February 21, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

February 21, 2025, Current Affairs (English)

1. Under which section of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 did the Lokpal claim jurisdiction over sitting High Court judges?

A) Section 12(1)(b)
B) Section 14(1)(f)
C) Section 19(2)(a)
D) Section 21(3)(d)

Answer: B) Section 14(1)(f)

2. What was the Supreme Court’s key observation in staying the Lokpal’s order regarding the investigation of High Court judges?

A) High Court judges are statutory functionaries.
B) Lokpal correctly interpreted its powers under the Act.
C) High Court judges are constitutional authorities, not statutory functionaries.
D) Lokpal has overriding powers over all government functionaries.

Answer: C) High Court judges are constitutional authorities, not statutory functionaries.

3. What did the K Veeraswamy judgment (1991) establish regarding judges under the Prevention of Corruption Act?

A) High Court and Supreme Court judges are not considered public servants.
B) Judges can be prosecuted without any prior approval.
C) No criminal case can be registered against a judge without prior consent of the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
D) Lokpal has the authority to investigate judges directly.

Answer: C) No criminal case can be registered against a judge without prior consent of the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

4. What does the Supreme Court raise the key concern regarding political parties offering freebies before elections?

A) It enhances economic growth by increasing consumer spending.
B) It creates a dependency mindset and discourages people from working.
C) It is an effective tool to eliminate poverty permanently.
D) It helps the government in reducing fiscal deficits.

Answer: B) It creates a dependency mindset and discourages people from working.

5. How does the Supreme Court differentiate between freebies and welfare schemes?

A) Freebies contribute to economic growth, while welfare schemes hinder it.
B) Welfare schemes provide essential services, while freebies involve mass distribution of non-merit goods.
C) Welfare schemes are promised before elections, while freebies are implemented afterward.
D) Freebies are only given in rural areas, while welfare schemes are for urban areas.

Answer: B) Welfare schemes provide essential services, while freebies involve mass distribution of non-merit goods.

6. Which of the following is an example of a responsible welfare measure rather than a freebie?

A) Free electricity for all households regardless of income.
B) Distribution of free household appliances like TVs and laptops.
C) Subsidies for renewable energy adoption, such as solar panel incentives.
D) Providing free mobile phones to all students without an academic performance criterion.

Answer: C) Subsidies for renewable energy adoption, such as solar panel incentives.

7. According to the Supreme Court in the Vishwa Jagriti Mission case (2001), which actions constitute ragging?

A) Making juniors participate in college cultural programs voluntarily
B) Encouraging freshers to express their opinions in a debate
C) Any act, spoken or written, that humiliates, teases, or mistreats a fresher or junior student
D) Conducting an introductory session to help juniors interact with seniors

Answer: C) Any act, spoken or written, that humiliates, teases, or mistreats a fresher or junior student

8. Which of the following committees was set up in 2007 to address the issue of ragging in India and recommended strict anti-ragging regulations?

A) Unny Committee
B) Raghavan Committee
C) Mehta Committee
D) Verma Committee

Answer: B) Raghavan Committee

9. Under which of the following Indian laws can severe ragging incidents involving physical harm or abetment of suicide be prosecuted?

A) Right to Education Act, 2009
B) Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
C) Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 323, 324, 354, 506, 305, and 306
D) Juvenile Justice Act, 2015

Answer: C) Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 323, 324, 354, 506, 305, and 306

10. What is the primary reason for Mumbai’s above-normal temperatures in February 2025?

A) The presence of strong monsoon winds bringing heat from the ocean
B) The influence of an anticyclonic system above the Arabian Sea blocking sea breezes
C) A high number of Western Disturbances causing temperature spikes
D) The absence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer: B) The influence of an anticyclonic system above the Arabian Sea blocking sea breezes

11. Which of the following statements about anticyclones is correct?

A) They are low-pressure systems with air converging at the center.
B) In the Northern Hemisphere, anticyclones rotate counterclockwise.
C) They create calm, clear skies and stable weather conditions.
D) Anticyclones are always associated with stormy and rainy weather.

Answer: C) They create calm, clear skies and stable weather conditions.

12. How do anticyclones impact weather patterns?

A) They generate strong thunderstorms and hurricanes.
B) They cause cloud formation, leading to increased rainfall.
C) They block depressions and prevent storms from passing through, leading to prolonged stable weather.
D) They always result in extremely cold weather conditions.

Answer: C) They block depressions and prevent storms from passing through, leading to prolonged stable weather.

13. What is the primary purpose of India’s first zoo biobank at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park?

A) To provide medical treatment for zoo animals
B) To preserve genetic material of endangered species for conservation and research
C) To create artificial habitats for rare animals
D) To store food samples for studying animal nutrition

Answer: B) To preserve genetic material of endangered species for conservation and research

14. What is the term commonly used to refer to a biobank that collects and preserves DNA and reproductive cells of endangered species?

A) Cryogenic Chamber
B) Gene Pool Storage
C) Frozen Zoo
D) Biodiversity Vault

Answer: C) Frozen Zoo

15. Which of the following ethical concerns is associated with setting up biobanks for genetic material preservation?

A) Ownership and informed consent for stored samples
B) Lack of interest in preserving biodiversity
C) Limited storage space for genetic materials
D) Difficulty in feeding stored animal cells

Answer: A) Ownership and informed consent for stored samples

16. What is the primary reason why sea ice is important for regulating global temperatures?

A) It absorbs solar radiation and helps heat the ocean.
B) It prevents glaciers from melting and reduces sea level rise.
C) It reflects sunlight, reducing heat absorption by the ocean and atmosphere.
D) It increases the movement of ocean currents, cooling the planet.

Answer: C) It reflects sunlight, reducing heat absorption by the ocean and atmosphere.

17. What has been the trend in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice cover in recent years?

A) Both Arctic and Antarctic ice cover have remained stable.
B) Arctic sea ice has decreased, while Antarctic sea ice initially increased but started declining after 2015.
C) Antarctic ice has expanded significantly, while Arctic ice has remained unchanged.
D) Both Arctic and Antarctic ice levels have increased due to cooling temperatures.

Answer: B) Arctic sea ice has decreased, while Antarctic sea ice initially increased but started declining after 2015.

18. How does melting sea ice contribute to climate instability?

A) It releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
B) It reduces ocean salinity, disrupting global ocean circulation and weather patterns.
C) It increases the height of ocean waves, causing more coastal erosion.
D) It strengthens monsoon systems, leading to increased rainfall worldwide.

Answer: B) It reduces ocean salinity, disrupting global ocean circulation and weather patterns.

19. What is the key shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump regarding Russia?

A) Continued military aid to Ukraine and increased sanctions on Russia
B) A diplomatic reset with Russia, reducing U.S. support for Ukraine
C) Strengthening NATO’s presence in Ukraine to counter Russia
D) Imposing stricter economic sanctions on both Russia and China

Answer: B) A diplomatic reset with Russia, reducing U.S. support for Ukraine

20. How does the U.S. foreign policy shift impact Ukraine?

A) Ukraine gains full NATO membership with U.S. military support
B) Ukraine is excluded from U.S.-Russia negotiations and left vulnerable
C) The U.S. increases its military presence in Ukraine to counter Russia
D) Ukraine receives additional aid from European nations united in their support

Answer: B) Ukraine is excluded from U.S.-Russia negotiations and left vulnerable