UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: January 16, 2025

1. They are neither a true great cat nor a true small cat, because they cannot roar or purr. Correct: The clouded leopard is a wild cat that resides in the dense forests of the Himalayas, extending through Southeast Asia into South China. There are two species: the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) native to mainland Southeast Asia, and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. One of the oldest cat species, they are neither a true big cat nor a small cat, as they cannot roar or purr.
2. Clouded leopards are classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN due to declining populations. Correct: Both the species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List.
3. The clouded leopard is native to the Indian subcontinent only. Incorrect: the clouded leopard is native to the Indian subcontinent, as well as other parts of Asia. The clouded leopard is found across Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo, southern China, and formerly Taiwan. In India, they are present in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The clouded leopard is the state animal of Meghalaya.

• Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world: This is correct. It is located over 2,400 kilometers from the nearest inhabited land.
• Ascension Island is renowned for its unique biodiversity, including the endemic frigatebird.: This is correct. The island’s unique environment supports several endemic species.
• Saint Helena is famous for being the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile and death: This is correct. Napoleon was exiled there in 1815 and died there in 1821.

Thus, all the statements are correct.

• Nag Mk 2: It is indeed an indigenously developed third-generation fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), making this pair correct.
• BrahMos: This missile is recognized as the world’s fastest cruise missile, thus this pair is incorrect.
• Prithvi: This missile was the first missile developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), confirming the correctness of this pair as well.

• Scarlet fever is caused by a virus and affects primarily adults: This is incorrect. Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria (group A Streptococcus) and primarily affects children.
• The disease is characterized by a distinctive rash that feels like sandpaper: This is correct. The rash is a hallmark symptom of scarlet fever.
• Scarlet fever can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever if untreated: This is correct. Untreated scarlet fever can lead to serious complications.
• The condition is highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets: This is correct. Scarlet fever spreads easily through sneezing and coughing.

Thus, three of the statements are correct.

• The UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics is a specialized body established in 2014 under the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) to explore the use of big data and data science in enhancing global official statistical systems.
• The committee facilitates collaboration, operates under ECOSOC (via the Statistical Commission), and develops methodologies.
• Its main objectives are to investigate how big data can help monitor and report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to address challenges related to non-traditional data sources.
• The committee’s functions include developing global standards and best practices for integrating big data into official statistics, promoting international collaboration, encouraging innovative use of data such as satellite imagery and private sector data, and providing technical support to countries in modernizing their statistical processes. However, it does not directly fund projects.