Daily Prelims MCQs - Current Affairs - 15th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 16
- 12 min read
Welcome to your Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs MCQs – 15th September 2025. This is part of our subject-wise daily series where Monday is dedicated to Current Affairs —training you to switch gears across themes, just like in the real exam hall.
Today’s 10 carefully crafted MCQs will help you:
Strengthen GI tag basics—Act, leading states, and the lesser-known category of natural products.
Decode ongoing Manipur conflict dynamics—ethnic divide, displacement, porous Myanmar border, and constitutional tools like President’s Rule.
Revisit Operation Polo vs. Operation Vijay—a classic UPSC trap on Hyderabad vs. Goa integration.
Explore cultural heritage via the Koti Tirth Corridor in Goa.
Revise the Gyan Bharatam Mission—scale, nodal ministry, and its takeover from NMM.
Map Tiger Reserves in Western Ghats—with Sahyadri’s recent translocation approval and more...
Stay consistent with these daily quizzes to sharpen both elimination skills and static–dynamic linkages—making you Prelims 2026 ready, one day at a time.
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION 1
With reference to Geographical Indication (GI) tags, consider the following statements:
GI tags are granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Maharashtra is the top state in India in terms of the number of GI-tagged products.
India does not have any natural products that are GI-tagged.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Recently, the Punjab Food Processing Department has been considering applying for a GI tag for Amritsari Kulcha, a traditional tandoori bread known for its distinct taste and cultural identity rooted in Amritsar.
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag refers to a designation used on products that possess a specific geographical origin and exhibit qualities, reputation, or characteristics essentially linked to that origin. For instance, a food item, handicraft, or agricultural product that is closely associated with a particular location.
Statement 1 is correct: GI tags in India are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 — a law enacted to legally protect the uniqueness of region-specific products.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Contrary to the claim, Uttar Pradesh holds the record for the highest number of GI-tagged products (currently at 74), followed by Tamil Nadu with 69. Maharashtra is not the leading state in this context.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Although the majority of GI tags are granted to agricultural products, handicrafts, food items, and manufactured goods, India does have GI-tagged natural products. In fact, as of now, 3 natural products have received GI tags.
(Natural products, in this context, refer to those directly obtained from nature with minimal processing, like minerals, natural salts, etc.)
QUESTION 2
Consider the following statements about a particular Indian state:
Over the past 27 months, the state has experienced prolonged ethnic violence, large-scale internal displacement, breakdown of law and order, the rise of armed groups, a Lok Sabha election, and the imposition of President’s Rule.
The state shares a porous international border with Myanmar, which poses challenges due to unregulated illegal immigration.
The state described in the statements above is:
(a) Mizoram
(b) Manipur
(c) Nagaland
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The Prime Minister of India is set to visit Manipur — particularly the conflict-affected regions of Churachandpur and Imphal — for the first time since large-scale violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Background of the Conflict (Statement 1 Context):
Over the last 27 months, Manipur has witnessed:
Sustained violence and mass displacement of civilians.
A complete collapse of administrative law and order, with state agencies unable to control the situation.
A significant increase in the activity and influence of armed groups (both insurgent and militant outfits).
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were conducted amidst unrest.
The central government-imposed President’s Rule (a constitutional provision under Article 356, where the central government takes over the administration of a state if its constitutional machinery fails).
As of now, over 280 relief camps have been established across Manipur, sheltering more than 57,000 internally displaced persons.
The Kuki-Zo community was forced to flee areas like Imphal and other valley regions.
The Meitei population faced displacement from border areas like Moreh and hill towns such as Kangpokpi and Churachandpur.
Border Issues and Ethnic Tensions (Statement 2 Context):
Manipur shares a porous (easily crossed, often without adequate surveillance or fencing) international border with Myanmar, which has exacerbated the crisis.
Allegations have been made by Meitei groups that Chin migrants (an ethnic group from Myanmar who are ethnically linked to the Kuki-Zo) have been entering India illegally and unregulated, thereby altering the demographic balance and fueling tensions.
Geographical and Demographic Divide:
The conflict has hardened the division between valley and hill districts:
Meiteis dominate the Imphal valley.
Kuki-Zo communities primarily inhabit the hill regions.
Movement between these areas is now unsafe, deepening the social and ethnic rift.
QUESTION 3
Regarding "Operation Polo," consider the following statements:
It was a military campaign launched by the Indian government to integrate the territory of Goa.
The operation was commanded by General J. N. Chaudhri.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Operation Polo was a swift military action carried out in September 1948 by the Indian government to bring the Hyderabad princely state into the Indian Union. It was not related to the annexation of Goa — which happened later in 1961 through Operation Vijay.Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
The operation was led by Major General J. N. Chaudhri, who commanded the Indian Army troops during this military intervention. So, Statement 2 is correct.
At the time of independence in 1947, India had around 562 princely states. Among them, Hyderabad was one of the largest and most prominent. It covered an area of over 80,000 square miles and had a population of around 16 million people, who spoke Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi — three distinct regional languages.
Although the majority of the population in Hyderabad was Hindu, the state was ruled by a Muslim monarch, known as the Nizam, who was reluctant to join the Indian Union.
India launched Operation Polo on 13th September 1948, and within just four days, the Hyderabad State was annexed. This operation is sometimes referred to as a "police action," though it was indeed a full-scale military intervention.
The word “parallelly”, often used in such contexts, means events or actions happening side-by-side or simultaneously. In this context, various negotiations and military planning were likely proceeding parallelly — that is, in tandem — with diplomatic efforts to convince Hyderabad to accede peacefully.
QUESTION 4
Consider the following statements about APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) IDs:
APAAR helps streamline credit recognition and credit transfer starting from school-level education.
It enables learners to compile and maintain a digital record of their academic achievements.
The APAAR ID is a 10-digit unique number assigned to students in India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is part of the "One Nation, One Student ID" initiative introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to digitally unify academic records for every student in the country, facilitating easy access and portability of educational data.
Statement 1 is correct: APAAR simplifies the credit recognition and transfer process starting at the school level, helping students progress academically without hurdles when they move between institutions or education boards.
Statement 2 is correct: One of APAAR’s primary purposes is to act as a central digital repository of a student's educational qualifications — from school to higher education. It allows students to store and retrieve academic achievements seamlessly.
Statement 3 is incorrect: APAAR IDs are not 10-digit identifiers. They are actually 12-digit unique identification numbers, created to serve as a permanent academic ID for every student in India. This detail is crucial to avoid confusion with other ID systems.
Recently, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced a relaxation in making APAAR mandatory for board exam registration due to several technical and administrative challenges — including Aadhaar mismatches, parental consent issues, and other technical glitches.
While APAAR is a promising tool for enhancing academic mobility, its implementation is currently evolving, especially considering these operational roadblocks.
QUESTION 5
The development of the ‘Koti Tirth corridor’ has been approved recently. It will be constructed at:
(a) Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu)
(b) Jagannathpur (Odisha)
(c) Dwarka (Gujarat)
(d) Divar island (Goa)
Answer (d)
Explanation:
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the Cabinet has granted approval for development of a ‘Koti Tirth corridor’, where a new Saptakoteshwar temple – destroyed during Portuguese rule in the state — will be constructed at the old historic site at Goa’s Divar island.
According to historical records, the site of Saptakoteshwar temple at Naroa in Divar existed during the Kadamba dynasty (10th to 14th century). The rock cut tank of the temple was called ‘Koti-Tirth’. The temple was destroyed during the Bahmani rule and it was subsequently rebuilt in 1391 by a minister in the Vijayanagar kingdom. The Portuguese destroyed the temple in the 16th century. The deity’s idol was shifted across the river to Bicholim, where Shivaji established a new temple in 1668.
QUESTION 6
Consider the following statements:
Longitudes are horizontal lines that show how far a place is to the north or south of the Equator.
Latitudes are vertical lines running from north to south, used to measure how far a place is to the east or west of the Prime Meridian.
A place's exact position on Earth can be identified by the intersection point of a particular latitude and a particular longitude.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Latitudes and longitudes are imaginary lines used to pinpoint any location on the Earth's surface. These lines form a global grid system that is essential for mapping and navigation.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Longitudes are not horizontal lines. They are vertical lines, also called meridians, that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure a place’s east-west distance from the Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, UK — not its north-south distance from the Equator.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Latitudes are not vertical lines. They are horizontal lines, also known as parallels, because they run side-by-side around the Earth, parallel to the Equator. These lines measure the north-south distance of a place from the Equator, not east-west distance from the Prime Meridian.
Statement 3 is correct: Any specific location on Earth can be described as the point where a particular line of latitude and a particular line of longitude cross. This system is the basis for GPS and all digital mapping systems.
Recently, it was announced that during India’s 2027 Census (postponed by six years), all buildings will be geotagged — meaning their latitude and longitude coordinates will be recorded on digital maps. This will be a first-of-its-kind exercise in India’s Census history.
Geotagging is made possible using a Geographic Information System (GIS), a computer system designed to capture, analyze, and display data tied to locations on Earth.
QUESTION 7
With reference to the Gyan Bharatam Mission, consider the following statements:
The mission intends to cover more than one crore manuscripts.
It is part of the Ministry of Culture.
It replaces the existing National Manuscripts Mission.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (c)
Explanation:
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a new government initiative aimed at the preservation and revival of India’s vast manuscript heritage. With an estimated budget of ₹400 crore, it seeks to establish a dedicated institution for manuscripts—similar in structure and authority to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for conserving monuments. As described by Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, “What ASI is for monuments, Gyan Bharatam will be for manuscripts.”
Statement 1 is correct: The mission has set an ambitious target of covering over one crore (10 million) manuscripts across the country. These include historical, cultural, religious, and scientific texts preserved in various languages and formats, many of which are at risk of being lost or damaged without proper conservation.
Statement 2 is correct: The Ministry of Culture is the nodal agency responsible for implementing the Gyan Bharatam Mission. The project will be headquartered in New Delhi, with regional centres established across Indian states to ensure coordinated efforts in identifying, preserving, cataloguing, and digitising manuscripts.
Statement 3 is correct: Gyan Bharatam is intended to replace the existing National Manuscripts Mission, which was launched in 2003. Although that earlier initiative aimed to digitise India’s manuscript heritage, its progress has been relatively slow. Gyan Bharatam seeks to accelerate and expand this mission on a much larger scale with enhanced institutional support and funding.
The launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission was marked by the first international conference on manuscript heritage, titled "Reclaiming India’s knowledge legacy through manuscript heritage." The event was symbolically held on the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s famous speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago (1893), aligning the mission with India’s broader cultural and intellectual revival.
QUESTION 8
Consider the following statements about the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
Schedule I lists species requiring the highest level of protection due to their endangered status.
Schedule II lists animals that do not need protection and can be hunted.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Prompt ordering killing of an animal responsible in case of attack on human life, declaring wild boar as vermin, relocating Schedule II animals, and stripping bonnet macaque monkeys of their highest level of protection – these are some of the key amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, ratified by the Kerala Cabinet Saturday.
To address the bonnet macaque threat, the Bill proposes to remove that animal from the category of Schedule I to Schedule II. Until then, the chief wildlife warden could order capturing and relocating of monkeys causing mayhem in human habitations.
Schedule I lists species requiring the highest level of protection due to their endangered status. It was in 2022 that macaque monkeys were moved to Schedule II. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
On the other hand, Schedule II lists animals that need lower protection that Schedule I but can’t be hunted except under some circumstances, such as when they pose threats to human life or have incurable disease. However, their trade is prohibited. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
Earlier this year, Kerala had sought the Union government’s nod to kill wild animals that pose a threat to human life and properties. The state wants the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amended so it can be allowed to kill wild animals that foray into human habitats. However, the Centre had turned down the demand on the ground that the state can address the issue with the existing norms.
QUESTION 9
Which of the following Tiger Reserves is located in the northern Western Ghats?
(a) Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
(b) Melghat Tiger Reserve
(c) Pench Tiger Reserve
(d) Palamau Tiger Reserve
Answer (a)
Explanation:
The Union Environment Ministry has approved the capture of eight tigers from the Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves for their translocation to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra, a move aimed at reviving the big cat’s population in the northern Western Ghats.
Key among these conditions are the provision of adequate veterinary care at all stages of capture and translocation, and care to prevent post-capture complications. The Wildlife Division also told Maharashtra officials to ensure minimal trauma to tigers during the operation.
QUESTION 10
With reference to ‘literacy’, consider the following statements:
The Ministry of Education defines literacy as “the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension.
It defines ‘full literacy’ as “achieving 99% literacy in a State/UT”.
There is only one state/U.T which has achieved full literacy.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Recently, Himachal Pradesh was declared to be a ‘fully literate’ state, becoming the fifth such state/Union Territory in India after Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, and Tripura. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
None of these, however, boast 100% literacy. Himachal claims to have a literacy rate of 99.3%, Goa 99.72%, Mizoram 98.2%, Tripura 95.6%, and Ladakh 97%.
The Ministry of Education defines literacy as “the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension i.e to identify, understand, interpret and create, along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy etc.” It defines ‘full literacy’ as “achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT”. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.
The Ministry communicated these definitions to states/UTs last August. It felt the need to define these terms for ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society), a literacy programme for people over 15 who may not have attended school.
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