Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 23rd June 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights the impact of global protectionism on Indian exporters, indicating the complications faced in trade flows. Statement-II defines protectionism accurately, but it does not directly explain the specific scenario mentioned in Statement-I regarding the challenges faced by Indian exporters. While both statements are individually correct, they are not intricately linked in a way that one explains the other in the context provided.

1. Tomahawk Missile - Operational Range: Correctly matched. The Tomahawk missile has an operational range between 1,000 and 1,500 miles, making it suitable for long-distance strikes.

2. Tomahawk Missile - Power Source: Correctly matched. The missile transitions from a solid propellant to a turbofan engine, which minimizes heat emissions and complicates infrared detection.

3. Indian Students in Iran - Main Attraction: Incorrectly matched. The main attraction for Indian students, particularly from Kashmir, to study in Iran is the affordability and lower fees, not language similarities.

4. Indian Students in Iran - Licensing Issue: Incorrectly matched. Foreign medical graduates must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice in India, and not all automatically qualify, as evidenced by a low pass rate.

Pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, while pairs 3 and 4 are incorrectly matched.

1. Protectionism : Challenges Indian garment and pharmaceutical exports.

- Correct. The rise in global protectionism involves measures such as tariffs on Indian goods, which adversely affect sectors like garments and pharmaceuticals.

2. Geopolitical Tensions : U.S.-China trade war disrupting global supply chains.

- Correct. The ongoing U.S.-China trade war has significantly disrupted global supply chains, affecting Indian exporters and raising costs.

3. Indigenous Components : INS Tamal equipped with BrahMos missile.

- Correct. INS Tamal incorporates 26% indigenous components, including the advanced BrahMos long-range cruise missile.

4. Per Capita Income : Improvement from $2,424.2 in 2004 to $12,131.8 in 2025.

- Correct. India's per capita income (PPP) has improved significantly from $2,424.2 in 2004 to a projected $12,131.8 in 2025.

All four pairs are correctly matched. Each statement accurately reflects the details provided in the source material, confirming the correctness of the option selected.

1. Statement 1: The statement is incorrect. The Tomahawk missile is known for its subsonic speed, not supersonic. Subsonic speeds allow it to fly at low altitudes, aiding in radar evasion through terrain masking, but it does not travel at supersonic speeds.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Tomahawk missile has an operational range between 1,550 and 2,500 kilometers and can indeed be launched from both ships and submarines, utilizing a Vertical Launch System.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. After the initial launch phase powered by solid propellant, the missile transitions to being powered by a turbofan engine. This engine minimizes heat emissions, making infrared detection more challenging. The cost of each Tomahawk missile is approximately $2 million.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-I is incorrect because the Tomahawk missile is actually a subsonic cruise missile developed by the United States Navy, not the Air Force. It is predominantly used by the Navy and not the Air Force.
Statement-II is correct as the Tomahawk missile can indeed be launched from ships or submarines and is guided by advanced technologies such as GPS for precision and accuracy.

Bilateral and free trade agreements (FTAs) play a crucial role in providing preferential access to markets for Indian exporters, enabling them to compete more effectively on the international stage. By reducing trade barriers and facilitating smoother trade relations with partner countries, FTAs can significantly benefit Indian industries, such as apparel exporters, by expanding market opportunities and promoting economic growth.

The primary aim of the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) is to address the shortage of rare blood types necessary for conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell disease by enhancing blood transfusion services nationwide. By utilizing molecular assays for accurate donor typing and creating a centralized national database, the RDRI aims to improve the availability and accessibility of rare blood types, ultimately saving lives in critical situations.

The primary reason for Iran's Parliament considering the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the recent US military strikes on Iranian military sites. This move signifies a significant escalation in regional tensions, prompting Iran to contemplate the closure of this vital maritime passage.

The Tomahawk missile is known for its subsonic speed and low-altitude flight capabilities, allowing it to avoid radar detection. It is guided by advanced technologies like GPS and terrain contour mapping, contributing to its high accuracy rate with a margin of error of approximately 10 meters. These features make the Tomahawk an effective and precise weapon in modern warfare.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Strait of Hormuz indeed connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and plays a vital role in the global oil trade, as it is a major channel for oil tankers.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Strait of Hormuz is a significant route for oil transportation, it does not account for over 50% of the world's seaborne oil. According to the data, about 25% of the world’s seaborne oil passes through this strait.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The United States Fifth Fleet is indeed stationed in the region, specifically tasked with ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, among other responsibilities in the Persian Gulf region.

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