Daily Prelims MCQs — Science, Technology, Environment and Geography — 15th July 2025
- TPP
- Jul 15
- 11 min read
Welcome to today’s handpicked set of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Science, Technology, Environment and Geography — crafted specially for the UPSC Prelims! These questions aren’t just a quiz — they’re a smart way to see how current affairs connect with core concepts, just like UPSC asks in the exam.
Each question is based on recent news and backed by clear explanations to help you build strong links between dynamic events and static knowledge.
Today’s topics include: buck moon, Goldilocks Zone, dark web, SEPECAT Jaguar jet, largest freshwater lake, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms, Mocho Choshuenco volcano, Huelva region and more…
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION 1
Regarding the phenomenon known as the Buck Moon, consider the following statements:
It marks the first full moon that occurs in the month of July each year.
This full moon typically appears brighter and lower in the sky due to its timing near the summer solstice.
The term “buck moon” is derived from the Algonquin people, who were a Native African tribe that used lunar phases to track seasonal changes.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. The Buck Moon refers to the first full moon of July. It is one of the traditional names given to full moons throughout the year, based on observations of nature by Indigenous cultures.
Statement 2 is also correct. The Buck Moon often appears brighter and lower in the sky, particularly because it occurs near the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Around this time, the Sun follows its highest arc in the sky, while the Moon follows its lowest, causing the full moon to look especially luminous and close to the horizon during the night.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The name “buck moon” originates from the Algonquin people, who are Native American, not African. The term is inspired by the fact that male deer (bucks) begin regrowing their antlers in early summer, around the time of July’s full moon. Algonquin and other Indigenous tribes named full moons based on seasonal changes in wildlife and weather patterns.
Other traditional names for the July full moon include:
“Thunder Moon” (due to frequent summer storms),
“Salmon Moon” (marking salmon migrations upstream in North America).
QUESTION 2
With reference to stem cells, consider the following statements:
In stem cell therapy, cells are usually derived either from the patient or from a compatible donor.
Stem cells differ from other cells in the body due to their ability to develop into various specialized cell types.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (c)
Explanation:
A biotechnology company based in the United States, which specializes in providing ready-to-use stem cell treatments for pets, has recently secured over $18 million in funding — highlighting the growing interest in stem cell-based therapies even in veterinary medicine.
Statement 1 is correct. Most stem cell therapies involve collecting stem cells either from the patient’s own body (autologous transplant) or from a genetically matched donor (allogeneic transplant), to ensure compatibility and minimize rejection risks.
Statement 2 is also correct. What sets stem cells apart from other cells is their pluripotency or multipotency — the ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells. This makes them vital in regenerative medicine, where they can be used to repair or replace damaged tissues.
Due to these properties, stem cells hold tremendous promise in treating a wide range of health conditions. Thousands of clinical trials are currently ongoing to explore their application in human medicine, including for organ regeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
QUESTION 3
What does the term “Goldilocks Zone” refer to in the context of planetary science?
(a) The orbital zone around a star where conditions may permit water to remain in liquid form.
(b) A scenario in which individuals exploit shared environmental resources to the point of depletion, negatively impacting the wider community.
(c) The solar zone where intense heat causes water to instantly vaporize.
(d) The area near large gas planets (like Jupiter) where tidal forces generate internal heat, making moons like Europa or Enceladus potential habitats for life.
Answer (a)
Explanation:
In the study of exoplanets—planets beyond our solar system—astronomers often look for signs of habitability. Since these distant worlds are usually too dim and too close to their stars to observe directly, researchers depend on indirect techniques:
One is the transit method, which monitors tiny drops in a star’s brightness when a planet passes in front of it.
Another is the radial velocity method, which detects slight movements (or "wobbles") in a star’s position due to gravitational interaction with orbiting planets—evident through Doppler shifts in the star's spectral lines.
A significant number of exoplanets have been found in what scientists call the “habitable zone” — commonly nicknamed the Goldilocks Zone. This is the orbital region around a star where the temperature is just right — neither too hot nor too cold — for liquid water to potentially exist on a planet’s surface.
Earth is located in this zone in our solar system.
Venus lies too close to the Sun and is therefore excessively hot.
Mars, in contrast, is too far and too cold.
Planets like Kepler-186f and TRAPPIST-1e are promising candidates in their respective habitable zones.
The presence of liquid water is a key criterion when assessing a planet’s potential to support life, which is why this zone is so critical in astrobiological studies.
QUESTION 4
Among the following, which are considered browsers used to access the dark web?
Firefox
Google
Yahoo
How many of the above are used for dark web access?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation:
The dark web refers to a concealed portion of the internet that cannot be indexed or accessed through standard search engines or typical web browsers. Access to this hidden layer requires specialised tools or browsers, such as Tor (The Onion Router), which is designed to maintain user anonymity and encrypt internet activity.
Browsers like Firefox, and search engines like Google and Yahoo, operate on the surface web — the part of the internet that is publicly accessible and indexed by conventional search engines.
Unlike these open-access platforms, tools that access the dark web mask user identities and prevent tracking through IP addresses, offering a higher degree of privacy.
The concept of anonymous internet communication began in the 1990s, with early research by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, which led to the development of what became the Tor Project. Tor uses a multi-layered encryption method, much like the layers of an onion, to ensure that the source and destination of internet traffic remain concealed.
Thus, none of the browsers listed (Firefox, Google, Yahoo) are used to access the dark web.
QUESTION 5
Consider the following statements regarding the SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted it for the first time in the year 2009.
It was developed as a joint fighter jet project between India and France.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (d)
Explanation:
On July 9, a tragic incident occurred when a SEPECAT Jaguar jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Ratangarh tehsil of Rajasthan’s Churu district, resulting in the loss of both pilots onboard.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The SEPECAT Jaguar is not a recent addition to the IAF fleet. It was originally inducted in 1979, and despite being a decades-old platform, the IAF still operates it and plans to keep it in service until around 2040. Thus, the 2009 induction date is factually wrong.
Statement 2 is also incorrect. Although the Jaguar was developed through international cooperation, India was not part of the original collaboration. The jet was created under SEPECAT (Société Européenne de Production de l’Avion d’École de Combat et d’Appui Tactique) — a joint venture between France’s Breguet Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation in response to the tactical requirements of both France’s Armée de l’Air and the UK’s Royal Air Force during the 1960s.
The aircraft has seen service in multiple international conflicts including those in Mauritania, Iraq, Chad, Bosnia, and Pakistan, and has served as a nuclear delivery platform for countries such as India, France, and the UK.
QUESTION 6
With reference to Wular Lake, consider the following statements:
It is the largest freshwater lake in all of Asia.
The lake is encircled by the Harmukh mountain range.
It was formed due to tectonic activity and receives inflow from the Chenab River.
It has been designated as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Wular Lake, located approximately 67 km from Srinagar, is one of the key freshwater lakes in India. After decades, lotus plants have begun to reappear, following a massive flood nearly 30 years ago that had wiped them out. This ecological revival is largely due to the efforts of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority, which initiated desilting operations to remove accumulated silt from the lakebed.
Statement 1 is incorrect. While Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in India, it is not the largest in Asia. Therefore, statement 1 is factually incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct. The lake is indeed surrounded by the mist-covered Harmukh mountains, part of the Himalayan range.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Jhelum River, not the Chenab, serves as the main inflow for Wular Lake. The basin itself is of tectonic origin, which is correct, but the river mentioned in the statement is wrong, making the entire statement incorrect.
Statement 4 is correct. Wular Lake is listed as a Ramsar Site, indicating its international significance as a wetland. However, it faces environmental threats including pollution, encroachment, weed invasion, and hunting of waterfowl.
Also notable is the Tulbul Project, a navigation lock-cum-control structure located near the lake’s outflow, aimed at regulating water levels.
QUESTION 7
Consider the following statements regarding palm oil:
It remains semi-solid under normal room temperature conditions.
It contains tocotrienols, which are compounds known to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (c)
Explanation:
A food industry association has raised concerns about marketing labels such as “palm oil free” or “no palm oil,” arguing that such claims are not based on scientific evidence and instead serve branding interests.
Palm oil is a widely used edible oil globally, prized for its affordability, versatility, long shelf life, and neutral flavor. It's a common ingredient in processed foods like potato chips, biscuits, chocolates, and ice cream.
Statement 1 is correct. Palm oil is naturally semi-solid at room temperature, which eliminates the need for hydrogenation—a process associated with the formation of trans fats. The rise in health concerns over hydrogenated oils in the 1990s significantly boosted palm oil’s popularity as an alternative.
Statement 2 is also correct. Like many oils, palm oil contains minor yet beneficial compounds such as tocopherols and sterols. Notably, it includes tocotrienols, a type of antioxidant that has been shown to contribute to lowering blood cholesterol levels.
QUESTION 8
With reference to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), consider the following statements:
CBAM is a tariff applied by the European Union on imports from countries where carbon emissions during production exceed those permitted for manufacturers within the EU.
Its intended objective is to limit the phenomenon of "carbon leakage".
CBAM does not have any implications for the global trade of high-emission sectors such as steel or cement.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has drawn criticism from several countries, including those in the BRICS grouping, who argue that it unfairly hinders their shift toward cleaner economies.
Statement 1 is correct. CBAM functions as a carbon tariff imposed on goods imported into the EU that have been produced using methods which emit more carbon than what is permissible for industries within the EU. This creates a level playing field for domestic and foreign producers under stringent climate regulations.
Statement 2 is correct. The mechanism aims to prevent "carbon leakage" — a scenario where industries shift their production to countries with lax emission norms, thereby undermining global climate goals.
Statement 3 is incorrect. CBAM does directly affect energy-intensive sectors like steel and cement, as it makes their production more expensive in countries such as India and China. This in turn impacts their competitiveness in EU markets.
Developing nations, especially India and China, have strongly opposed CBAM in global platforms, terming it a unilateral trade restriction that violates both climate justice and international trade rules. Despite opposition, the EU continues to defend and implement the policy.
QUESTION 9
The Mocho Choshuenco volcano, recently highlighted in scientific discussions, is situated in:
(a) Brazil
(b) Venezuela
(c) Argentina
(d) Chile
Answer (d)
Explanation:
A recent scientific investigation has highlighted a concerning link between glacial melt and an increased likelihood of volcanic eruptions. According to this research, regions such as West Antarctica — home to nearly 100 volcanoes hidden beneath thick ice layers — are particularly vulnerable. As global temperatures rise, the melting of these ice caps could trigger more frequent and forceful volcanic activity in the coming decades or even over millennia.
This study was showcased at the 2025 Goldschmidt Conference, currently underway in Prague. Hosted by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry, it is the most extensive global gathering in the field of geochemistry.
One of the key focuses of the research was Chile’s Mocho Choshuenco volcano. Scientists analyzed volcanic rock samples to determine their formation periods — before, during, and after the last Ice Age. Findings indicated that from 26,000 to 18,000 years ago, the heavy glacial ice atop the volcano suppressed eruption frequency. During this time, a significant magma chamber formed about 10 to 15 km beneath the volcano. However, around 13,000 years ago, as the ice began to retreat, a series of explosive eruptions were triggered.
QUESTION 10
The Huelva region, which recently made headlines due to a severe heatwave, is located in:
(a) Russia
(b) China
(c) Spain
(d) Norway
Answer (c)
Explanation:
A powerful heatwave has gripped much of Europe, beginning in late June and impacting thousands across the continent. This extreme weather has resulted in record-high temperatures and widespread discomfort, with eight fatalities reported — including a young child. In Spain’s Huelva region, thermometers climbed to a scorching 46°C, setting a new record high for the month of June. France also experienced a dramatic rise in temperature, hitting 40°C in some areas. Italy responded to the crisis by placing 20 cities, including Rome and Milan, under its most severe heat alert, as temperatures were forecasted to soar between 37°C and 38°C.Between June 30 and July 3, Germany issued more than 200 heat warnings. Meanwhile, several Central European nations — such as Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia — raised red alerts due to the dangerous heat conditions.
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