Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (06 June 2023)

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

Date: 06 June 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements about National Institutional Ranking Framework:

1. It was launched by Ministry of Science and Technology in the year 2015.
2. It ranks Universities, Colleges and Engineering Institutions but not Law Universities.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched by the Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD), now known as the Ministry of Education (MoE), in September 2015. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

Here are the key highlights of the Indian rankings for 2023:

  • The Indian Institute of Technology Madras retains its first position in the Overall Category for the fifth consecutive year (2019-2023) and in Engineering for the eighth consecutive year (2016-2023).
  • Among the top 100 institutions in the Overall category, there are 44 CFTIs/CFUs INI, 24 state universities, 13 deemed universities, 18 private universities, 4 agriculture and allied sector institutions, and 3 management institutions.
  • The Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru maintains its top rank in the Universities Category for the eighth consecutive year (2016-2023) and the Research Institutions Category for the third consecutive year (2021-2023).
  • IIM Ahmedabad remains the top institution in the Management subject for the fourth consecutive year (2020-2023).
  • The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi retains the first position in the Medical category for the sixth consecutive year (2018-2023).
  • The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad achieves the top ranking in the Pharmacy category for the first time, surpassing Jamia Hamdard.
  • Miranda House maintains its first position among Colleges for the seventh consecutive year (2017-2023).
  • IIT Roorkee stands at the top spot in the Architecture subject for the third consecutive year (2021-2023).
  • The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru retains its first position in Law for the sixth consecutive year (2018-2023). Hence statement 2 is not correct.
  • Among the top 10 colleges in the ranking, five colleges are from Delhi.
  • The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences secures the top position for the second consecutive year.
  • The Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi takes the top spot in Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
  • The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur leads in the Innovation category.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements about Global Reporting Initiative:

1. It is an intergovernmental organization.
2. It helps business organization to take responsibilities of the ESG implications of their project
3. It provides a common language for creating reports to make understandable to all.

How many of the above statements are not correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international, independent nonprofit that supports businesses, governments and other organizations to clearly communicate their impact on the world. Thorough, accurate environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting is paramount for both growth and transparency, but without a standardized methodology, sustainability reporting can be difficult to assess.

Hence, statement 1 is not correct while statement 2 and 3 are correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Additional Information –

Purpose

  • This paper aims to reflect on the future of sustainability reporting standards by examining the current practical initiatives and the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) position in the arena of non-financial and sustainability reporting and identifies avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

  • A critical reflection and analysis of research on the GRI’s achievements and the influence of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation’s initiative to develop global sustainability reporting standards.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding law commission of India:

1. It was first constituted in 1952 and has since been reconstituted on a regular basis to undertake various law-related studies and make recommendations for legal reforms.
2. The primary objective of the Law Commission is to review and modernize existing laws, identify areas in need of legal reform, and propose new legislation to meet the changing needs of society.
3. The recommendations and reports of the Law Commission hold significant weight but are of advisory nature.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body established by the Government of India for legal research and law reform.
  • After Independence, it was first constituted in 1955 and has since been reconstituted on a regular basis to undertake various law-related studies and make recommendations for legal reforms. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The primary objective of the Law Commission is to review and modernize existing laws, identify areas in need of legal reform, and propose new legislation to meet the changing needs of society. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Commission consists of a Chairman, who is usually a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India, and several members, including legal experts, academicians, and practitioners.
  • The recommendations and reports of the Law Commission hold significant weight but are of advisory nature, and often serve as a basis for legislative changes, helping to shape and improve the legal framework of the country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statement with reference to Nyaya Vikas Portal:

1. The Nyaya Vikas Portal is an online platform created for monitoring the implementation of the Centrally Sector Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure facilities for district and subordinate judiciary.
2. It does not allow stakeholders to access information related to funding, documentation, project monitoring, and approval

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The Nyaya Vikas Portal is an online platform created for monitoring the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure facilities for district and subordinate judiciary. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • It allows stakeholders to access information related to funding, documentation, project monitoring, and approval. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Additional Information

Fund Sharing pattern

  • The funds sharing pattern for the scheme is 60:40 between the Center and states (excluding North Eastern and Himalayan States). For North Eastern and Himalayan States, the pattern is 90:10, while Union Territories receive 100% funding.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding mRNA-based vaccine:

1. mRNA-based vaccines use mRNA to teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies.
2. RNA vaccines can be produced faster, cheaper, and in a more standardized fashion (i.e. fewer error rates in production), which improves responsiveness to outbreaks.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • mRNA vaccines use mRNA to teach our cells how to make a protein or a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
  • As RNA vaccines are not constructed from an active pathogen (or even an inactivated pathogen), they are non-infectious.
  • In contrast, traditional vaccines require the production of pathogens, which, if done at high volumes, could increase the risks of localized outbreaks of the virus at the production facility.
  • RNA vaccines can be produced faster, cheaper, and in a more standardized fashion (i.e. fewer error rates in production), which improves responsiveness to outbreaks. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • An additional ORF coding for a replication mechanism can be added to amplify antigen translation and therefore immune response, decreasing the amount of starting material needed.

Hence, option (c) is correct.