February 18, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

February 18, 2025, Current Affairs (English)

1. Who is responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) under the CEC & Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023?

A) Prime Minister of India
B) Chief Justice of India
C) The President of India
D) Speaker of Lok Sabha

Answer: C) The President of India

2. As per the Supreme Court’s directive in Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India (2023), which of the following was part of the selection committee for appointing the CEC and ECs?

A) Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India
B) President, Chief Election Commissioner, Chief Justice of India
C) Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Attorney General of India
D) Chief Justice of India, Home Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha

Answer: A) Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India

3. According to Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following elections does the Election Commission of India (ECI) NOT conduct?

A) Lok Sabha Elections
B) State Legislative Assembly Elections
C) Municipal Corporation Elections
D) Presidential Elections

Answer: C) Municipal Corporation Elections

4. What is the primary objective of the Aravali Safari Park Project?

A) To develop a commercial amusement park in Haryana
B) To set up industries in the Aravali region
C) To conserve wildlife by showcasing various animal species and nature trails
D) To construct residential buildings in the Aravalis

Answer: C) To conserve wildlife by showcasing various animal species and nature trails

5. Which law provides legal protection to large parts of the Aravali hills by restricting land use changes?

A) Indian Penal Code, 1860
B) Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900
C) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
D) Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Answer: B) Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900

6. What is one of the major environmental concerns raised against the Aravali Safari Park Project?

A) It will reduce employment opportunities in Haryana
B) The project will increase desertification in the region
C) The Aravalis serve as an aquifer and help maintain groundwater levels, which could be disturbed
D) The project will increase agricultural land in Haryana

Answer: C) The Aravalis serve as an aquifer and help maintain groundwater levels, which could be disturbed

7. What is the primary objective of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) between India and the U.S.?

A) To develop new trade agreements between India and the U.S.
B) To co-produce and co-develop underwater domain awareness (UDA) technologies in India.
C) To expand space technology cooperation between India and the U.S.
D) To establish a new naval base in the Indian Ocean region.

Answer: B) To co-produce and co-develop underwater domain awareness (UDA) technologies in India.

8. Why is Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) important for India?

A) To promote foreign investment in maritime trade.
B) To monitor underwater resources and protect against submarine threats.
C) To improve agricultural productivity along coastal areas.
D) To enhance tourism activities in deep-sea regions.

Answer: B) To monitor underwater resources and protect against submarine threats.

9. What is the primary objective of Exercise Dharma Guardian 2025?

A) To enhance trade relations between India and Japan
B) To improve interoperability between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) in urban warfare and counter-terrorism
C) To conduct naval drills in the Indo-Pacific region
D) To promote cultural exchanges between Indian and Japanese military personnel

Answer: B) To improve interoperability between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) in urban warfare and counter-terrorism

10. Which of the following is a naval exercise conducted between India and Japan?

A) SHINYUU Maitri
B) Malabar
C) Dharma Guardian
D) Yudh Abhyas

Answer: B) Malabar

11. Why is Mount Fuji significant?

A) It is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia
B) It is an extinct volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
C) It is an active stratovolcano and one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains”
D) It is Japan’s largest military training ground

Answer: C) It is an active stratovolcano and one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains”

12. According to the MTP Amendment Act, 2021, what is the gestational limit for abortion in special categories such as survivors of sexual assault and minors?

A) Up to 12 weeks
B) Up to 16 weeks
C) Up to 20 weeks
D) Between 20 to 24 weeks

Answer:D) Between 20 to 24 weeks

13. What is the condition under which abortion is permitted beyond 24 weeks under the MTP Act, 2021?

A) If the woman is unmarried
B) If there is a substantial fetal abnormality
C) If the woman has had two or more previous pregnancies
D) If the woman requests it for personal reasons

Answer: B) If there is a substantial fetal abnormality

14. Which country allows abortion up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act of 1967?

A) France
B) United States
C) United Kingdom
D) Germany

Answer: C) United Kingdom

15. What was the primary reason for the 3,000-year growth shutdown of coral reefs in the Gulf of Eilat?

A) Coral Bleaching
B) Overfishing and Pollution
C) Global Cooling
D) Ocean Acidification

Answer: C) Global Cooling

16. Why are corals referred to as the “Rainforests of the Sea”?

A) They help in regulating global temperatures.
B) They are the largest marine ecosystems.
C) They support high biodiversity and provide a habitat for marine species.
D) They are a major source of fresh water in the ocean.

Answer: C) They support high biodiversity and provide a habitat for marine species.

17. Which Indian law protects coral reefs by prohibiting their collection and trade?

A) Environmental Protection Act, 1986
B) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
C) Indian Fisheries Act, 1897
D) Marine Conservation Act, 2005

Answer: B) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

18. What is the primary objective of the US-India COMPACT initiative?

A) To facilitate the exchange of cultural programs between India and the US
B) To drive transformative change across defense, commerce, and technology cooperation
C) To enhance cooperation on climate change policies
D) To establish a free trade agreement between India and the US

Answer: B) To drive transformative change across defense, commerce, and technology cooperation

19. Which of the following military exercises is a trilateral or multilateral exercise involving India and the US?

A) Yudh Abhyas
B) Malabar
C) JIMEX
D) Garuda Shakti

Answer: B) Malabar

20. What is the primary aim of the India-US TRUST Initiative launched in 2025?

A) To promote cultural exchanges between the two nations
B) To strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and pharmaceuticals
C) To establish a free trade zone between India and the US
D) To promote joint space exploration programs

Answer: B) To strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and pharmaceuticals