UPSC Current Affairs Quiz :16 July 2025

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is correct. The fundamental principle of a tandem solar cell is to use multiple layers (in this case, silicon and perovskite) to absorb different wavelengths of light more effectively. The top cell (perovskite) absorbs high-energy light, and the bottom cell (silicon) absorbs lower-energy light that passes through, increasing overall photon capture.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. It has lower production cost and applications are quite diverse, including rooftop solar for homes, EV charging infrastructure, and utility-scale parks. The cost-effectiveness is a key advantage, not a limitation.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The development was led by ART-PV India, a startup incubated at IIT Bombay, not a CSIR laboratory. This tests the aspirant’s precision regarding institutional involvement.

Solution: C

Option (c) is correct. The development of a record-efficiency solar cell by an Indian startup (ART-PV India at IIT Bombay) is a prime example of building indigenous technological capacity. It not only helps meet domestic demand but also positions India as a potential leader and exporter in the next generation of photovoltaic technology, which is the core idea of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’—self-reliance and global competitiveness.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The ADEETIE scheme (Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments). was launched by the Union Ministry of Power and is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). While it deals with energy, attributing it to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is a common point of confusion that a well-prepared aspirant should be able to distinguish.
• Statement 2 is correct. The scheme is designed with a tiered financial support structure to specifically encourage smaller businesses. It offers a 5% interest subvention for Micro and Small Enterprises and a lower rate of 3% for Medium Enterprises, clearly favouring the former.

Statement 3 is correct. Beyond just financial incentives, the scheme provides crucial technical support. This includes conducting detailed Investment-grade energy audits (IGEA) to identify potential savings, helping prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and offering monitoring and verification post-implementation. This “handholding” is vital for MSMEs that may lack in-house expertise.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component is specifically designed to certify the skills of workers in the informal sector, such as artisans, weavers, and construction workers, who possess skills but lack formal certification. It does not target the formal sector exclusively.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. PMKVY 4.0 has expanded to include training in emerging and future-facing skills like AI, IoT, and drones. However, it has done so along with continuing support for traditional crafts. The scheme aims to create a balance between modern industry needs and preserving traditional heritage skills, not discontinue the latter.
• Statement 3 is correct. Nearly 45% of the trained beneficiaries are women is a key achievement, demonstrating a strong commitment to gender inclusion in skill development.

Solution: D

Option (d) is correct. India has a vast informal or unorganized workforce where individuals possess valuable skills acquired through experience rather than formal education (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, artisans). The RPL component addresses this by assessing these pre-existing skills against a standardized framework and providing a formal certification. This validation enhances their employability, mobility, and potential for higher wages, thereby integrating them more effectively into the formal economy.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The trials are explicitly described as non-commercial and confined biosafety research trials (BRL-I and BRL-II). Their purpose is to gather scientific data on agronomic performance and environmental safety under controlled conditions, not for immediate commercial release or sale to farmers. The objective is to inform policy, not to market a product.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The specific genetic traits being tested in this GM maize variant are herbicide tolerance (HT) and insect resistance (BT). There is no mention of traits for drought resistance or enhanced nutritional value in this particular trial. This tests the precision of the aspirant’s knowledge.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The trials are a collaborative effort where PAU is conducting the research implementation, Bayer is the technology developer, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is the regulatory authority that approves and oversees such trials. The DBT does not offer post-trial subsidies; its role is regulatory oversight.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The disease is not contagious and that pigeons are being wrongly blamed as a direct source. The disease is not transmitted from person to person or directly from animals. Pigeons may contribute indirectly by their droppings creating a nutrient-rich environment for the mold to grow, but they are not the direct vector of transmission.
• Statement 2 is correct. The Aspergillus fungus is described as ubiquitous, meaning it is present almost everywhere in the environment. It thrives in soil, compost, rotting vegetation, dust, and damp indoor spaces. This widespread presence is why exposure is common.
• Statement 3 is correct. The infection route is respiratory. The mold releases microscopic spores into the air, which are then inhaled. In individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying lung conditions, these inhaled spores can germinate and cause infection in the lungs, leading to the characteristic respiratory symptoms.

Solution: B

Option (b) is correct. Japan is providing a substantial portion of the funding for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project through a soft loan. Critically, it is also sharing its world-renowned technological expertise in high-speed rail construction, safety, and operations, along with the rolling stock (the trains themselves). This deep engagement on a flagship infrastructure project is a hallmark of the strong bilateral ties.

Solution: C

• Option (c) is correct. This statement accurately summarizes the river’s geography. It originates in the Western Ghats (south of Lonavala), flows eastward through Pimpri-Chinchwad, and its journey culminates in its merger with the Mula River near Pune. The entire described course is within the Pune district.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. The eligibility criteria for OCI status include individuals who belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947. This provision accommodates people from regions that integrated with India post-independence, such as Sikkim.
• Statement 2 is correct. A minor child, one or both of whose parents are citizens of India, is eligible for OCI. This provision is designed to ensure that children of Indian citizens who may be born abroad can maintain a strong connection with India.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The Citizenship Act, 1955, explicitly excludes individuals who have ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh from being eligible for OCI status. This is a key ineligibility criterion and is strictly enforced. The Indian government may also notify other countries whose citizens would not be eligible for OCI.