Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 28th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: The statement is correct. China has begun constructing a hydropower dam near the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh with a projected power generation capacity of 60,000 MW. This aligns with the information that the dam is located close to India and aims to become the world's largest in terms of power output.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The Chief Minister of Assam has noted that China's contribution to the Brahmaputra's flow is limited, approximately 30-35%, primarily from glacial melt and Tibetan rainfall. Therefore, the claim that China's contribution is significant at 50% is inaccurate.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. China has stated its commitment to cooperating with downstream nations like India and Bangladesh on hydrological data and disaster management. This is a diplomatic stance taken by China concerning the construction of the dam.

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

Statement-I correctly identifies the significant landmasses that border the Barents Sea, including the Svalbard archipelago, the Franz Josef Land islands, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, the Norwegian Sea, the Greenland Sea, and the Kola Peninsula. This statement provides a comprehensive overview of the sea's geographical boundaries.
Statement-II accurately points out that the Barents Sea includes the White Sea and the Pechora Sea as its major parts. This statement focuses on the internal divisions or components of the Barents Sea, highlighting specific bodies of water within the larger sea.
Both statements are factually accurate and independent of each other. While both provide relevant information about the Barents Sea, they do not explain or elaborate on each other. Thus, the correct answer is Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

- Statement 1 is correct. Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves the implantation of electrodes in specific regions of the brain. It is primarily used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. DBS is a reversible procedure. Unlike traditional surgeries that may permanently alter brain tissue, DBS allows for the stimulation to be turned off or adjusted as needed, without permanently changing brain function.
- Statement 3 is correct. DBS is not only used for neurological disorders but is also approved for certain psychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, it is being researched for other conditions like severe depression and epilepsy.
Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights the resolution capability of the Caltech microscope at the angstrom-level, emphasizing its ability to observe molecular movements in detail. Statement-II accurately mentions the microscope's high-speed capability of capturing hundreds of billions of frames per second to study molecular dynamics. Both statements independently provide accurate information about different features of the Caltech microscope, but they do not directly explain or relate to each other. Thus, the correct answer is option (b) as both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. Svalbard Archipelago - Located in the northeast of the Barents Sea: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Svalbard Archipelago is located in the northwest of the Barents Sea, not the northeast. Therefore, this pair is incorrect.

2. Pechora Sea - Located in the southeastern area of the Barents Sea: This pair is correctly matched. The Pechora Sea is indeed located in the southeastern area of the Barents Sea.

3. Murmean Sea - Historical name used by the Vikings for the Barents Sea: This pair is correctly matched. The Barents Sea was historically referred to as the Murmean Sea by Vikings and medieval Russians.

4. Kola Peninsula - Located in the south of the Barents Sea: This pair is correctly matched. The Kola Peninsula is located in the south of the Barents Sea.

The first pair is incorrectly matched, whereas the second, third, and fourth pairs are correctly matched. Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Russia's deployment of Bastion coastal defense missile launchers along the Barents Sea coast signifies the commencement of a navy-wide exercise named "July Storm." This action is part of Russia's military drills in the region and highlights its strategic focus on maritime security and defense operations.

This question assesses the students' understanding of recent military activities in the Barents Sea region and their ability to interpret the significance of such deployments in the context of naval exercises.

Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves surgically implanting electrodes into specific regions of the brain to help treat various neurological and psychiatric disorders. These electrodes are connected to a device that sends controlled electrical impulses to the brain, aiming to correct abnormal brain activity. This technique is particularly effective for conditions where faulty electrical signals cause symptoms, such as in movement disorders like Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. By delivering targeted stimulation, DBS can help in managing and alleviating symptoms effectively without the irreversible destruction of brain tissue.

The theme for World Food India 2025 is "Processing for Prosperity." This theme underscores the focus on leveraging food processing as a key driver for economic growth and prosperity within the global food ecosystem. It highlights the importance of efficient processing methods in enhancing food quality, promoting sustainability, and fostering economic development in the food sector.

Statement-I is incorrect because China's dam project on the Brahmaputra River is not primarily aimed at addressing India's energy needs. The project is primarily focused on hydropower generation and domestic energy requirements within China. Statement-II is correct in highlighting the Chief Minister of Assam's emphasis on the limited contribution of China to the river's flow, but this does not align with the incorrect premise of Statement-I.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The new microscope developed by scientists at Caltech allows for real-time observation of molecular motion at an angstrom-level resolution. This means it can provide highly detailed images at a very small scale, which is a significant technological advancement.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The microscope indeed captures images at an incredibly high speed, capable of recording hundreds of billions of frames per second. This capability allows researchers to observe molecular dynamics in detail, which was not possible with previous technologies.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The microscope is designed to provide wide-field, single-shot imaging without damaging the sample. Its technology ensures that the sample remains intact during observation, which is crucial for accurate and sustainable research practices.

Thus, the statements that are correct are 1 and 2. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.