Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 19th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. While live baiting is prohibited for tourism purposes, it is not entirely banned. It is still utilized in specific conflict situations and for feeding injured or aging tigers unable to hunt. Therefore, the practice continues under certain circumstances, contrary to the claim in the statement.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) does indeed stress minimal human intervention in managing wild tigers. This approach is part of their conservation principles to maintain the natural order and dynamics of tiger populations.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Feeding wild tigers through live baiting can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, leading to habituation. This increased familiarity and comfort with humans can heighten the likelihood of conflict, including attacks on livestock or people, as the tigers may begin to associate humans with food.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.

The recent protests against mass tourism in Spain's Canary Islands primarily stem from concerns related to the preservation of local culture. As tourism flourishes in the Canary Islands, there is a growing worry among locals about maintaining their unique cultural identity amidst the influx of visitors. Balancing economic benefits with the preservation of local traditions and environmental sustainability has become a significant issue in the region, leading to the recent demonstrations.

1. Lanzarote - Highest point of Canary Islands: Incorrect. The highest point in the Canary Islands is Teide Peak, which is located on Tenerife, not Lanzarote.

2. Tenerife - Teide Peak: Correct. Teide Peak is indeed located on Tenerife and is the highest point in the Canary Islands.

3. Gran Canaria - Capital city of Canary Islands: Incorrect. The Canary Islands have two capitals: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. However, Gran Canaria itself is not the capital; it is one of the islands in the archipelago.

4. Fuerteventura - Located in Macaronesia: Correct. Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, which are part of the Macaronesia region.

Thus, pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

Experts express concern that the practice of live baiting with tigers in India leads to the habituation of tigers to humans, increasing the likelihood of conflicts, including attacks on livestock or people. This habituation undermines the survival instincts of tigers and poses risks to both the animals and humans, highlighting the negative consequences of this practice on tiger behavior and interactions with humans.

Statement-I states that live baiting is prohibited but not banned for injured tigers. This is accurate as per the provided content which mentions that live baiting is not completely banned for injured tigers.
Statement-II discusses NTCA's Conservation Principle that emphasizes minimal human intervention in wild tiger management due to the disruption of natural selection caused by artificial feeding. This aligns with the second statement.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains the situation presented in Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

1. First Stage of PSLV - Uses Vikas engine with liquid propulsion: Incorrect. The first stage of the PSLV uses a solid propellant based on Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB), not the Vikas engine. The Vikas engine is used in the second stage, which employs liquid propulsion.

2. Third Stage of PSLV - Utilizes HTPB-based solid fuel: Correct. The third stage of the PSLV indeed utilizes solid propulsion with HTPB-based fuel.

3. Jnanpith Award - Established in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith: Correct. The Jnanpith Award was established in 1961 and is sponsored by the Bharatiya Jnanpith.

4. First Recipient of Jnanpith Award - G. Sankara Kurup for Odakkuzhal in 1965: Correct. G. Sankara Kurup was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award in 1965 for his collection of poems titled Odakkuzhal.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making a total of three correctly matched pairs.

- Statement 1: The Canary Islands are indeed located in the North Atlantic Ocean and are roughly 100 km from the coast of Morocco, not Spain. However, they are politically part of Spain. This statement is correct regarding the proximity to Morocco but not directly to Spain's mainland.

- Statement 2: Teide Peak is the highest point on the island of Tenerife and in the Canary Islands overall. It is a volcanic peak formed through volcanic eruptions, making this statement correct.

- Statement 3: The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and minimal seasonal variation, not a maritime temperate climate with significant seasonal changes. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect because it mischaracterizes the climate of the Canary Islands.

Statement-I correctly describes A-to-I editing, which indeed alters mRNA post-transcriptionally without changing the DNA sequence. Statement-II is also accurate, mentioning that researchers have identified essential genes affected by this editing process. However, Statement-II does not directly explain the process described in Statement-I; it provides additional information about the impact of the editing without offering a causal or explanatory relationship. Hence, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not elucidate Statement-I.

Statement-I correctly identifies the origin of the Mahadayi River in Bhimgad, Karnataka. Statement-II accurately describes the length and the path of the river, indicating its journey through Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. However, Statement-II does not directly explain the information provided in Statement-I but rather adds additional details about the river's course. Hence, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I directly, making option (b) the correct answer.

1. First Stage of PSLV: - The first stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) uses a solid propulsion system, not a liquid propulsion system. It is powered by HTPB-based solid propellant and is supported by strap-on boosters in the XL configuration. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Capability of Placing Satellites: - The PSLV is specifically designed to place satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits, which are crucial for Earth observation satellites. This capability has been one of the defining features of the PSLV. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.

3. Fourth Stage Propellants: - The fourth stage of the PSLV employs two liquid engines that use Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) as fuel and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON) as an oxidizer. This stage allows for fine-tuning of the satellite's final orbit. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

The correct answer is Option C, as both Statements 2 and 3 accurately describe the capabilities and components of the PSLV, while Statement 1 is incorrect regarding the propulsion system used in the first stage.