UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 31 March 2026

Solution: D

• De-extinction is a pioneering field in conservation biology and synthetic genetics aimed at reviving extinct species using techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, cloning, and ancient DNA sequencing.
• The process involves retrieving and reconstructing the genome of extinct species from well-preserved specimens and inserting the sequences into closely related living organisms (surrogates).
• This science offers both hope and controversy: proponents argue it could help restore ecosystems, reintroduce apex predators like the Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus), and educate the public.
• Critics, however, raise concerns about ethical issues, habitat incompatibility, and the diversion of resources from protecting endangered species.
• De-extinction is not simply “bringing back” life but is a multidisciplinary effort bridging genetics, paleobiology, conservation ecology, and policy.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Accommodative stance involves lowering real interest rates, not raising them.
• Statement 2 is correct. Instruments like Long-Term Repo Operations (LTROs) and Open Market Operations (OMOs) inject liquidity, aligning with accommodative policy.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. It is used during weak growth and supply-side shocks, not demand-side inflation, which requires tightening to prevent overheating.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Pobitora has the highest density (approx. 107 rhinos in just 16 sq. km), but Kaziranga has the largest population (~2,613).
• Statement 2 is correct. Rhinos are habitat specialists, preferring alluvial floodplains, swamps, and wet grasslands, rich in Saccharum and Vetiveria species.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The species is listed as Vulnerable, not Critically Endangered, on the IUCN Red List, reflecting recovery but continued threats.

Solution: C

• The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is strictly endemic to the montane (high-altitude) grasslands known as “shola-grassland ecosystems”, primarily above 1,200 meters in the Southern Western Ghats.
• These include high plateaus and cliffs across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, such as Eravikulam National Park, Mukurthi National Park, and parts of Silent Valley.
• This ecosystem features a mosaic of grassy meadows and patches of stunted evergreen forests (sholas)—offering both grazing and shelter.
• This species is not found in savannahs or floodplains, unlike the one-horned rhinoceros, nor does it inhabit lowland tropical forests or arid zones.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is correct. By lowering bond yields and borrowing costs, accommodative stance reduces interest payments on public debt, aiding fiscal management.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Crowding out happens under tight monetary policy, not accommodative.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Fiscal deficits are often high during accommodative periods; the stance is not contingent on revenue surplus.

• What is an Accommodative Stance?
  • An accommodative stance is a monetary policy approach adopted by central banks like the RBI to stimulate economic activity. It generally involves keeping interest rates low and ensuring ample liquidity in the system.
• When is it Adopted?

• • When economic growth slows or is below potential.
  • When inflation is low or within target range.
  • During periods needing boosts in consumption, investment, and employment.
  • In response to financial shocks or global economic uncertainties.

• Objectives of the Accommodative Stance:

• • Promote credit flow and private investment.
  • Encourage borrowing and spending by lowering the cost of capital.
  • Revive demand in the economy.
  • Ensure liquidity support to stressed sectors.

• Tools Used by RBI under Accommodative Stance:

• • Reducing Repo Rate: Lowers borrowing cost for commercial banks.
  • Open Market Operations (OMOs): RBI purchases government securities to inject liquidity.
  • Long-Term Repo Operations (LTROs): Provide longer-term liquidity at low rates.
  • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) adjustments: Temporarily reduce CRR to enhance bank liquidity.
  • Moral Suasion & Regulatory Forbearance: RBI nudges banks to increase lending.

• Implications on the Indian Economy:

• • Boosts consumption and investment, driving GDP growth.
  • Reduces interest burden on borrowers.
  • May lead to asset price inflation if excess liquidity persists.
  • If prolonged, it may fuel inflationary pressures and weaken the rupee.
  • Supports employment generation in the short term.

Solution: B

• Jyotiba Phule was the first leader to use the term “Dalit” for oppressed communities, laying the foundation for anti-caste movements.
• He co-founded the Bombay Millhands Association with Narayan Meghaji Lokhande for workers’ rights and authored Gulamgiri, a powerful critique of caste oppression.
• He also proposed the use of military labor for building bunds and dams to alleviate rural distress.
• Statement 2 is incorrect—Phule supported widow remarriage and established orphanages for widows’ children.
• He also founded India’s first school for girls in 1848 along with Savitribai Phule.

Solution: D

• The Fortaleza Declaration, adopted at the 6th BRICS Summit in 2014 in Brazil, provided the legal basis for establishing the New Development Bank (NDB).
• While the idea was first proposed during the 2012 Delhi Summit, and later discussed in Durban (2013), it was the Fortaleza Summit that finalized the Articles of Agreement, authorized capital contributions, and outlined the institutional design.
• The NDB formally came into existence in July 2015 and began operations from Shanghai, China.

Solution: B

• Blue Category industries are defined by non-hazardous operations and minimal air/water pollution, meaning they should not produce toxic effluents or hazardous waste, a core inclusion criterion.
• They are regulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which empowers CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to implement zoning, consent, and classification.
• Their classification also supports implementation of Sustainable Waste Management Rules, 2016, promoting reuse, segregation, composting, biomethanation, and recovery.
• However, Statement 2 is incorrect—automatic environmental clearance is not granted to Blue Category industries.
• Though less polluting, they must still obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO), albeit with relaxed timelines.

Solution: C

Statement-I is correct. The ICC was established under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.

Statement-II is incorrect. The ICC does not have universal jurisdiction. Its jurisdiction is limited to crimes committed within member states, by nationals of member states, or in cases referred by the UN Security Council.

Solution: A

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Bhimbetka rock shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are an archaeological treasure showcasing prehistoric art and human evolution.

Statement 1 is correct, as the rock paintings depict a variety of scenes, including hunting, social life, rituals, and animals, offering insight into early human culture and activities.

Statement 2 is also correct, as Bhimbetka is located in the Vindhya Range near the Narmada Valley in Madhya Pradesh, an area known for its archaeological and geological significance.

Statement 3, however, is incorrect. The Bhimbetka rock shelters were discovered in the 20th century by Dr. Vishnu Wakankar and date back to the Mesolithic period and earlier. They are unrelated to the Indus Valley Civilization, which is a distinct and later Bronze Age culture.