April 20- 21 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Both statements are incorrect

• Natyashastra was codified around the 2^nd century B.C., the Naṭyasastra of Bharatamuni is an epitome of the Naṭyaveda, an oral body of knowledge of performing art containing 36,000 verses known as the Gandharvaveda.
• The Naṭyasastra embodies a comprehensive set of rules that define naṭya (drama), abhinaya (performance), rasa (aesthetic experience), bhāva (emotion), and sangita (music), among others.
• The Nāṭyaśāstra manuscripts, along with the Bhagavad Gita, were recently added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, not to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register lists documentary heritage that has world significance and outstanding universal value.
• India now has 13 inscriptions on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
• India’s Other Inclusions in the Past
  1. 1st Summit Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Archives.
  2. Manuscripts of Rigveda
  3. The I.A.S. Tamil Medical Manuscript Collection
  4. Abhinavagupta (940-1015 CE): Collection of Manuscripts of his works
  5. Gilgit Manuscript
  6. Maitreyayvarakarana
  7. Shantinātha Charitra
  8. laghukalacakratantrarajatika (Vimalaprabhā)
  9. Tarikh-E-Khandan-E-Timuriyah
  10. Saiva Manuscript in Pondicherry
  11. Archives of the Dutch East India Company

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

Explanation

Statements 1 and 4 are correct, but Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect

• The India Meteorological Department defines cloudburst as the condition where the amount of rainfall over a particular area exceeds 100 millimetres in an hour.
• Climate Change is a major reason behind the increasing Cloudbursts in recent years.
• As global temperatures rise, the atmosphere can hold more moisture. This leads to more intense, erratic, and sudden rainfall, increasing the frequency and severity of cloudbursts.
• Difficulty in Prediction: Cloudbursts happen in localised areas (over a roughly 10 km x 10 km area), making them difficult to capture accurately.
• Mechanism
  • Orographic Lift: It is the process by which warm air currents push up clouds already ready to rain. Cloudbursts are more common in hilly areas because of ‘orographic lift’.
  • Droplets Grow Bigger: As clouds reach higher elevations, the water droplets within them become bigger, and new ones are formed. Lightning within these clouds helps delay rainfall.
  • Rainfall: These dense clouds eventually burst, unable to hold the large volume of moisture. This results in torrential downpours in the geographical region below.

Answer: (b) 1 and 4; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

• Uttarakhand approved the Adarsh Sanskrit village programme to promote Sanskrit.
• But it does not intend to make Sanskrit the primary official language. Currently, Sanskrit is the 2nd official language of Uttarakhand.
• On a pilot basis, 1 village from each district has been selected. The scheme will be introduced at the block level depending on the response.
• Sanskrit will be actively promoted in these villages, connecting the younger generation with Indian philosophy and the country’s knowledge traditions through this ancient language.
• The scheme, funded by the Central Sanskrit University, Delhi, is expected to be rolled out in May.

Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Myristica Swamps are freshwater wetlands dominated by Myristicaceae family species, with fossil evidence tracing their origins to the Early Cretaceous period.
  • Classified as swamps, these endangered wetland ecosystems are marked by water-saturated soil, providing unique habitats for diverse flora and fauna, crucial for Western Ghats’ ecosystem health.
• Geographical Distribution: Found predominantly in the Western Ghats, with a smaller distribution in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Statement 2 is correct

• Water Regulation: Function as natural water reservoirs, replenishing groundwater tables, preventing flooding, ensuring year-round water availability; contributes to traditional water management practices.
• Cultural Value: In certain regions, they serve as sacred groves where local communities worship deities such as Chowdamma (the water goddess) and Hulidevaru (the tiger god).

Statement 3 is correct

• Endemic Species: Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel (LC), Kottigehar dancing frog (VU) and Malabar Grey Hornbill (VU).
• Unique Insects: The Myristica Bambootail damselfly is found exclusively in these swamps.

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• “Angio” refers to blood vessels, & “plasty” means treatment, making the term “angioplasty” mean a medical procedure to open blocked arteries supplying blood to the heart, preventing heart attacks.
• Cause of Blockage: Arterial blockage results from atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, reducing blood supply and causing chest pain or angina. If blood flow is completely restricted, this can worsen into a heart attack.

Statement 2 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect

• Types of Angioplasties:
  • Balloon Angioplasty: A balloon is inflated inside the artery to push plaque aside, widening the artery.
  • Stent Placement: A small mesh tube (stent- made from metal, fabric, or silicone) may be inserted to keep the artery open after widening.
  • Bioresorbable Stents: These stents dissolve over time, allowing the artery to regain its natural function.
  • Laser Angioplasty: Dissolves plaque in severe cases, especially when traditional methods do not work.

Statement 4 is correct

• Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, known as the “Father of Angioplasty in India,” played a crucial role in bringing angioplasty to India, training under Dr. Andreas Gruentzig, the pioneer of balloon angioplasty.

• After returning to India in 1985, Dr. Kalarickal built a reputation based on results and founded key initiatives such as the India Live cardiology conference and the National Angioplasty Registry of India, ensuring high standards for Indian cardiologists.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

All statements are correct

• Key Differences: India vs US:

• Legal Provision: US law does not explicitly allow the President to remove the Fed Chair without cause; the Indian government can technically direct the RBI via Section 7(1).
• The US Senate’s confirmation process and public accountability mechanisms bolster the Fed’s autonomy, whereas the RBI operates under the direct purview of the Finance Ministry, making it more vulnerable to executive pressure than the Fed.

Answer: (c) All three; Difficulty Level: Medium