Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 12th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Origin of Mahadayi River - Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

This pair is correctly matched. The Mahadayi River originates from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats, Karnataka.

2. Tributaries of Mahadayi River - Rogaro, Kushavati, Nanorem, Girnar

This pair is incorrectly matched. While Rogaro, Kushavati, and Nanorem are tributaries of the Mahadayi River, Girnar is not a tributary; it refers to a region in Gujarat associated with the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

3. Asiatic Lion Habitat - Gir National Park, Gujarat

This pair is correctly matched. The Asiatic lion is primarily found in the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.

4. Conservation Status of Asiatic Lions (IUCN) - Vulnerable

This pair is incorrectly matched. As of the most recent assessments, the Asiatic lion is classified as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List, not "Vulnerable."

Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

1. Mount Spurr - Located in northern Alaska: This pair is incorrect. Mount Spurr is an active stratovolcano located in the north-central Cook Inlet region of Alaska, approximately 100 kilometers west of Anchorage, not in northern Alaska.

2. Crater Peak vent - Part of Mount Spurr's volcanic complex: This pair is correct. Crater Peak vent is indeed a part of Mount Spurr’s volcanic complex, specifically a small stratocone on its southern flank.

3. Woolly mammoth de-extinction - Aims to reintroduce species to Arctic tundra: This pair is correct. The de-extinction project for the woolly mammoth aims to create a cold-resistant elephant with traits similar to the woolly mammoth to inhabit Arctic tundra regions.

4. Dire wolf revival - Fully restored original dire wolf species: This pair is incorrect. The dire wolf revival project has resulted in genetically engineered wolves with some traits of dire wolves but not a fully restored original species. Critics describe the result as a "strange-looking gray wolf," indicating it is not a true de-extinction.

Pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct option C: Only three pairs.

Colossal Biosciences is primarily focused on reviving extinct species using advanced genetic engineering techniques. Their projects involve integrating genes from extinct species into the genomes of living animals to bring back characteristics of these ancient creatures. This approach aims to address conservation challenges and potentially restore biodiversity by leveraging genetic technology to resurrect species that have long been extinct.

1. El Niño : Cooler-than-usual sea surface temperatures - Incorrect. El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

2. La Niña : Warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures - Incorrect. La Niña involves cooler-than-usual sea surface temperatures, often leading to colder atmospheric patterns and stronger trade winds.

3. ENSO-Neutral : Transitional phase between El Niño and La Niña - Correct. ENSO-Neutral is indeed the transitional phase where neither El Niño nor La Niña dominates, resulting in less certain weather forecasts.

4. El Niño : Associated with unusual global warming patterns - Correct. El Niño is associated with unusual global warming patterns due to the increased sea surface temperatures affecting global climate.

Thus, pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making two pairs correctly matched in total.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Mahadayi River, also known as the Mandovi, originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats, Karnataka. This aligns with the information provided about the river's origin and its geographical location.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Kalasa-Banduri Project does not aim to divert water to the Krishna River basin for agricultural purposes. Instead, it aims to supply drinking water to districts in Karnataka by diverting water from the Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is indeed located on Chorao Island in the Mahadayi River, which is a significant ecological site in the region.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option B the right answer.

The El Niño phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures. This phenomenon is often associated with unusual global weather patterns and can have significant impacts on wind behavior, atmospheric pressure, and rainfall distribution. During El Niño events, the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean can lead to a variety of climatic effects worldwide, including droughts, floods, and disruptions in marine ecosystems.

1. Statement 1: The SAARC Development Fund was established in 2010 to finance social, economic, and infrastructure development across SAARC countries. - This statement is correct. The SDF was indeed established in 2010 with the purpose of supporting social, economic, and infrastructure projects within SAARC member countries.

2. Statement 2: The SDF's capital base is $1.5 billion, which is fully funded by USAID. - This statement is incorrect. While the SDF has a capital base and authorized funds totaling $1.5 billion, it is not fully funded by USAID. Instead, the SDF operates on a collaborative funding model, with contributions from SAARC member countries and development partners, not solely by USAID.

3. Statement 3: The Charter of the SDF was signed during the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo. - This statement is correct. The Charter of the SAARC Development Fund was signed during the 15th SAARC Summit held in Colombo.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

1. SAARC Development Fund (SDF) - Established in 2005: This pair is incorrectly matched. The SAARC Development Fund was established in 2010, although it was reconstituted as the umbrella financial mechanism in 2005. The correct establishment year, as a distinct entity, is 2010.

2. PM-POSHAN Scheme - Previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme: This pair is correctly matched. The PM-POSHAN Scheme is indeed a revamped version of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, aimed at providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren.

3. SAARC Development Fund Secretariat - Located in Kathmandu, Nepal: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund is located in Thimphu, Bhutan, not Kathmandu, Nepal.

4. Funding Pattern of PM-POSHAN - 90:10 for Northeastern and Himalayan States: This pair is correctly matched. The funding pattern for the PM-POSHAN Scheme is indeed 90:10 for Northeastern and Himalayan States, which means these states receive 90% of the funding from the central government and contribute 10% themselves.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. Mount Spurr is indeed an active stratovolcano complex located in the north-central Cook Inlet region of Alaska, approximately 100 kilometers west of Anchorage. This information aligns with the geographical details provided.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Although there are projects aimed at reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth through genetic engineering, such efforts have not yet been scientifically proven through rigorous peer review or established results. The process involves complex genetic engineering that has not been fully validated in scientific literature.

- Statement 3 is correct. The last recorded eruption of Mount Spurr occurred in 1992, which resulted in significant ashfall that disrupted air travel in the region. This event is well-documented and highlights the potential impact of volcanic activity on human activities.

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

The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) primarily focuses on social, economic, and infrastructure development across SAARC countries. This fund, established in 2010 by SAARC member countries, aims to address developmental challenges and promote cooperation among nations in the South Asian region. The SDF operates with a capital base of $672 million and $1.5 billion in authorized funds, with a vision to enhance regional development and collaboration.