Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 2nd August 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1 is correct. India continues its trade with Russia as Russian oil is not under UN sanctions, allowing India to legally purchase oil from Russia despite international pressures.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 does not allow unmarried women to opt for surrogacy; only widows or divorcees aged 35-45 years are eligible, thereby excluding unmarried women.

Statement 3 is incorrect. India's strategic foreign policy emphasizes national interests over external pressures, including Western diktats. India adopts a non-aligned approach that prioritizes its strategic autonomy and energy security, rather than aligning solely with Western pressures.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the correct answer.

1. Energy Security for India - Correctly matched. India's priority indeed focuses on securing affordable and reliable energy for economic stability and consumer welfare, as highlighted by the emphasis on energy security in the context of importing discounted Russian oil.

2. UN Sanctions on Russian Oil - Incorrectly matched. There are no UN sanctions on Russian crude oil, which allows India to legally continue its oil trade with Russia. The pair suggests the opposite, making it incorrectly matched.

3. Strategic Pragmatism - Correctly matched. India's foreign policy does prioritize national needs over bloc politics, reflecting a strategic pragmatism approach that aims to maintain an independent stance in global affairs.

4. Surrogacy Regulation Eligibility - Incorrectly matched. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 does not allow unmarried women to opt for surrogacy. The Act only permits widows and divorcees aged 35-45 years for surrogacy, excluding unmarried women.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Kudavolai System - Electoral process using a pot to ensure impartiality: Correct. The Kudavolai system was indeed an ancient electoral process used during the Chola dynasty, involving the drawing of candidates' names from a pot to ensure fairness and impartiality in elections.

2. Uthiramerur Inscriptions - Detail of electoral framework under Raja Raja Chola: Incorrect. The Uthiramerur inscriptions detail the electoral framework established during the reign of Parantaka Chola, not Raja Raja Chola. They describe a sophisticated system with eligibility norms, committee formations, and the right to recall elected members.

3. Vaishali - Participatory governance in the 5th century BCE: Correct. Vaishali is recognized as one of the world's earliest examples of a republic, showcasing participatory governance in ancient India during the 5th century BCE.

4. Kautilya's Arthashastra - References samghas, indicating local self-governance: Correct. Kautilya's Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economy, and military strategy, mentions samghas, which are indicative of a tradition of local self-governance in ancient India.

Pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

The relics discovered in Piprahwa are significant as they shed light on the distribution and preservation of Buddha's relics after his death. They contribute to the understanding of how relics were divided among various kingdoms and individuals following the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. This archaeological find helps trace the journey of Buddha's relics across ancient India, highlighting the cultural and historical importance of stupas as centers of Buddhist worship and pilgrimage.

1. Statement 1: The Piprahwa site is indeed identified as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, which was the capital of the Shakya republic. This is historically significant as it links directly to Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) who spent part of his life there. Thus, this statement is correct.

2. Statement 2: After the Buddha's death, his relics were initially distributed among eight kingdoms and a Brahmin. Emperor Ashoka, who played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism, later redistributed these relics from the original stupas into thousands of new stupas throughout his empire to propagate the Buddhist faith. Therefore, this statement is also correct.

3. Statement 3: The stupa at Ramagrama is indeed considered unique because it is believed to be untouched and still holds the original relics of the Buddha. This makes it a significant site for Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage. Hence, this statement is correct as well.

All three statements accurately reflect the historical and cultural context surrounding the Piprahwa relics and the tradition of stupas in Buddhism, making Option D: 1, 2 and 3 the correct answer.

The Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated just 20 kilometers from Jaipur and is named after the historic Nahargarh Fort, which was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The sanctuary covers an area of 720 hectares and is part of the Aravalli range, known for its diverse flora and fauna, including lions, tigers, leopards, various bird species, and reptiles.

I hope this question helps in testing the knowledge related to wildlife sanctuaries and their historical significance.

The primary goal of the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) is to protect and restore wetlands through collaborative efforts among the participating countries. This initiative emphasizes the importance of sustainable management practices and aims to halt and reverse the loss of wetlands across the member states. Wetlands play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water flow, and providing numerous ecosystem services essential for both humans and wildlife.

To determine which statements about the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) are correct, let's analyze each statement:
1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The IBRRI was indeed collaboratively developed by Ramsar National Focal Points from five countries, including Cambodia and Thailand, with the support of IUCN’s Asia Regional Office.
2. Statement 2: This statement is also correct. The governance structure of the IBRRI includes a Stakeholder Committee that provides technical and strategic guidance, promoting inclusive and transparent multi-stakeholder engagement in IBRRI activities.
3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The IBRRI Secretariat operates from the IUCN Asia Regional Office located in Bangkok, not from the Ramsar Convention Bureau in Gland, Switzerland.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option B, as both statements 1 and 2 are accurate, while statement 3 is not.

George Orwell's novel "Animal Farm" primarily serves as an allegory of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. The animals on the farm overthrow their human owner, Mr. Jones, symbolizing the overthrow of the Tsar in Russia. The pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, represent Stalin and Trotsky, respectively, showcasing the power struggle that emerged after the revolution. Through this allegory, Orwell critiques the corrupting nature of power and the eventual betrayal of the revolution's ideals, reflecting the historical events surrounding the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.

1. Treaty of Tordesillas - Division of newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal: Correct. The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide the newly discovered lands outside Europe along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands (off the west coast of Africa).

2. Treaty of Versailles - Ended the First World War: Correct. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 and officially ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It is one of the most famous treaties in history due to its harsh reparations and territorial changes imposed on Germany.

3. Treaty of Nanking - Ended the Opium War between the United States and China: Incorrect. The Treaty of Nanking, signed in 1842, ended the First Opium War between the United Kingdom and China. It marked the beginning of the era known as the "Century of Humiliation" for China, with significant concessions made to the British, including the cession of Hong Kong.

4. Treaty of Westphalia - Ended the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe: Correct. The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, ended the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic. It is often credited with laying the groundwork for modern state sovereignty and the international order.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched.