Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 16th August 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1: This statement is correct. The Satpura Tiger Reserve is indeed located in the Narmadapuram district (previously known as Hoshangabad district) of Madhya Pradesh. It encompasses three significant protected areas: Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pachmarhi Sanctuary. These areas collectively contribute to the reserve’s biodiversity and geological significance.

Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Indian government plans to significantly expand its nuclear energy capacity, and part of this plan includes the use of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs). The recent policy changes allow private companies to engage in the financing and construction of these reactors, highlighting a strategic move towards energy self-reliance and innovation.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. Operation Sindoor is not related to economic self-reliance through the reduction of petroleum imports. Instead, it is a defence initiative aimed at enhancing India's defensive capabilities using indigenous weapons to address security challenges. Therefore, it does not pertain to economic strategies for reducing petroleum import dependency.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

The Red Fort, constructed in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is renowned for its architectural value, representing a fusion of Mughal and Indian craftsmanship. The fort's massive red sandstone walls enclose royal pavilions and apartments, showcasing a distinctive blend of Islamic and Indian architectural styles. This architectural marvel has played a pivotal role in India's history and continues to symbolize the nation's rich cultural heritage.

1. Satpura Tiger Reserve - Located in Chhattisgarh: Incorrect. The Satpura Tiger Reserve is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, not Chhattisgarh. It is part of the Satpura ranges in the Central Indian Landscape and lies south of the Narmada River.

2. Operation Sindoor - Related to Defence Self-Reliance: Correct. Operation Sindoor is related to India's efforts in enhancing defence self-reliance, focusing on using indigenous weapons to strengthen defensive and offensive capabilities.

3. Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana - Scheme for enhancing formal job creation: Correct. This scheme aims to enhance formal job creation through direct financial incentives for both employees and employers, targeting the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs in two years.

4. National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) - Focus on expanding nuclear energy capacity: Incorrect. The National Critical Mineral Mission focuses on the exploration and development of critical minerals essential for various industries, not specifically on expanding nuclear energy capacity. The expansion of nuclear energy capacity is a separate initiative by the government.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. According to the information provided, over half of the respondents in the survey lack essential documents required for voter registration, which creates significant barriers to voter registration. This highlights a critical issue of document possession among the surveyed population, which is a key concern in the inclusivity of the SIR exercise.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the SIR exercise has stringent documentation requirements, the text does not specify that parental birth certificates are a mandatory requirement for electoral registration. The emphasis is on the lack of birth certificates, domicile, and caste certificates, and not specifically on parental birth certificates.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The documentation requirements of the SIR exercise indeed disproportionately affect individuals from lower economic strata and women, as indicated by the survey data. This socio-economic disparity in document possession raises concerns about the inclusivity of the electoral process and the potential disenfranchisement of vulnerable groups.

Hence, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B the correct answer.

The National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 primarily aim to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds to enhance productivity and sustainability in the dairy and livestock industry. By recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions from various stakeholders like dairy farmers, cooperatives, and technicians, these awards play a crucial role in fostering the development of indigenous breeds, which are essential for the economy and sustainability of the sector.

1. Thunderstorms - 1,942 incidents: Correct. The data indicates that thunderstorms are indeed the most common extreme weather event in Jammu & Kashmir, with 1,942 incidents reported between 2010 and 2022.

2. Heavy Snowfall - 552 deaths: Incorrect. The number of deaths attributed to extreme weather events between 2010 and 2022 is 552, but heavy snowfall specifically caused 182 deaths during this period.

3. Landslides - 409 incidents: Incorrect. The number of heavy rain incidents is 409, while landslides accounted for 186 incidents.

4. Western Disturbances - Affecting only in winter months: Incorrect. Western Disturbances are now affecting regions outside their traditional winter months, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall and floods throughout the year.

Thus, only the first pair is correctly matched, and the correct answer is that only two pairs (1 and 2) are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Red Fort was indeed declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. This recognition was given due to its significant architectural and historical value as an exemplary piece of Mughal architecture, which merges Islamic styles with Indian craftsmanship.

2. Statement 2 is correct. After the 1857 Revolt, the British took control of the Red Fort and repurposed it into a military garrison. This significantly altered and damaged the fort's interiors, marking a shift from its original use as a palace fortress to a military installation.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his first Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on August 15, 1947, not in 1946. This marked the beginning of the tradition of the Prime Minister addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights the concerns regarding the potential exclusion of eligible voters due to the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This aligns with the key takeaways mentioned in the provided content about the risks associated with the SIR exercise.
Statement-II accurately describes e-Sushrut@Clinic as a cloud-based Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) aimed at improving healthcare delivery in outpatient settings. This statement also corresponds with the details provided in the content regarding the launch of e-Sushrut@Clinic by the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II does explain and align with Statement-I based on the information provided in the content.

The main aim of the PM SVANidhi Yojana is to empower street vendors by providing them with working capital loans to help them resume and sustain their businesses, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative plays a crucial role in aiding street vendors to achieve self-reliance and financial stability by offering them access to necessary funds for their operations.

Statement-I correctly highlights the surge in extreme weather events in Jammu & Kashmir attributed to climate change. Statement-II elaborates on the primary factors contributing to these events, such as rising temperatures, changes in Western Disturbances, and the region's unique topography. These factors collectively explain why Jammu & Kashmir has been witnessing increased extreme weather events, thus Statement-II complements and provides additional context to Statement-I.