Current Affairs MCQs – June 04-05

Consider the following statements regarding the PM Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme, 2026:

1. The scheme seeks to attract Indian-origin researchers and innovators from across the world to strengthen India’s research and development ecosystem.
2. It covers strategic sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Biotechnology, and Atomic Energy.
3. The scheme is open only to Indian citizens working abroad and excludes OCI cardholders and Persons of Indian Origin.
4. The selection of PMRC Fellows will be overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Ministry of Education has launched the PM Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026 to attract Indian-origin researchers and innovators from across the world.
• Objective: To connect global Indian talent with Indian universities, national laboratories, and research institutions to strengthen India’s R&D ecosystem.

Statement 2 is correct

• Focus Sectors: Covers 13 strategic sectors, including AI, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Cybersecurity, Space & Defence, Climate Change, Blue Economy, and Atomic Energy.
• Three-Pillar Structure: Built around Lead Institutions, Host Institutions, and PMRC Fellows.
• Categories of Fellows: Three levels of engagement: Young Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, and Research Chairs.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Eligibility: Open to Indian nationals working abroad, OCI cardholders, and Persons of Indian Origin.
• Support Provided: Fellows will receive fellowships, research grants, and access to advanced laboratories.
• Lead Institutions: Seven institutions designated as Lead Institutions: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and IISc Bengaluru.

Statement 4 is correct

• Selection Mechanism: Selection will be overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following statements regarding Mesalina bishnoi:

1. It is a newly discovered lizard species that represents the first confirmed record of the genus Mesalina in India.
2. Before its discovery in India, the genus Mesalina was known only from South America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. The species is currently known only from its type locality in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan and is considered endemic to the Thar biogeographic province.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• A new species of lizard, Mesalina Bishnoi, has been discovered in Rajasthan, making it the first confirmed record of the genus Mesalina in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It was named Mesalina bishnoi to honor the Bishnoi community’s centuries-old dedication to wildlife preservation and the conservation of desert ecosystems.
• The genus Mesalina was previously known only from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, making its discovery in India scientifically significant.
• Habitat: Adapted to arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Statement 3 is correct

• Range: At present, Mesalina bishnoi is known only from its type locality in Bikaner district and is considered endemic to the Thar biogeographic province.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Hard

Consider the following statements regarding a Technical Recession:

1. A technical recession is generally identified when an economy records two consecutive quarters of negative growth in real GDP.
2. An economy may be in a technical recession even if indicators such as employment and household income remain relatively stable.
3. A technical recession necessarily involves a broad-based decline in economic activity across most sectors of the economy.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• A technical recession is conventionally defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth in real GDP and is based purely on quantitative output data. Therefore, an economy can experience a technical recession even when other economic indicators, such as employment, income, or consumer spending, remain relatively resilient.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• A broad-based decline across income, employment, production, and sales is more characteristic of an economic recession rather than a technical recession, which may result from weakness in only a few sectors

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Vibrant Village Program (VVVP) 2026:

1. It is a youth-led initiative implemented through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
2. The programme aims to strengthen grassroots engagement and promote sustainable development in India’s border villages.
3. The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.

How many of the statements given above are not correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), commenced the first phase of the Viksit Vibrant Village Program (VVVP) 2026. MY Bharat is an autonomous body set up by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, to benefit the youth in the age-group of 15–29 years, aligning with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is a pioneering youth-led initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement, fostering national integration, and promoting sustainable development in India’s border villages.

• The programme, will be implemented in two phases and it provides a unique opportunity for young citizens to reside in border villages and engage directly with local communities.
• A significant component of the programme is the promotion of the Nation First Challenge, a nationwide campaign encouraging responsible citizenship and sustainable lifestyle practices.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Volunteers Will Advocate 5 Themes: Adoption of Swadeshi products; healthy cooking practices, public transport usage and fuel conservation, promotion of natural farming, and vocal support for local tourism.
• Implementation: It is being implemented in collaboration with Ministry of Home Affairs and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and is aligned with the vision of building a Viksit Bharat @2047.

Answer: (b) Only one; Difficulty Level: Easy

Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

1. It is the only UN organ whose decisions are legally binding on all member states.
2. Non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly through a two-thirds majority on a regional basis, and retiring members are not eligible for immediate re-election.

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

• UNGA elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe as the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2027-2028.

• UNSC, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It is the only UN body empowered to make legally binding decisions on members.
• Composition: 15 members, each with one vote — 5 permanent veto-wielding members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US), and 10 elected non-permanent members.
  • UNGA elects non-permanent members on a regional basis for a two-year term by a two-thirds majority. Retiring members are not eligible for immediate re-election.

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

Consider the following statements regarding Patna Kalam (Patna School of Painting):

1. It is an 18th-century Indian miniature painting tradition associated with the broader Company School that flourished in Bihar.
2. It primarily focused on royal court scenes and religious iconography under Mughal patronage.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Patna Kalam, also known as the Patna School of Painting, is an 18^th century Indian miniature painting style of the broader Company School that flourished in Bihar.
• It emerged when artists from the declining Mughal courts migrated to Murshidabad and later to Patna.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Often called the “art of the commons,” it was the world’s first painting school dedicated exclusively to depicting the daily lives of ordinary people.
• It blended Mughal miniature precision with European realism and shading, often depicting subjects without elaborate backgrounds, landscapes, or borders to maintain focus on human figures.

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy