UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 21 April 2026

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct: Exposure to nanoplastics triggers a cascade of toxicological effects, including cellular senescence (aggravated cellular aging). In this state, cells remain metabolically active but stop dividing, often secreting factors that cause chronic inflammation in surrounding tissues.
• Statement 2 is correct: Nanoplastics interact directly with immune cells (like macrophages). This interaction can trigger an immune response, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Nanoplastics are not easily metabolized. In fact, they are highly persistent. Because of their small size and ability to enter cells and bypass biological barriers, they tend to accumulate in tissues and organs over time (bioaccumulation) rather than being rapidly excreted. Their long-term persistence in the body is one of the primary reasons for concern regarding chronic health effects.

Solution: C

• Statement I is correct. The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh became India’s 13th site to be included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
• Statement II is correct. The reserve covers approximately 7,770 sq km and includes high-altitude protected areas such as Pin Valley National Park, Kibber, and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Statement III is correct. The Snow Leopard is indeed the flagship species and the apex predator of this trans-Himalayan ecosystem, preying on mountain ungulates like the Himalayan Ibex and Blue Sheep. I

Solution: D

• Genetic research by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) found that the broad black stripes are caused by a missense mutation in the Taqpep gene.
• Statement 2 is correct; it is called “pseudo-melanism” because the black stripes broaden and merge rather than making the entire coat black.
• Statement 3 is correct. Because Simlipal is a small and isolated population (the nearest source is 500 km away), genetic drift and inbreeding have caused this rare mutation to become highly frequent, appearing in nearly 37% of the resident tigers.

This genetic isolation makes the population a “tiger island,” which risks genetic collapse or a “bottleneck” where deleterious alleles can become fixed. While the striking appearance of the black tigers is a symbol of the reserve’s unique biodiversity, conservationists are concerned about their long-term viability. To address this, experts have recommended improving genetic diversity by introducing tigers from other unrelated populations and making regional tiger corridors functional to allow for natural gene flow.

Solution: D

• The Darien Gap is a 60-mile stretch of mountainous rainforest and swampland on the border between Colombia and Panama. It is the only break in the Pan-American Highway, which otherwise runs from Alaska to Argentina. Despite its reputation as one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth, it has become a major route for irregular migration toward the United States.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is correct; Heeng is an oleo-gum resin obtained primarily from the taproot and stem of the Ferula species. It is a perennial plant that requires a gestation period of five years before it can be tapped for resin.

Statement 2 is incorrect because Heeng is a cold desert crop. It thrives in cold, arid environments with temperatures between 10-20°C and low annual rainfall (200-300 mm). Excessive moisture and heat are detrimental to the plant, which is why it is dormant during the monsoon.

Solution: A

• DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla), developed by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, and Pusa DST Rice 1, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, are India’s first genome-edited rice varieties released for cultivation. They were created using Site-Directed Nuclease-1 (SDN-1) technology, which enables precise edits in the plant’s own DNA without inserting foreign genetic material. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Under India’s regulatory framework (2022 guidelines), SDN-1 and SDN-2 genome-edited crops that do not contain transgenes are exempted from the stringent approval process applicable to conventional Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Hence, they do not require mandatory clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) like transgenic crops such as Bt cotton.

Solution: B

• Industry 5.0 is an evolution of Industry 4.0 that adds a social and environmental dimension to technological progress.
• Statement 1 is correct because its defining feature is “human-centricity,” which views technology as a tool to augment human creativity and skill rather than simply a cost-cutting measure.
• Statement 2 is correct as Industry 5.0 introduces “resilience” as a core industrial value, acknowledging that hyper-efficient, “just-in-time” supply chains are vulnerable to global disruptions; it encourages “just-in-case” flexibility.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because Industry 5.0 leverages AI and robotics—specifically “cobots” (collaborative robots)—to work alongside humans. It does not reject AI but shifts its role from replacing humans to collaborating with humans to handle complex, personalized tasks that require both robotic precision and human ingenuity. This shift also integrates sustainability, making industries part of the solution to climate change.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. The NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) programme is implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development. It has been launched as a pilot initiative to improve the accuracy and reliability of urban land records using modern geospatial technologies.
• Statement 2 is correct. The programme utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery, drone surveys, and advanced geospatial mapping techniques to create precise digital land records. The objective is to modernize land administration in urban habitations, reduce property disputes, and enable better urban planning and governance.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The programme is not limited to agricultural land in peri-urban areas. Instead, it specifically focuses on urban and semi-urban habitations, mapping residential, commercial, and other property parcels to establish clear ownership and improve municipal land management.

Solution: A

• A Biofoundry is a facility or platform that integrates automation and high-throughput technologies to streamline the design-build-test-learn cycle of biological systems.
• Biomanufacturing is the broader application of biological systems (cells, enzymes, microbes) to produce commercial goods, ranging from life-saving drugs to bioplastics.
• Synthetic Biology is the scientific discipline that provides the toolkit for these processes, allowing researchers to engineer organisms with specific desired traits. These concepts are now being used as precision tools for national development and well-being.
• The Biofoundry network is intended to strengthen indigenous manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported bio-based components.

Solution: D

• The term “Orange Economy” refers to the creative economy, encompassing industries where imagination, talent, and original ideas are the main drivers of value. This includes music, film, fashion, animation, gaming, and digital content creation.
• The “Orange” designation is used internationally to represent the creative sector, and the Prime Minister declared WAVES 2025 as the dawn of India’s Orange Economy, aiming to make India a global creative hub.
• It is a sector that thrives on human expression rather than factories or machines and is recognized as an engine of inclusive growth and employment, particularly for youth and women. In 2025, India’s creative economy contributed around $30 billion to the GDP.