Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (06 December 2022)

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

Date: 06 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Biochar:

1. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced when organic matter is burnt at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen.
2. When it is added to soil, it has the potential to improve carbon storage and make the land more fertile.
3. Helps in increasing Water Retention.
4. It is cleaner than other forms of charcoal.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced when organic matter is burnt at high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment. Hence, the statement 1 is incorrect.
  • When it is added to soil, it has the potential to improve carbon storage and make the land more fertile.
  • Helps in increasing Water Retention.
  • It is cleaner than other forms of charcoal.

Hence (b) is the correct option

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Returnable Grants (RG)?

1. Unlike a traditional loan, it does not carry any interest and has no requirement for collateral.
2. The returnable grant levies individuals with a moral (and not legal) obligation to repay.

Select 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: (C)

Explanation:

  • A returnable grant (RG) is an innovative financial instrument that provides short-term, affordable, and flexible capital (zero interest and zero collateral) to individuals and entrepreneurs. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • It is like a grant in that there is no legal obligation to repay; the expectation is only ‘moral’, i.e., the recipient is encouraged to repay when she has achieved some intended milestones of financial recovery. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to the Parliamentary Privileges:

1. MPs cannot be punished “in connection with” any vote or speech made in Parliament.
2. Courts are barred from making inquiries into proceedings in Parliament.
3. The members can be punished for the breach of privileges by the house.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • MPs cannot be punished “in connection with” any vote or speech made in Parliament.
  • Courts are also specifically barred from making inquiries into proceedings in Parliament.
  • The members can be punished for the breach of privileges by the house itself.

Hence, all the statements are correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

1. It is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
2. IORA became an observer to the UN General Assembly in 2015.
3. Recently China has joined IORA.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • IORA became an observer to the UN General Assembly and the African Union in 2015. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • China is a dialogue partner (Not a member) in the IORA. Thus statement 3 is not correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Polity

1. Right to property is a fundamental right in India.
2. Right to marriage is a fundamental right in India which is seen as a universal right in the International community.
3. Right to negative voting is a constitutional right in India.
4. Right to be forgotten is an evolving fundamental right in India.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The right to property was originally regarded as a fundamental right in India, but by the 44th amendment of the Indian Constitution, under the provision of Article 300(A), it was reduced to merely a constitutional right.(Hence, statement-1 is incorrect)
  • In the Lata singh vs. state of Uttar Pradesh case, the Supreme Court viewed the right to marry as a component of right to life under Article 21 of Indian Constitution.
  • The right to marriage is also stated under article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights within the meaning of the right to start a family. The right to marry is a universal right and it is available to everyone irrespective of their gender. (hence, statement-2 is correct)
  • In People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2013), the SC recognised negative voting as a constitutional right of a voter and directed the Government to provide the ‘NOTA’ option in electronic voting machines.(Statement-3 is correct)
  • In the Indian context, the Supreme Court in Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017 noted that the Right to be forgotten (RTBF) was a part of the broader right of privacy.
  • The RTBF emerges from the right to privacy under Article 21 and partly from the right to dignity under Article 21.
  • Hence, RTBF is still evolving in India but as it is part of Article-21 it may evolve as a fundamental right. (Hence, statement-4 is correct.)