Current Affairs MCQs – June 29-30

With reference to the world’s first nuclear heat-based hydrogen production facility inaugurated in India, consider the following statements:

It produces hydrogen by using nuclear process heat from a Fast Breeder Test Reactor instead of electricity as the primary energy input for water splitting.
It employs the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle, which operates at a significantly lower temperature than the Iodine–Sulphur (I–S) thermochemical cycle.
The technology enables hydrogen production with negligible direct greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of nuclear heat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

The facility uses process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, to drive thermochemical water splitting, reducing dependence on electricity for hydrogen production.

Statement 2 is correct

The facility uses the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle, developed by BARC. Unlike the Iodine–Sulphur (I–S) cycle, which requires temperatures above 850°C, the Cu–Cl cycle operates at around 530°C, improving practical feasibility and thermodynamic efficiency.

Statement 3 is correct

Since the process uses carbon-free nuclear heat, hydrogen is produced without direct greenhouse gas emissions, making it a promising technology for low-carbon energy and supporting India’s clean hydrogen ambitions.

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

With reference to Volcán de Fuego, recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:

It is a stratovolcano located along the Central American Volcanic Arc and has been formed due to the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate.
It is characterised by frequent Strombolian eruptions, releasing volcanic bombs, ash, lava and gases at short intervals.

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

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

Volcán de Fuego, located in Guatemala, is the country’s most active stratovolcano. It lies on the Central American Volcanic Arc, formed by the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate along the Middle America Trench.

Statement 2 is correct

The volcano is known for its frequent Strombolian eruptions, occurring roughly every 15–20 minutes, ejecting ash, volcanic bombs, lava and volcanic gases. It has erupted more than 60 times since 1524.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the 2026 Sustainable Development Report, consider the following statements:

The report is published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to assess global progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the 2026 report, India has achieved or is on track to achieve a majority of the 17 SDGs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

The Sustainable Development Report is published annually by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and evaluates countries’ progress towards achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Statement 2 is incorrect

Although India improved to 94th rank in the 2026 report (its highest-ever ranking), it lags on 13 of the 17 SDGs, with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) remaining a major challenge. Therefore, India has not achieved or is on track to achieve a majority of the SDGs.

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

With reference to adolescent nutrition and malnutrition in India, consider the following statements:

Anaemia Mukt Bharat provides weekly iron-folic acid supplementation to adolescents aged 10–19 years, including both school-going and out-of-school adolescents.
PM POSHAN provides one hot cooked meal daily to students up to Class X in government and government-aided schools.
Under Mission Poshan 2.0, supplementary nutrition and iron-folic acid supplementation are provided to adolescent girls aged 14–18 years in Aspirational Districts and the North-Eastern Region.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibits the sale and advertisement of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt (HFSS) foods within 50 metres of school premises.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

Under Anaemia Mukt Bharat, the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme covers adolescents aged 10–19 years, both in and out of school.

Statement 2 is incorrect

PM POSHAN covers children studying in Classes I to VIII, not up to Class XII.

Statement 3 is correct

Mission Poshan 2.0 provides supplementary nutrition and iron-folic acid supplementation to adolescent girls (14–18 years) in Aspirational Districts and the North-Eastern Region.

Statement 4 is correct

Under FSSAI’s 2020 regulations, the sale and advertisement of HFSS foods are prohibited within 50 metres of school premises.

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

With reference to the Global Unicorn Index 2026, consider the following statements:

A unicorn is a privately held startup valued at US$1 billion or more before its Initial Public Offering (IPO).
According to the index, Artificial Intelligence (AI) surpassed FinTech to become the largest contributor to global unicorn valuation.
India ranked third globally in terms of the number of unicorns, behind only the United States and China.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

A unicorn is a privately held startup with a valuation of US$1 billion or more before it is listed on the stock market.

Statement 2 is correct

The Global Unicorn Index 2026 reported that Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as the largest growth engine, accounting for around 36% of global unicorn valuation, surpassing FinTech.

Statement 3 is incorrect

India ranked 4th, not 3rd, with 61 unicorns, behind the United States (806), China (381), and the United Kingdom (70). Bengaluru remained India’s leading unicorn hub, followed by Mumbai.

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

With reference to India’s anti-narcotics framework and the NCB Annual Report 2025, consider the following statements:

The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) is a four-tier mechanism established by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate anti-drug efforts among States, Central Ministries and other stakeholders.
According to the report, Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the leading source of illicit opium, with the Golden Triangle emerging as a major poly-drug production hub.
The report identifies Nitazenes as synthetic opioids that are less potent than heroin but pose a threat because of their widespread availability.
According to the report, India is vulnerable to drug trafficking because it lies between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

NCORD is a four-tier coordination mechanism established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to bring together States, Central Ministries, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders for a coordinated response against drug trafficking.

Statement 2 is correct

The NCB Annual Report 2025 notes that Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the leading source of illicit opium. The Golden Triangle has evolved into a poly-drug hub, producing both opiates and methamphetamine.

Statement 3 is incorrect

Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids that can be up to 500 times more potent than heroin, making them an emerging and extremely dangerous threat.

Statement 4 is correct

India’s location between the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan–Iran–Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar–Thailand–Laos) makes it particularly vulnerable to international drug trafficking.