Current Affairs MCQs – July 22

Consider the following statements regarding India’s cotton sector:

1. India is the only country that commercially cultivates all four domesticated species of cotton.
2. More than half of India’s cotton acreage is under irrigation.
3. Genetically modified Bt cotton accounts for over 90% of the total cotton acreage in India.

Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?

1. There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
2. All three statements are correct.
3. There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.
4. There is no correct statement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• India occupies a unique position in the global cotton landscape as the only country that commercially cultivates all four domesticated cotton species—Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum (Asian cotton), G. barbadense (Egyptian cotton), and G. hirsutum (American Upland cotton). This diversity provides India with a broad genetic base for cotton cultivation.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Cotton cultivation in India is predominantly dependent on rainfall. Approximately 62% of the cotton acreage is rain-fed, while only about 38% is irrigated. Consequently, cotton production remains highly vulnerable to monsoon variability and climate-related risks.

Statement 3 is correct

• Genetically modified Bt cotton has become the dominant cotton variety in India, accounting for nearly 93–95% of the total cotton acreage. Introduced to combat bollworm infestations, Bt cotton significantly enhanced productivity in its initial years. However, concerns have emerged regarding pest resistance, particularly the pink bollworm, necessitating the development of next-generation technologies.

Answer: (c) There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), consider the following statements:

1. It provides financial assistance for the creation of cultural infrastructure such as auditoriums and studio theatres.
2. It is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the objective of promoting India’s cultural heritage.

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

• The Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) includes the sub-scheme Financial Assistance for Building Grants, which supports the development of cultural infrastructure across the country. This includes the construction and upgradation of auditoriums, studio theatres, community cultural spaces, and Regional Multipurpose Cultural Complexes (Tagore Cultural Complexes).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• KSVY is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Culture, not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It serves as an umbrella scheme aimed at promoting, preserving, and disseminating India’s rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage through various financial assistance programmes.

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

With reference to the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), consider the following statements:

1. The Central Bureau of Narcotics functions under the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance and is headquartered in Gwalior.
2. It is the nodal agency for enforcing India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

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

• The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) is an apex regulatory and enforcement agency functioning under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. It was formalized in 1950 and is headquartered in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. It oversees licit opium cultivation, precursor chemicals, and certain aspects of narcotics regulation in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The CBN is not associated with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Instead, it supports India’s compliance with the three principal UN drug control conventions:
  • 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
  • 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
  • 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

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

With reference to the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), consider the following statements:

1. The World Artificial Intelligence Conference is an annual event held in Shanghai, China, and its inaugural edition was held in 2018.
2. The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), established at WAIC 2026, is proposed to function as an independent intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in Shanghai.
3. India was among the founding members of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO).

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 Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) is an annual global forum on Artificial Intelligence held every July in Shanghai, China. It was first organized in 2018 and has emerged as an important platform for discussions on AI innovation and governance.

Statement 2 is correct

• During WAIC 2026, 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as an independent intergovernmental international organisation with its headquarters in Shanghai.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Although India participated in WAIC 2026, it did not join WAICO as a founding member.

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