Daily Prelims MCQs - Current Affairs - 25th August 2025
- TPP
- 6 days ago
- 11 min read
Welcome to this weekly set of UPSC Prelims Current Affairs MCQs (18th–24th August 2025).This quiz contains 10 high-quality multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations, curated from key news and official updates.
These UPSC current affairs questions are designed to help aspirants:
Revise dynamic topics relevant for UPSC Prelims 2026
Link static concepts with current events (the way UPSC frames them)
Build conceptual clarity with crisp explanations and definitions
This set covers topics such as: Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) timelines and comparison with ISS and Tiangong; the CEC appointment law (2023)—composition, tenure, removal; multi-decadal climate modes (PDO and AMV) and their effect on Arctic sea-ice; BSF–Bangladesh biannual border talks agenda; the Crimean Peninsula—geography, history (Golden Horde), and strategic ports; the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and India–EU trade concerns; Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) membership mapping; dynamics of the monsoon trough and rainfall shifts; India’s first Make-in-India green hydrogen plant in the port sector at Kandla; and the Sixth Schedule coverage and powers of Autonomous District Councils.
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION 1
With reference to space stations, consider the following statements:
India has announced plans to launch the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by the year 2028.
The International Space Station (ISS) is jointly operated by five space agencies, one of which is India’s ISRO.
The Tiangong space station is run independently by Japan.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: During the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO showcased a model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). India has set the target of launching the first BAS module by 2028, which will mark the country’s entry into the elite club of nations operating orbital laboratories. (Orbital laboratory = a crewed space station in low earth orbit where long-term scientific research and experiments are carried out).
Statement 2 is incorrect: The International Space Station (ISS) is currently the only multinational orbital laboratory in service, but it is not run by ISRO. Instead, it is operated by five major space agencies:
NASA (United States)
Roscosmos (Russia)
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
ESA (European Space Agency)
CSA (Canadian Space Agency)
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Tiangong Space Station is operated independently by China’s space agency (CMSA). It is not managed by Japan.
About Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
India aims to have a five-module space station fully established by 2035, as part of its long-term space strategy.
The BAS-01 module will weigh around 10 tonnes and will be positioned in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at about 450 km above Earth’s surface.
Key features of BAS include:
An indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) → ensures breathable air, safe pressure, temperature, and waste recycling inside the station.
Bharat Docking System and Bharat Berthing Mechanism → allow spacecraft to connect securely for crew transfer, refueling, and cargo delivery.
Automated hatch system, observation viewports for science imaging & crew recreation.
A research platform for microgravity experiments and technology demonstrations.
Provision for propulsion refilling, ECLSS fluid replenishment, and protection against radiation, thermal fluctuations, and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD).
Equipped with space suits, airlocks for Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVAs or “spacewalks”), and plug-and-play avionics for flexibility in experiments.
QUESTION 2
With reference to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, consider the following statements:
The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India on the advice of a three-member selection panel.
The tenure of the CEC is six years or until the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.
The service conditions and salary of the CEC are equivalent to those of a High Court judge.
The CEC can be removed only on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: As per the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President makes appointments to the Election Commission based on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of:
The Prime Minister (Chairperson)
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or leader of the largest opposition party, if no LoP is recognised)
A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister
Statement 2 is incorrect: The tenure of the CEC is six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. It is not 60 years as mentioned in the statement.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are entitled to the same status, privileges, and salary as judges of the Supreme Court, not High Court judges.
Statement 4 is correct: Article 324(5) of the Constitution provides that the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. This means removal is possible only on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, and requires a complex impeachment process involving both Houses of Parliament.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following long-term climate variations can bring anomalously cool waters into the Arctic region and thereby contribute to reduced loss of sea ice or even its temporary expansion in some areas?
1. Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMW)
2. Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (c)
Explanation:
Human-induced global warming — largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases (GHGs) — has been the primary driver of rising global temperatures. In the Arctic, this warming has directly led to the shrinking of sea ice over recent decades.
However, anthropogenic (human-caused) warming does not eliminate the role of natural climate variability. These are fluctuations in the Earth’s climate system that occur naturally, sometimes parallelly (i.e., at the same time) with human-driven trends, and can temporarily amplify or counter them.
Key Climate Variations Affecting the Arctic
Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO):
A long-term fluctuation of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Pacific Ocean, occurring on timescales of 20–30 years.
It is often described as a “longer-term cousin” of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which operates on shorter 2–7 year cycles.
A negative (cool phase) PDO can send cooler waters into northern regions, influencing Arctic weather and sea-ice cover.
Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV):
Refers to multi-decadal oscillations in SSTs of the North Atlantic Ocean, lasting roughly 60–80 years per cycle.
During certain phases, it can cause cooler waters to move towards high latitudes, including the Arctic.
This influx of cooler waters reduces the pace of sea ice melt and in some cases can lead to temporary ice expansion.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following paramilitary forces has been allowed to attend the biannual border talks with Bangladesh in Dhaka?
(a) Border Security Force (BSF)
(b) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
(c) Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
(d) Assam Rifles
Answer (a)
Explanation:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cleared the participation of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the biannual border talks with Bangladesh, scheduled to begin in Dhaka from August 25. Bangladesh had formally extended the invitation earlier in the month.
This visit is significant because it marks the first official trip by an Indian delegation to Dhaka after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in 2024, highlighting its geopolitical importance.
Key Issues to be Discussed during the Talks
According to BSF officials, the agenda of the conference includes:
Safety of BSF personnel and Indian civilians: Measures to prevent attacks or assaults by miscreants or criminals based in Bangladesh.
Curbing trans-border crimes: Strategies to address smuggling, illegal crossings, and other criminal activity.
Border fencing: Progress and challenges in the construction of a single-row border fence along sensitive stretches.
Action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs): Coordinated measures to ensure that insurgent outfits do not find refuge in Bangladesh.
Border infrastructure: Improvement of facilities for better management.
Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP): Enhancing cooperation between the two sides for real-time monitoring and joint patrolling.
Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): Initiatives to strengthen trust between the border forces and reduce tensions.
QUESTION 5
With reference to the Crimean Peninsula, consider the following statements:
1. It is bordered by the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea.
2. In the 13th century, it became part of the Mongol Golden Horde.
3. It is known for its fertile land and strategic ports.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Crimean Peninsula is not bordered by the Sea of Marmara or the Aegean Sea (both are located near Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean). Instead, Crimea is surrounded by the Black Sea to the west and south, and the Sea of Azov to the northeast. Its geography has historically given it immense strategic importance because whoever controls Crimea also controls access to the Black Sea region.
Statement 2 is correct: In the 13th century, Crimea came under the control of the Mongol Golden Horde. The Golden Horde was one of the successor states of the Mongol Empire, ruling large parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. Over time, this evolved into the Crimean Khanate, which was dominated by the Crimean Tatars (a Turkic-Muslim community that is today regarded as the indigenous population of Crimea). Interestingly, the very name Crimea is derived from the Tatar word “krym”, meaning “rock fortress.”
Statement 3 is correct: Crimea has long been valued for its fertile agricultural land and its natural deep-water ports. This made the region a hub for trade, grain production, and military strategy. Historically, powers like the Greeks, Romans, Genoese traders, Ottomans, and later the Russian Empire competed for its control due to these advantages.
QUESTION 6
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was recently in the news. It is led by:
(a) Russia
(b) European Union
(c) United States
(d) United Nations
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of designing climate-linked trade measures, especially the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Recently, the EU offered special concessions to US manufacturers on controversial rules such as the carbon tax and deforestation-related regulations. Parallelly (inline explanation: concessions mean partial relaxations of otherwise strict rules), India is preparing to demand similar reliefs during its next round of trade negotiations in Brussels.
For India, CBAM has become one of the toughest negotiation points in the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The concern is that EU’s climate-compliance rules might reduce the trade benefits India’s exporters otherwise expect from the deal.
Importantly, the EU repeatedly clarifies that CBAM is not a trade protectionist tool. Rather, it is part of its climate agenda aimed at accelerating decarbonisation (inline definition: decarbonisation means reducing dependence on carbon-intensive fuels and processes, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions).
Therefore, the CBAM is an EU-led initiative, making option (b) European Union the correct choice.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following countries are members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)?
1. Armenia
2. Kazakhstan
3. Turkmenistan
4. Belarus
5. Ukraine
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 5
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 3, 4 and 5
Answer (a)
Explanation:
India began discussions with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), led by Russia, for a trade agreement after its talks with the United States collapsed.
The talks with the US ended when President Donald Trump labelled India a “dead economy” and imposed 50% tariffs on Indian products (tariffs = taxes on imported goods).
Negotiations with the EAEU were later halted in 2022 because of the Russia–Ukraine war.
The EAEU member states are: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia.
Turkmenistan and Ukraine are not members of this grouping.
Therefore, the correct combination is Armenia (1), Kazakhstan (2), and Belarus (4), which corresponds to Option (a).
QUESTION 8
Regarding the South Asian monsoon trough, assess the following statements:
It is a stretched high-pressure belt linking a summer heat-low over Afghanistan to the Arabian Sea.
When this trough shifts northward, it produces heavy rainfall over central India and the Deccan.
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 (d)
Explanation:
In mid-August (e.g., August 19), Mumbai and adjoining districts saw torrential rain for several days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai attributed this to the simultaneous influence of multiple rain-bearing systems affecting the region.
The monsoon trough is an elongated low-pressure zone (low pressure = air tends to rise, fostering cloud formation and rain), not a high-pressure belt. It typically extends from the summer heat-low over Pakistan to the Bay of Bengal—not from Afghanistan to the Arabian Sea. ⇒ Statement 1 is incorrect.
Heat-low: an intense thermal low that forms over very hot land (northwest South Asia) in summer.
The trough is a semi-permanent feature of monsoon circulation. Its meridional shifts steer where heavy rain falls:
Northward shift: enhances rain over the Himalayan foothills and Northeast India, while central India often receives less.
Southward shift: brings widespread/heavy rain to central India and the Deccan, with flooding risk. Hence, claiming that a northward movement causes heavy rain in central India and the Deccan is incorrect. ⇒ Statement 2 is incorrect.
QUESTION 9
India’s first Make-in-India green hydrogen plant in the port sector was commissioned at which port?
(a) Hubli Port
(b) Kandla Port
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru Port
(d) Kochi Port
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The facility has been commissioned at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, Gujarat—the first megawatt-scale, indigenously built green hydrogen plant at any Indian port. Make-in-India here means the core system (including the electrolyser) and integration were executed by Indian teams, emphasising local engineering and manufacturing.
This 1 MW unit is the first module of a larger 10 MW project whose foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister on May 26, 2025 (Bhuj); the plant was commissioned in about four months. Megawatt-scale refers to the input power rating of the electrolysis system.
Output scale: once the full 10 MW build-out is achieved, the project is expected to produce ~140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year; several reports also cite ~140 tpa for the installed set-up, reflecting the programme’s target capacity. Green hydrogen = hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, avoiding CO₂ emissions at the point of production.
The port notes this follows an earlier “green” milestone—India’s first Make-in-India all-electric Green Tug—showcasing DPA’s push for maritime decarbonisation.
QUESTION 10
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution applies to which of these Northeastern states?
Assam
Nagaland
Tripura
Mizoram
Arunachal Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer (d)
Explanation:
The Sixth Schedule (Article 244) provides for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)—local self-governing bodies with limited legislative, judicial, and administrative powers inside a state.
Composition & tenure: ADCs can have up to 30 members (with a mix of elected and nominated seats) and a five-year term.
Functional domain: They may frame laws/rules on land, forests, water, agriculture, village councils, health and sanitation, local policing at village/town level, inheritance, marriage and divorce, social customs, and mining, among others.
Coverage: The Sixth Schedule applies to Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
From the list in the question, the applicable states are Assam (1), Tripura (3), and Mizoram (4).
Nagaland (2) and Arunachal Pradesh (5) are not under the Sixth Schedule (they have separate constitutional safeguards—e.g., Article 371A for Nagaland and Article 371H for Arunachal Pradesh).
Note: In practice, the Sixth Schedule areas include: Assam (Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao), Meghalaya (Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills), Mizoram (Chakma, Lai, Mara), and Tripura (Tripura Tribal Areas ADC).
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