UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: February 26, 2025

• It is a complex of coral reefs, shoals, and islets in the Pacific Ocean off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea. Correct: It is a complex of coral reefs, shoals, and islets in the Pacific Ocean off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.
  It is the longest and largest reef complex in the world and is the largest living structure on Earth. Correct: It is the longest and largest reef complex in the world and is the largest living structure on Earth. The reef, which is large enough to be visible from space, is made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs.
• It makes up about 10 percent of the world’s coral reef ecosystems. Correct: It has an area of some 350,000 sq.km. It makes up about 10 percent of the world’s coral reef ecosystems.
• UNESCO declared the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage Site recently. Incorrect: UNESCO declared the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage Site in 1981.

• Tropical storms can generate wind speeds over 39 miles per hour. Correct: A tropical storm is defined as a storm system that has sustained winds of 39 miles per hour or higher, but less than hurricane strength.
• Tropical storms are classified as hurricanes once they reach wind speeds of 74 miles per hour. Correct: When a tropical storm’s sustained winds reach 74 miles per hour, it is classified as a hurricane, indicating an increase in potential damage and intensity.

The correct order of the countries from north to south is: Belize → Honduras → Nicaragua → Costa Rica.

• The BRT Tiger Reserve is located in Karnataka and is home to a tiger population: This is correct; it is indeed in Karnataka and has a notable tiger population.
• The Soliga tribe has been recognized for their sustainable practices and coexistence with wildlife: This is correct; their practices have been acknowledged for promoting coexistence.
• The tiger is referred to as “Dodda Nayi” by the Soliga community: This is correct; they do refer to the tiger in this manner.
• The tiger population in BRT Tiger Reserve has consistently increased since 2014: This is incorrect; reports indicate a decline in the population in recent years.

• The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 aimed to create states based on linguistic demographics. Correct: This act aimed to reorganise states in India based on linguistic demographics, leading to the creation of several states.
• The Mahajan Commission was established to resolve the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka. Correct: Established in 1966, it recommended that Belgaum city and 247 surrounding villages remain in Karnataka.
• Belgaum was merged into Maharashtra based on recommendations from the States Reorganisation Commission. Incorrect: Belgaum was merged into Karnataka based on recommendations from the States Reorganisation Commission. The States Reorganisation Commission recommended this based on administrative efficiency and linguistic composition. The commission acknowledged both Marathi and Kannada-speaking populations but emphasized broader criteria for state boundaries.