Daily Current Affairs UPSC: News Based MCQs Quiz | 7th June 2025

Answer: (B) Only two

Detailed Explanation

Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 with focus on Critical Minerals, the amendment introduces Major Reforms in Mining Sector

1. Six Minerals omitted from list of Twelve Atomic Minerals (statement 1 is correct)

2. Central Government to exclusively auction Mineral Concessions for Critical Minerals; State Governments to get revenue (Statement 2 is correct)

3. Introduces Exploration Licence for deep-seated and Critical Minerals

4. Amendment expected to provide conducive legal environment for attracting FDI and junior mining companies

The MMDR Act, 1957 was comprehensively amended in 2015 to bring several reforms in the mineral sector, notably, mandating method of auction for grant of mineral concessions to bring transparency in allocation of mineral resources, for establishing District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for the welfare of the people and areas affected by mining and for establishing National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to give thrust to exploration and for ensuring stringent penalty for illegal mining. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Answer: (A) Only one

Detailed Explanation

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Detailed Explanation

‘Arnala’, the first of the eight ASW SWCs (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 08 May 25 at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.

The warship has been designed and constructed as per the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of GRSE with M/s L&T Shipyard, thus demonstrating the success of collaborative defence manufacturing.

Arnala is named after the historic fort ‘Arnala’ located off Vasai, Maharashtra, a reflection of India’s rich maritime heritage. (statement 1 is correct).

The 77 m long warship is the largest Indian Naval warship propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination. The ship has been designed for underwater surveillance, search & rescue operations and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). (statement 2 is correct).

The ship is capable of undertaking ASW operations in coastal waters, along with advanced mine laying capabilities. The induction of ASW SWC ships would significantly boost shallow water Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy.

Arnala’s delivery is yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s quest for indigenous shipbuilding and upholding the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ with over 80% indigenous content.

Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Detailed Explanation

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of 7 of the world’s advanced economies and the European Union. Its members meet annually at the G7 Summit to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues. (statement 1 is correct).

Timeline of G7

1975 – In 1975, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States formed the Group of Six to discuss how to respond to major economic concerns following the crisis.

1976 – A year later, Canada was invited to join the Group of Seven. (statement 2 is correct).

1980s – Starting in the 1980s, the G7 expanded its focus to international security, human rights and global stability.

Present – By the early 21st century, the G7 prioritized engagement with developing countries. The G7 has played a crucial role in strengthening international economic policies. It has advanced discussions on global issues such as climate change and gender equality, brought donors together and notably, supported disarmament programs. This commitment underscores the G7’s dedication to promoting global peace and security.

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Detailed Explanation

The interest rate that the RBI charges when commercial banks borrow money from it is called the repo rate. The interest rate the central bank pays commercial banks when they park their excess cash is called the reverse repo rate. A decreased RR will increase the cash flow in the market, cut the interest rate on loans and also decrease interest earned on savings by the depositors. (statement 1 is correct).

Section 45ZB of the RBI Act 1934: states that the Monetary Policy Committee shall determine the Policy Rate required to achieve the inflation target, and the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be binding on the Bank. (statement 2 is correct).

Additional Information:

Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target.

Section 45ZB states that the Monetary Policy Committee shall determine the Policy Rate required to achieve the inflation target, and the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be binding on the Bank.

Section 45ZB says the MPC shall consist of the RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, an officer of the Bank to be nominated by the Central Board and three persons to be appointed by the central government.

The last category of appointments must be from “persons of ability, integrity, and standing, having knowledge and experience in the field of economics or banking or finance or monetary policy”. (Section 45ZC)

Answer: (B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation

The first railway line in the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was built by the British in 1897 over a distance of 40-45 km between Jammu and Sialkot in the plains. (statement 1 is correct).

In 1902 and 1905. A railway line was proposed between Rawalpindi and Srinagar along the course of the Jhelum, which would have connected the Kashmir Valley with the railway network of undivided India. But Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir was in favour of a Jammu-Srinagar line via Reasi, and neither project progressed.

After Partition, Sialkot went to Pakistan, and Jammu was disconnected from the rail network of India. Until the inauguration of the Pathankot-Jammu line in 1975, the railway station nearest to Jammu and Kashmir was Pathankot in Punjab.

In 1983, work began on a railway line between Jammu and Udhampur. This 53-km line was supposed to be completed in five

years, but ultimately took 21 years. With work still underway, the central government announced, in 1994, the extension of this line from Udhampur to Srinagar, and onward to Baramulla.

This was the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, which was approved in March 1995 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore. (statement 2 is incorrect)

In 2002, the USBRI was declared as a national project and sections of the line became operational over the years that followed.

Answer: (D) None of the above

Detailed Explanation

Answer: (B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted on 17 July 1998 at a United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. The Statute establishes an international criminal court to try individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole and seeks to establish a fair and just international criminal justice system with competent and impartial judges and an independent prosecutor. Statement 1 is correct.

The Statute establishes a Court composed of the following organs: the Presidency; an Appeals Division; a Trial Division and a Pre-trial Division; the Office of the Prosecutor; and the Registry. Its judges are persons of high moral character and integrity and in their selection the States Parties take into account the need for the representation of the principal legal systems of the world, equitable geographical distribution and a fair representation of female and male judges. Statement 2 is correct.

Answer: (B) Only two

Detailed Explanation

Pithora – Gujarat

Kinhal Toys – Karnataka

Karen Musley Rice – Andaman and Nicobar

Answer: (C) Pig-tailed Macaque