UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 9 April 2025

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

• India and Australia signed a Critical Minerals Partnership in 2023, covering REEs like neodymium and dysprosium, vital for EVs and renewables.
• Statement 1 is incorrect – India has domestic reserves and sources some REEs through bilateral cooperation and public sector mining (IREL).
• Statement 2 is incorrect – the QUAD nations (US, India, Japan, Australia) have initiated REE collaboration under their broader supply chain resilience framework.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• The Global Tiger Forum is an independent intergovernmental body, not created under any international treaty like the CBD. It facilitates collaboration among tiger-range countries.
• Statement 2 is correct. M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) is a smart patrolling and ecological monitoring software developed by NTCA for improved management.
• Statement 3 is also correct. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was constituted by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006, giving statutory backing to Project Tiger.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

• The Treaty of Sugauli (1816), signed after the Anglo-Gorkha War, allowed the British to recruit Gorkhas into their army, leading to extensive migration for military and plantation work.
• Many Gorkhas settled in Darjeeling, Assam, and Dehradun during colonial times.
• Statement 2 is incorrect—many Gorkhas living in India, especially those settled before 1950, are Indian citizens by birth or descent.
• The 1950 Treaty created confusion but did not confer Nepalese citizenship to Indian Gorkhas. Their continued service in Indian security forces highlights their contribution to the country.

• Who are the Gorkhas?

• • Gorkhas are ethnic Nepali-speaking Indians, distinct from citizens of Nepal.
  • The term “Gorkha” refers to a martial race with a legacy rooted in bravery, especially due to their service in the British and Indian armies.

• Historical Origins:

• • Descended from Rajputs and Brahmins who migrated from India to Nepal in ancient times.
  • The name “Gorkha” originates from Guru Gorakhnath, with the town of Gorkha in Nepal central to their historical identity.
  • The community spread widely post the Anglo-Gorkha War (1814–16) and after the Treaty of Sugauli.

• Settlement Regions:

• • Major settlements include Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Assam, Sikkim, Dehradun, and Northeast India.
  • Many Gorkhas settled in India during British rule as soldiers, miners, and plantation workers.

• Key Characteristics:

• • Known for discipline, military service, and resilience.
  • Socially diverse, comprising groups like Tamang, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Magar, Chhetri, and Bahun communities.
  • Speak Nepali, which is part of the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

• Citizenship and Legal Status:

• • Gorkhas settled before 1950 and their descendants are legal Indian citizens.
  • Despite this, they face periodic identity crises, often being wrongly labelled as foreigners or outsiders.
  • The Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) between India and Nepal created confusion over nationality and rights.

Solution: a)

The Kannadippaya mat is made using the inner soft layers of reed bamboo, which provide natural thermal insulation. This structural quality allows the mat to remain cool in summer and warm in winter, a rare feature among traditional handicrafts. The mirror-like finish results from the tight and uniform weaving by tribal artisans, not from wax coating or silk threads.

It reflects sunlight mildly and prevents heat absorption, while also offering cushioning. This thermal functionality, combined with biodegradability, makes it both culturally relevant and ecologically sustainable.

About Kannadippaya GI Tag:

• Kannadippaya, meaning “mirror mat,” is a handwoven mat made from soft inner layers of reed bamboo.
• State of Origin: It is crafted by tribal communities across Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts in Kerala.

Unique Characteristics:

• Known for its reflective pattern, it provides thermal comfort—warm in winters and cool in summers.
• Eco-friendly and biodegradable, it aligns with global sustainability trends.

Cultural Significance:

• Preserved by indigenous tribes like Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, Kadar, and Ulladan.
• Its revival is essential to sustaining tribal craftsmanship and livelihoods.

Solution: d)

All three statements are incorrect.

• While the Brahmaputra-Meghna system drains into the Bay of Bengal, the Dhansiri merges with the Brahmaputra but does not directly flow into the sea.
• It originates from Laisang Peak in Nagaland, which is part of the Naga Hills, not the Eastern Himalayas.
• Most crucially, the Dhansiri is a perennial river, flowing year-round and supporting sustained biodiversity and agriculture. Therefore, option d) is the correct answer.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

• The First Buddhist Council (483 BCE) was held at Rajgir under Mahakassapa, where Ananda and Upali recited the Buddha’s teachings, forming the Sutta and Vinaya Pitakas.
• The Fourth Council, convened by Kanishka in Kashmir (1st–2nd century CE), saw the schism between Theravada and Mahayana, with Mahayana emphasizing Bodhisattvas and universal salvation.
• Statement 3 is incorrect—the Second Council at Vaishali (~383 BCE) dealt with monastic discipline, not doctrinal developments like Bodhisattvas.

Solution: c)

• The IUCN defines “Extinct in the Wild” (EW) as a category for species that are known to survive only in captivity, cultivation, or well outside their historical natural range.
• These species have disappeared from their natural ecosystems, often due to habitat loss, overexploitation, or invasive species.
• Unlike extinction (EX), EW species still exist but only in controlled conditions, such as zoos or botanical gardens.
• For instance, the Scimitar-horned oryx is EW but lives in breeding programs.

Solution: d)

All statements are incorrect.

• Statement 1 is false—the Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, offering the highest legal protection.
• Statement 2 is incorrect—rhino horns are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails, not ivory, which is dentine found in elephant tusks.
• Statement 3 is also false—the New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos (2019) is a multi-lateral initiative signed by India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia to strengthen regional cooperation in Asian rhino conservation.

Solution: c)

• Statement I is correct – GI registration helps protect the reputation and uniqueness of traditional products rooted in geography and community heritage. It helps preserve artisanal identity, local knowledge, and traditional practices.

Statement II is incorrect – A GI-tagged product must be produced within the registered geographic territory; otherwise, the label cannot legally be used. For example, Darjeeling Tea must come from designated estates in Darjeeling. Therefore, option c) is the right answer.

Solution: c)

• Ashoka’s missionary effort was pivotal: his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka, while emissaries went to Greece, Egypt, and Southeast Asia.
• Vajrayana Buddhism, which emerged in 8th-century Bengal and Bihar, blended esoteric rituals (mantras, mandalas) with Mahayana concepts like compassion and the Bodhisattva path.
• Statement 1 is incorrect—Nalanda was founded during the Gupta period, not Ashoka’s reign.
• Statement 2 is incorrect—it describes Theravada, while Mahayana focuses on universal salvation.

Origins of Buddhism in India:

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563–483 BCE): Born in Lumbini (Nepal), attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, and preached the Four Noble Truths & Eightfold Path.
• Reaction to Vedic Ritualism: Rejected caste hierarchy and Brahminical rituals, emphasizing individual enlightenment.
• Early Patronage: Magadha rulers (Bimbisara, Ajatashatru) supported Buddhism as an alternative to Brahmanism.
• First Buddhist Council (483 BCE): Held at Rajgir to preserve Buddha’s teachings after his death.
• Ashoka’s Role (3rd Century BCE): Spread Buddhism across India and beyond through edicts and missionaries.

Evolution & Development of Buddhism

• Theravada vs. Mahayana: Theravada (original teachings) vs. Mahayana (universal salvation, Bodhisattva ideal).
• Monastic Universities: Nalanda, Vikramshila, Taxila became global centers of Buddhist learning.
• Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism): Emerged in Bengal & Bihar, blending esoteric rituals with Mahayana philosophy.
• Spread Beyond India: Sri Lanka (Ashoka’s son Mahendra), China (via Silk Road), Southeast Asia.
• Art & Architecture: Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta Caves, Gandhara Art reflect Buddhist influence.