UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 19 December 2025

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the rhino horn is composed of keratin, a structural protein found in hair and nails, rather than bone or ivory. It is not attached to the skull bone but is a mass of compacted hair.
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the five species are distributed across two continents: the White and Black rhinos are native to Africa, while the Greater One-Horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are native to Asia.
• Statement 3 is correct; the Indian (Greater One-Horned) rhino is known for its semi-aquatic nature, often found in swamps and rivers, and is an excellent swimmer. These animals are keystone species, meaning their presence is vital for maintaining the structure of their ecosystem through seed dispersal and grazing patterns.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct; the mission sets a long-term target of 100 GW by 2047 to support India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; while SMRs can complement the grid, their primary focus is on decentralized power, repowering retiring fossil units, and providing captive power for industrial decarbonization, rather than just replacing large urban plants.
• Statement 3 is correct; the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is working on a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (~5 MW) designed for efficient hydrogen generation. SMRs are considered a “clean baseload” because they provide stable power unlike intermittent renewables.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the presidency is rotational, not elected.
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the tenure is one year (1 January to 31 December).
• Statement 3 is incorrect because BRICS is an informal coordination platform and has no permanent headquarters or secretariat. While the New Development Bank (NDB) is headquartered in Shanghai, it is a financial institution and not the administrative HQ of the BRICS political grouping. This lack of a formal charter or permanent HQ is a defining characteristic of BRICS’ “informal” nature.

Solution: C

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The declaration (2025) recognizes that mental health and NCDs share common risk factors like alcohol and physical inactivity. It also acknowledges modern “digital harms” and environmental factors like air pollution.
• Statement 3 is correct; the specific “fast-track” target is 150 million more people with hypertension under control, 150 million fewer tobacco users, and 150 million more people with access to mental health care by 2030. These targets are designed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Solution: D

• The 2025 Declaration significantly expanded the scope of what is traditionally considered a NCD. Beyond the “big four” (cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, respiratory), it now explicitly covers oral health, lung health, kidney and liver diseases, childhood cancer, and rare diseases.
• This expansion reflects a whole-of-society approach to health, recognizing that these conditions are leading causes of premature death and disability globally, particularly in vulnerable and climate-affected populations.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect; it is a bilateral joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces, specifically involving mechanized infantry.
• Statement 2 is correct; the core objective is training for Fighting in Built-up Areas (FIBUA), urban warfare, and sub-conventional operations.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; the exercise is conducted under a UN mandate, not a NATO mandate. The 2025 edition (held in Abu Dhabi) features the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and joint mission planning, strengthening bilateral defense ties.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect; it originates from the Chiantar Glacier in the Hindu Kush Mountains, not the Karakoram.
• Statement 2 is correct; it rises as the Chitral/Mastuj River in Pakistan, enters Afghanistan (where it is called Kunar), and merges with the Kabul River.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; it is a tributary of the Kabul River, which in turn joins the Indus near Attock. The Kunar is not a direct tributary of the Indus. Its flow is vital for the Indus Basin system, supporting irrigation and hydropower in both nations.

Solution: A

According to a recent international study, dehorning has reduced poaching by 75–78% in African reserves. Since the horn—made of keratin—is the primary target for poachers due to its perceived medicinal value in some cultures, removing it preemptively (a painless process for the animal) removes the incentive for poachers.

Therefore, Statement II directly explains the phenomenon described in Statement I. This strategy is part of a broader anti-poaching enforcement framework that reflects state capacity and governance in conservation.

Solution: C

The expanded BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Argentina was invited but declined to join under its new administration.

Therefore, 1, 2, 4, and 5 are members. This expansion is significant as it increases the group’s share of global GDP and population, strengthening its position as a bridge-building platform for the Global South and a challenger to the G7-led global order.

Solution: B

• Statement I is correct (SIDS are prioritized). Statement II is correct and explains Statement I, as the vulnerability of SIDS to climate change directly impacts their health infrastructure and disease burden, necessitating global priority.
• Statement III is correct (elimination of trans fats is a key feature), but it does not explain why SIDS specifically are prioritized.
• Therefore, both are correct, but only Statement II provides the explanation for Statement I. The declaration emphasizes stronger regulation of unhealthy food marketing and tobacco products to protect these populations.