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Daily Prelims MCQs — Current Affairs — 23rd June 2025

  • Writer: TPP
    TPP
  • Jun 23
  • 10 min read
Daily Prelims MCQs — Current Affairs — 23rd June 2025

Welcome to last week’s (15 June – 21 June) handpicked set of 10 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) curated from the most relevant and high-impact current affairs. Designed especially for UPSC Prelims preparation, these questions bridge the gap between dynamic news events and static concepts — just the way UPSC frames them in the exam.

Each question is backed by clear explanations and source references, helping you not only test your knowledge but also strengthen conceptual clarity and develop contextual understanding.


This set cover a wide range of topics including: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, PMGSY, e-MARG, INS Arnala, Cobra Snake, Lenacapavir, International Yoga Day, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), mule account, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and more…

Use this as your daily revision boost to sharpen your understanding, stay exam-ready, and master how UPSC turns news into questions.

 

Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025.

 

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, consider the following statements:

1. It is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, and promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

2. The treaty came into force in 1980.

3. The treaty defines a nuclear state as one which has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.

4. India and Pakistan are signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer (b)

Explanation:

  • Amid the heightened military tensions between Iran and Israel, the Islamic Republic said that its Parliament was preparing a Bill to potentially leave the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

  • The international convention, signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology while also promoting cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and disarmament. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

  • Following World War II (1939-45), which ended with the United States dropping atomic bombs on Japan, world countries raced to build their own nuclear weapons. Simultaneously, efforts were made to prevent the spread of nuclear technology.

  • The treaty defines a nuclear state as one that “manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.” These are the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union (later Russia), and China. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

  • Today, 191 states have ratified the treaty. India conducted its first nuclear tests in 1974 but did not sign it, instead emphasising the need of universality in avoiding nuclear proliferation. The treaty’s exemption for the permanent five members of the UN Security Council, as well as the arbitrary cut-off date established to accommodate the P5 members, have been denounced as discriminatory. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

  • Pakistan is also not a signatory. Israel, which is said to have nuclear weapons but has never verified them publicly, did not sign it. North Korea signed it in 1985, but declared its withdrawal in 2003 after it was discovered to have developed an enrichment program.

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QUESTION 2

Consider the following states/Union Territories:

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2. Gujarat

3. Tamil Nadu

4. Andhra Pradesh

What is the correct chronological order of these states/U.Ts in terms of length of coastline from low to high?

(a) 1—2—3—4

(b) 4—3—2—1

(c) 3—4—1—2

(d) 4—3—1—2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

  • India’s coastline has grown significantly, over 50% longer than it was previously. This increase occurred not as a result of territorial acquisition, but rather as a result of more exact measurements that were previously conducted.

  • Furthermore, the number of islands in India has risen marginally. The increase in the number is attributable to India’s evaluation and recount of its offshore islands.

  • The length of India’s coastline used to be 7,516 kilometres, which was determined in the 1970s. However, the shoreline has now been measured to be 11,098 km, an increase of 3,582 km, or over 48%. The key cause for such a large disparity is the size of the data used for measurement.

  • The previous measurement was based on data at a scale of 1:4,500,000 (one to forty-five lakh), or smaller. However, as time passed, considerably higher resolution data became accessible, allowing for more exact readings. The current operation determined the length of the coastline using data with a scale of 1:250,000 (one to 2.5 lakh).

Table of India's coastline lengths by state. Andaman and Nicobar leads with 3,083.50 km, followed by Gujarat's 2,340.62 km. Data source noted.

The correct chronological order of these states/U.Ts in terms of length of coastline from low to high is Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), consider the following statements:

1. The first phase of the PMGSY was launched in 2000 to improve rural infrastructure through road construction.

2. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

3. The government has requested states to affix QR codes on all maintenance information display boards for roads constructed under the PMGSY.

4. A mobile-cum-web-based e-MARG (electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads) system is used for managing and monitoring rural road maintenance.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer (d)

Explanation:

  • The Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has urged states to include QR codes on all maintenance information display boards for roads built under the Prime Minister Gramme Sadak Yojana. The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), which is part of the Ministry of Rural Development and offers technical assistance for PMGSY implementation, has written to all states about QR codes. The goal is to gather public comments on the quality and maintenance of roads. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

  • The PMGSY’s first phase began on December 25, 2000, with the goal of improving rural infrastructure through road construction. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  • The second phase was introduced in 2013. Another component, the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA), was established in 2016 to construct rural roads in LWE-affected areas. The third phase was introduced in 2019.

  • On September 11, 2024, the Central government approved phase IV to provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations with populations of 500 or more in plains, 250 or more in northeastern and hill states/UTs, special category areas (Tribal Schedule V, Aspirational Districts/Blocks, Desert areas), and 100 or more in LWE-affected areas (notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs in nine states), according to Census 2011.

  • It is a completely centrally sponsored scheme, the funding pattern was changed in 2015-16 to a 60:40 split between the Centre and states. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

  • The PMGSY requires the contractor to maintain all roads for five years after construction is completed. This is accomplished through the use of a mobile and web-based e-MARG (Electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads) system. It is an e-governance tool for managing and tracking rural road repair. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

 

QUESTION 4

With reference to the INS Arnala, consider the following statements:

1. It is the first of India’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).

2. It has been commissioned into the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

3. It is named after the historic Fort off Vasai in Maharashtra.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer (b)

Explanation:

  • INS Arnala, India’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command at the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

  • The commissioning ceremony marked the formal introduction of the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class ships to the Navy.

  • The warship, named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai in Maharashtra, is 77.6 metres long and has a gross tonnage of more than 1,490 tonnes, making it the largest Indian Naval vessel to be driven by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

  • INS Arnala, along with the 15 other ASW-SWC class ships set to be inducted, will replace the outdated Abhay-class corvettes.

  • INS Arnala is intended for a variety of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, including subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations.


QUESTION 5

With reference to the Cobra Snake, consider the following statements:

1. It is the world’s longest venomous snake.

2. It prefers humid, dark forests with thick undergrowth, cool swamps, and bamboo patches across diverse habitats, from highland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.

3. In India, the king cobra’s range includes central India and the Northwest Himalayas.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer (a)

Explanation:

  • A king cobra that was transferred to Bhopal’s Van Vihar zoo from Karnataka’s Mangalore zoo in exchange for a tiger perished in its enclosure.

  • The king cobra, the world’s longest venomous snake, can reach 15 feet in length. It prefers humid, dark forests with dense undergrowth, chilly swamps, and bamboo patches in a variety of habitats, ranging from highland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests to coastal mangroves with significant rainfall. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

  • The king cobra’s habitat in India includes the Western Ghats, the North Indian terai region, Northeast India, the mangrove coastlines of West Bengal and Odisha, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of the Eastern Ghats. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

 

QUESTION 6

The drug ‘Lenacapavir’ was in the news. It is used for:

(a) Tuberculosis prevention

(b) Hepatitis C prevention

(c) Malaria prevention

(d) HIV prevention

Answer (d)

Explanation:

  • The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lenacapavir (LEN), the most promising HIV prevention medicine to date, and Dr I S Gilada, president emeritus of the AIDS Society of India, believes that the real breakthrough will occur when LEN becomes accessible, affordable, and available to everyone in India and around the world.

  • Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent HIV through pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

  • PrEP is a drug that can reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative but are susceptible to the virus. Two significant studies found that it helps prevent 99.9% of all HIV transmission.

 

QUESTION 7

With reference to the International Yoga Day, consider the following statements:

1. India introduced a resolution in the UN General Assembly to recognise June 21 as International Yoga Day.

2. The theme for International Yoga Day 2025 is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.

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 (c)

Explanation:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading celebrations on International Yoga Day from Vishakhapatnam, projected Yoga as a “direction of peace in a world which was going through tension, unrest, and instability.”

  • This year’s International Yoga Day theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. PM Modi’s event in Visakhapatnam takes place over a 26-kilometer circuit where over 3 lakh people can practise yoga together. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

  • When India proposed a resolution in the UN General Assembly to recognise June 21 as International Yoga Day, 175 countries around the world quickly joined us. In today’s environment, this kind of togetherness and solidarity is unusual. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  • Recognising its international appeal, the United Nations adopted resolution 69/131 on December 11, 2014, designating June 21 as International Yoga Day.

 

QUESTION 8

Consider the following countries:

1. Brunei

2. Laos

3. Myanmar

4. Timor-Leste

Which of the countries given above are member states of the ASEAN grouping?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer (b)

Explanation:

  • The Congress chastised Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for his remarks about India-ASEAN trade accords, which were struck during the UPA government, claiming that branding these countries as “B team of China” is “irresponsible and insulting”.

  • Speaking at the India Global Forum (IGF) session in London, Goyal stated, “There was a time 15 years ago when we were more focused on doing FTAs with countries that were our competitors.” So adopting an ASEAN deal is foolish because it opens up my market to my competitors, many of whom have now become China’s B squad.”

  • ASEAN now includes ten member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Timor-Leste has been awarded observer status.

 

QUESTION 9

With reference to the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), consider the following statements:

1. It is a cost-effective vehicle, capable of carrying up to 500 kg payload to low-Earth orbit.

2. IN-SPACe, an independent, autonomous agency under the Department of Space, has won a bid to commercialise the SSLV — the smallest rocket developed by ISRO.

3. It requires minimal launch infrastructure requirements.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer (b)

Explanation:

  • In a big boost to open up the rapidly-growing space sector to private players, fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has won a bid to commercialise the SSLV — the smallest rocket developed by ISRO — with the technology transfer set to take place over the next two years. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

About SSLV

  • It is a three-stage launch vehicle with three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) for the terminal stage.

  • SSLV can launch around 500kg satellites into 500km planar orbit from SDSC/SHAR. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  • SSLV’s primary features are low cost and short turnaround time, flexibility in accommodating many satellites, launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, and so on. Hence, statement 3 is correct.


QUESTION 10

With reference to the mule account, consider the following statements:

1. It is a bank account used by criminals to launder illicit funds.

2. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a significant challenge in preventing financial fraud is the use of money mule accounts.

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 (c)

Explanation:

  • Two days after conducting searches in the Rs 2,000-crore classroom corruption case in Delhi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it had recovered 322 bank passbooks allegedly linked to mule accounts opened in the names of labourers and used to divert government funds under the guise of legitimate transactions.

  • According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, online financial fraud accounted for 67.8% of all cybercrime complaints filed in the second quarter of 2022. Money mule accounts pose a serious difficulty in the prevention of financial fraud. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

  • A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to launder illicit payments, which is frequently opened by innocent persons who are enticed or intimidated into participating. The transfer of funds through these heavily interconnected accounts makes it difficult to locate and collect the funds. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

 

Previous Daily UPSC Prelims MCQs Set

 

Previous Week Current Affairs MCQs Set

 

 

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