Daily Current Affairs UPSC: News Based MCQs Quiz | 26th August 2025

Answer: (A) 1 only

Detailed Explanation

Answer: (D) None of the Above

Detailed Explanation

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Detailed Explanation

• There are four cultivated species of cotton viz. Gossypium arboreum, G. herbaceum, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. The first two species are diploid (2n=26) and are native to old world.
• They are also known as Asiatic cottons because they are grown in Asia. The last two species are tetraploid (2n=52) and are also referred to as New World Cottons.
• G. hirsutum is also known as American cotton or upland cotton and G. barbadense as Egyptian cotton or Sea Island cotton or Peruvian Cotton or Tanguish Cotton or quality cotton.
• G. hirsutum is the predominant species which alone contributes about 90% to the global production. Perhaps, India is the only country in the world where all the four cultivated species are grown on a commercial scale.
• Cotton, a semi-xerophyte, is grown in tropical & sub tropical conditions. A minimum temperature of 15oC is required for better germination at field conditions.
• The optimum temperature for vegetative growth is 21-27oC & it can tolerate temperature to the extent of 43oC but temperature below 21oC is detrimental to the crop.
• Warm days of cool nights with large diurnal variations during the period of fruiting are conducive to good boll & fibre development.
• Cotton is grown on a variety of soils ranging from well drained deep alluvial soils in the north to black clayey soils of varying depth in central region and in black and mixed black and red soils in south zone.
• Cotton is semi-tolerant to salinity and sensitive to water logging and thus prefers well drained soils.

Answer: (D) Tunisia

Detailed Explanation

Answer: (B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation

• Udaygiri was laid down in December 2017, launched in May 2022, and delivered in July 2025 — a record completion time of just 37 months.

Features:

• The frigate displaces around 6,700 tonnes and features advanced stealth design to reduce radar, infrared and acoustic signatures.
• It is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system using both diesel engines and gas turbines.
• Its formidable armament includes BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles, Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm main gun, close-in weapon systems, and advanced anti-submarine warfare weaponry.
• With about 75 percent indigenous content, the ship also incorporates an Integrated Platform Management System and advanced locally sourced sensors and weapons. Udaygiri’s construction involved over 200 MSMEs, creating nearly 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs, and is seen as a significant contribution to the Make in India initiative.