UPSC Quiz – 2025 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th January 2026

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Irrawaddy Dolphin is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. Irrawaddy dolphins prefer coastal areas, particularly muddy, brackish waters at river mouths and deltas, and do not appear to venture far offshore. They have expressive faces thanks to their moveable lips and have creases around their necks as they are able to move their heads in all directions. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

• They are found in three rivers in South and Southeast Asia- the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Kalimatan, Indonesia), and the Mekong (Cambodia). In India, they occur mainly in Chilika Lake (Odisha); but they are also reported in the Sundarbans region. They are classified as Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Samakka-Saralamma Jatara is a tribal festival of honouring the goddesses celebrated in the state of Telangana, India. Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the Mulugu. It is also known as Medaram Jatara. Hence, statement 1 is INCORRECT.

• It is held every two years (biannually). It is celebrated during the time the goddesses of the tribals are believed to visit them. It is recognized as the world’s largest indigenous spiritual gathering and India’s second-largest fair after the Kumbh Mela. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Intrinsically disordered proteins are defined as proteins or regions of proteins that lack a fixed or ordered three-dimensional structure under biological conditions. They are also called natively unfolded or intrinsically unstructured proteins. They are shape shifting molecules vital to cellular communication. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

• They don’t form a fixed structure. They guide signalling networks. They also help proteins move and find partners within the cell, regulate which genes are switched on or off. They support protein folding and quality control, and assemble flexible cellular hubs called condensates. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Mt Elbrus is located in southwest Russia and is part of the Caucasus Mountains. It is believed that the Caucasus Mountains were formed due to the northward collision of the Arabian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. Geological studies have revealed that Mount Elbrus was formed over 2.5 million years ago and the volcano had been most active during the Holocene Epoch. Hence, option a is the correct answer.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

Womaniya Initiative is a flagship programme aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement. The initiative seeks to develop women entrepreneurship to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth. In January 2026, the initiative celebrated seven years, reporting that women-led MSEs have fulfilled orders worth over ₹80,000 crore on the GeM Portal. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.