Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 31st July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Mangrove Importance: Protects coastal communities from cyclones and erosion - This pair is correctly matched. Mangroves serve as natural barriers against cyclones and erosion, thereby protecting coastal communities. For instance, during the 2004 tsunami, villages in Tamil Nadu with mangrove cover experienced less damage.
2. Threat to Mangroves: Aquaculture and shrimp farming - This pair is correctly matched. Aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, often leads to the conversion of mangrove lands, which disrupts local ecosystems and poses a significant threat to mangrove health.
3. Community Involvement Example: Amazon's investment in Mumbai - This pair is incorrectly matched. While Amazon's investment in Mumbai's mangrove restoration is an example of corporate partnership, community involvement typically refers to local communities engaging directly in restoration activities, such as those in Tamil Nadu participating in hydrology restoration and seed collection.
4. Biodiversity Support: Breeding grounds for marine species - This pair is correctly matched. Mangroves are critical biodiversity hotspots, providing breeding grounds for various marine species, contributing to the ecological health of coastal areas.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed located near the Mahanadi River, close to the Hirakud Dam, which is the longest earthen dam globally. The sanctuary is historically significant due to its association with the freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The sanctuary does not predominantly feature evergreen forests. Instead, it is characterized by mixed and dry deciduous forests, which support diverse wildlife. Evergreen forests are characterized by a constant presence of green leaves throughout the year, which is not the case here.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The sanctuary is home to various animals, including Indian leopards, sloth bears, and Indian wild dogs (dholes). These species are indeed part of the notable fauna found within the sanctuary.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the right choice.

The primary objective of the Skill Impact Bond (SIB) is to enhance employment opportunities through skills training. This innovative financing tool focuses on improving employment outcomes for young people by providing funding to service providers who deliver skills training and job placement support. By prioritizing job placement and retention, the SIB aims to create a measurable social impact in the realm of employment.

1. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary - Located near Hirakud Dam: Correctly matched. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed situated near the Hirakud Dam, which is recognized as the longest earthen dam globally.

2. Sal Tree - Predominantly found in Tropical Evergreen Forests: Incorrectly matched. Sal trees are typically found in tropical dry deciduous forests, not tropical evergreen forests. They are widespread in central and northern India.

3. Kamchatka Peninsula - Part of the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire: Correctly matched. The Kamchatka Peninsula is part of the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity.

4. Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 - Addresses radioactive waste sites: Incorrectly matched. The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, specifically exclude sites involving radioactive waste, as these are regulated separately.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: pairs 1 and 3.

The Odisha government's decision to introduce tigers to the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary primarily aims to enhance the ecological balance of the sanctuary. By introducing tigers, the ecosystem can benefit from the presence of a top predator, which can regulate the population of prey species and contribute to the overall health and diversity of the wildlife in the area.

The primary goal of the new "cascade" system for Schengen visas is to simplify travel for trusted Indian travelers by providing them with long-term visas based on their visa history. This initiative aims to enhance mobility across the Schengen Area while maintaining necessary security measures at external borders.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Skill Impact Bond (SIB) was indeed launched in November 2021 and is recognized as India's first development impact bond focused specifically on employment outcomes. This aligns with the context of the program's inception and objectives as described.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. While the SIB initiative aims to benefit 50,000 young Indians, it specifically emphasizes that 60% of the beneficiaries are to be women, not men. This is an important aspect of the initiative's focus on gender inclusion and empowerment.
- Statement 3 is correct. The funding structure of the SIB involves using private sector capital to provide funding to service providers. These providers are tasked with delivering skills training and job placement support, prioritizing job placement and retention over mere training and certification. This reflects the outcomes-based financing model that the SIB employs.
Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the right answer.

Statement-I correctly mentions that the Dorjilung Hydropower Project aims to harness a capacity of 1125 MW using a run-of-river design. Statement-II provides additional details about the project's infrastructure, including the concrete-gravity dam, the flow rate through the headrace tunnel, and the design of the powerhouse with Francis turbines. Statement-II explains the technical aspects that support Statement-I, making both statements correct and logically connected.

1. Mangroves and Blue Carbon: Mangroves are indeed vital in sequestering "blue carbon," which refers to the carbon captured by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems. This ability to absorb and store carbon significantly aids in mitigating the effects of climate change, making Statement 1 correct.

2. Mangrove Cover in India: The total mangrove cover in India is 4,992 square kilometers, which constitutes only about 0.15% of the country's geographical area, not more than 1%. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

3. Community Involvement and Corporate Partnerships: Successful mangrove restoration projects in regions like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai have demonstrated the importance of community involvement and corporate partnerships. These collaborations have been crucial in implementing effective restoration strategies, such as hydrology restoration through tidal canal digging and seed collection, making Statement 3 correct.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, and the answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Anti-conversion laws: Misused against voluntary conversions in tribal areas. - Correct. Anti-conversion laws are often criticized for being used against voluntary conversions, especially targeting tribal Christians and missionaries.

2. Sarna religious code: Advocates for the recognition of Christianity as a distinct religion. - Incorrect. The Sarna religious code advocates for the recognition of Sarnaism, not Christianity, as a distinct religion, emphasizing the need for official acknowledgment in government records.

3. Scheduled Tribe status: Affected by the conversion to Christianity. - Correct. There is a debate over the potential delisting of Scheduled Tribe status for those who convert to Christianity, which raises concerns about constitutional safeguards for Christian Adivasis.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25): Infringed by anti-conversion laws. - Correct. Anti-conversion laws are often seen as infringing upon the Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25) among other constitutional rights.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.