of damaged human tissues.
4. A soil microorganism engineered to improve nitrogen fixation in agricultural crops.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• SpudCell is the world’s first synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components. It is a bottom-up synthetic cell, meaning it is built from scratch rather than by modifying an existing living cell.
• It consists of a lipid membrane enclosing synthetic DNA, enzymes, and other cellular components, enabling it to perform essential life-like functions such as nutrient uptake, growth, DNA replication, and cell division. It represents a major advance in synthetic biology and has potential applications in understanding the origin of life, drug delivery, vaccine development, disease modelling, and biotechnology.

Answer: (b) The world’s first bottom-up synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components that can perform basic cellular functions such as growth, DNA replication, and division.; Difficulty Level: Medium

 With reference to the Teesta River, recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a glacier-fed perennial river that originates from Tso Lhamo Lake and the Teesta Khangtse Glacier in North Sikkim.
2. The Rangeet River is the largest tributary of the Teesta.
3. More than half of the Teesta River basin lies in Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Teesta is a 414-km-long glacier-fed perennial river originating from Tso Lhamo Lake and the Teesta Khangtse Glacier in North Sikkim at an altitude of about 5,280 metres. It flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Rangeet River is the largest tributary of the Teesta. It joins the Teesta at Melli, near the Sikkim–West Bengal border. Other important tributaries include Lachen Chhu, Lachung Chhu, and Rangpo Chhu.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• About 83% of the Teesta River basin lies in India, while only 17% lies in Bangladesh. After entering Bangladesh, the river joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and is an important source of irrigation for both northern Bangladesh and North Bengal.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Which one of the following best describes the term ‘Akash Tarang’, recently seen in the news in the context of defence?

1. An indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept ballistic missiles.
2. A high-altitude pseudo satellite developed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
3. An autonomous loitering munition that destroys enemy targets by crashing into them with an explosive warhead.
4. An indigenous Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Anti-UAV) Electronic Warfare System that detects, tracks, and neutralises hostile drones by jamming their radio frequency control signals.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Akash Tarang is an indigenous Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Anti-UAV) Electronic Warfare System approved for procurement by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). Unlike hard-kill systems that destroy drones using missiles or ammunition, it employs soft-kill electronic warfare techniques by detecting, tracking, and jamming the radio frequency control signals of hostile drones. It forms a key component of India’s layered air defence architecture, complementing systems such as MRSAM and V-SHORADS under the broader ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ airspace defence network.

Answer: (d) An indigenous Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Anti-UAV) Electronic Warfare System that detects, tracks, and neutralises hostile drones by jamming their radio frequency control signals; Difficulty Level: Medium

The Dr. Rangan Banerjee Committee, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?

1. Developing a national framework for carbon trading and carbon credit certification.
2. Developing an internationally comparable Energy Statistics Framework to improve the quality, consistency, and coverage of India’s energy data.
3. Formulating a roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in the power sector by 2070.
4. Reviewing the implementation of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Dr. Rangan Banerjee Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), submitted a report on India’s Energy Statistics Framework. The report aims to address gaps and inconsistencies in India’s energy data by recommending the adoption of internationally accepted statistical standards, improved tracking of biofuels, coal, captive power, and electric vehicle electricity consumption, and the preparation of annual State and Union Territory energy statistics to strengthen energy planning and policymaking.

Answer: (b) Developing an internationally comparable Energy Statistics Framework to improve the quality, consistency, and coverage of India’s energy data.; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the World Bank’s Income Group Classification, consider the following statements:

1. The World Bank classifies countries into income groups based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita estimated using the Atlas method.
2. The World Bank revises the income-group classification of countries every year.
3. India is currently classified as an upper-middle-income economy under the World Bank’s latest income classification.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The World Bank classifies economies into four income groups—Low, Lower-Middle, Upper-Middle, and High Income—based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita calculated using the Atlas method. The classification is updated annually on 1 July.
• The Atlas method smooths fluctuations in exchange rates by using a three-year average exchange rate and adjusting for differences in inflation between the domestic economy and international rates. This provides a more stable and internationally comparable estimate of GNI per capita.

Statement 2 is correct

• The classification is updated annually on 1 July to reflect the latest GNI per capita estimates and threshold revisions.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• India remains a lower-middle-income economy with a GNI per capita below the upper-middle-income threshold of US$4,636. Although several Indian States and Union Territories have crossed this threshold individually, the country as a whole has not.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the UDISE+ Report 2025–26, consider the following statements:

1. The report recorded an increase in total student enrolment after three consecutive years of decline.
2. The Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR) at the secondary stage remains above the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 benchmark.
3. More than two-thirds of schools in India now have internet connectivity.
4. The dropout rate at the secondary stage declined to 7%, while the transition rate from middle to secondary level improved.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The UDISE+ Report 2025–26 recorded a marginal increase in total student enrolment to 247.2 million (24.72 crore), reversing the declining trend observed over the previous three academic years.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR) has improved across all stages of schooling. At the secondary level, the PTR is 21:1, which is well below the NEP 2020 recommended ceiling of 30:1, indicating better teacher availability rather than a shortage.

Statement 3 is correct

• School digital infrastructure has improved significantly. Internet connectivity is available in 67.4% of schools, which is more than two-thirds, while 69.9% of schools have computers and 95% have grid electricity.

Statement 4 is correct

• Student retention indicators have shown improvement. The secondary-stage dropout rate declined to 7.0%, secondary-stage retention increased to 51.9%, and the transition rate from middle to secondary education improved to 88.3%, reflecting better continuity in schooling.

Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Medium