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

1. Exercise Prachand Shakti - Conducted at Kharga Corps Field Training Area, Meerut
This pair is correctly matched. The Indian Army conducted the exercise at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

2. NIRF Penalty for Research Retractions - Effective from 2023
This pair is incorrectly matched. The NIRF penalty for research retractions will be effective from the 2024 ranking cycle, not 2023.

3. Bitra Island - Located in the southern part of Lakshadweep
This pair is incorrectly matched. Bitra Island is situated in the northern part of Lakshadweep, not the southern part.

4. INS Dweeprakshak - Located in Lakshadweep
This pair is correctly matched. INS Dweeprakshak is indeed located in Lakshadweep.

Only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement 1 is correct. The exercise 'Prachand Shakti' was indeed conducted by the Indian Army at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The exercise did not focus solely on enhancing the capabilities of armored units in defensive operations; rather, it focused on the use of disruptive technologies by infantry units during Strike Corps operations, aiming to enhance agility, lethality, and survivability during deep offensive missions.

Statement 3 is correct. The demonstration did highlight the use of disruptive technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and AI systems, which are integral to modern warfare and are transforming operational capabilities in combat scenarios.

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

The primary objective of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in India, initiated in 2015, is to evaluate and rank higher education institutions based on parameters such as Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research & Professional Practices, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach & Inclusivity, and Perception. This ranking system aids students in making informed decisions about their educational choices and encourages institutions to enhance their standards to improve overall quality.

The primary purpose of INS Sandhayak, the indigenously designed Sandhayak-class hydrographic survey ship, is to conduct comprehensive coastal and deep-water surveys. These surveys are essential for determining navigational channels and routes, crucial for safe maritime operations. By efficiently collecting oceanographic data, the ship plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime activities.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Pact for the Future indeed aims to address a wide array of issues, including peace and security, climate change, and digital cooperation, as part of its comprehensive approach to international collaboration and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. Statement 2 is correct. The Global Digital Compact is a component of the Pact for the Future, and it is designed to promote international standards and norms in the digital space, ensuring equitable access to and benefits from digital technologies.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Declaration on Future Generations was not adopted in September 2023; it was adopted during the Summit of the Future held in New York in September 2024. This reflects the collective commitment to an international system centered around the United Nations.

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

1. Himalayan Chandra Telescope - Located at Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh:
This is correctly matched. The Himalayan Chandra Telescope is indeed located at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

2. Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) - Joint initiative by NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
This pair is incorrectly matched. SNIFS is a collaborative effort involving NASA and international solar physicists from New Mexico, but ISRO is not mentioned as part of this collaboration.

3. INS Sandhayak - Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata:
This is correctly matched. INS Sandhayak, a Sandhayak-class hydrographic survey ship, was built by GRSE in Kolkata.

4. Dark Sky Reserve - Designation given by the International Dark-Sky Association to Hanle:
This is correctly matched. Hanle is designated as a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association, acknowledging its minimal light pollution and optimal conditions for astronomical observations.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly outlines the parameters based on which institutions are evaluated under the NIRF ranking system. Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research & Professional Practices, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach & Inclusivity, and Perception are indeed key criteria considered for ranking.

Statement-II accurately describes how institutions are categorized by the NIRF into two groups: Category A and Category B based on their nature and importance. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation of Statement-I; it presents additional information about the grouping of institutions rather than clarifying the content of Statement-I.

The Indian Army's 'Prachand Shakti' exercise primarily aims to demonstrate the use of disruptive technologies. This exercise focuses on integrating advanced technologies like UAVs, AI systems, and autonomous platforms into military operations to enhance agility, lethality, and survivability of infantry formations engaged in deep offensive missions.

1. Global Digital Compact - Correctly matched. This component of the Pact for the Future is indeed aimed at promoting international standards and norms in the digital space, ensuring equitable access and benefits of digital technologies.

2. Declaration on Future Generations - Correctly matched. This declaration aims to safeguard the rights and needs of future generations by ensuring sustainable practices today, aligning with the description provided.

3. EFTA Member Countries - Incorrectly matched. The current members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Austria, Denmark, and Portugal were original members but are not part of EFTA now.

4. Raji Tribe Language - Correctly matched. The Raji tribe speaks Bat-Kha, which is a Tibeto-Burman language, aligning with the details given.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is not. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched according to the options provided.

1. IIT Madras - Topped the Overall Category for six consecutive years: This pair is correctly matched. IIT Madras has indeed maintained its 1st position in the Overall Category from 2019 to 2024.

2. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru - Topped the Engineering Category for nine consecutive years: This pair is incorrectly matched. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has topped the Universities Category, not the Engineering Category, for the nine years from 2016 to 2024.

3. IIM Ahmedabad - Topped the Management Category for five consecutive years: This pair is correctly matched. IIM Ahmedabad has been ranked 1st in the Management Category for five consecutive years, from 2020 to 2024.

4. Digital Trade Chapter in India-EU FTA - Includes provisions for cross-border data flows and investments: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Digital Trade Chapter primarily addresses cross-border data flows essential for e-commerce and digital services, but it does not specifically include provisions for investments. The investment aspects are covered separately in the investment text and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.