UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 21 November 2025

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1: Correct

• The CSC began as the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives in 2011.
• This later evolved into the current CSC framework.

Statement 2: Incorrect

• Mauritius and Seychelles became full members in 2020–21.
• Bangladesh is NOT a full member; it participates as an observer and attends meetings at the NSA level.

So the statement incorrectly places Bangladesh as a full member.

Statement 3: Correct

The five pillars of cooperation reaffirmed in the 7th meeting are:

1. Maritime safety and security
2. Countering terrorism and radicalisation
3. Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime
4. Cybersecurity & protection of critical infrastructure
5. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)

Statement 4: Incorrect

Malaysia participated for the first time, but only as a guest country, not as a full member.

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1: Correct : Vice-Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan confirmed that the Navy is closely monitoring China’s supply of submarines and warships to Pakistan and is boosting its own anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities accordingly.

Statement 2: Incorrect : The article states China recently inducted its third aircraft carrier, not the fourth.:  Hence this statement is factually wrong.

Statement 3: Correct Vice-Admiral Vatsayan mentioned that the Navy maintains a watch over extra-regional powers in the Indian Ocean, where 40–50 foreign vessels operate “at any given time.”

Statement 4: Correct : He stated that lessons learned from Operation Sindoor have been translated into capability “challenges” and will be taken up during Swavlamban 2025, which focuses on Aatmanirbharta in defence.

Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct → Option (a).

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

Statement 1: Correct

The ToR covers:

• Market access for goods
• Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers
• Investment facilitation
• Simplified customs procedures

Thus, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: Correct

The ToR also includes:

• Cooperation in innovation and technology transfer
• Eased norms to promote trade in services

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3: Incorrect

Israel specifically said it will NOT seek market access in sensitive Indian sectors such as:

• Dairy
• Rice
• Wheat
• Sugar

Thus, the statement reverses the fact and is incorrect.

Statement 4: Incorrect

India is Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia, not the largest.

Correct Answer: (a) 2 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1: Incorrect

• Article 141 makes only the “law declared” in judgments binding on all courts.
• Advisory opinions under Article 143 do not automatically have binding force.
• The Constitution does not state that Article 143 opinions are equivalent to Article 141 judgments.

Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 2: Correct

The article states that:

• Justice Y.V. Chandrachud (1978 Presidential Reference) held that an advisory opinion may even “go so far as to overrule, if necessary” a prior judgment.
• The Natural Resources Allocation (2G) Reference reaffirmed this view.
  Thus, the Supreme Court has previously taken this interpretative position.

Statement 3: Incorrect

The Constitution is silent on whether an Article 143 opinion can overrule a prior judgment.  There is no explicit provision granting overriding power to advisory opinions.
Hence this statement is wrong.

Statement 4: Correct

The article notes that:

• The Centre may use the upcoming advisory opinion as an “authoritative weapon” to seek review of the April 8 Tamil Nadu Governor judgment.

Thus, an advisory opinion may become a strategic tool to pursue a review.

Therefore, only statements 2 and 4 are correct → Option (a).

Correct Answer: (a) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1: Incorrect

The article clearly states:

• The Just Transition Work Programme was established at COP27 (2022)
• It was operationalised at COP28 (2023)

Thus, the statement incorrectly shifts both by one COP.

Statement 2: Correct

India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that the future Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) should:

• Be country-driven
• Be nationally determined
• Allow flexibility based on national systems, capacities, and data realities

Hence, statement 2 reflects India’s actual position.

Statement 3: Correct

The article mentions that developed countries resist language that would mandate them to provide low-cost climate finance to developing countries.
Therefore, statement 3 is accurate.

Statement 4: Incorrect

India has said the opposite:

• Adaptation finance is NOT optional,
• It is an “essential investment.”

Thus, statement 4 misrepresents India’s position.

Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct → Option (a).