Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 22nd May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1 is correct: The Polavaram Project has indeed been granted national project status by the central government of India. This recognition emphasizes its significance in terms of water management and agricultural productivity enhancement.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect: Although the Polavaram Project has a significant discharge capacity, it does not surpass the 3 Gorges Dam in China. The 3 Gorges Dam is known for its massive capacity, and while the Polavaram Project has an impressive design, it is not larger in terms of discharge capacity than the 3 Gorges Dam.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Polavaram Project is primarily aimed at transferring water from the Godavari River to the Krishna basin, not the other way around. This transfer is intended to help manage floodwaters from the Godavari and provide water to the Krishna basin, aiding in irrigation and drinking water supply.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct, making the correct answer Option A: 1 Only.

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed annually on May 22 to raise awareness of the critical need to take action to protect biodiversity. This day emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the variety of life on Earth and the essential role biodiversity plays in supporting ecosystems and human well-being.

Statement-I correctly describes the Kākāpō as the largest flightless parrot exhibiting lek-breeding behavior, as outlined in the text. Statement-II accurately portrays liquid carbon, emphasizing its transient nature and the extreme conditions necessary for its formation, in alignment with the provided information. However, these statements pertain to distinct topics without any explanatory connection, making option (b) the correct choice.

Both statements are accurate. Statement-I correctly identifies the entity responsible for developing the CEIR portal, which is the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications. Statement-II accurately describes the purpose of the CEIR portal, emphasizing its role as a central database dedicated to tracking lost or stolen mobile devices in India. Statement-II logically follows from Statement-I, as the development of the portal by the DoT aligns with its function as a tracking mechanism for mobile devices, thereby explaining the purpose behind its establishment. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically stems from Statement-I.

1. INSV Kaundinya - Named after a legendary Indian sailor known for reaching Southeast Asia: This is correctly matched. The name 'Kaundinya' honors a legendary Indian sailor who is known for his voyages to Southeast Asia, reflecting India's historical role in maritime trade.

2. Traditional Shipbuilding Techniques - Uses metal nails and modern adhesives: This is incorrectly matched. The INSV Kaundinya uses ancient "stitched ship" methods, wherein wooden planks are secured with coir ropes, coconut fibers, and natural resin, specifically avoiding metal nails and modern adhesives.

3. Gandabherunda - A mythical two-headed eagle symbol on the sails: This is correctly matched. The sails of INSV Kaundinya feature the 'Gandabherunda', a mythical two-headed eagle, symbolizing strength and vitality.

4. Harappan-style stone anchor - Represents India's Indus Valley maritime heritage: This is correctly matched. The ship features a Harappan-style stone anchor, linking it to India's ancient Indus Valley maritime heritage.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The Kākāpō is classified as Critically Endangered primarily due to infertility issues leading to high embryo mortality. This species faces challenges in reproduction, with breeding typically occurring during years when specific native fruits are plentiful. Infertility issues contribute to the high mortality of embryos, which is a significant factor in the species' endangered status. Efforts such as artificial insemination have been employed to address these reproductive challenges and aid in the conservation of the Kākāpō population.

1. International Day for Biological Diversity – Celebrated annually on May 22: Correct. The International Day for Biological Diversity is indeed celebrated every year on May 22. This date was designated by the United Nations to mark the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

2. SWOT Satellite – Launched by ISRO and CNES: Incorrect. The SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite is a collaborative mission between NASA and CNES (French Space Agency), not ISRO.

3. Polavaram Project – Located on the Godavari River: Correct. The Polavaram project is a multi-purpose irrigation project located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.

4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – Aims to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Correct. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework indeed aims to align efforts to protect biodiversity with the global agenda outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Given this analysis, three pairs are correctly matched: 1, 3, and 4.

Statement-I correctly mentions the launch of INSV Kaundinya in July 2023 under a tripartite agreement involving the Ministry of Culture and Hodi Innovations, reflecting details about the reconstructed ship inspired by 5th-century designs depicted in the Ajanta Cave paintings.
Statement-II accurately describes the introduction of the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as part of its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to address cyber fraud and financial crimes. However, Statement-I and Statement-II are not interconnected or explanatory of each other; they represent distinct events in their respective domains. Hence, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain or relate to Statement-I, making option (B) the correct choice.

Statement-I correctly mentions the purpose of observing the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22 to raise awareness about protecting biodiversity. Statement-II accurately presents the theme for the year 2025, which is "Harmony with nature and sustainable development." The theme aligns with the broader goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of integrating efforts to protect biodiversity with global sustainable development initiatives outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the significance of Statement-I in the context of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

The primary purpose of the CEIR portal is to track lost or stolen mobile devices using their unique IMEI numbers. This system helps in combating mobile phone theft by maintaining a central database that records all International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and Electronic Serial Numbers (ESN), allowing users to track their devices and take necessary actions to recover them.