UPSC Daily Quiz 8 July 2025

A new species of freshwater fish, named Barilius imphalensis, has been recently discovered in the Imphal River in Manipur.
About Barilius imphalensis:
It is a new species of freshwater fish.
It was discovered in the Imphal River, Manipur.
The fish has been locally named “Ngawa” in the Meitei language.
The fish belongs to the Danionidae family and the subfamily Chedrinae—popularly known as danionid fishes—recognized for their vibrant patterns and ecological significance.
It is endemic to the Imphal River and differs markedly from its known relatives across India and Southeast Asia.
Its habitat consists of clear, shallow waters—typically 3 to 5 feet deep—characterized by gravel and cobble beds, and lined with riverbank vegetation.
It stands out for several distinctive features, including the absence of barbels (sensory whisker-like organs), a series of short blue vertical bars on its body, and the presence of tiny tubercles (small bumps) on its snout and jaw.
The fish also displays a complete lateral line with 41 scales—important for detecting movement and vibration in the water.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
News: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-new-fish-species-barilius-imphalensis-discovered-in-imphal-river.html

Archaeologists recently unveiled a 3,500-year-old city named Penico in Peru.

About Ancient City of Penico:

• It is a 3,500-year-old lost city located in present-day Peru.
• Located some 200 km north of Lima (capital of Peru) in the Barranca province, the site lies about 600 metres (1,970 feet) above sea level and is thought to have been founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC-around the same time that early civilisations were flourishing in the Middle East and Asia.
• Peñico is situated close to where Caral, recognised as the oldest known civilisation in the Americas, was established 5,000 years ago, at around 3,000 BC, in the Supe Valley of Peru.
• Peñico’s importance lies in it being the continuation of the Caral society.
• The researchers have identified up to 18 structures in Penico, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.

• The walls of a central plaza stand out for their sculptural reliefs and depictions of the pututu, a conch shell trumpet whose sound carries over long distances.
• In other buildings, researchers found clay sculptures of human and animal figures, ceremonial objects, and necklaces made from beads and seashells.

• The height at which the structures were found suggests the ancient city’s settlers strategically chose the location, likely to enhance the monumentality of their buildings, protect themselves from floods and landslides, or to promote interaction and exchange.
• Peñico is believed to have served as a key trading hub connecting early Pacific coast communities with those living in the Andes mountains and Amazon basin.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://www.reuters.com/science/archaeologists-peru-unveil-3500-year-old-city-that-linked-coast-andes-2025-07-03/

The defence minister recently underscored the role of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in enhancing the operational readiness and financial agility of the Armed Forces at the Controllers’ Conference 2025 in New Delhi.

About Defence Accounts Department (DAD):

• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
• It is headed by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).
• The mandate given to the department is broadly audit, financial advice, payment, and accounting of all charges pertaining to the Armed Forces.

• It includes bills for supplies and services rendered and for construction and repair work, pay and allowances, pension etc. of defence personnel and civilians, and audit of cash and store accounts of all organizations under the Ministry of Defence.

• The DAD has a vast geographical spread with a network of 1110 offices to cater to the needs of all elements of the Indian Defence Services i.e., Army, Air Force, and Navy, as also all other organizations under Ministry of Defence viz Defence Ordnance Factories (41), DRDO Laboratories/Projects (50), Coast Guard , DGQA , DGBR, DGNCC, DG Defence Estates, Canteen Stores Department (CSD), etc.
• As the principal accounting officer for the Ministry of Defence, the CGDA furnishes necessary information for the Appropriation Accounts to the Ministry of Defence. 
• CGDA also prepares the Annual Consolidated Accounts of Defence Services Receipts & Charges and acts as the Principal Accounts Officer for Civil Estimates of the Ministry of Defence. 
• DAD is also responsible for rendering the annual accounts for the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Military Farms, Canteen Stores Department, and Works Expenditure. 
• In addition, the Annual Audit Certificate for the Defence Services, rendered by the CGDA to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG) through the Ministry of Defence, is tabled in the Parliament. 
• Of late, Audit of offset claims has also been entrusted to the Department.
• History of DAD:

• It is one of the oldest departments under the Government of India. 
• Its origin can be traced to the Military Pay Masters under the East India Company.
• In January 1750, the first Pay Master was appointed for paying the garrison at Fort Williams, Calcutta. 
• Payments to the troops in the field were made by a Commissary. 
• In 1776 a Commissary General was appointed for regulating the accounts.
• In 1788, the designation of the Commissary General was changed to Military Auditor General, who exercised his control over all military disbursements.
• When the British Crown started administering India in 1858, there were Military Accountants General in the Presidencies of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay.
• The office of the Accountant General, Military Department, was created in April 1864. 
• In 1865, the Government recognized this position as the Head of the Military Accounts Department. 
• In 1922, the office of Military Accountant General (MAG) was reorganised. The Office of MAG then comprised 8 sections viz. Record, AN, Audit, Accounts, Estimate, Pay, Foreign Claims, and Inspection. 
• The department was re-named the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) on October 1st, 1951, and the departmental head designated as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). 
• For more than three decades after independence, the DAD functioned under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance. 
• With the introduction of the Integrated Financial Advisor scheme in the Ministry of Defence from August 1983, the department came under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.

Hence both statements are correct.

News:https://ddnews.gov.in/en/operation-sindoor-boosted-global-demand-for-indian-defence-products-rajnath-singh/

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Union Social Justice Ministry is in the process of seeking additional allocation for administering the National Overseas Scholarship scheme for marginalised students.

About National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme:

• It is a Central Sector Scheme to facilitate the low-income students from marginalized communities, including the Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans, to obtain higher education, viz., Master degree or Ph.D courses, by studying abroad.
• The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Under the NOS Scheme, each selection year, 125 fresh candidates are selected, subject to the availability of funds. 
• Out of the 125 candidates who are awarded scholarships, 115 are for SC candidates, 6 for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and 4 are for Landless Agricultural Labourers candidates and Traditional Artisans. 
• 30% of the scholarships for each year are earmarked for female candidates.
• Eligibility:

• The applicant should be less than 35 years of age on 1st April of the selection year.
• The applicant must have been admitted to or received an unconditional offer of admission for pursuing a master’s/Ph.D. from an institute/university located abroad.
• The institute/university of the applicant must be accredited by the Government/authorized body of that country.
• The applicant must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination (In the case of Ph.D. courses, the qualifying exam is a Master’s Degree; In the case of a Master’s Degree, the qualifying exam is a Bachelor’s Degree)
• The total income of the family of the applicant (from all sources) is less than or equal to ₹ 8 lakh per annum.

• Exclusions:

• Bachelors-level courses, in any discipline, are not covered under this scheme.
• No more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarships. The second child of the same parents/guardians will be considered only if slots are still available in the last cycle of the year in which the applicant has applied.
• Candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from the State Government, other agency, or through their own funds are not eligible to apply under this scheme.
• The candidate is not eligible for a scholarship to pursue the same level (Masters/Ph.D.) of course for which he/she has already acquired the qualification from any University/Institution either in India or abroad.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/social-justice-ministry-seeks-additional-allocation-for-overseas-scholarship/article69782915.ece

Thousands of devotees recently witnessed the grand consecration of the Subramanya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur, held after a gap of 16 years.

About Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan (Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati).
• It is located in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.
• It is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan and is the only one along the seashore. The other five temples are situated on mountains. 
• The temple faces the Bay of Bengal and is washed by the sea waves from the Gulf of Mannar.
• Having stood for over 2 millennia, the temple is a splendid example of Tamil architecture. 

• The temple is constructed with red sandstone and presents a panoramic view of the sea.
• The RajaGopuram (temple tower) is built on the western side of the temple, unlike other temples where the RajaGopuram is erected on the eastern side, the reason being that the sea is very close to the eastern side.
• The Gopuram is nine-tier that is 138 feet high. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has Lord Subramanyam in a standing posture. 
• There are nine Kalasams (sacred copper pots) atop the Gopuram to indicate that the Gopuram consists of 9 storeys.
• The temple also boasts of many other stunning architectural features, like huge mandapams (halls), long streets, majestically carved pillars, and a number of small shrines. 

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/thousands-witness-grand-consecration-of-tiruchendur-subramanya-swamy-temple-after-16-years/article69782140.ece