Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 14th June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is indeed a fee charged to merchants by banks or payment service providers for processing digital payments made via credit cards, debit cards, or other digital modes. This fee compensates various stakeholders involved in the transaction process.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) does not permit merchants to pass the MDR fee onto customers. This regulation is in place to encourage the adoption of digital payments by ensuring that customers are not burdened with additional costs.

3. Statement 3 is correct. In 2020, the Indian government waived the MDR on UPI and RuPay card transactions to promote cashless payments, benefiting small merchants and consumers by reducing the cost burden associated with digital transactions.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Rising Lion operation by Israel indeed involved over 200 jets and targeted more than 100 sites in Iran. This statement reflects the scale and intensity of the military operation conducted by Israel against Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The reactions from the Sunni Arab world were mixed, not unanimous in support of Israel's actions. While there is suspicion towards Iran, there are also concerns over Israeli aggression, indicating a lack of unanimous support.

- Statement 3 is correct. The withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by the United States under President Trump's administration and the subsequent reinstatement of sanctions significantly weakened Iran's strategic position. This geopolitical shift played a role in the current dynamics between Israel and Iran.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only, as statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.

The primary concern emphasized in the State of the World Population Report 2025 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the challenges associated with declining fertility rates and demographic transitions. This report focuses on reproductive agency as a key consideration, rather than solely concentrating on population size, shaping policies in countries like India where social, economic, and cultural factors significantly impact fertility behaviors and population strategies.

1. Near-Weapons-Grade Enrichment: Iran's uranium enrichment to 60% purity - This pair is correctly matched. Reports indicate that Iran has enriched uranium to as much as 60% purity, which is close to weapons-grade levels, raising global concerns.

2. Fall of Assad: Increased Iran’s regional influence - This pair is incorrectly matched. The fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria has actually diminished Iran’s regional influence and capabilities rather than increasing it.

3. IAEA Non-Compliance Declaration: Iran breaching nuclear obligations - This pair is correctly matched. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has declared Iran in non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations due to insufficient responses about its nuclear activities.

4. Impact on Global Oil Prices: Decrease in global oil prices due to Israeli strike - This pair is incorrectly matched. The Israeli strike led to an 8% increase in global oil prices, not a decrease, due to concerns about supply chain disruptions.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

GAGAN, the GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation system, is indeed designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity to navigational signals. This helps in improving the overall precision and reliability of location data. Furthermore, GAGAN's implementation enables more uniform and high-quality air traffic management by enhancing the efficiency and safety of aircraft operations through better navigation services. Hence, both statements are correct, with Statement-II explaining the significance of Statement-I in the context of GAGAN's functionalities.

1. Operation Rising Lion is correctly matched. It refers to Israel's military operation targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure, as mentioned in the provided material.

2. Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA) is incorrectly matched. The initiative aims to promote holistic development for tribal communities, not urban areas. It focuses on addressing infrastructure, livelihoods, education, and health gaps in tribal regions.

3. Tea Estates in North Bengal is correctly matched. They are indeed known for implementing climate-resilient practices such as organic farming, mulching, and intercropping to combat the effects of climate change on tea production.

4. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is incorrectly matched. The JCPOA was an agreement aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities, not strengthening them. The withdrawal from this agreement and the reinstated sanctions weakened Iran's position.

Thus, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Emperor penguins are currently categorized as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List, not as "Endangered." Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the current conservation status of emperor penguins.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. Emperor penguins are indeed remarkable divers and are capable of reaching depths of approximately 550 meters (around 1,800 feet) in pursuit of food, making them the deepest-diving birds in the world. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in the harsh conditions of the Antarctic.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The primary threat to emperor penguins due to climate change is indeed the shrinking of Antarctic sea ice. As climate change progresses, the habitat of emperor penguins is increasingly threatened by the reduction in sea ice, which is critical for their breeding and feeding.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only, as statements 2 and 3 are accurate.

Emperor penguins are distinct due to their striking black and white coloration with vibrant orange and yellow accents on the head, neck, and breast. This unique coloration helps them blend into their icy Antarctic habitat. Additionally, they possess two layers of feathers and a thick layer of fat which aids in heat retention, enabling them to survive in the extremely harsh Antarctic conditions.

Statement-I correctly highlights the details of the Israeli military operation targeting Iran's nuclear and military installations in Tehran, resulting in casualties among Iranian military and nuclear personnel. Statement-II complements this by emphasizing the broader impact of the operation on power dynamics in the Middle East and global oil supply chains. The operation, termed the "Rising Lion," signifies a significant escalation in tensions, potentially reshaping regional dynamics and affecting global energy markets. Hence, both statements are factually accurate, with Statement-II providing a broader context and implication of the military action, thereby explaining Statement-I.

1. MDR Fee - Fee charged to customers for using digital payments: Incorrect. The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is a fee charged to merchants, not customers, for processing digital payments. Merchants are not permitted to pass this fee onto customers.
2. Waiver of MDR - Applied to UPI and RuPay card transactions in 2020: Correct. The government waived the MDR for UPI and RuPay card transactions in 2020 to promote cashless payments, benefiting small merchants and consumers.
3. MDR Calculation - Typically ranges from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount: Correct. The MDR is calculated as a percentage of the total transaction amount, generally ranging from 1% to 3%, depending on the transaction and merchant type.
4. MDR Regulation - Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates the MDR, ensuring that the fees are standardized and fair across the system, and merchants cannot pass this fee onto customers.
Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.