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Daily-mcqs 29 Sep 2025

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams 29 Sep 2025

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams

Q1:

With reference to India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve, consider the following statements:

1.   It was established under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to protect community-based marine resources.

2.   The reserve is located in the Palk Bay region and protects significant seagrass meadows, which serve as critical feeding grounds for Dugong dugon.

3.   The IUCN has recognized this reserve as a replicable model for marine conservation across the Indian Ocean region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 and 3 only

C: 1 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 – Incorrect:
The Dugong Conservation Reserve was notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, not the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The Forest Rights Act deals with the rights of forest-dwelling communities, not marine conservation per se.

Statement 2 – Correct:
The reserve is located in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, and includes over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, which are crucial feeding habitats for Dugong dugon, a marine mammal listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Statement 3 – Correct:
In 2025, the IUCN formally adopted Motion 025, recognizing this reserve as a replicable model for marine biodiversity conservation, especially in the Indian Ocean region.

Q2:

With reference to the dugong, consider the following statements:

1.   It belongs to the order Sirenia.

2.   It is endemic to India.

3.   It is listed in Appendix I of CITES.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A: 1 only

B: 2 only

C: 1 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Dugong belongs to the order Sirenia.

Statement 2 is incorrect: It is not endemic to India; its range is Indo‑Pacific, covering many countries.

Statement 3 is correct: Dugongs are listed in Appendix I of CITES, which prohibits international trade in the species and its parts except under exceptional circumstances.

Q3:

With reference to the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR), consider the following statements:

1.   It is located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of over 4,000 meters.

2.   The HDSR is India's first International Dark Sky Reserve recognized for its Bortle-9 sky quality.

3.   The Indian Astronomical Observatory, located within HDSR, is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).

4.   The Reserve includes both a core and a buffer zone to manage light pollution effectively.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1,3 and 4 only

C: 1, 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 – Correct:
The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh at an altitude of about 4,500 meters.

Statement 2 – Incorrect:
The Bortle Scale measures sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest).
Hanle has Bortle-1 skies, not Bortle-9, which means it has exceptionally dark skies ideal for astronomy.

Statement 3 – Correct:
The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) located in Hanle is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Statement 4 – Correct:
According to International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) guidelines, the reserve includes a core zone (minimal light pollution) and a buffer zone (to shield the core from external light pollution), and Hanle follows this model.

Q4:

Which of the following statements about AFSPA are correct?

1.   AFSPA empowers armed forces to search premises without warrant in “disturbed areas.”

2.   Under AFSPA, no legal proceedings can be initiated against a member of the armed forces for acts done under the act, unless prior sanction of the State Government is obtained.

3.   The "disturbed area" notification under AFSPA can be issued by the Central Government or the Governor of a State (or administrator) or the State Government.

Select the correct answer:

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 only

C: 1 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: One of the powers under AFSPA is that in “disturbed areas,” security forces can enter or search any premises without a warrant.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The law requires prior sanction of the Central Government, not the State Government, for legal proceedings against armed forces personnel for actions under AFSPA. State Government sanction is not sufficient; it's Central Govt sanction under Section 6.

Statement 3 is correct: The “disturbed area” notification can be made by the State Government, or the Central Government (or Governor/administrator) under the Act, depending on the law.

Q5:

When the rupee depreciates vis‑à‑vis the dollar, which of the following statements are true?

1.   Imported inflation rises.

2.   Export competitiveness improves (in dollar terms).

3.   The rupee’s real effective exchange rate (REER) always declines.

Select the correct answer:

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1 and 3 only

C: 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: A

Explanation:

· Statement 1 is correct: Rupee depreciation makes imports costlier, passing on costs to consumers (especially for goods like fuel, electronics etc.).

· Statement 2 is correct: In foreign currency terms, Indian goods become relatively cheaper, enhancing export competitiveness.

· Statement 3 is incorrect: The REER (Real Effective Exchange Rate) is determined by taking into account multiple currencies and inflation. It doesn't always fluctuate—it also depends on other factors.