April 25 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect

• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 establishes a 3-tier system with National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the central level; State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) at the state level; Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local level.
• Chairperson: Equivalent to GoI Secretary, appointed by Central Govt, tenure of 3 years, re-appointment allowed till age 65. If on deputation/short term contract, s/he shouldn’t be below rank of Additional Secretary to GoI. Chairperson can resign by giving 1month written notice to Central Govt.

All other options are correct

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Approval:
  • Mandatory prior approval of NBA before grant of IPR (domestic/international) involving Indian biological resources or traditional knowledge.
  • Approval via agreement on mutually agreed terms; NBA to be notified within 45 days of IPR grant.
• Functions: Maintains biodiversity databases, administers National Biodiversity Fund (NBF) established under 2002 Act, approves biodiversity-related agreements, provides technical guidance.
• Access Procedure for Biological Resources:
  • Online applications via web portal for research, bio-survey, bio-utilization and for commercial use.
  • Fee paid digitally to the NBF.
  • Approvals/rejections are publicized on NBA website.
  • Access may be restricted if it involves threatened/endemic species; Harms local communities or causes genetic erosion; Violates

Answer: (a) The Minister of Environment and Forests serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Options 2, 3 and 4 are correct and options 1 and 5 are incorrect

• SAARC is an economic and political regional organisation of countries in South Asia.
• Established: With the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
• Member States (8): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• Observer Members: EU, Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mauritius, Myanmar & USA.
• Secretariat: Kathmandu

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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Parens Patriae: Latin term meaning “parent of the nation”, empowering the state or courts to act as guardians for citizens unable to care for themselves. It reflects a sovereign duty to protect vulnerable individuals’ rights, dignity, and welfare lacking.
• Originated in English common law, where the Crown acted as guardian for those unable to care for themselves. Gradually adopted worldwide to protect minors, persons with disabilities, mentally ill individuals and other incapacitated persons.
• Constitutional, Legal and Judicial Backing in India:
  • Article 226: High Courts exercise extraordinary jurisdiction to protect fundamental rights and public interest under this provision.
  • Article 21: Parens Patriae aligns with the Right to Life and Dignity, reinforcing the state’s duty to protect vulnerable populations.
  • Social Justice Framework: Complements welfare legislation like Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
  • Madras High Court invoked Parens Patriae doctrine for environmental protection, empowering the state to act as a guardian of nature’s rights.
  • Judicial precedents include directions to both central & state govts to protect legal entities like animals (Haryana, 2018), Ganga and Yamuna rivers (2017), and Sukhna Lake (2020).

Answer: (b) The doctrine empowering the State or courts to act as guardians for those incapable of protecting themselves; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

1. NASA is developing first space-based quantum sensor to measure Earth’s gravity.

• Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG):
  • It is a highly sensitive instrument that uses quantum principles to detect minute changes in gravitational acceleration.
  • QGG can detect gravitational variations as small as 10⁻¹⁵ m/s², surpassing traditional gravity sensors.
  • Miniaturised: Unlike traditional instruments, the QGG sensor is compact and lightweight, about the size of a small washing machine. This reduces launch costs, making it ideal for space missions.
  • Durability: Uses atoms instead of mechanical parts, making it less sensitive to environmental conditions.
• Working Principle of QGG:
  • Atom Interferometry: Atoms are cooled to near absolute zero, and lasers manipulate their behaviour in free-fall to measure gravitational forces with extreme precision.
  • Detection of Gravity Changes: The sensor identifies gravitational shifts caused by variations in mass distribution, such as mountains, tunnels, or hydrocarbon deposits.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• Tamil Nadu has notified Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) sacred grove and a biodiversity hotspot as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
• Kasampatty, located near the Alagarmalai Reserve Forest in Kasampatty village (Dindigul district), becomes 2nd Biodiversity Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu after Arittapatti in Madurai.
• India’s first BHS was Nallur Tamarind Grove is in Bengaluru (Karnataka).
• Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):
• BHS are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and marine having rich biodiversity comprising any of the following components:
  • Species richness
  • High endemism
  • Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, and species of evolutionary significance
  • Presence of wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species
  • Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds
  • Significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values important for the maintenance of cultural diversity

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Declaration:
  • Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.
  • State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) may invite suggestion (or consider those already coming from communities) for declaration of BHSs, through BMCs and other relevant community institutions including gram sabhas, panchayat etc.
  • Declaration of an area as BHS does not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities.
• Management & Monitoring:
  • Management: The Biodiversity Management Committee or other appropriate institution as determined by relevant local body in the absence of BMCs.
  • Monitoring of BHS: There may be a State-level Monitoring Committee constituted by the SBB.

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The IWT, signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, brokered by the World Bank.
• It was signed in Karachi by then Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
• The treaty fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of both countries concerning the use of the waters of the Indus River system.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• Key Provisions :

1. Water Sharing:
   • Eastern Rivers Water to India: All the water of the “Eastern Rivers” (Sutlej, Beas and Ravi) of the Indus system shall be available for the “unrestricted use” of India.
   • Western Rivers Water to Pakistan: Pakistan shall receive water from the “Western Rivers” (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
   • India is permitted limited use of these rivers for agricultural purposes and for constructing ‘run-of-the-river’ hydroelectric projects, which do not involve significant water storage.
   • No Exit Clause: The Indus Waters Treaty lacks an exit clause, meaning neither India nor Pakistan can legally abrogate it unilaterally. Any modification to the treaty requires the consent of both parties.

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

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• Buddhas of Bamiyan located in the Bamiyan Valley of central Afghanistan, northwest of Kabul.
• It lies along the ancient Silk Route, which historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange between India, China, Persia, and Central Asia. The valley served as a major Buddhist monastic centre from the 2nd century CE to the Islamic conquest in the 9th century CE.
• Construction period: Believed to have been built between the 4th and 6th centuries CE during the height of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Patronised by rulers of the Kushan and later the Hephthalite dynasty.

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