Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (03 May 2023)

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

Date: 03 May 2023

Q1. Consider the following Statements regarding the “National Disaster Management Authority”:

1. It is a statutory body with a mandate to lay down policies for disaster management.
2. It is headed by the Home Minister of India.
3. It is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices for disaster management.

Select the correct Statement(s) 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: (C)

Explanation:

  • NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act 2005. So it is a statutory body.
  • Thus option A is correct.
  • It is headed by the Prime Minister of India and can have up to nine other members.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • It is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices for coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and distributed approach to disaster management.
  • So statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Universal Declaration of River Rights includes the right to flow, perform essential functions within ecosystems, and be free from pollution, among others.
2. The Constitution of India imposes a duty on every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including rivers.
3. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2020 declared Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh City as a legal entity with rights equivalent to persons.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The Universal Declaration of River Rights includes the right to flow, perform essential functions within its ecosystems, the right to be free from pollution, feed and be fed by sustainable aquifers, rejuvenation and restoration, and rivers to facilitate biodiversity management. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution of India mandates that every citizen has a duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including rivers. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court passed an order in 2020 stating that Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh City is a living entity with rights equivalent to persons. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Q3. Which of the following is/are the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (UPSC 2016)

1. Undernourishment
2. Child stunting
3. Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) uses all three indicators, namely undernourishment, child stunting, and child mortality, to compute the Global Hunger Index (GHI) report.
  • The GHI is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. Hence option c is correct.

Q4. Which of the following is/are feature(s) usually associated with the PPP Model of Investment?

1. Cost and time overrun
2. Complex legal arrangements
3. More public resources for investment in sectors where private investment may be shy to enter.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • PPP projects involve significant construction risks, such as cost overruns, delays, and quality issues. These risks can result from unforeseen events, such as natural disasters, labour strikes, or supply chain disruptions.
  • For example, Anything from a 10-15% cost overrun can mean that a company no longer earns a profit on that specific project, and an accumulation of such projects can push the entire company to bankruptcy.
  • PPP projects involve complex legal arrangements between public and private partners, and there is always the risk of disputes arising from contractual breaches, performance issues, or disagreements over the allocation of risks.
  • PPPs can spread the project cost over an extended period, which can free up public resources for investment in sectors where private investment may be shy to enter.
  • Hence option c is correct.