Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 13th July 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly defines BRICS as an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which was originally formed as BRIC in 2001. Statement-II accurately mentions the recent threat by the U.S. President to impose 10% tariffs on members of the BRICS grouping following their summit in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting ongoing tensions in international trade relations. Both statements are factually correct, but they are independent of each other and do not explain or relate to each other. Statement-I provides the foundational information about BRICS, while Statement-II discusses a recent event involving the BRICS grouping and the U.S. President's tariff threat.

Statement-I correctly identifies Pong Dam Lake as a man-made reservoir formed by the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas River. Statement-II accurately highlights the significant role of the Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in conserving biodiversity and providing habitats for various species. The sanctuary's presence around the reservoir reinforces the ecological significance of the entire area. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains the importance of the reservoir in supporting diverse wildlife populations.

1. International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA): Established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019. This statement is correctly matched. The IFSCA was indeed established under this Act to regulate financial products, services, and institutions in India's International Financial Services Centre.

2. GIFT City: Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This statement is incorrectly matched. GIFT City is actually located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, not Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is India's first International Financial Services Centre.

3. Bhadrakali Lake: Built in the 12th century by Ganapati Deva of the Kakatiya dynasty. This statement is correctly matched. Bhadrakali Lake was indeed constructed during the 12th century by Ganapati Deva.

4. Fuel Control Switches on Boeing 787: Used routinely during normal flight operations. This statement is incorrectly matched. Fuel control switches are critical for engine operations but are not used routinely during normal flight operations. They are intended for emergencies, such as engine failure.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

The primary objective behind the formation of the BRICS grouping is to foster economic collaboration and promote sustainable development among its member countries. This grouping, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to enhance cooperation in various economic sectors, facilitate trade relations, and work towards sustainable development goals. By combining their economic strengths, these nations seek to increase their global influence and contribute to global governance mechanisms.

1. Plague - Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis: Incorrect. Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, not Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax.

2. Pneumonic Plague - Affects the lungs and is the most severe form: Correct. Pneumonic plague indeed affects the lungs and is considered the most severe form, often resulting from untreated cases of other plague forms.

3. Blackbuck - Scientific name is Antilope cervicapra: Correct. The scientific name of the blackbuck is Antilope cervicapra.

4. Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Rajasthan: Incorrect. The Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Punjab, not Rajasthan. It plays a crucial role in the preservation of species like the blackbuck.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh
This pair is correctly matched. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar, is indeed located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
2. Ramsar Site Designation - Pong Dam was designated in 2005
This pair is incorrectly matched. Pong Dam was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002, not 2005.
3. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) - Defined explicitly in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
This pair is incorrectly matched. Eco-Sensitive Zones are not explicitly defined in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The act is used by the Government of India to declare these zones, but it does not specifically mention them.
4. Trans-Himalayan flyway - Associated with over 220 bird species in Pong Dam Lake
This pair is correctly matched. The Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the trans-Himalayan flyway and attracts over 220 bird species, including 54 species of waterfowl.
Thus, only two pairs (1 and 4) are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS has its headquarters in Shanghai, China, not Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The NDB allows membership to any United Nations member, where voting power is proportional to subscribed shares. This structure ensures that BRICS nations collectively maintain at least 55% of the voting power, without any single country holding veto power.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The BRICS economies collectively represent over $28.5 trillion, which is approximately 28% of the world's economy. This highlights the significant economic influence of the BRICS nations on the global stage.

In conclusion, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) was indeed established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019. It serves as a unified regulatory body overseeing financial products, services, and institutions located within India's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The composition of the IFSCA includes nine members appointed by the central government. The members include a chairperson, representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), along with other appointed members.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The primary objective of the IFSCA is not to regulate domestic financial products and services exclusively within India but to enhance global connectivity and address the needs of the Indian economy by functioning as an international financial platform for the region. It aims to cater to international financial services rather than focusing solely on domestic services.

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

- Statement 1 is correct. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, also referred to as Maharana Pratap Sagar, is indeed a Ramsar site, designated in 2002 for its ecological importance. This recognition highlights its significance in biodiversity conservation and wetland ecology.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are not explicitly mentioned in the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. Instead, the Government of India uses the provisions of this act to declare these zones. The ESZs are intended to act as protective buffers around protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, but they do not have direct statutory backing in the Act itself.

- Statement 3 is correct. The guidelines for ESZs, issued in 2011, indeed propose a general framework that includes a 10-km buffer zone around protected areas. However, this blanket approach has been criticized for failing to account for the unique ecological and developmental needs of different regions. This has led to calls for more site-specific ESZ frameworks.

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

The primary mode of transmission for plague is through flea bites from infected animals. This infectious disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, historically significant from the Middle Ages, has three main types: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. Among these, pneumonic plague is the most severe type affecting the lungs. Prompt medical intervention with antibiotics is crucial to prevent severe health complications or death. This recent case in northern Arizona underscores the ongoing risks associated with plague, particularly in certain regions globally.