UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 6 December 2025

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While some vaccines use live, attenuated (weakened) pathogens, others contain killed (inactivated) pathogens, or even just specific parts of the pathogen like proteins or polysaccharides (subunit, recombinant, toxoid vaccines). The type of vaccine depends on the disease and the pathogen.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The primary goal of vaccination is prophylactic, i.e., to prevent a disease before it occurs by building immunity, not to treat an active infection. Antiviral or antibiotic medications are typically used for treating active infections.
• Statement 3 is correct. Vaccination works by stimulating the body’s own immune system. It exposes the body to an antigen (from the vaccine) which triggers both the innate and, crucially, the adaptive immune responses. This leads to the production of specific antibodies and memory cells, providing targeted and lasting protection against the specific disease the vaccine is designed for.

Solution: A

Statement 1 is incorrect. A key feature of the Orange Economy is its strong reliance on individual creativity, talent, and intellectual property (IP) rather than primarily on physical infrastructure or tangible assets. It generates revenue through copyrights, trademarks, and digital IP, and is talent-driven.

Statement 2 is correct. Digital platforms and technologies have played a transformative role in the Orange Economy. They have expanded its scope by creating new avenues for content creation, distribution, and monetization, leading to the emergence of new roles such as social media influencers, streamers, app developers, and online content creators. Digital transformation is a crucial aspect of its recent growth.

Solution: D

Statement 1 is correct. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) legally recognizes 13 categories of forest rights. These include individual rights (e.g., to land under cultivation) and community rights (e.g., to minor forest produce, grazing, fishing, and importantly, the right to protect, regenerate, conserve, or manage any community forest resource).

Statement 2 is correct. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and initiatives like Project Tiger (1973), while crucial for wildlife conservation, historically adopted exclusionary “fortress conservation” models. This approach often involved the creation of protected areas from which local communities were displaced, severing their traditional ties to the forest. This contrasts sharply with the FRA’s rights-based approach, which seeks to integrate tribal rights with conservation.

Solution: C

1. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is India’s flagship routine immunization program providing free-of-cost vaccines against several vaccine-preventable diseases to all children and pregnant women as per the National Immunization Schedule. This matches C.
2. Mission Indradhanush (MI) and its intensified versions (IMI) are special catch-up vaccination campaigns conducted to vaccinate left-out and dropped-out children and pregnant women, particularly in areas with low immunization coverage, to boost UIP. This matches A.
3. U-WIN Platform is a digital initiative to register beneficiaries (pregnant women and children), schedule vaccination appointments, track immunization status, and issue digital vaccination certificates. This matches D.
4. eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a technology solution to digitize vaccine stocks and monitor the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone application in real-time, strengthening vaccine logistics management.

Solution: C

• Article 24 of the Indian Constitution directly prohibits the employment of children below the age of fourteen years in any factory, mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. (A matches 2)
• Article 39(f), a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandates that the State shall direct its policy towards securing that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment. (B matches 3)
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, operationalizes Article 21A and ensures free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of six to fourteen years. This indirectly helps reduce child labour by mandating schooling. (C matches 4)

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, provides a framework for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. It explicitly treats child labour victims as children in need of care and protection, ensuring their rehabilitation and welfare. (D matches 1)

Solution: B

The enhanced greenhouse effect refers to the intensification of the natural greenhouse effect due to human activities, leading to global warming.

Statement 1 is correct because the greenhouse effect is a natural process caused by greenhouse gases like CO₂, CH₄, and water vapor, which trap heat and maintain Earth’s temperature. Without this natural phenomenon, the Earth would be too cold to sustain life.

Statement 2 is also correct, as human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, thereby intensifying heat trapping and contributing to climate change.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the enhanced greenhouse effect does not release heat into space faster. Instead, it traps more heat in Earth’s atmosphere, disrupting the planet’s energy balance and leading to rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather patterns.

Solution: B

Fiscal policy is a key economic tool used by governments to influence a country’s economic performance through taxation, public spending, and borrowing.

Statement 1 is incorrect because interest rates are a tool of monetary policy, managed by central banks, not fiscal policy. Fiscal policy focuses on government decisions about revenue and expenditure.

Statement 2 is correct, as taxation and public borrowing are fundamental tools of fiscal policy. By adjusting tax rates and borrowing, the government can influence the economy’s aggregate demand and resource allocation.

Statement 3 is also correct, as expansionary fiscal policy, which involves increased government spending or tax cuts, stimulates aggregate demand, boosts economic growth, and encourages consumption and investment.

Statement 4 is incorrect, because fiscal policy significantly impacts unemployment levels. For example, public spending on infrastructure projects can create jobs, while tax cuts can increase disposable income, spurring job creation.

Solution: A

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Teesta River is a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, joining it in Bangladesh. It flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, where it meets the Brahmaputra.

Statement 2 is Incorrect. The Lohit and Dibang rivers merge with the Dihang River in Arunachal Pradesh to form the Brahmaputra as it enters Assam. Therefore, they do not directly join the Brahmaputra but contribute to its flow by first merging with the Dihang.

Statement 3 is Correct. The Manas River is a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, originating in Bhutan. It is known for its biodiversity and the Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Solution: C

Somalia is situated in the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, with a significant coastline along the Indian Ocean.

About Somalia:

• Location:Located in the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa.
• Capital:
• Neighbours:Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya; coastline along the Indian Ocean.

Solution: C

The Yuva Sangam initiative is a youth exchange program launched by the Government of India under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) program. The Ministry of Education is the nodal ministry for this initiative, which aims to strengthen people-to-people connections, especially among youth, across different states and Union Territories of India.

Key Objectives of the Yuva Sangam Initiative:

• Strengthening National Unity and Integrity: To foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural, social, and economic diversity of India, thereby strengthening the spirit of national integration.
• Promoting Cultural Exchange: To provide youth with an immersive experience of the rich heritage, culture, customs, and traditions of different states and UTs.
• Enhancing People-to-People Connect: To build empathy and strong relationships between the youth of various states through direct interaction and exchange.
• Experiential Learning: To provide first-hand exposure to the development, achievements, and unique aspects of the host state, aligning with the principles of experiential learning emphasized in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Multi-dimensional Exposure (The 5 Ps): Participants gain exposure in five broad areas:
  • Paryatan (Tourism): Exploring the natural beauty and tourist attractions of the host state.
  • Parampara (Traditions): Understanding the local customs, rituals, and cultural practices.
  • Pragati (Development): Observing the progress and developmental landmarks of the state.
  • Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect): Interacting with local youth, communities, and notable personalities.
  • Prodyogiki (Technology): Learning about the technological advancements and industrial progress of the state.
• Creating a Learning Ecosystem: To facilitate the exchange of best practices and knowledge between the participating states.
• Youth Empowerment: To provide opportunities for youth to develop leadership, communication, and other soft skills through workshops and interactions.
• Showcasing Achievements: To highlight the recent achievements and unique aspects of the host state to the visiting youth.