Current Affairs MCQs – June 15-16

Paraquat Dichloride, recently seen in the news, is best described as:

1. A broad-spectrum systemic fungicide used to control fungal diseases in cereal crops
2. A non-selective contact herbicide used for weed control and crop desiccation, known for its high acute toxicity
3. A biological pesticide derived from soil bacteria and used in organic farming
4. A plant growth regulator used to accelerate fruit ripening in commercial plantations

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Telangana became the 3^rd state, after Kerala and Odisha, to ban the sale, distribution, manufacture, and use of the fast-acting, toxic herbicide paraquat dichloride. Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses, and as a crop desiccant or defoliant. It acts on contact, targeting only the green foliage it touches, without harming mature brown bark or woody stems. The herbicide is acutely toxic to humans and animals, with even small amounts causing irreversible organ damage, respiratory failure, and death. No known antidote exists for paraquat poisoning.

Answer: (b) A non-selective contact herbicide used for weed control and crop desiccation, known for its high acute toxicity; Difficulty Level: Medium

consider the following statements:

1. India is the host of the Global Wind Day 2026 Conference under the theme “Wind Energy: From Ambition to Acceleration.”
2. India ranks among the top three countries in the world in terms of installed wind power capacity.
3. The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy seeks to promote the co-location and integration of wind and solar energy projects to optimize the use of land and transmission infrastructure.

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

• Global Wind Day is celebrated annually on June 15 to promote wind energy and its role in combating climate change. India will host the Global Wind Day 2026 Conference on 15 June 2026 in Goa, under the theme “Wind Energy: From Ambition to Acceleration.”

Statement 2 is incorrect

• India ranks 4^th globally in installed wind power capacity. India’s target is to achieve 100 GW wind capacity by 2030 and 156 GW by 2036.

Statement 3 is correct

• The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018) promotes integration of wind and solar projects to optimize land use and transmission infrastructure.

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

Consider the following statements regarding the Indore Declaration, adopted under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026:

1. It seeks to promote food security, climate-resilient agriculture, digital innovation, and farmers’ rights among BRICS nations.
2. It calls for strengthening the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform as a “Knowledge-to-Action (Lab-to-Land) Hub”.
3. It proposes the establishment of a BRICS Grain Exchange to facilitate discussions on agricultural trade and food security.
4. It launched the BRICS Network on Agro-Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture and the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The declaration presents a farmer-centric roadmap focusing on food security, climate resilience, digital agriculture, seed sovereignty, and agricultural cooperation.

Statement 2 is correct

• It calls for strengthening the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform as a “Knowledge-to-Action (Lab-to-Land) Hub.”

Statement 3 is correct

• It advances discussions on the creation of a BRICS Grain Exchange.

Statement 4 is correct

• Among the four initiatives launched were the BRICS Network on Agro-Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture and the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems.

Answer: (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4; Difficulty Level: Hard

Consider the following statements regarding the DISHA Scheme:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by State Legal Services Authorities to provide legal aid at the grassroots level.
2. Tele-Law provides pre-litigation legal advice through video and tele-conferencing facilities using Common Service Centres.
3. Nyaya Bandhu promotes voluntary pro bono legal services by advocates and law students for eligible beneficiaries.
4. Nyaya Prabodh is a legal awareness campaign aimed at enhancing citizens’ understanding of their constitutional and legal rights and duties.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Statement 1 is incorrect because DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Justice, launched in 2021 to promote access to justice in line with Article 39A of the Constitution and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Statements 2, 3 and 4 are correct. Under DISHA, Tele-Law provides pre-litigation legal advice through about 2.5 lakh Common Service Centres, Nyaya Bandhu encourages advocates and law students to offer pro bono legal services, and Nyaya Prabodh is a year-long legal awareness campaign designed to improve public understanding of constitutional and legal rights as well as responsibilities.

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Hard

Consider the following statements regarding the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026:

1. The Global Peace Index, published by the World Economic Forum, assesses countries on the basis of Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation.
2. According to the 2026 GPI, South Asia recorded an improvement in peacefulness, with India improving its ranking compared to the previous year.

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 incorrect

• 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), shows a deterioration in global peacefulness for the 12^th consecutive year across 163 countries.

• The index evaluates countries across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarisation.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Iceland remained the most peaceful country for the 19^th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand and Switzerland. Poland recorded the largest improvement, while Russia ranked last as the least peaceful.
• South Asia recorded the steepest regional decline in peace in the 2026 GPI. While Bhutan (16^th) remains the region’s most peaceful country, India dropped from 115^th in the 2025 GPI to 127^th.

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

Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), the famous Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled extensively in India, visited the country during the reign of:

1. Chandragupta II
2. Harshavardhana
3. Pulakeshin II
4. Dharmapala

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• India and China are in advanced discussions to submit a joint nomination to UNESCO for The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions (Si-Yu-Ki), the celebrated travel account of the 7^th century Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar Xuanzang. India is separately pursuing joint UNESCO nominations for the Panchatantra with Iran and for the philosophy of Satyagraha with South Africa.

• Xuanzang also known as Hieun Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled across India during the reign of Harshavardhana in the 7^th century CE.

Answer: (b) Harshavardhana; Difficulty Level: Easy