Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (02 August 2023)

Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Date: 02 August 2023

1. Consider the following statements, with reference NAMASTE scheme:

1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
2. Its main aim is to eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) as a joint initiative of the MoSJE and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It aims to achieve outcomes like zero fatalities in sanitation work in India, no sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter and all Sewer and Septic tank sanitation workers have access to alternative livelihoods. It will replace the previous scheme, Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers. Skill Development and training of Safai Mitras are being taken up with the support of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the National Safai Karamchari Finance Development Corporation. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

2. With reference to TransLunar Injection (TLI), consider the following statements:

1. It is a critical maneuver performed during space missions to send spacecraft from Earth's orbit to a trajectory that will take them to the Moon.
2. It is a key step in lunar missions, enabling spacecraft to escape Earth's gravitational pull and travel to the Moon.
3. The TLI is performed when the spacecraft is at a specific point in its orbit known as the ‘perigee’ or the closest point to Earth.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (C)

Explanation: ISRO has successfully executed the TransLunar Injection (TLI) to propel Chandrayaan-3 towards the moon. It is a critical maneuver performed during space missions to send spacecraft from Earth's orbit to a trajectory that will take them to the Moon. It is a key step in lunar missions, enabling spacecraft to escape Earth's gravitational pull and travel to the Moon. The TLI is performed when the spacecraft is at a specific point in its orbit known as the ‘perigee’ or the closest point to Earth. During a TLI, the spacecraft's propulsion system fires its engines to accelerate the spacecraft. The spacecraft gains enough speed to break free from Earth's gravitational pull and embark on its journey toward the moon. The amount of thrust and duration of the TLI burn depends on various factors, including the spacecraft's mass, its velocity in Earth's orbit, and the specific mission objectives. The TLI burn has been performed successfully on many missions to the Moon, including the Apollo missions, the Chang'e missions, and the Artemis missions. Hence, all the statements are correct.

3. Consider the following pairs:

GI Tag State
1. Mankurad Mango Bihar
2. Bebinca Goa
3. Jalesar Dhatu Shilp Uttar Pradesh
4. Usta Kala Craft Gujarat

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently, the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted the GI tag to seven products from different regions of India, with four originating from Rajasthan. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a form of intellectual property right granted to products with specific geographical origins and distinct qualities, reputation, or characteristics closely linked to that region. The GI tags were secured by ‘Jalesar Dhatu Shilp’ (a metal craft) (Uttar Pradesh), ‘Goa Mankurad Mango’, ‘Goan Bebinca’, ‘Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft’, ‘Bikaner Kashidakari Craft’, ‘Jodhpur Bandhej Craft’, and ‘Bikaner Usta Kala Craft’.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

4. Keeling Islands, recently seen in news is located in which of the following ocean of the world?

(a) Atlantic ocean
(b) Pacific ocean
(c) Indian ocean
(d) Arctic ocean

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands lie in the eastern Indian Ocean, about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) northwest of the Australian city of Perth. It comprises of coral atolls and islands, the archipelago includes North Keeling Island and the South Keeling Islands. The territory’s administrative headquarters are on West Island in the southern atoll. Hence, option (c) is correct.

5. Consider the following statements, with reference to Trilateral Highway project:

1. The project spans 1,400 kilometres connecting Manipur in India with Bangladesh and Thailand.
2. The project was first proposed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation: It is also referred as “The Road to East” which connects India, Myanmar and Thailand. The project spans 1,400 kilometres and will connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand, while passing through Myanmar. It will be a gateway to ASEAN countries. The project has the power to revolutionise tourism, cultural interchange and improve regional trade among India, Myanmar and Thailand. The project was first proposed by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was approved at ministerial-level meeting between India, Myanmar and Thailand in 2002. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.