Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 29th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, not the Kangra district. Therefore, this statement is false.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The sanctuary is indeed recognized for its diverse flora, which includes herbal medicine trees and aromatic plants such as Wild Himalayan Cherry, Aloe Vera, and Amaranthus spinosus. These plants are noted for their medicinal properties, making the statement true.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Churdhar Peak, located within the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, is the highest peak in the outer Himalayas. This geographical feature significantly contributes to the sanctuary's prominence and appeal, confirming the statement as true.

Given the analysis, only statements 2 and 3 are correct. Thus, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only.

Sodium-ion batteries offer advantages such as resource abundance, cost-effective materials, safety in transport, and thermal stability across a broader temperature range. One significant advantage is their lower initial costs compared to lithium-ion batteries, making them a viable alternative for various applications.

(Note: The correct answer, Option C, highlights the advantage of lower initial costs associated with sodium-ion batteries, a key feature that distinguishes them from lithium-ion batteries.)

1. Statement 1: The Deputy Speaker can participate in debates and vote on issues while the Speaker is presiding. However, when presiding over the Lok Sabha themselves, the Deputy Speaker can only cast a vote in the case of a tie. This makes Statement 1 correct in the context of participation in debates and voting when not presiding themselves.

2. Statement 2: The election of the Deputy Speaker is indeed conducted through a ballot paper vote, and the date for this election is set by the Speaker and communicated via a parliamentary bulletin. This makes Statement 2 correct.

3. Statement 3: Traditionally, the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to a member of the Opposition to promote cooperation and maintain a balance of power within parliament. Therefore, Statement 3 is incorrect as it states the role is typically offered to a member of the ruling party.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, which aligns with Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly states that the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha ranks tenth in the official hierarchy. This is in accordance with the information provided in the source material. Statement-II is also accurate as it aligns with Article 95 of the Indian Constitution, which indeed grants the Deputy Speaker the authority to maintain order and adjourn sessions in the absence of the Speaker. Therefore, both statements are true, and the second statement explains the role and authority attributed to the Deputy Speaker as per the constitutional provisions.

1. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Kangra district: Incorrect. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is actually located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, not Kangra.

2. Oak and Deodar - Main tree species in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary: Correct. The sanctuary is known for these predominant tree species.

3. Rural poverty line in 2023-24 - ₹1,940: Correct. According to the Rangarajan Committee methodology, the rural poverty line increased to ₹1,940 in 2023-24.

4. Mount Vinson - Highest peak in North America: Incorrect. Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica. The highest peak in North America is Denali.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

The Seven Summits challenge primarily involves climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents, making it a remarkable feat in the world of mountaineering. This challenge serves as an ultimate goal for many climbers seeking to conquer the tallest mountains on each continent, showcasing not only physical prowess but also determination and endurance in extreme conditions.

1. Sodium-Ion Batteries: Abundant sodium sourced from seawater - Correct. Sodium is indeed abundant and can be sourced from seawater, making sodium-ion batteries a promising alternative due to resource availability.

2. NASICON-type Battery: Developed by IIT Bombay - Incorrect. The NASICON-type sodium-ion battery with superior charging performance was developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), not IIT Bombay.

3. NEP 2020: Introduces flexible learning with multiple entry and exit points - Correct. The National Education Policy 2020 indeed introduces flexible learning pathways, allowing students multiple entry and exit points in undergraduate programs.

4. Sodium-Ion Batteries: Superior energy density compared to Lithium-Ion Batteries - Incorrect. Sodium-ion batteries generally have a lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, presenting a challenge in their widespread adoption.

Thus, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly reflects the claim about India's economic ranking being the fourth largest based on recent reports. Statement-II accurately highlights the significance of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in providing a more accurate measure of economic strength compared to nominal GDP rankings. Both statements are individually correct, but Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I. The two statements provide complementary information about economic indicators without one being a direct explanation of the other.

Statement-I correctly highlights India's strategic shift towards sodium-ion batteries to reduce reliance on lithium-ion batteries, emphasizing the advantages of sodium and its environmental benefits. Statement-II accurately describes the key features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on flexible learning paths and practical skills to align education with industry requirements and enhance global competitiveness. While both statements are individually correct, they address different topics related to India's advancements in technology and education, without directly explaining or relating to each other. Thus, the correct answer is option (b).

- Statement 1 is correct. Nominal GDP is measured in current prices and converted into US dollars, which makes it sensitive to exchange rate fluctuations. These changes can impact the rankings of economies without reflecting any real change in their economic size or output.
- Statement 2 is correct. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjusts for the cost-of-living differences between countries, offering a more accurate assessment of the economic strength and real purchasing power of the population compared to nominal GDP figures.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) system in India was actually established in the 1960s, particularly during the Bihar famine of 1966-1967, and not as a result of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations. The Swaminathan Commission, which was set up much later, recommended that MSP should be at least 50% above the C2 cost.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.