Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 27th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. NISAR Satellite: Collaboration between NASA and ISRO - Correct. The NISAR satellite is indeed a collaborative project between NASA and ISRO, aimed at advancing Earth observation capabilities.

2. L-band radar: Optimized for surface-level observations - Incorrect. The L-band radar is actually suitable for penetrating dense forests and assessing subsurface movements, not surface-level observations.

3. S-band radar: Suitable for penetrating dense forests and soil - Incorrect. The S-band radar is optimized for surface-level observations, including crop growth and biomass estimates, not for penetrating dense forests and soil.

4. UNODC: Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland - Incorrect. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, not Geneva, Switzerland.

Only the first pair is correctly matched.

The NISAR satellite's dual-band radar technology is designed to observe subsurface movements in dense forests and soil using the L-band radar (1.257 GHz). This specific frequency is suitable for penetrating dense vegetation and soil to assess subsurface movements accurately. The S-band radar (3.2 GHz) complements this by focusing on surface-level observations, including crop growth and biomass estimates. Therefore, the primary focus of the dual-band radar technology is to observe subsurface movements in dense forests and soil.

Statement-I is correct as the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is indeed located in Nashik, Maharashtra, and is recognized as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Statement-II is also accurate in highlighting the recent black-marketing operation at the temple, emphasizing the necessity for improved oversight in religious tourism. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but instead provides additional context related to the temple's current affairs, making option B the correct choice.

Statement-I is correct as per the information provided. The ICC is indeed mandated by the POSH Act to address complaints of sexual harassment. Statement-II is also accurate. The Vishaka Guidelines were indeed established in response to the Bhanwari Devi case and did mandate the creation of complaint committees led by women. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the context behind the establishment of ICCs in accordance with the POSH Act.

1. Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple - Balaji Bajirao: Correct. The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Nashik, Maharashtra, was constructed by the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao, between 1740-1760.

2. Somnath Jyotirlinga - Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. The Somnath Jyotirlinga is located in Gir, Gujarat, not Tamil Nadu.

3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga - Madhya Pradesh: Correct. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is indeed situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

4. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga - Jharkhand: Incorrect. The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in Maharashtra, not Jharkhand.

Additional Information:

• The Jyotirlingas are sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, with each representing a unique manifestation of the deity.
• The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is noted for its unique architecture and religious significance.

The main objective of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in educational and workplace settings is to address complaints of sexual harassment. These committees are established to provide a mechanism for individuals to report instances of sexual harassment and ensure that proper investigations and actions are taken to address such grievances effectively. ICCs play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and respectful work or educational environment by handling complaints in a fair and unbiased manner.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is indeed one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and is located in the Nasik district of Maharashtra. Jyotirlingas are sacred shrines where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam, and they hold great spiritual significance in Hinduism.

- Statement 2 is also correct. The temple was constructed by the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao, during the period of 1740-1760. The temple is known for its unique architectural style, which includes intricate carvings and three lingams representing the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The temple is located near the source of the Godavari River, not the Yamuna River. The Godavari River originates from the Brahamagiri mountain, which is close to the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple.

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

1. ICC Chairperson - Must be a senior woman employee.
Correct. The POSH Act mandates that the ICC must be chaired by a senior woman employee to ensure a gender-sensitive approach to handling complaints.

2. External Member - Someone from within the organization.
Incorrect. The external member of the ICC should be from outside the organization, typically from an NGO or someone familiar with issues relating to sexual harassment, to ensure impartiality and fairness.

3. ICC Formation - Mandated for workplaces with more than 10 employees.
Correct. The POSH Act requires that every workplace with more than 10 employees establish an ICC to address complaints of sexual harassment.

4. Complaint Filing - Must be submitted within six months of the incident.
Incorrect. The POSH Act specifies that a complaint must be filed within three months of the incident. However, this period can be extended by another three months if the ICC is satisfied with the reasons for the delay.

Thus, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Horsehair worms are parasitic to humans and can be harmful to public health.
This statement is incorrect. Horsehair worms are not parasitic to humans and pose no threat to public health. They are beneficial as they help control the populations of certain insects.

2. Horsehair worms are part of the phylum Nematomorpha and are known as Gordian worms.
This statement is correct. Horsehair worms belong to the phylum Nematomorpha and are indeed referred to as Gordian worms due to their often tangled appearance.

3. The immature stages of horsehair worms are internal parasites of insects such as grasshoppers and crickets.
This statement is correct. The immature stages of horsehair worms are internal parasites that specifically affect insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and cockroaches.

Thus, the correct statements are 2 and 3. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D.

1. Horsehair worms - Nematomorpha: Correctly matched. Horsehair worms, also known as Gordian worms, belong to the phylum Nematomorpha. They are found in water sources and have a life cycle involving parasitism in insects but are not harmful to humans.

2. Operation Vijay - Kargil War: Correctly matched. Operation Vijay was the code name for the Indian Army operation to clear the Kargil sector of infiltrators in 1999 during the Kargil War between India and Pakistan.

3. Gordian worms - Parasites of humans: Incorrectly matched. Gordian worms, or Horsehair worms, are not parasites of humans. They parasitize insects like grasshoppers and crickets during their immature stages.

4. Tiger Hill - High Altitude Warfare: Correctly matched. Tiger Hill was one of the key strategic points recaptured by the Indian Army during the Kargil War, which involved high-altitude warfare in the Himalayan region.

The correctly matched pairs are 1, 2, and 4.