{"id":7113,"date":"2025-12-19T14:45:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T14:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/?p=7113"},"modified":"2025-12-19T14:45:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T14:45:59","slug":"mcqs-on-current-affairs-17-12-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/?p=7113","title":{"rendered":"MCQs on Current Affairs 17.12.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q1. What is the primary objective of ISRO\u2019s RESPOND Basket 2025?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">To commercialise private space startups in India<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">To identify urgent research problems aligned with ISRO\u2019s current and future mission requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">To recruit scientists directly from universities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">To fund international space collaborations exclusively<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"acc\">View Answer<\/button>\n<div class=\"pnl\">\n  <p style=\"padding-top:5px;color:#27302a;font-size:1.2rem;\"><b>Correct Option:<\/b> 2. To identify urgent research problems aligned with ISRO\u2019s current and future mission requirements. <br\/>\n<strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <br\/> &bull; The RESPOND Basket 2025 is a collection of research problem statements released by ISRO.<br\/>\n\n&bull; These problems are carefully selected by ISRO and Department of Space centres\/units based on the organisation\u2019s upcoming programmatic R&#038;D needs.<br\/>\n\n&bull; The initiative aims to engage academic and R&#038;D institutions in solving mission-driven technological challenges, thereby strengthening collaboration between ISRO and academia.\n\n\n<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q2. According to the recent monograph on butterflies of Kerala, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Kerala accounts for nearly the entire butterfly diversity of the Western Ghats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Nymphalidae is the most species-rich butterfly family in Kerala.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">All butterfly species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in Kerala are listed under Schedule I.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Options:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 and 2 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">2 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"acc\">View Answer<\/button>\n<div class=\"pnl\">\n  <p style=\"padding-top:5px;color:#27302a;font-size:1.2rem;\"><b>Correct Option:<\/b> 1. 1 and 2 only. <br\/>\n<strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <br\/> &bull; Statement 1 \u2013 Correct:<br\/>\n\nThe study reports 328 butterfly species in Kerala, while the entire Western Ghats host 337 species, meaning Kerala represents nearly the complete butterfly diversity of the Western Ghats.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 2 \u2013 Correct:<br\/>\n\nAmong the six butterfly families recorded, Nymphalidae is the most species-rich with 97 species, followed closely by Lycaenidae (96 species).<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 3 \u2013 Incorrect:<br\/>\n\nAlthough 70 butterfly species in Kerala are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, only four species are listed under Schedule I, which provides the highest level of legal protection.\n\n\n<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q3. With reference to the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, consider the following statements:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The Bill proposes separating the functions of regulation, accreditation, and standards-setting in higher education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">It removes the power of grant disbursal from the regulatory authority currently exercised by the UGC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">It creates an independent grants council as recommended under the National Education Policy, 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 and 2 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">2 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"acc\">View Answer<\/button>\n<div class=\"pnl\">\n  <p style=\"padding-top:5px;color:#27302a;font-size:1.2rem;\"><b>Correct Option:<\/b> 1. 1 and 2 only. <br\/>\n<strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <br\/> &bull; Statement 1 \u2013 Correct:<br\/>\n\nThe VBSA Bill, 2025 explicitly segregates three core functions of higher education governance\u2014regulation, accreditation, and standards-setting\u2014into separate councils.<br\/>\n\nThis separation is intended to reduce conflicts of interest, in line with the NEP 2020 recommendations.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 2 \u2013 Correct:<br\/>\n\nA key feature of the Bill is the removal of grant-disbursal powers from the regulatory authority, a function presently performed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).<br\/>\n\nUnder the proposed framework, grant disbursal will be handled by the Ministry of Education.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 3 \u2013 Incorrect:<br\/>\n\nAlthough NEP 2020 suggested a separate grants council, the government has clarified that the VBSA Bill does not create an independent grants council.<br\/>\n\nThe decision was described as a \u201cconscious move\u201d due to the complexity of multiple funding sources in higher education.\n\n\n<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q4. With reference to the Insurance Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The Bill allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector under Indian regulatory oversight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The net owned fund requirement for foreign reinsurance branches has been increased to strengthen financial stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The Bill enhances the powers of IRDAI to impose higher penalties on insurance intermediaries<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">2 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"acc\">View Answer<\/button>\n<div class=\"pnl\">\n  <p style=\"padding-top:5px;color:#27302a;font-size:1.2rem;\"><b>Correct Option:<\/b> 2. 1 and 3 only. <br\/>\n<strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <br\/> &bull; Statement 1 \u2013 Correct<br\/>\nThe Bill raises FDI in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%, while clearly stating that all companies will continue to be governed by Indian laws and regulated by IRDAI.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 2 \u2013 Incorrect<br\/>\nThe Bill reduces, not increases, the net owned fund requirement for foreign reinsurance branches from \u20b95,000 crore to \u20b91,000 crore to attract more global reinsurers.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 3 \u2013 Correct<br\/>\nThe Bill strengthens IRDAI\u2019s enforcement powers by:\n\nAllowing disgorgement of wrongful gains\n\nIncreasing the maximum penalty on insurance intermediaries from \u20b91 crore to \u20b910 crore\n\n\n<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q5. With reference to the proposal for round-the-clock trading in U.S. stock markets, consider the following statements:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Nasdaq has proposed extending weekday trading to nearly 23 hours a day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Large U.S. banks are strongly supportive of the move due to expectations of significant revenue growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Concerns have been raised that overnight trading could suffer from low liquidity and higher volatility.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">2 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"acc\">View Answer<\/button>\n<div class=\"pnl\">\n  <p style=\"padding-top:5px;color:#27302a;font-size:1.2rem;\"><b>Correct Option:<\/b> 2. 1 and 3 only. <br\/>\n<strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <br\/> &bull; Statement 1 \u2013 Correct<br\/>\nNasdaq has filed paperwork with regulators to extend trading hours to 23 hours a day on weekdays, signalling a major shift toward near round-the-clock trading in U.S. equities.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 2 \u2013 Incorrect<br\/>\nSeveral major U.S. banks such as JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley are reluctant, not enthusiastic. They view the move as potentially costly, requiring large investments in technology and risk management, with uncertain revenue benefits.<br\/> &bull; \n\nStatement 3 \u2013 Correct<br\/>\nMarket experts and institutional investors, including BlackRock, have warned that overnight sessions tend to have thin liquidity, which can lead to:<br\/> &bull; \n\nWider bid\u2013ask spreads<br\/> &bull; \n\nIncreased volatility<br\/> &bull; \n\nHigher trading costs\n\n\n<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Q1. What is the primary objective of ISRO\u2019s RESPOND Basket 2025? View Answer Correct Option: 2. To identify urgent research problems aligned with ISRO\u2019s current and future mission requirements. Explanation: &bull; The RESPOND Basket 2025 is a collection of research problem statements released by ISRO. &bull; These problems are carefully selected by ISRO and Department [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[222,970,21,22,973,966,972,626,31,964,221,20,974],"class_list":["post-7113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-bank-exams","tag-butterfly-biodiversity-hotspot","tag-competitive-exams","tag-current-affairs","tag-foreign-direct-investment","tag-highest-butterfly-diversity","tag-insurance-amendment-bill","tag-isro","tag-mcq","tag-respond-basket-2025","tag-rrb-exams","tag-ssc-cgl","tag-u-s-stock-markets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7113"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7126,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7113\/revisions\/7126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}