Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 17th January 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Siachen Glacier: Located in the Karakoram Range - This pair is correctly matched. Siachen Glacier is indeed located in the Karakoram Range and is one of the largest glaciers in the region.

2. Nubra River: Tributary of the Indus River - This pair is incorrectly matched. The Nubra River is actually a tributary of the Shyok River, not the Indus River. The Shyok River itself eventually joins the Indus River, but Nubra directly meets Shyok.

3. Fedchenko Glacier: Located in the Pamir Mountains - This pair is correctly matched. The Fedchenko Glacier is indeed found in the Pamir Mountains, and it is the longest glacier outside the polar regions.

4. Operation Meghadoot: 1984 Indian military operation to control the Siachen Glacier - This pair is correctly matched. Operation Meghadoot was the military operation launched by India in 1984 to gain control over the Siachen Glacier, making it the world's highest battleground.

Based on the analysis, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement 1 is correct. The Kampala Declaration indeed serves as a successor to the Malabo Declaration and focuses on transforming agriculture into a climate-smart sector, aligning with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Statement 2 is correct. The declaration includes a Ten-Year Post-Malabo Agenda (2026–2035) that outlines strategies for the implementation and monitoring of various agricultural innovations and initiatives.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The declaration does not solely focus on agricultural policies; it emphasizes the integration of agricultural objectives with broader development goals like nutrition and environmental sustainability, addressing challenges across the entire food value chain.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I highlights the idea that democracies coming together can strengthen global stability by standing against authoritarian regimes, which is a valid point. Statement-II provides a complementary perspective by suggesting that enhanced cooperation among democracies can contribute to a more secure international environment, supporting the notion presented in Statement-I. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically follows and explains Statement-I, making option (a) the most appropriate choice.

Statement-I is correct as the Pench Tiger Reserve indeed spans the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh. However, Statement-II is incorrect because the Pench Tiger Reserve was declared a National Park in 1983, not 1992. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c) where Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

The Kampala Declaration, which succeeded the Malabo Declaration, primarily centers on modernizing agriculture into a climate-smart sector. This strategic move aligns with CAADP's vision and the broader objectives laid out in the African Union's Agenda 2063. By emphasizing sustainable food production through innovative practices and addressing challenges across the food value chain, the declaration aims to transform Africa's agriculture to meet contemporary challenges while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity.

1. Statement 1: "Siachen Glacier is the longest nonpolar glacier in the world." - This statement is incorrect. The Siachen Glacier is the second longest nonpolar glacier in the world, with the Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan being the longest.

2. Statement 2: "It is strategically located between the Saltoro Ridge to the west and the main Karakoram Range to the east." - This statement is correct. The Siachen Glacier's strategic position between these geographical features is significant for military and geopolitical considerations.

3. Statement 3: "The glacier serves as the primary source of the Indus River." - This statement is incorrect. While the Siachen Glacier is hydrologically significant, it is the primary source of the Nubra River, not the Indus River, which is a tributary of the Shyok River.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct, making Option C: 2 Only the right answer.

1. Normal saline: Correctly matched. Normal saline is a type of crystalloid solution that consists of sodium chloride dissolved in water.

2. D5W: Correctly matched. D5W (Dextrose 5% in Water) is a crystalloid solution where dextrose is dissolved in water.

3. Albumin: Correctly matched. Albumin is a colloid solution that includes large protein molecules, which do not pass easily through cell membranes and remain in the blood vessels.

4. Hetastarch: Incorrectly matched. Hetastarch is a colloid solution, not a crystalloid. It contains large molecules that stay in the blood vessels, similar to albumin.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched: Normal saline, D5W, and Albumin.

1. Unified Front Against Authoritarianism - This pair is incorrectly matched. The concept refers to democracies standing together to deter threats from authoritarian regimes like China and Russia, not from democratic regimes like Japan and Australia.

2. Advocating Democratic Principles - This pair is correctly matched. An alliance of democracies indeed promotes human rights and the rule of law, fostering a supportive environment for democracy.

3. Addressing Global Challenges - This pair is correctly matched. Democracies collaborate on pressing global issues such as climate change and public health crises, pooling resources for effective solutions.

4. Strengthening Economic Ties - This pair is incorrectly matched. The focus is on promoting free trade and creating a resilient economic network among democracies, not with authoritarian states.

Thus, only two pairs (pairs 2 and 3) are correctly matched.

The Siachen Glacier holds strategic importance in the region as it is strategically located between the Saltoro Ridge and the main Karakoram Range, controlling routes from Gilgit Baltistan to Leh. This geographical location makes it a crucial area for military operations and surveillance in the region.

The Pench Tiger Reserve is situated in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills, spanning the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh. This reserve was declared a National Park in 1983 and later designated as a tiger reserve in 1992. The area is renowned for its diverse vegetation, rich flora, and varied fauna, making it a vital habitat for numerous species and a cherished literary landmark as the setting for Rudyard Kipling's famous work, "The Jungle Book."