Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (05 January 2023)

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

Date: 05 January 2023

Q1. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

1. Detecting human emotions using body movement.
2. Speed up the vaccine development process.
3. Address the challenges posed by climate change through data analytics.
4. Weather modeling for better predictions of climate phenomena.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1, 3 and 4 only
b. 2 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Artificial Intelligence can effectively do the following:
  • Detecting human emotions using body movement.
  • Speed up the vaccine development process.
  • Address the challenges posed by climate change through data analytics.
  • Weather modeling for better predictions of climate phenomenon.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. 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.
2. A positive list is maintained i.e. the list of the products to which the two partners have agreed to provide preferential access.
3. A negative list of products and services is also maintained by the negotiating countries on which the terms of FTA are not applicable.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • 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. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • 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. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • India has negotiated FTA with many countries e.g. Sri Lanka and various trading blocs as well e.g. ASEAN. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following Statements about G7:

1. The Group of Seven (G-7) is an intergovernmental organization made up of the world's largest developed economies: France, Germany, Australia, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
2. The G-7 was known as the Group of Eight (G-8), until 2014 when former member Russia was removed after annexing the region of Crimea illegally from Ukraine.

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

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

What Is the Group of Seven (G-7)?

  • The Group of Seven (G-7) is an intergovernmental organization made up of the world's largest developed economies: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Government leaders of these countries meet periodically to address international economic and monetary issues, with each member taking over the presidency on a rotating basis. (Option 1 is incorrect as Australia is not a member of G7)
  • The G-7 was, for a while, known as the Group of Eight (G-8), until 2014 when former member Russia was removed after annexing the region of Crimea illegally from Ukraine. (Option 2 is correct)
  • The European Union (EU) is sometimes considered to be a de-facto eighth member of the G-7 since it holds all the rights and responsibilities of full members except to chair or host meetings.

Solution. As statement 1 is incorrect, Hence correct option is (a) 1 only.

Q4. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2014)

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country. Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act. So, statement 2 is correct.
  • National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was established in 2009 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. So, statement 3 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

1. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is a constitutional body.
2. Recommendations of the NCST are binding on the government.
3. The Commission and its officers participate in formulation of policies and in the developmental programmes for Scheduled Tribes.

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:

  • The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Indian Constitution through 89th Amendment Act, 2003. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled but its recommendations are not binding on the government. Hence statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • The Commission and its officers participate in formulation of policies and in the developmental programmes for Scheduled Tribes including Tribal Sub-Plan. Thus statement 3 is correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the India-China border dispute-

1. The boundary line at the LAC is called the McMahon Line in the eastern sector.
2. The McMahon line was proposed under the Simla Accord in 1914.
3. During the Sino-Indian war of 1962, Tawang fell under Chinese control but India gained it back with the help of Russia.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • In the eastern sector of the LAC India shares a 1140 km boundary with China.
  • The boundary line is called McMahon Line which runs from the eastern limit of Bhutan to a point near the Talu Pass at the trijunction of Tibet, India, and Myanmar. (Statement-1 is correct)
  • China considers the McMahon line illegal which was proposed under the Simla Accord in 1914 to settle the boundary between Tibet and India, and Tibet and China. (Statement-2 is correct)
  • According to the Simla Accord, Tibet relinquished some of its territories, including Tawang, to the British but it was not recognised by China.
  • In 1950, Tibet lost its de facto independence and was incorporated into the newly established People's Republic of China.
  • During the Sino-Indian war of 1962, Tawang fell briefly under Chinese control, but China voluntarily withdrew its troops at the end of the war. (Hence, statement-3 is incorrect)