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

1. Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV) - Designed to support India's first human mission to the Moon by 2040
This pair is correctly matched. The LMLV is indeed designed with the goal of supporting India's first human mission to the Moon by 2040.

2. Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) - Will be replaced by LMLV
This pair is correctly matched. The LMLV is planned to replace the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) plan.

3. LMLV Height - Equivalent to a 20-storey building
This pair is incorrectly matched. The LMLV is expected to be as tall as a 40-storey building, not a 20-storey building.

4. LMLV Payload Capacity to Moon - 18 tonnes
This pair is incorrectly matched. The LMLV can carry up to 27 tonnes to the Moon, which is beyond the 18 tonnes mentioned.

Thus, only the first and second pairs are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement-I correctly highlights the purpose of Direct Action Day, initiated by the All-India Muslim League to advocate for the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.
Statement-II accurately describes Gopal Patha's role during the 1946 "Great Calcutta Killing," where he led a group of men for defense, emphasizing retaliation against rioters while ensuring the safety of vulnerable groups.
Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II logically explains the historical context provided in Statement-I.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system is designed to evaluate and categorize levels of food insecurity in various regions. It provides a standardized method for assessing the severity of food insecurity based on factors like food access, livelihoods, nutrition, and mortality. By using a five-phase classification system, the IPC helps in identifying and responding to food crises effectively.

- Statement 1 is correct. Direct Action Day was indeed called by the All-India Muslim League to press for the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan, reflecting the growing communal tensions of the time.

- Statement 2 is correct. Gopal Patha, also known as Gopal Mukherjee, played a significant role during the tumultuous period of Direct Action Day. He mobilized Hindu youth and organized defense groups to respond to the riots, emphasizing disciplined retaliation while forbidding harm to non-combatants.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The violence on Direct Action Day, which began in Calcutta, was not limited to the city alone. It lasted for four days and spread to other regions, necessitating military intervention to restore order.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the accurate choice.

1. Statement 1: Incorrect. The LMLV is designed to carry payloads of up to 80 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), not to the Moon. It can carry up to 27 tonnes to the Moon. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
2. Statement 2: Correct. The LMLV is indeed expected to be completed by 2035, with plans to support India's first human mission to the Moon by 2040. This aligns with ISRO's long-term space exploration goals, making this statement correct.
3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The LMLV's first two stages use liquid propellants, while the third stage operates on cryogenic propellant. The statement incorrectly reverses the propellant types used in the stages. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct, making Option B the right answer.

Statement-I: The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is indeed a global tool used for assessing and classifying food insecurity levels accurately. This statement is correct.

Statement-II: Famine is indeed categorized as IPC Phase 5, the highest level of food insecurity, based on specific criteria such as extreme food gaps, acute malnutrition among children, and mortality rates. This statement further explains the classification process of famine within the IPC system.

Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II elaborates on the purpose and classification criteria within the IPC framework, making Option A the accurate choice.

Statement 1 is correct. The UGC's draft curriculum framework indeed seeks to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into undergraduate courses, aligning with the goals set out by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This alignment focuses on embedding India's cultural and intellectual heritage into higher education.

Statement 2 is also correct. The draft suggests incorporating traditional Indian mathematical concepts, such as mandala geometry and āyādi ratios, within the study of mathematics. This is part of a broader aim to blend traditional wisdom with modern educational outcomes, thereby enriching the learning experience for students by providing a more holistic understanding of these subjects.

Statement 3 is incorrect. While the draft curriculum aims to incorporate Indian Knowledge Systems into education, it does not intend to entirely replace Western educational methodologies. Instead, it seeks to create a balance where traditional Indian teachings are integrated alongside modern educational principles, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded educational framework that encourages critical thinking and scientific inquiry.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 accurately reflect the intentions and content of the UGC's draft curriculum framework, while statement 3 misrepresents the objective of balancing traditional and modern educational approaches.

- Statement-I correctly reflects the key objective of the UGC's draft curriculum framework to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into undergraduate courses, as per the provided information.
- Statement-II correctly highlights the essence of the USMCA pact offering preferential treatment to Canadian and Mexican goods to the U.S. and protecting them from most punitive tariffs. However, it does not directly relate to Statement-I concerning the UGC's draft curriculum. Hence, while both statements are individually correct, they do not have a direct explanatory relationship, making option B the correct choice.

The primary objective behind the development of the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV) by ISRO is to support India's first human mission to the Moon by 2040. This ambitious project aims to enhance India's capabilities in space exploration and establish a significant foothold in lunar missions. By developing the LMLV, ISRO is paving the way for future advancements in human space exploration and lunar surface operations.

1. Phase 1: Stressed - Incorrect. Phase 1 is actually "Minimal" in the IPC classification. This phase indicates that the population can meet essential food and non-food needs without engaging in unsustainable strategies to access food.

2. Phase 3: Crisis - Correct. Phase 3 indicates that households either have food consumption gaps with high or above usual acute malnutrition, or are marginally able to meet minimum food needs only with accelerated depletion of livelihood assets.

3. Phase 4: Emergency - Correct. Phase 4 represents a situation where there are large food consumption gaps resulting in very high acute malnutrition and excess mortality, or extreme loss of livelihood assets that will lead to food consumption gaps.

4. Phase 5: Catastrophe/Famine - Correct. Phase 5 is the most severe, indicating a famine situation where there is an extreme lack of food and other basic needs, resulting in starvation, death, and destitution.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the answer Option C: Only three pairs.