Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 9th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) indeed includes 15 associate members, which are primarily groupings of nations. This statement is correct.

2. Statement 2: The IPU's Governing Council comprises three MPs from each member parliament and meets at each assembly to make policy decisions. Therefore, this statement is correct.

3. Statement 3: The IPU is primarily funded by its member parliaments through public funds, not by private international organizations through donations. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.

1. Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) - Founded in 1889: This pair is correctly matched. The IPU was indeed founded in 1889 as a global organization of national parliaments to promote international cooperation and dialogue.

2. Article 200 - Power of Governor to assent to bills: This pair is correctly matched. Article 200 of the Indian Constitution grants the Governor the power to assent to, withhold assent from, or reserve bills for the President’s consideration.

3. Biomass Satellite - First satellite to use S-band radar: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Biomass satellite is the first to use P-band radar, not S-band, to penetrate deep through the forest canopy and gather data on tree trunks, branches, and stems.

4. Governor of a State - Can withhold assent indefinitely: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Supreme Court of India has established specific timelines for the Governor's assent to bills, thereby not allowing indefinite withholding. The Governor must act within stipulated timeframes to ensure the legislative process is not unduly delayed.

Only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the purpose of the Biomass satellite mission launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), which aims to enhance our understanding of forest biomass and its role in the carbon cycle. On the other hand, Statement-II inaccurately suggests that the mission is primarily focused on monitoring urban pollution levels and their impact on climate change, which is not aligned with the actual objectives of the Biomass satellite mission. Thus, the correct option is (c), where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

1. Paradigm Shift under Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Focus on reactive crisis management: Incorrect. The transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is characterized by a shift towards proactive reform and prevention, rather than reactive crisis management.

2. Budgetary Support to MHA in 2025 - ₹2.33 lakh crore: Correct. The budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) increased to ₹2.33 lakh crore by 2025, reflecting the government's commitment to modernizing internal security.

3. Amendments to NIA Act and UAPA - Strengthen counter-terrorism laws: Correct. Legislative changes, including amendments to the NIA Act and UAPA, were introduced to clarify and strengthen counter-terrorism laws.

4. National Green Tribunal Order - Restriction on air horns during nighttime: Correct. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued an order to restrict the use of air horns on major roads during nighttime hours, highlighting enforcement challenges.

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

Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Soyuz spacecraft has been operational since the 1960s, it is not the only human spacecraft program used for International Space Station (ISS) missions. Since 2020, SpaceX's Crew Dragon and other spacecraft like Boeing’s Starliner have also been used for ISS missions.

Statement 2 is correct. The Soyuz spacecraft comprises three modules:

• Service Module (provides propulsion and life support),
• Orbital Module (living space during orbit),
• Descent Module (returns astronauts to Earth).
• Only the Descent Module survives reentry into Earth’s atmosphere; the other modules detach and burn up.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Soyuz vehicles are not reusable. Each Soyuz is designed for a single mission, unlike modern reusable spacecraft like SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

Only Statement 2 is correct. Correct Answer: B (2 Only).

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in India has traditionally been reactive, focusing on managing crises such as riots, insurgencies, and emergencies. This approach often led to short-term measures rather than addressing the root causes of such crises. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the MHA has shifted to a more proactive approach.
• This shift focuses on long-term reforms, strengthening internal security frameworks, and preparing the country to handle emerging threats effectively. Over 27 reforms have been introduced since 2019, including amendments to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), to provide a clearer and more robust response to internal security challenges.
• This proactive approach also includes enhancing coordination between the Centre and States, improving security infrastructure, and preparing the security apparatus for future challenges. The increased budget for the MHA further supports this proactive stance by improving operational capabilities.

Thus, the MHA's approach has moved from crisis management to proactive reform.

Statement-I is correct. The Soyuz spacecraft, operational since the 1960s, is indeed recognized as the most enduring human spacecraft program in history. It has been pivotal for missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and remains a cornerstone of human spaceflight.

Statement-II is correct. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to establish a robust framework for health data governance in India by digitizing health records and improving interoperability in healthcare systems.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, as the two statements address entirely unrelated subjects:

• Soyuz pertains to space exploration, while ABDM focuses on health data governance in India.
• There is no causal or explanatory relationship between them.

Conclusion: Both statements are factually accurate but entirely independent. Correct Answer: B.

1. China: Implemented increased tariffs on American goods.

This pair is correctly matched. China has indeed taken a firm stance against U.S. tariffs by implementing countermeasures, including increasing tariffs on American goods.

2. Japan: Preferred retaliation over negotiations.

This pair is incorrectly matched. Japan is pursuing a diplomatic approach to mitigate tariff tensions and has sent a delegation to the U.S. for negotiations, rather than opting for retaliation.

3. European Union: Focused on negotiation while preparing for retaliation.

This pair is correctly matched. The EU is balancing negotiations with potential retaliation strategies, reflecting a dual approach to the U.S. tariffs.

4. India: Publicly vocal in opposing U.S. tariffs.

This pair is incorrectly matched. India is adopting a quiet and cautious stance amid tariff concerns, preferring diplomacy over public opposition or retaliation.

Thus, only two pairs (1 and 3) are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Indian Monsoon is indeed primarily driven by the temperature difference between the Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent. During the summer, the land heats up more quickly than the ocean, creating a low-pressure area over the subcontinent that draws in moisture-laden winds from the ocean, leading to monsoon rains.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The El Niño phenomenon, which involves a warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, is generally associated with a weaker Indian Monsoon. El Niño can disrupt weather patterns, often reducing the intensity of the monsoon by affecting the moisture supply.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Himalayas play a crucial role in the Indian Monsoon system. They act as a formidable barrier that prevents the cold Central Asian winds from reaching the Indian subcontinent. This geographical feature helps maintain the temperature gradient necessary for the monsoonal flow and contributes to the significant rainfall the region experiences during the monsoon season.

Thus, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

1. World Health Organization (WHO) is correctly matched with Geneva, Switzerland. WHO is indeed headquartered in Geneva, focusing on international public health.

2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) is correctly matched with Washington D.C., USA. The IMF is headquartered in Washington D.C., where it works to ensure the stability of the international monetary system.

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is correctly matched with Paris, France. UNESCO is based in Paris and aims to promote world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.

4. World Trade Organization (WTO) is incorrectly matched. The WTO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, not Brussels, Belgium. It deals with the global rules of trade between nations.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched, making Option C the correct answer.