Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 2nd March 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Green Sea Turtle - Herbivore:

This pair is correctly matched. Green sea turtles are primarily herbivores, consuming seagrasses and algae, which contribute to the green color of their fat.

2. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Karnataka:

This pair is incorrectly matched. The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Goa, not Karnataka. It is situated near Mollem village in the Western Ghats.

3. Chelonia mydas - Largest hard-shelled sea turtle:

This pair is correctly matched. Chelonia mydas is the scientific name for the green sea turtle, which is the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles.

4. Dudhsagar Waterfall - Located in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary:

This pair is correctly matched. Dudhsagar Waterfall is indeed located within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.

The correctly matched pairs are 1, 3, and 4.

1. Statement 1: The Bill proposed that the central government could nominate up to three members to the Bar Council of India (BCI). This proposal was indeed part of the Bill and was a major point of contention. Critics argued that this would undermine the independence of the BCI by introducing political interference and reducing its autonomy. Thus, this statement is correct.

2. Statement 2: The Bill included a provision in Section 35A aiming to ban strikes and boycotts by lawyers, labeling such activities as misconduct. This was controversial because many in the legal community believe that the right to protest is fundamental in a democratic society. Therefore, this statement is also correct.

3. Statement 3: The Bill sought to give the government authority to regulate the entry of foreign law firms and lawyers into India. This raised concerns about the impact on Indian legal professionals and was another significant issue leading to opposition from the legal community. Thus, this statement is correct as well.

All three statements accurately reflect the contentious elements of the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as highlighted in the context. Hence, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

Statement-I correctly identifies the location of the Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh and its role as a catchment area for the Pennar River. Statement-II also accurately mentions the presence of endangered species like the Jerdon's courser and the diverse flora found in the sanctuary, including Southern tropical dry deciduous forests and tropical thorn forests. Furthermore, Statement-II elaborates on the biodiversity of the sanctuary, supporting Statement-I by providing additional details about the wildlife and vegetation present in the area.

1. Statement 1: Pandoh Dam is located on the Beas River, not the Sutlej River, in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

2. Statement 2: The primary purpose of the Pandoh Dam is indeed for hydroelectric power generation. It diverts water from the Beas River to the Dehar Power House, where it is used to generate electricity. Therefore, this statement is correct.

3. Statement 3: The dam's construction has led to the formation of Pandoh Lake, which is indeed a significant tourist attraction in the region. Therefore, this statement is correct.

Given the analysis, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct. The Meteor missile indeed features a ramjet engine, which allows it to maintain controlled flight speeds and perform complex maneuvers, achieving speeds exceeding Mach 4. This capability enhances its effectiveness in air-to-air combat, providing a significant advantage in terms of speed and range.

Statement 2 is correct. The Meteor is equipped with a two-way datalink. This technology allows for real-time updates on target information, enabling the launch platform to send updates or retarget the missile during its flight. The datalink is crucial for maintaining accurate target acquisition and engagement, especially in dynamic combat scenarios.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Meteor missile is not developed exclusively by the United Kingdom. It is the result of a collaborative effort by a consortium of European partners, including the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden. This cooperation aimed at creating a missile system that serves the defense needs of several European nations, rather than solely NATO strategies.

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

Statement-I correctly describes the Meteor missile as a radar-guided, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by a consortium of European partners for six European nations.
Statement-II accurately describes the Banjara community as comprising various groups primarily found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Both statements are factually correct, but they are independent of each other and do not explain or relate to each other. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

The scientific name of the largest hard-shelled sea turtle that primarily consumes seagrasses and algae is Chelonia mydas. This species, commonly known as the green sea turtle, plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems due to its herbivorous diet and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The Advocates (Amendment) Bill of 2025 faced significant backlash due to its proposed provision allowing the central government to nominate members to the Bar Council of India. Critics argued that this move would compromise the council's autonomy and potentially lead to political interference in legal matters. This contentious issue was a key point of concern for the legal community, leading to widespread opposition and nationwide strikes.

The main purpose of the Pandoh Dam in Himachal Pradesh is hydroelectric power generation. The dam diverts water from the Beas River to generate power at the Dehar Power House before releasing the water into the Sutlej River. This hydroelectric power generation plays a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of the region and contributes significantly to the local economy.

Statement-I is correct as the withdrawal of the Advocates (Amendment) Bill does indeed underscore the importance of preserving the independence of the legal profession, as mentioned in the news article.
Statement-II is also correct as the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is highlighted in the article for its role in providing unbiased geological information for policy-making and socio-economic needs in India. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II supports the idea presented in Statement-I.