Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (04 February 2023)

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

Date: 04 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Deep Ocean mission.

1. It is an Indian initiative to undertake deep ocean exploration focused on India's exclusive economic zones and continental shelf.
2. India has been allocated a 75,000 km2 site in the Pacific Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority.
3. The estimated amount of polymetallic nodules in a given area is about 380 million tonnes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Deep Ocean mission is an Indian initiative to undertake deep ocean exploration focused on India's exclusive economic zones and continental shelf.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • India has been allocated a 75,000 km2 site in the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority for the purposes of exploring for and extracting polymetallic nodules on the seabed.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • The estimated amount of polymetallic nodules in a given area is about 380 million tonnes, containing 4.7 million tonnes of nickel, 4.29 million tonnes of copper and 0.55 million tonnes of cobalt and 92.59 million tonnes of manganese.
  • Thus statement 3 is Correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Trade agreements:

1. A free trade agreement is more comprehensive than a preferential trade agreement.
2. Tariffs may be reduced to zero for some products in a preferential trade agreement (PTA).
3. India has not signed a PTA with any country.
4. Partnership agreements or cooperation agreements are more comprehensive than an FTA.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Free Trade Agreement: A free trade agreement is an agreement in which two or more countries agree to provide preferential trade terms, tariff concession etc. to the partner country. Here a negative list of products and services is maintained by the negotiating countries on which the terms of FTA are not applicable hence it is more comprehensive than a preferential trade agreement. India has negotiated FTA with many countries e.g. Sri Lanka and various trading blocs as well e.g. ASEAN. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Preferential Trade Agreement: In this type of agreement, two or more partners give preferential right of entry to certain products. This is done by reducing duties on an agreed number of tariff lines. Here a positive list is maintained i.e. the list of the products to which the two partners have agreed to provide preferential access. Tariffs may even be reduced to zero for some products even in a PTA. Hence, statement 2 is correct. India signed a PTA with Afghanistan. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect
  • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: A partnership agreement or cooperation agreement is more comprehensive than an FTA. CECA/CEPA also looks into the regulatory aspect of trade and encompasses an agreement covering the regulatory issues. CEPA covers negotiation on the trade in services and investment and other areas of economic partnership. It may even consider negotiation in areas such as trade facilitation and customs cooperation, competition, and IPR. India has signed CEPAs with South Korea and Japan. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements about Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) :

1. The concept of ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) was introduced at COP26 in Glasgow.
2. LiFE puts individual and collective duty on everyone to live a life that is in tune with Earth and does not harm it.

Which of the above statements is/are Not correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The concept of ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow on 1st November 2021, calling upon the global community of individuals and institutions to drive LiFE as an international mass movement towards “mindful and deliberate utilisation, instead of mindless and destructive consumption” to protect and preserve the environment. Hence statement 1 is correct
  • LiFE puts individual and collective duty on everyone to live a life that is in tune with Earth and does not harm it. Those who practice such a lifestyle are recognised as Pro Planet People under LiFE. Hence statement 2 is correct. Option D is the correct option.

Q4. With reference to the Sixth Schedule of the constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.
2. It provides for autonomy in the administration of the areas of the states included in the sixth schedule through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The Sixth Schedule provides for autonomy in the administration of these areas through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). So, statement 2 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements about the manufacturing of semiconductor chips:

1. The construction of a chip fabrication factory, also known as a 'fab', can cost over $100 billion and requires a sophisticated supply chain ecosystem.
2. Only a few companies and countries have managed to master the intricate process of producing advanced 3 and 5 nanometer chips, with over 90% of these chips being produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation Ltd (TSMC).

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • "Manufacturing semiconductor chips is a complex and capital-intensive task that is considered one of the most challenging manufacturing feats ever achieved by humans.
  • The construction of a chip fabrication factory, also known as a 'fab', can cost over $20 billion and requires a sophisticated supply chain ecosystem. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
  • Only a few companies and countries have managed to master the intricate process of producing advanced 3 and 5 nanometer chips, with 92% of these chips being produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation Ltd (TSMC). Hence statement 2 is correct.

Solution: As only statement 2 is correct, so the correct option is (b).