UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 21 February 2025

Solution: A

Statement 1 is incorrect. While grey-listed countries are not completely cut off from international financial aid, being on the grey list serves as a warning. Their access to loans may be restricted or made more difficult depending on their compliance efforts.

Statement 2 is correct. Countries on the FATF blacklist face severe financial sanctions, including being denied loans from institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and ADB. This creates significant economic pressure.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Being on the grey list harms a country’s international reputation and standing, as it signals that the country is not fully compliant with global financial crime standards, which can deter foreign investment and trade.

Solution: B

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Village Defense Committees (VDCs) play an important role in local surveillance, especially in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir, making statement 1 correct. Community policing programs are also employed to engage local populations in reporting suspicious activities, making statement 2 correct. However, IBMS focuses on technological advancements like electronic surveillance and real-time monitoring systems rather than depending primarily on community policing, so statement 3 is incorrect.

Solution: C

• Mohiniyattam, often referred to as the “dance of enchantment,” is a classical dance form from Kerala known for its graceful, fluid movements and the feminine charm it expresses. It is performed solo and emphasizes gentle, swaying body movements, symbolizing the essence of Lasya (grace).
• Statement 1 is correct, as it is commonly called the dance of enchantment.
• Statement 3 is also accurate, as the dance is known for its gentle movements, and it is traditionally performed by solo female dancers.
• Statement 4 is true as well, as Mohiniyattam was historically patronized by the Travancore kings who supported its growth and preservation.
• However, statement 2 is incorrect because Mohiniyattam is not the only classical dance form originating from Kerala; Kathakali also originated there.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The movement aimed at abolishing untouchability and caste-based discrimination in public spaces, not just for the Ezhava community. Mahatma Gandhi’s intervention in 1925 was key, and the movement eventually paved the way for the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• The Quad is not a military alliance but a strategic partnership. It was initially formed to promote regional stability, particularly in response to China’s growing influence.
• The Quad nations account for around 35% of the world’s GDP, making them economically significant players on the global stage.
• The Annual Quad Leaders’ Summits provide guidance on shared goals like promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• These summits lead to joint statements and initiatives in areas such as maritime security, technology, climate change, and public health. These summits have reinforced the Quad’s shared values, including the rule of law, sovereignty, and democracy, and have advanced high-level cooperation.
• While the Quad does hold joint military exercises, it stops short of forming a military alliance, focusing instead on regional security cooperation, shared values, and coordinated responses to global challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Solution: A

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. The first statement is incorrect because the UNSC consists of 15 members—5 permanent members (P5) and 10 non-permanent members, not 10 permanent and 5 non-permanent members.

The second statement is correct. Only the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) hold veto power, which allows them to block the adoption of any substantive resolution.

The third statement is incorrect because the non-permanent members of the UNSC are elected for a term of two years, not five. These members are elected by the General Assembly and represent various regions of the world.

Solution: a)

Methane is indeed an odorless and flammable gas, and it plays a significant role in forming ground-level ozone, a major pollutant contributing to respiratory problems. Statement 3 is incorrect because 60% of methane emissions come from human activities, such as agriculture, landfills, and fossil fuel extraction, while only 40% comes from natural sources like wetlands.

Solution: A

Statement 1 is incorrect because the CSC is a multilateral initiative, not a bilateral one, involving India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct as the CSC focuses on enhancing regional security by addressing various transnational threats, including disaster relief, cyber security, maritime safety, and counter-terrorism.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is correct because the Digital Agriculture Mission is focused on creating a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to integrate data and technology in agriculture.

Statement 2 is correct because the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) is designed to improve crop yield estimation and accuracy in production data.

Statement 3 is incorrect because Digital Agriculture tools cover a wide range of activities beyond weather and soil health, including crop monitoring, input optimization, and precision farming.

Solution: D

Uganda does not share a border with Sudan. The countries that do share a border with Sudan are Chad, Libya, Eritrea, Egypt, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Ethiopia.