UPSC Daily Quiz 22 December 2025

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, Kashmir braces for a spell of rain and snowfall and the region is also set to enter ‘Chillai Kalan’.

• It is the 40-day period of the harshest winter cold in Kashmir region.
  • Chillai Kalan is a Persian term which means “Major Cold”.
• The Chillai Kalan (big cold) usually begins on December 21 and will end on January 30.
  • Chillai Kalan is followed by ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold)– a 20-day period of moderate winter from January 31 to February 19, and the 10-day ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold), towards the fag end of the winter season from February 20 to March 2.
• Cultural Significance: According to Persian tradition, the night of 21st December is celebrated as Shab-e Yalda-“Night of Birth”, or Shab-e Chelleh. – “Night of Forty”. 
• Impacts of Chillai Kalan:
  • During this time Kashmir Valley faces its harshest phase of the winter season, including widespread snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and intense cold waves.
  • Traditionally, heavy snowfall during Chillai Kalan replenishes water reservoirs in the higher reaches, sustaining rivers, streams and lakes during the summer months. 

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/snow-rain-in-kashmir-chillai-kalan/article70422055.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, Europe is on alert after a new study revealed the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, has firmly taken hold in wild raccoons across nine countries.

• The raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is the common large roundworm or ascarid found in the small intestinal tract of raccoons.
• It infects raccoons in parts of North America, Europe and Japan, and less commonly in South America.
  • The parasite is indigenous to North America and emerging in Europe and Asia after the introduction of North American raccoons for the commercial fur trade in the early 20th century.
• It can cause severe disease in humans and other animals.
• Primary Hosts of Raccoon Roundworm: Racoons (​Procyon lotor​), Wild and domestic canids
• Transmission & Life Cycle of Raccoon Roundworm:
  • Infection occurs through ingestion of infective eggs or infected paratenic hosts.
  • Eggs passed in racoon faeces are shed in the environment and take 2-4weeks to embryonate and become infective.
  • Many mammals and birds can become paratenic hosts after consuming the eggs.
  • Once infective eggs are ingested, the eggs hatch and larvae penetrate the intestinal wall where they can migrate to various tissues (liver, lungs, eyes, and brain), and infect the host.
• Treatment and Control: Raccoons can be successfully treated with several anthelmintics to kill the adult worms.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/raccoon-roundworm-baylisascaris-procyonis-europe-spread-india-risk-parasite-infection-2839323-2025-12-21

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, for the third consecutive year, India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) global list of offenders.

• It was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
• Role: To develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries.
• It activities include scientific and social science research; education; intelligence & investigations; development of anti-doping capacity; and monitoring of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Program.
• It is funded equally by the Olympic Movement and Governments of the world.
• Headquarter: Montreal, Canada.
• Governance Structure of World Anti-Doping Agency
  • Foundation Board (Board): It consists of 42-member and it is the agency’s highest policy-making body, is jointly composed of representatives of the Olympic Movement (the IOC, National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, and athletes) and representatives of governments from all five continents.
  • Executive Committee (ExCo): It consists of 16-member to which the Board delegates the management and running of the agency, including the performance of all its activities and the administration of its assets.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/india-is-no-1-on-global-doping-list-it-must-clean-up-10432155/

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, scientists have found the Southern Ocean mitigates global surface warming by taking up a large portion of the carbon released by human activities.

• The Southern Ocean is also known as the Antarctic Ocean, is the fourth-largest ocean by surface area.
• The International Hydrographic Organization describes the Southern Ocean as the World Ocean’s southernmost portion.
• It is located on the lower end of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean, and includes the tributary seas around the Antarctic region. 
• It is known for its strong winds, intense storms, dramatic seasonal changes and cold temperatures.
• It is dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) which is the longest, strongest, deepest-reaching current on earth. 
• Formation: It was formed around 34 million years ago when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, creating the Drake Passage.
• Biodiversity: Powerful currents, cold temperatures and nutrient and oxygen-rich waters make the Southern Ocean one of the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth.
• Role of Southern Ocean:
  • It plays an important role in the circulation of water around the globe.
  • It also plays a key role in regulating the earth’s climate through its currents, seasonal sea ice and by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/southern-ocean-carbon-anomaly-reveals-what-models-can-still-miss/article70422336.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the US military carried out a strike against the Islamic State group in Syria.

• Location: It is located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Seain southwestern Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Turkey in the north, Lebanon in the west, Iraq in the east, Jordan in the south and Israel in the southwest.
• Capital City: Damascus
• Geographical Features of Syria:
  • Syria’s geography offers two major regions, a western and an eastern part.
    • The western region features narrow, fertile coastal plains along the eastern Mediterranean
    • The eastern part of the country is the realm of the Syrian Desert which is a mixture of dry steppe and true desert landscape.
  • Rivers: Euphrates River flows across Syria before entering Iraq.
  • Lakes: Lake al-Assad (a man-made reservoir,) created by a dam on the Euphrates River.
  • Desert: Southern and eastern Syria are part of the northern Syrian Desert.
  • Highest Point: Mt Hermon (2,814 m)

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/us-military-carries-out-strike-against-is-group-in-syria/