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

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

Date: 02 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. India’s G20 Presidency theme is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
2. During India's G20 Presidency, the troika will comprise Indonesia, India, and Brazil, respectively.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The theme of India’s G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future” - is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Group does not have a permanent secretariat. The Presidency is supported by the Troika - previous, current, and incoming Presidencies. During India's Presidency, the troika will comprise Indonesia, India, and Brazil, respectively. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements about the Digital Bank Units (DBU):

1. They have no physical branches.
2. They are completely independent banks to be licensed under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
3. They have to follow the Reserve Bank norms on par with commercial banks.
4. DBUs do not have legal personality and are not separately licensed under the Act.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) Only 1 statement is correct.
b) Only 2 statements are correct.
c) Only 3 statements are correct.
d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Digital banks are financial institutions that have no physical branches and offer banking services entirely online through their website and mobile banking app.
  • Digital banks will be completely independent banks to be licensed under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and they will follow the Reserve Bank norms on par with commercial banks.
  • DBUs do not have legal personality and are not separately licensed under the Act.

Hence, all statements are correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Lakshadweep:

1. It comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court.
2. Malayalam is the official language.
3. It is a uni-district Union Territory.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1,2 and 3

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs in the Laccadive Sea, 280 km to 480 km off the coast of Kerala.
  • Currently, there are 35 islands, as the Parali 1 island is submerged in water due to sea erosion.
  • Lakshadweep means "one lakh islands" in Malayalam, the official as well as the widely spoken native language in the territory.
  • Fishing is the most important industry.
  • The islands form the smallest union territory of India and their total surface area is just 32 km square.
  • Kavaratti serves as the capital of the Union Territory and the region comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court.
  • It is a uni-district Union Territory.
  • These islands were earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands.
  • The name Lakshadweep was adopted on 1st November 1973.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the cases of road accidents and their impact in India

1. India ranks at the top with the highest number of fatalities due to road accidents in the world.
2. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, the year 2020 witnessed the maximum number of deaths due to road accidents.
3. People aged 18-45 years account for over 60 percent of total accidental deaths.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • According to the latest available annual report of the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India
  • Every year about 1.3 million people lose their lives globally as a result of a road traffic crash.
  • More than 90 percent of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries .
  • India ranks at the top with the highest number of fatalities with about 11% share in the world.(Statement-1 is correct)
  • In 2021, a total number of 4,12,432 road accidents were reported in the country.
  • The road accidents claimed over 1.5 lac lives and caused injuries to about 3.8 lac people.
  • The worst affected age group in Road accidents was 18-45 years which accounted for about 67 percent of total accidental deaths. (Statement-3 is correct).
  • In the year 2020 road accidents were at the lowest in the last decade with 1.3 lakh deaths, it may be because of imposed travel restrictions. (Statement-2 is incorrect)

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

1. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes 4 goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030.
2. It was adopted at COP 15 of CBD which was held at Montreal's Palais des Congrès Dec 7-19.
3. It is a legally binding framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 2 only
D. 1 and 2 only

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes 4 goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • Convened under UN auspices, chaired by China, and hosted by Canada, the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF). Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Although the adopted Global Biodiversity Framework is not legally binding, countries will have to demonstrate progress towards achieving the framework’s goals through national and global reviews. Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.