January 31, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

January 31, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

1. What is the primary objective of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)?

A) To enhance India’s production and secure the supply chain of critical minerals
B) To promote the export of rare minerals to other countries
C) To focus solely on mineral recycling and reducing industrial waste
D) To ban the import of all critical minerals by 2030

Answer: A) To enhance India’s production and secure the supply chain of critical minerals

2. Which organization is responsible for acquiring critical mineral assets abroad for India?

A) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
B) Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)
C) NITI Aayog
D) Geological Survey of India (GSI)

Answer: B) Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)

3. Which country dominates the global processing of critical minerals?

A) Australia
B) China
C) United States
D) Russia

Answer: B) China

4. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), what is the projected increase in lithium demand by 2040?

A) 2 times
B) 4 times
C) 8 times
D) 10 times

Answer: C) 8 times

5. What is the maximum loan amount that can be covered under the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME)?

A) ₹50 crore
B) ₹75 crore
C) ₹100 crore
D) ₹150 crore

Answer: C) ₹100 crore

6. What percentage of the loan amount must borrowers deposit as an upfront contribution under the MCGS-MSME scheme?

A) 2%
B) 5%
C) 10%
D) 15%

Answer: B) 5%

7. Which institution will provide the 60% guarantee coverage to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under this scheme?

A) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
B) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
C) National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC)
D) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Answer: C) National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC)

8. What is the key objective of the MCGS-MSME scheme?

A) To provide interest-free loans to MSMEs
B) To ensure MSMEs have easier access to credit for purchasing Plant & Machinery / Equipment
C) To provide grants for MSME expansion
D) To reduce MSME taxation rates

Answer: B) To ensure MSMEs have easier access to credit for purchasing Plant & Machinery / Equipment

9. What was the Supreme Court’s key reason for declaring domicile-based reservations in PG medical courses unconstitutional?

A) It violates Article 14, which guarantees the Right to Equality
B) It violates Article 21, which guarantees the Right to Life
C) It discriminates based on caste and religion
D) It leads to a shortage of doctors in certain states

Answer: A) It violates Article 14, which guarantees the Right to Equality

10. How are PG medical seats allocated in India?

A) 100% seats are allocated through All India Quota counseling
B) 50% seats are allocated by the Centre, and the remaining 50% are filled through state counseling
C) Each state fills all its seats based on its own reservation policy
D) All PG seats are allocated based on domicile quota

Answer: B) 50% seats are allocated by the Centre, and the remaining 50% are filled through state counseling

11. Which of the following constitutional provisions was cited by the Supreme Court while striking down domicile-based reservations in PG medical admissions?

A) Article 19(1)(e) – Right to reside and settle anywhere in India
B) Article 16(3) – Parliament can make laws prescribing residence for public employment
C) Article 14 – Right to Equality
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

12. Which Supreme Court case set the precedent for restricting residence-based reservations in PG medical courses?

A) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
B) Dr. Pradeep Jain vs. Union of India (1984)
C) Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980)
D) Tanvi Behl v. Shrey Goel and others (2025)

Answer: B) Dr. Pradeep Jain vs. Union of India (1984)

13. What was the primary reason for the abrupt transformation of over 7,500 lakes in western Greenland in 2022?

A) Increased snowfall during fall
B) Sudden volcanic activity beneath the lakes
C) Extreme weather events, including record rainfall and permafrost thawing
D) Decrease in atmospheric CO₂ levels

Answer: C) Extreme weather events, including record rainfall and permafrost thawing

14. How did atmospheric rivers contribute to the transformation of Greenland’s lakes?

A) They transported cold air, leading to an extended winter season
B) They carried water vapor, causing unprecedented heat and heavy rainfall
C) They reduced the salinity of lakes, affecting aquatic life
D) They created strong winds that dried up the lakes

Answer: B) They carried water vapor, causing unprecedented heat and heavy rainfall

15. What was a major impact of the transformation on carbon emissions from the lakes?

A) The lakes started absorbing more carbon, reducing global warming
B) Carbon emissions from the lakes increased by 350%
C) Carbon levels remained stable despite the transformation
D) The lakes became permanent carbon sinks

Answer: B) Carbon emissions from the lakes increased by 350%

16. How did the deterioration of water quality affect biodiversity in the lakes?

A) Reduced light penetration hindered phytoplankton photosynthesis, affecting the carbon cycle
B) The lakes became more nutrient-rich, supporting higher biodiversity
C) Increased dissolved organic material led to improved water clarity
D) The lakes became more oxygenated, promoting fish population growth

Answer: A) Reduced light penetration hindered phytoplankton photosynthesis, affecting the carbon cycle

17. What is the primary reason for increased extreme rainfall on the southwest coast of India, especially Kerala?

A) Decreasing sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Bay of Bengal
B) Rising SSTs in the southeast Arabian Sea, leading to enhanced moisture transport
C) Weakening of monsoon winds over the Indian Ocean
D) Increased deforestation along the western coast

Answer: B) Rising SSTs in the southeast Arabian Sea, leading to enhanced moisture transport

18. How does sea surface temperature (SST) influence storms and cyclones?

A) Warmer SSTs provide more energy, intensifying storms and cyclones
B) Colder SSTs make storms stronger by cooling the atmosphere
C) SST has no impact on storm development
D) Warmer SSTs reduce moisture, weakening storms

Answer: A) Warmer SSTs provide more energy, intensifying storms and cyclones

19. What is the primary method used to measure Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) globally?

A) Satellites
B) Submarines
C) Underwater volcanic sensors
D) Rain gauges

Answer: A) Satellites

20. Which of the following is a major impact of rising SSTs on marine ecosystems?

A) Improved coral growth and reef expansion
B) Increased fish migration and breeding success
C) Coral bleaching and disruption of fish populations
D) Decrease in ocean salinity

Answer: C) Coral bleaching and disruption of fish populations