UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 29 September 2025

Solution: B

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body, not a constitutional body, as it was established under Section 38L of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, rather than Article 48A of the Constitution. Article 48A, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and wildlife, but it does not create the NTCA. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• NTCA is responsible for funding, monitoring, and implementing policies for Tiger Reserves in India, working under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It provides financial assistance to state governments for tiger conservation projects, making Statement 2 correct.

However, Statement 3 is incorrect because NTCA does not have direct enforcement powers to take action against poachers or encroachers. Instead, it collaborates with state forest departments and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to combat wildlife crimes.

Solution: A

• Tiger Reserves in India are designated under Project Tiger and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Each reserve consists of a core zone (critical tiger habitat) and a buffer zone, ensuring both conservation and sustainable coexistence with local communities.
• Statement I is correct because the core zone is a strictly protected area meant exclusively for wildlife conservation, while the buffer zone serves as a transition area where human activities are regulated but not entirely restricted.
• Statement II is also correct, as buffer zones play a vital role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts. These areas support sustainable land-use practices, such as eco-tourism, afforestation, and controlled grazing, ensuring that local livelihoods are not severely affected while maintaining the ecological integrity of the core area.

Solution: C

Statement I is correct – Quantum computing enhances AI applications by optimizing complex algorithms faster.

Statement II is incorrect – Quantum computers will not replace classical computers entirely, as classical computing is still more efficient for many tasks.

What is Quantum Computing?

• Quantum computing leverages quantum bits (qubits), which exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition and entanglement.
• Unlike classical computers that process bits as 0 or 1, quantum computers perform parallel computations, exponentially increasing processing power.

Recent Advancements & Breakthroughs:

• Longer Qubit Coherence:Innovations by Atom Computing and ColdQuanta have improved qubit stability, allowing longer computations.
• High-Fidelity Qubit Control:IBM and Quantinuum are enhancing qubit accuracy, reducing errors.
• Error Correction Progress:Google’s Willow chip introduced a self-correcting quantum system, accelerating fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Topological Qubits:Microsoft’s Majorana-1 improves stability, reducing the need for complex error correction.
• Diverse Qubit Modalities:Superconducting circuits, trapped ions, photonic qubits, and neutral atoms create a multi-approach ecosystem.

Solution: C

The Revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) is a key initiative aimed at improving livestock health by controlling and eradicating infectious diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and biosecurity measures.

• Statement I is correct because vaccination is a primary strategy under LHDCP to prevent the spread of major livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The program ensures nationwide immunization coverage to enhance livestock productivity and reduce mortality.
• Statement II is incorrect because vaccination alone is not sufficient to control livestock diseases. Effective disease management requires biosecurity measures (such as farm hygiene and restricted animal movement), disease surveillance, early detection systems, and diagnostics. Without these additional measures, new disease outbreaks may still occur despite vaccination efforts.

Solution: C

The Global Engagement Scheme is managed by the Ministry of Culture, designed to promote Indian culture internationally through participation in festivals and cultural programs. It funds artists and organizations to represent India’s folk and classical arts on the world stage, strengthening bilateral cultural relations. Unlike MEA-led diplomatic initiatives, this scheme focuses purely on cultural diplomacy.

Solution: C

• Gene editing presents several challenges despite its revolutionary potential.
• Off-target effects (Statement 1) occur when unintended genetic modifications are introduced, leading to unpredictable mutations that may cause harmful consequences. This is a significant concern in both medical and agricultural applications.
• Ethical concerns (Statement 2) arise, especially in human germline editing, where modifications to embryos, sperm, or eggs could be passed to future generations. This raises moral and safety dilemmas regarding unintended consequences and potential misuse for genetic enhancement.
• In agriculture, widespread gene-editing could lead to genetic uniformity in crops (Statement 3), reducing genetic diversity. This makes crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases, as a single pathogen could wipe out entire populations lacking natural resistance.

Solution: C

• The National Statistical Office (NSO) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) use different methodologies for estimating GDP, leading to occasional discrepancies in their figures.
• The NSO calculates GDP based on real economic activity, collecting data directly from various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and services. It follows established statistical methodologies, relying on actual output and expenditure figures.
• On the other hand, the RBI’s GDP projections are based on monetary policy indicators, credit growth, inflation trends, and business sentiment. It uses economic modeling, surveys, and high-frequency indicators rather than direct sectoral surveys.
• Since NSO’s estimates reflect real-time economic activity, while RBI’s projections are more forward-looking and influenced by monetary policy trends, their figures can sometimes differ.

Solution: B

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, tasked with promoting agricultural exports and ensuring quality compliance.

• Statement 1 is correct: APEDA is responsible for the registration of exporters dealing in scheduled agricultural and processed food products. Exporters must obtain an APEDA Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) to receive export benefits, participate in international trade fairs, and access financial assistance schemes.
• Statement 2 is correct: APEDA plays a crucial role in developing export-related infrastructure, such as cold storage units, packhouses, ripening chambers, and irradiation facilities. These facilities help maintain product quality and meet international safety standards.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: APEDA does not regulate the Minimum Support Price (MSP). MSP is determined by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to ensure fair prices for farmers.

Solution: C

The Grant-in-Aid to NCDC for Cooperative Sugar Mills aims to modernize and diversify the operations of cooperative sugar mills, making them more sustainable and financially viable.

• Statement 1 is correct: The grant supports ethanol production under the National Biofuel Policy, which promotes ethanol blending in fuel to reduce India’s dependency on fossil fuels and cut crude oil imports. Ethanol production also helps sugar mills reduce excess sugar stocks and generate additional revenue.
• Statement 2 is correct: The initiative encourages integrated sugar complexes, which include dairy processing, agro-processing, and value-added product units. This diversification helps reduce financial reliance on sugar production and enhances economic stability.
• Statement 3 is correct: The grant also promotes solar energy installations in cooperative sugar mills, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar panels and biomass cogeneration plants. This move aligns with India’s sustainability and energy security goals.

Solution: A

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) plays a vital role in tiger conservation in India by formulating policies, funding conservation efforts, and ensuring scientific management of tiger reserves.

• Statement 1 is incorrect because, while NTCA provides financial assistance under the Project Tiger scheme, Tiger Reserves remain under the administrative control of State Governments. The functioning of these reserves is not independent, as states are responsible for their implementation and management.
• Statement 2 is correct as NTCA identifies and protects tiger corridors, which are essential for ensuring habitat connectivity between reserves. This connectivity helps in maintaining genetic diversity and reducing inbreeding, which is crucial for long-term tiger survival.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because human settlements in Tiger Reserves are relocated voluntarily. NTCA follows an incentive-based resettlement program, where affected communities receive compensation and alternative livelihood options, ensuring that relocation is done in a humane and sustainable manner.