UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 15 November 2025

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While infectious disease interactions are part of the scope, the programme focuses primarily on the rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, metabolic disorders, and neurological disorders, with an aim to examine how various factors influence these disease patterns in Indian populations.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The program’s significance is precisely to provide “Indian data for Indian solutions,” thereby reducing dependence on Western health models. It aims to create a massive longitudinal dataset specific to India’s diverse genetic and cultural populations.
• The initiative leverages India’s current genomic efforts (10,000 human genomes sequenced) to set an ambitious goal of sequencing one million genomes. This data is crucial for enabling personalised treatment and prevention strategies tailored to the Indian population’s unique genetic profile.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. ‘DRISHTI’ was developed through a joint innovation initiative between the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and IIT Guwahati – Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF), not RDSO.
• Statement 2 is correct. The system is AI-powered, utilising computer vision and machine learning to continuously monitor door positions and locking conditions and provide real-time alerts for security breaches, such as tampering.
• Statement 3 is correct. The aim is clearly stated as automating the detection of door issues, which strengthens cargo security by preventing theft/pilferage, and significantly improves operational efficiency by reducing the need for manual checks.

Solution: D

Option (a) is incorrect; it is a major port and is located on the Arabian Sea coast (West Coast) in Karnataka, not the Bay of Bengal or Goa.

Option (b) is incorrect; while it came under the 1963 Act (later superseded by the 2021 Act), it specifically handles crude oil import for MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited) in Karnataka, not primarily for refineries in Maharashtra.

Option (c) is incorrect; it is located north of the Gurupur (Phalguni) River estuary, not south. It was also declared India’s 9th Major Port (in 1974).

Option (d) is correct. The New Mangalore Port (NMP) is an all-weather, deep inner-harbour major port located at Panambur, Mangaluru, on the Arabian Sea coast, and is the only major port in Karnataka.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Hepatitis A is highly prevalent in low- and middle-income regions with poor sanitation, where most children get infected early. It has low prevalence in high-income countries, though outbreaks occur in specific risk groups.
• Statement 2 is correct. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease, but it can lead to severe hepatitis or acute liver failure, particularly in adults. Recovery is generally full, leading to lifelong immunity.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. While waterborne outbreaks linked to sewage contamination do occur, transmission is via the faeco-oral route, which includes ingestion of contaminated food or water, as well as direct contact with an infected person (e.g., poor hygiene, oral-anal sexual contact).

Solution: C

The correct body is the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). NTAGI is India’s premier expert body providing recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on vaccines and immunisation practices, including the introduction of new vaccines into the UIP. The UIP’s strategy is explicitly guided by NTAGI recommendations. NHA is responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat. ICMR is the apex body for biomedical research. CDSCO is the national regulatory authority for drugs and medical devices.

Solution: D

• The central aim of Cohort Connect 2025 is to generate large-scale, India-specific health data using genome sequencing and biomarkers to enable early detection, personalised treatment, and prevention strategies tailored to India’s population. This goal is the definition of Precision Medicine, which aims to tailor treatment and prevention strategies to the individual’s unique genetic and environmental profile.
• Evidence-Based Medicine is the practice of using current best evidence in making decisions.
• Tele-Medicine is the delivery of health services via technology.
• Adaptive Trials are clinical trial designs that allow modifications during the trial.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. The cornea is described as the transparent, dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye. Its structure acts as a protective barrier against external factors. Critically, it is highly sensitive, possessing a high density of pain receptors (300–600 times more than skin), which triggers quick reflex protection.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The cornea is known to have six layers: Epithelium, Bowman’s Layer, Stroma, Pre-Descemet’s (Dua’s) Layer, Descemet’s Layer, and Endothelium.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The cornea is self-healing, and minor injuries repair rapidly. Only deeper damage, which leads to scarring or clouding, typically requires a corneal transplant surgery to restore vision.
• Statement 4 is correct. The main function of the cornea is described as acting like a window, allowing light to enter and focus on the retina. This light-focusing property, along with maintaining eye structure and fluid balance, is essential for vision clarity.

Solution: C

• Option (c) is correct. The core feature of animal-free dairy is that it contains actual casein and whey proteins—identical to cow’s milk—making it functionally viable for processes that rely on these proteins, such as making cheese, curd, and yogurt.

Solution: B

• Statement I is correct. The VRFB installation is presented as a breakthrough and India’s entry into next-generation, non-lithium
• Statement II is correct. Reducing dependence on imported materials like lithium aligns with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which is a key goal.
• Statement III is correct. The VRFB’s primary application is to enhance renewable energy reliability through its capacity for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES).
• Statement I describes an outcome (entry into non-lithium storage). Statement II (reducing import dependence/Atmanirbhar Bharat) provides the strategic, national explanation for why India would focus on a non-lithium Statement III (enhancing reliability) explains the technical application of LDES, which is a feature of the system, not the reason for choosing non-lithium over lithium. Therefore, Statement II offers the stronger explanation for the non-lithium focus mentioned in Statement I.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Act is India’s first sui generis legal framework for plant variety protection, it is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, not the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Statement 2 is correct. The National Gene Fund is created to channel benefit-sharing fees and support crucial activities like in-situ conservation and rewarding farmers who are conservationists.
• Statement 3 is correct. The Act ensures Breeders’ Rights (exclusive commercial rights) while maintaining Researchers’ Exemption, which allows scientists to use the registered variety for further experimentation and varietal development, promoting open scientific access and innovation.