Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 20th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly identifies that the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) program was indeed introduced in August 2005 to provide a long-term connection to India for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). This statement accurately reflects the purpose and timing of the OCI program.
Statement-II is also accurate in stating that the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) category was abolished in 2015 and merged with OCI. It further notes that existing PIO cards remained valid until December 31, 2023. This statement provides additional context and historical information related to the merger of PIO with OCI.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II effectively explains the evolution of the PIO category into the OCI program, making option (a) the correct choice.

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is designed to enhance the utilization of data at the local governance level, effectively bridging the gap between data availability and its practical use. This is captured accurately by Statement 1, which is correct.
Statement 2 is also correct as it highlights how PAI connects data to developmental outcomes, thereby facilitating targeted interventions and improving accountability in governance processes.
However, Statement 3 is incorrect. The success of the PAI is not solely dependent on technological advancements. While technology plays a significant role, continuous participation and political will are essential for ensuring that data becomes a tool for sustainable development and community empowerment. Thus, political factors and active involvement are crucial to the success of the PAI, which makes Statement 3 incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) introduced in April 2025 aims to bridge the gap between data availability and actual usage at the grassroots level. By providing understandable data linked to sustainable development goals, the PAI empowers local governance by facilitating informed decision-making and targeted interventions. This initiative represents a significant step towards inclusive governance and community empowerment by ensuring that data becomes a valuable tool for sustainable development.

- Statement 1 is correct. Turkey has been a significant arms supplier to Pakistan since the 1990s. This relationship indeed complicates India's diplomatic positioning, as it involves regional security dynamics where India and Pakistan are key actors with historical tensions.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. India's economic dependency on Turkey and Azerbaijan is minimal, particularly in terms of crude oil imports. The imports from these countries constitute less than 1% of India's total imports, indicating that economic ties are not significant in terms of raw material dependency.

- Statement 3 is correct. In response to the diplomatic tensions heightened by Turkey and Azerbaijan's support for Pakistan, Indian institutions like IIT Bombay and IIT Roorkee have suspended their MoUs with Turkish universities. This action indicates a direct response to the geopolitical developments.

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

The primary objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, is to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections in rural India by 2024. This initiative aims to ensure access to clean drinking water, thereby improving the health and well-being of rural communities. The mission emphasizes the community approach to water supply and underscores the significance of creating a people's movement for effective water management.

Statement-I correctly identifies Operation Olivia as a conservation initiative aimed at protecting Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season, specifically mentioning the Rushikulya River mouth in Odisha. Statement-II accurately describes the diet of Olive Ridley turtles and their unique nesting behavior known as Arribada. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional information about the turtles, making option (b) the correct choice.

Statement-I is correct because the near side of the Moon does experience greater bending due to Earth's gravitational pull, known as tidal deformation. This phenomenon results in gravitational forces causing tides on the Moon, influencing its geology and internal structure.
Statement-II is also correct as the near side of the Moon is indeed geologically more active and warmer compared to the far side. This indicates differences in their internal structures, which have led to variations in volcanic activity, crust thickness, heat distribution, and other geological features between the two sides. The concentration of elements like thorium and titanium, along with the differences in crust thickness, contributes to the distinct characteristics observed on the Moon's near and far sides.

1. Jal Jeevan Mission Launch Year: 2019 - Correct. The Jal Jeevan Mission was indeed launched on August 15, 2019, by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

2. Original Budget Estimate: Rs. 5 lakh crore - Incorrect. The original budget for the Jal Jeevan Mission was Rs. 3.6 lakh crore, not Rs. 5 lakh crore.

3. Ministry Responsible: Ministry of Jal Shakti - Correct. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

4. Target Completion Year: 2023 - Incorrect. The target completion year for providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections in rural India is 2024, not 2023.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Operation Olivia - Conservation of Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha: Correctly matched. Operation Olivia is indeed a conservation initiative aimed at protecting Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season along the Odisha coast.

2. GS1 QR Codes - Initiative to enhance product identification and supply chain transparency: Correctly matched. GS1's new generation QR codes are intended to improve product identification and enhance transparency in supply chains.

3. Turkey's Support - Backed Pakistan after the Pahalgam massacre: Correctly matched. Turkey has supported Pakistan in various diplomatic contexts, including after incidents such as the Pahalgam massacre.

4. Azerbaijan's Economic Dependency - High economic dependency on India for crude oil imports: Incorrectly matched. India's crude oil imports from Azerbaijan are minimal, constituting less than 1% of total imports, indicating low economic dependency.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status does not grant full Indian citizenship but offers lifelong visa and residency benefits to individuals of Indian origin or descent. This status allows OCI holders to have a multiple-entry visa and exempts them from police registration requirements, providing them with certain privileges and rights, although it does not include political rights such as voting in Indian elections.