Daily Current Affairs 2025  

21/12/2025

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CA-21/12/2025

Contents
1. Hainan island
2. National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme
3. Rajaji national park
4. Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs)
5. TIDE 2.0 Scheme
6. Jiyo Parsi Scheme
7. Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly
8. ICGS Amulya
9. Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)
10. Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs)
11. Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile System
12. Autophagy
13. Tundra ecosystem

 

 
Why in news?
Hainan, a tropical island province in southern China with Haikou as its capital, became a distinct customs supervision zone on December 18, 2025. It has been made a special customs zone so that  goods from other countries can enter Hainan easily with very few checks. Sending goods from Hainan to mainland China is more tightly controlled and if products are processed in Hainan and gain at least 30% extra value, they can go to mainland China without paying any duty.
 
About Hainan Island

• Location: Southernmost province of China, across the Qiongzhou Strait from mainland China, in the South China Sea.
• Size: Largest island administered by China, ~35,400 sq. km.
• Capital: Haikou, nicknamed “Coconut City”. Often called the “Hawaii of China
• Population: ~10 million.

Strategic & Geopolitical Importance

• South China Sea disputes: Hainan administers several smaller islands and reefs claimed by multiple countries. It is central to China’s maritime strategy.
• Military presence: China has naval bases here, strengthening its control over sea lanes and regional security.
• Trade hub: Recently separated for customs processing to attract investment and join trans-Pacific trade deals.
• Comparison with Hong Kong: China envisions Hainan as a new commercial hub with special economic zones.

 
 
   
Why in news?
The Ministry of MSME issued statements in December 2025 emphasizing NSSH's role in empowering SC/ST entrepreneurs via conclaves, Special Vendor Development Programmes (SVDPs), and social media outreach. 
 
Objectives

• Capacity Building: Provide skill development, training, and mentoring support.
• Financial Assistance: Facilitate credit and subsidies for SC/ST-owned enterprises.
• Market Linkages: Help SC/ST entrepreneurs access government procurement opportunities (mandated 4% procurement from SC/ST MSMEs).
• Awareness & Outreach: Conduct workshops, seminars, and campaigns to spread awareness about schemes and opportunities.
• Handholding Support: Assist in business registration, certification, and compliance

Key Benefits

• Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy: Offers 25% subsidy (up to ₹25 lakh) on plant and machinery for SC/ST-owned MSEs via institutional finance.​
• Capacity building: Fully sponsored training programs with toolkits upon completion.​
• Marketing support: Assistance for up to 4 domestic and 2 international trade fairs annually under Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS).​
• Registration aid: 100% subsidy for NSIC's Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS), with SC/ST MSEs paying only ₹100 plus GST.​
• Fee reimbursements: Covers 80% of bank loan processing fees (up to ₹1 lakh), e-commerce portal memberships (up to ₹25,000), and short-term training at top NIRF institutions (90% up to ₹1 lakh).​

Challenges & Considerations

• Awareness Gap: Many SC/ST entrepreneurs remain unaware of the scheme benefits.
• Credit Access Issues: Despite facilitation, banks often hesitate to lend to first-generation entrepreneurs.
• Capacity Utilization: Training programs need stronger alignment with industry demands.
• Procurement Barriers: Bureaucratic hurdles sometimes limit SC/ST participation in government tenders.

 
 
   
About
Rajaji National Park is a prominent tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand, India, renowned for its biodiversity in the Shivalik Hills. Named after freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari, it spans the districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal.​
 
Key Facts

• Location: Uttarakhand, India (districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal)
• Nearest Cities: Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun
• Area: 820.5 km²
• Established: 1983 (National Park), 2015 (Tiger Reserve)
• Formed by merging: Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji sanctuaries
• Governing Body: Uttarakhand Forest Department
• The Ganga River flows through it for 25 kilometers, dividing the terrain into western (Rajaji and Motichur) and eastern (Chilla) sections, at elevations from 300 to 1,400 meters.​

Wildlife Highlights

• Major Species: Tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, Himalayan black bears, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, and over 400 bird species.
• Special Feature: Positioned in the transition zone between the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Shiwalik hills, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

 
   
Why in news?
Antariksh Prayogshala, or Space Labs, is a new initiative by IN-SPACe to establish advanced space technology laboratories at up to seven academic institutions across India. Announced in mid-December 2025, it aims to provide hands-on training for students, foster industry-academia collaboration, and build a skilled workforce for India's growing space sector.​
 
Basic concept

• Antariksh Prayogshala is conceived as a network of advanced space labs inside colleges and universities offering space-tech and allied courses.​
• It aims to translate classroom learning into practical capabilities in areas like satellite systems, payloads, space communication, and related technologies.​

Implementing agency and coverage

• The scheme is an initiative of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the nodal body under the Department of Space for promoting non-governmental entities in the space sector.​
• Up to seven institutions, one from each major geographic zone of India, will be selected in phases to host these labs, ensuring balanced regional representation.​

• IN-SPACe will provide up to 75% of the project cost, capped at about ₹5 crore per institution, with funds released in a milestone-linked manner.​

Objectives and significance

• The initiative targets capacity building by providing structured, hands-on training to students and creating a skilled talent pool for India’s expanding private space sector.​
• It is designed to strengthen industry–academia linkages, support applied research and early-stage innovation, and advance India’s long-term vision of becoming a leading global space economy.​

 
 
   
Why in news?
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Rajya Sabha on December 19, 2025, that 1,706 startups have been supported via 51 incubators in higher learning and R&D institutions nationwide. These startups show strong performance, including revenue growth, funding raises, and 1,672 IP/patent filings by 638 of them.​
 
Objectives

• The scheme strengthens tech startups in eight key societal areas: healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion (including digital payments), infrastructure and transportation, environment and clean tech, clean energy, and other emerging domains.
• It follows a lifecycle approach, aiding from idea validation to product scaling through incubators.​

Key Features

• Financial & Technical Support: Provides grants to incubators, which in turn support startups.
• Focus Areas: Emerging technologies – AI, IoT, Blockchain, Robotics, AR/VR, Cybersecurity.
• Implementation:
  • Empowering 51 incubators across India.
  • Target to handhold ~2000 tech startups over 5 years.
• MeitY Startup Hub (MSH): Acts as a central platform to connect incubators, Centres of Excellence, and collaborative networks.
• Lifecycle Support: From idea stage → prototype → product development → testing → scaling

Risks & Challenges

• Funding sustainability: Dependence on government grants.
• Regional imbalance: Most incubators concentrated in urban areas.
• Scalability issues: Many startups fail to move beyond prototype stage.
• Global competition: Need to match international innovation ecosystems.

 
   
Why in news?
A 2025 evaluation by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) found the scheme largely successful in reaching its target population, with near-universal acknowledgment of its role in boosting Parsi numbers. 
 
About Jiyo Parsi Scheme

• Launched: 2013–14
• Implemented by: A Central Sector initiative by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in collaboration with the Parzor Foundation
• Objective: To reverse the declining trend of the Parsi population in India by adopting scientific protocols and structured interventions.
• Target Group: The small Zoroastrian Parsi community, whose numbers have been steadily shrinking

Key Components

• Medical Assistance: Financial aid up to Rs 30 lakh annual family income for infertility treatments like IVF, pregnancy, and newborn care under standard protocols.​
• Health of Community: Monthly support (e.g., Rs 4,000 per child under 8 or elderly dependent) for childcare and elder care, capped at Rs 15 lakh family income.​
• Advocacy: Counseling, workshops, seminars, and media campaigns to raise fertility awareness and reduce socio-cultural barriers.​

Significance

• The primary goal is to stabilize and increase the Parsi population, which dropped from 114,000 in 1941 to about 57,000 by 2011, by tackling low fertility, late marriages, and migration.
• It promotes early marriage, larger families, and cultural preservation while providing economic incentives.

Challenges & Criticisms

• Limited reach: Only benefits those willing to participate; some Parsis remain hesitant.
• Cultural sensitivities: Advocacy campaigns sometimes face resistance due to traditional norms.
• Scale of impact: While helpful, the scheme alone may not be sufficient to reverse long-term demographic decline.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Armenia recently unveiled the logo for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), featuring the Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly at its center. This species, endemic to Armenia, highlights local biodiversity ahead of the 2026 conference in Yerevan.
 
Key Facts About the Erivan Anomalous Blue

• Scientific name: Polyommatus eriwanensis
• Family: Lycaenidae (the blues)
• Endemic range: Southern Transcaucasia, specifically Armenia, around Yerevan
• Habitat: Calcareous grasslands at elevations of 1,200–2,200 metres
• Lifecycle: One generation per year; adults are active mid-June to mid-July
• Larval host plant: Still unknown, which complicates conservation efforts
• First described by Walter Forster in 1960, with a wingspan of 28-32 mm
• Conservation status:
  • Not listed in global or European IUCN Red Lists
  • Listed as Endangered in Armenia’s Red Book of Animals (2010)

Significance

• Symbolism: Armenia chose the Erivan Anomalous Blue as the official logo for COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), highlighting its ecological and cultural importance.
• Rarity: Its extremely limited distribution makes it vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change.
• Knowledge gap: The fact that its host plant is unknown means scientists cannot fully assess its ecological needs, making conservation strategies harder to design.

Conservation Challenges

• Habitat degradation from agriculture and urban expansion threatens its survival.
• Climate sensitivity due to its narrow elevation range.
• Research gaps (host plant unknown) hinder targeted conservation.

 
   
Why in news?
ICGS Amulya is a fast patrol vessel recently commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard. It represents a key advancement in India's indigenous maritime security capabilities.​
 
Key Facts

• Commissioned: 19 December 2025 at Goa.
• Class: Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV).
• Series: Third in a planned fleet of eight FPVs.
• Builder: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Indigenous Content: Over 60%, aligning with Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Name Meaning: Amulya = “Priceless.”
• 51-meter vessel features over 60% indigenous content, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. 

Capabilities: Surveillance and patrolling, Search and rescue (SAR), Anti-smuggling missions, Pollution response, Maritime law enforcement
 
Strategic Importance

• Maritime Security: Enhances coastal surveillance, especially along the eastern seaboard.
• Indigenisation: Demonstrates India’s progress in defence self-reliance.
• Operational Readiness: Rapid response capability for dynamic maritime challenges.
• Environmental Role: Pollution response systems highlight India’s commitment to clean seas.

 
 
   
Why in news?
The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) is a newly announced statutory body in India aimed at enhancing maritime security for ports, vessels, and related infrastructure. It addresses rising threats including cybersecurity risks along the country's coastline. 
 
About

• Announced: December 2025
• Need: Rising maritime threats, smuggling, piracy, cyber-attacks on port IT systems, and vulnerabilities in India’s 11,098 km coastline.
• Legal Basis: Constituted under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025

Key Functions

• Conducts regulatory oversight, security audits, and policy development for port and ship safety.
• Ensures timely collection, analysis, and exchange of security intelligence, with a dedicated cybersecurity division to protect port IT systems.
• Implements graded, risk-based security measures based on vulnerabilities, trade potential, and location.​

Strategic Importance

• Maritime Security: Strengthens India’s port safety architecture against smuggling, terrorism, and piracy.
• Cyber Defence: Dedicated division for digital threats to port IT systems.
• Trade Facilitation: Ensures secure operations for India’s growing maritime trade.
• Integrated Security: Complements Navy (blue-water security) and Coast Guard (coastal defence).

 
 
   
Why in news?
India's Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) have expanded to 47 operational units, covering 87% of the country's area for enhanced real-time monitoring and forecasting of weather events like cyclones and heavy rain. Recent parliamentary updates highlight installations in Himalayan regions such as Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh to improve coverage in hilly terrains. The government plans further deployments under Mission Mausam to achieve full coverage and replace aging radars.​
 
About Doppler weather radar

• Doppler weather radar is a specialized radar used to detect rain and storm structure and to measure the motion of precipitation particles in the atmosphere.
• It is a key tool for short‑range weather forecasting and severe weather warnings.​

Basic principle

• Radar transmits pulses of radio waves that hit raindrops, snow, or hail and are scattered back to the antenna.​
• The time taken for the echo to return gives the distance, and the strength of the returned signal gives the intensity of precipitation (shown as reflectivity in dBZ on radar images).​

Specialized Doppler radars

• Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) near major airports focuses on low‑level wind shear, microbursts, and hazardous winds along approach and departure paths.​
• Airborne tail Doppler radar on research aircraft provides 3‑D “CAT‑scan” views of storms, supporting detailed analysis of hurricane structure and intensity.​

Applications

• Cyclone Tracking: Early warning for coastal states.
• Monsoon Forecasting: Real-time rainfall measurement.
• Disaster Management: Alerts for floods, cloudbursts, and landslides.
• Aviation Safety: Detects wind shear and turbulence.
• Agriculture: Helps farmers with rainfall prediction.

Advantages

• High accuracy in short-term forecasts.
• Real-time monitoring of extreme weather events.
• Supports disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Limitations

• Coverage gaps in remote areas (e.g., Northeast).
• High installation and maintenance costs.
• Limited range (~500 km per radar).
• Signal attenuation during heavy rainfall.

 
 
Why in news?
The U.S. Army and Navy completed integrated testing of Dark Eagle in late 2025, with successful end-to-end flights demonstrating glide and range capabilities, though full operational effectiveness against threat scenarios remains unproven per Pentagon testers. 
 
Key Facts About Dark Eagle

• Name & Program: Officially the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), nicknamed Dark Eagle.
• Developers: Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are leading its development.
• Deployment: Entered U.S. Army service in 2023; U.S. Navy plans a ship/submarine-launched variant under the Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) program.
• Range: Up to 3,500 km (2,175 miles).
• Speed: Hypersonic, Mach 5+ (over 6,100 km/h).
• Launch Platform: Trailer-mounted, ground-based launchers; future naval integration planned.
• Warhead: Conventional (non-nuclear), relying on kinetic energy and velocity rather than explosive yield.
• Purpose: Designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems (like Russia’s S-500) and deliver rapid strikes against high-value targets.

Strategic Significance

• Game-Changer in Warfare: Its speed and maneuverability make interception extremely difficult, shifting the balance in missile defense and deterrence.
• Global Arms Race: The U.S. is racing against Russia and China, who are also developing hypersonic weapons. Dark Eagle’s deployment signals a new era of strategic competition.
• Non-Nuclear Doctrine: Unlike Cold War-era deterrence, Dark Eagle emphasizes precision conventional strikes without nuclear escalation.

Risks & Challenges

• Interception Uncertainty: Russia claims its S-500 can intercept hypersonic missiles, but experts doubt real-world effectiveness.
• Escalation Potential: Hypersonic weapons reduce reaction times to minutes, raising risks of miscalculation in crises.
• Cost: Estimated unit cost is $41 million per missile, making it an expensive but powerful tool.

 
   
Why in news?
Researchers discovered autophagy regulates mitochondrial inheritance in CD8+ T cells during asymmetric cell division, promoting long-lived memory cells by clearing old mitochondria. In aged or autophagy-deficient mice, this process fails, leading to symmetric inheritance of damaged mitochondria and reduced immune memory. These insights suggest targeting autophagy could enhance vaccine responses in older adults.​
 
About Autophagy

• Meaning: From Greek auto (self) + phagy (eating). It literally means “self-eating.”
• Definition: A cellular process where cells degrade and recycle their own components to maintain health.
• Mechanism: Damaged organelles and proteins are enclosed in vesicles (autophagosomes), fused with lysosomes, and broken down for reuse.

Types of Autophagy
 

Type	Description	Example
Macroautophagy	Damaged organelles enclosed in double-membrane vesicles	Removal of defective mitochondria
Microautophagy	Direct engulfing of cytoplasmic material by lysosomes	Small protein degradation
Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy (CMA)	Specific proteins recognized and transported into lysosomes	Targeted protein recycling
Selective Autophagy	Specialized forms like mitophagy (mitochondria), lipophagy (lipids), pexophagy (peroxisomes)	Energy regulation

 
Triggers and Regulation

• Nutrient deprivation, such as fasting or calorie restriction, strongly induces autophagy by shifting cells into survival mode, recycling internal resources.
• Other stressors like hypoxia, exercise, or ketogenic diets also promote it, though excessive activation can lead to cell death forms like autosis.
• Key genes like ATG7 and proteins such as ULK1, PINK1, and Parkin control initiation and specificity.​

Importance of Autophagy

• Cell Health: Prevents accumulation of toxic proteins and damaged organelles.
• Disease Linkages: Disruption leads to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and cancer progression.
• Immunity: Helps defend against infections by removing pathogens.
• Research & Current Affairs: In Dec 2025, Indian researchers discovered a new regulator (exocyst protein complex) in autophagy, opening therapeutic possibilities.

Risks & Challenges

• Disruption of Autophagy: Leads to accumulation of waste in neurons, causing neurodegeneration.
• Cancer Connection: Autophagy can both suppress and promote tumor growth depending on context.
• Therapeutic Targeting: Manipulating autophagy for treatment is complex and may have unintended side effects.

 
   
Why in news?
Recent studies highlight unprecedented wildfires and vegetation shifts in tundra ecosystems, driven by climate change, with fires in Arctic Alaska exceeding levels from the past 3,000 years. Tundra greenness is increasing across much of the Arctic due to warming, though localized declines occur from disturbances like fires. These changes impact carbon storage, wildlife, and permafrost stability.​
The
 
Key Characteristics

• Tundra ecosystem is a treeless biome found in the Arctic and alpine regions, marked by extreme cold, permafrost, short growing seasons, and unique adaptations of flora and fauna.
• Tundra features long, cold winters with temperatures averaging -34°C to -6°C and short summers of 50-60 days where daytime highs reach 3-12°C.
• Permafrost, a permanently frozen soil layer, prevents deep root growth and drainage, creating wet, boggy surfaces despite low precipitation (less than 25 cm annually, often as snow).
• High winds, low biodiversity, and nutrient scarcity from slow decomposition define this treeless plain.​

Types of Tundra

• Arctic tundra encircles the North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere, with desert-like dryness and prolonged daylight in summer.
• Alpine tundra occurs on mountaintops worldwide above the timberline, featuring well-drained soils and species like tussock grasses.
• Antarctic tundra exists minimally on coastal Antarctica, lacking the full biotic diversity of northern counterparts.​

Flora and Fauna

• Vegetation includes low shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens, which hug the ground to withstand wind and cold.
• Animals exhibit adaptations like thick fur, hibernation, or migration; examples include caribou, arctic foxes, lemmings, snowy owls, and polar bears as top predators.
• Primary producers form simple food webs with herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers like fungi and bacteria recycling scarce nutrients.​

Ecological Importance

• Tundra soils store vast carbon reserves as a sink, but warming thaws permafrost, releasing methane and CO2, amplifying climate change.
• It influences global albedo by reflecting sunlight and supports migratory species vital to broader ecosystems.​

Threats to Tundra Ecosystem

• Climate Change: Melting permafrost → release of greenhouse gases.
• Industrial Activities: Oil drilling, mining.
• Pollution: Affects fragile flora and fauna.
• Biodiversity Loss: Species highly vulnerable due to narrow adaptations

 
 
 
 
Question & Answer
 
 
Question 1. The Antariksh Prayogshala initiative, managed by IN-SPACe, aims primarily to achieve which of the following objectives across academic institutions?
 
Select your answer:
A) To centralize all ISRO mission control activities to a single geographic zone.
B) To provide structured, hands-on training and strengthen industry-academia linkages in space technology.
C) To fund only theoretical Ph.D. research in aerospace engineering over large-scale physical labs.
D) To promote governmental competition among universities for satellite manufacturing contracts.
 
Explanation: (B)
Antariksh Prayogshala is designed to build capacity by providing structured, hands-on training and strengthening industry-academia linkages to create a skilled talent pool for the space sector.
 
 
Question 2. The commissioning of ICGS Amulya, an Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel, aligns closely with which overarching national policy objective of the Government of India?
 
Select your answer:
A) Sagarmala Programme focused on port modernization.
B) Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives in defence manufacturing.
C) Project Seabird dedicated to naval base expansion.
D) Blue Economy framework prioritizing international joint patrols.
 
Explanation: (B)
ICGS Amulya, built by GSL, features over 60% indigenous content, directly aligning it with the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Make in India in the defence sector.
 
 
Question 3. The recent expansion of India's Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network, including installations in Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh, primarily addresses which challenge in meteorological observation?
 
Select your answer:
A) Overcoming signal attenuation issues inherent in tropical cyclone tracking.
B) Improving real-time monitoring and short-range warnings in high-altitude/hilly terrains.
C) Replacing older satellite-based observation systems entirely across the country.
D) Providing long-range forecasting capabilities beyond the standard 500 km range.
 
Explanation: (B)
The context explicitly mentions recent installations in Himalayan regions like Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh to improve coverage and enhance forecasting in hilly terrains, which traditionally pose challenges for radar deployment.
 
 
Question 4. The ecological importance of the Tundra ecosystem in the context of global climate regulation is fundamentally linked to the presence of which geological feature?
 
Select your answer:
A) Extensive, deep-rooted coniferous forests acting as carbon sinks.
B) Vast carbon reserves stored within the permanently frozen layer known as permafrost.
C) High levels of atmospheric moisture leading to significant evaporative cooling effects.
D) Rapid decomposition rates allowing for swift nutrient cycling.
 
Explanation: (B)
Tundra soils store vast carbon reserves. The key threat highlighted is that the warming thaws the permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer), releasing methane and CO2, amplifying climate change.
 
 
Question 5. The Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly was chosen as the logo for the CBD COP17, hosted by Armenia, primarily because it symbolizes which aspect of global biodiversity concern?
 
Select your answer:
A) The success of large-scale captive breeding programs in stabilizing vulnerable populations.
B) Its widespread geographical distribution across multiple continents.
C) The challenges posed by extremely limited distribution and knowledge gaps hindering specific conservation efforts.
D) The resilience of species adapted to urban environments and pollution.
 
Explanation: (C)
The Erivan Anomalous Blue is endemic to a small range (Armenia), making it vulnerable. The fact that its host plant is unknown also highlights the knowledge gaps that complicate conservation, making it a fitting symbol for biodiversity challenges.
 

Question 6. The TIDE 2.0 Scheme focuses on nurturing technology startups across eight key societal areas. Which of the following pairings accurately reflects two of these targeted domains?
 
Select your answer:
A) Space Exploration and Defense Manufacturing
B) Financial Inclusion and Environment/Clean Tech
C) Advanced Robotics and Quantum Computing only
D) Biotechnology Research and Export Promotion
 
Explanation: (B)
TIDE 2.0 focuses on societal areas including healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, infrastructure, environment and clean tech, and clean energy. Option (b) correctly lists two of these domains.
 
 
Question 7. The Jiyo Parsi Scheme, launched in 2013-14, operates under which administrative ministry and employs what primary strategy to address demographic decline?
 
Select your answer:
A) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; focusing exclusively on increasing marriage age.
B) Ministry of Minority Affairs; utilizing structured medical assistance and fertility interventions.
C) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; providing large-scale housing subsidies.
D) Ministry of External Affairs; encouraging return migration through diplomatic channels.
 
Explanation: (B)
The Jiyo Parsi Scheme is a Central Sector initiative by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, implemented to reverse population decline through scientific protocols and structured interventions, including financial aid for infertility treatments and newborn care.
 
 
Question 8. Hainan Island, recently established as a distinct customs supervision zone by China, is strategically significant due to which primary economic feature designed to boost its status as a commercial hub?
 
Select your answer:
A) Total abolition of import duties for all goods entering the zone, regardless of re-export.
B) Exemption from duties for goods processed in Hainan and achieving at least a 30% value addition before entering mainland China.
C) Mandatory establishment of high-tech manufacturing units only, with zero tax liability for ten years.
D) Exclusive rights to trade in strategic defense materials without any oversight from mainland Chinese authorities.
 
Explanation: (B)
Hainan was made a special customs zone where goods gaining at least 30% extra value through processing can enter mainland China without duty, making option (b) the correct distinguishing economic feature.
 
 
Question 9. Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand is ecologically significant due to its location in the transition zone between the Indo-Gangetic plains and which major Himalayan sub-range?
 
Select your answer:
A) Himadri Range
B) Lesser Himalayas (Himachal)
C) Shivalik Hills
D) Trans-Himalayan Zone
 
Explanation: (C)
Rajaji National Park is renowned for its biodiversity located in the transition zone between the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Shivalik Hills.
 
 
Question 10. Recent studies involving Autophagy in CD8+ T cells suggest a potential link between this cellular recycling process and which physiological outcome relevant to public health?
 
Select your answer:
A) Regulation of blood glucose levels in the liver.
B) The efficiency and longevity of immune memory responses in aging populations.
C) The primary mechanism for neurotransmitter synthesis in the central nervous system.
D) Direct control over embryonic stem cell differentiation.
 
Explanation: (B)
The news highlights that autophagy regulates mitochondrial inheritance in T cells, which promotes long-lived memory cells. Failure in this process in aged mice reduces immune memory, suggesting targeting autophagy could enhance vaccine responses in older adults.
 
 
Question 11. What is the primary strategic characteristic of the Dark Eagle Hypersonic Weapon System (LRHW) that distinguishes it significantly from traditional ballistic missiles in terms of defense penetration?
 
Select your answer:
A) Its reliance on nuclear warheads to ensure deterrence across extended ranges.
B) Its ability to travel exclusively in sub-orbital trajectories, making detection impossible.
C) Its hypersonic speed (Mach 5+) combined with maneuverability, severely complicating interception by advanced air defense systems.
D) Its launch capability exclusively from submerged nuclear submarines for covert deployment.
 
Explanation: (C)
Dark Eagle's strategic significance lies in its speed (Mach 5+) and maneuverability, making interception extremely difficult, thereby enhancing its capability to penetrate advanced air defense systems.
 
 
Question 12. The newly announced statutory Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) in India derives its legal basis for operation from which specific legislation?
 
Select your answer:
A) The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2025 Amendment.
B) Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
C) The Information Technology Act, 2000, relating to cyber security.
D) The National Security Act, 1980.
 
Explanation: (B)
The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) is constituted under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, giving it statutory authority.
 
 
Question 13. What specific mechanism does the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme utilize to help SC/ST entrepreneurs access broader markets, as mandated under government policy?
 
Select your answer:
A) Direct financial grants equivalent to 10% of annual turnover.
B) A mandatory minimum procurement target from SC/ST-owned MSMEs by Central Ministries and Departments.
C) Subsidies covering 90% of export-related customs duties for all international shipments.
D) Guaranteed placement in government infrastructure projects exceeding Rs 500 crore.
 
Explanation: (B)
The NSSH scheme helps SC/ST entrepreneurs access government procurement opportunities, which includes the mandatory requirement for Central Ministries to procure a certain percentage (4% mentioned in context) from SC/ST MSMEs.
 
 
 

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