Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (1 December 2023)


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

Date: 1 December 2023


1. Consider the following statements, with reference to Golden Gate Declaration:

1. It is a declaration by the G20 Economic Leadership forum.
2. The declaration aims to create a Resilient and Sustainable AI for G20 nations.
3. Putrajaya Vision 2040 is part of the declaration that aims for an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The 30th edition of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting concluded in San Francisco with the adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration. The declaration underscores the commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future for all member economies. The declaration aims to create a Resilient and Sustainable future for all. The summit concluded with the leaders declaring a commitment "to deliver a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive, and predictable trade and investment environment. APEC is committed to necessary reform of the WTO to improve all of its functions, including conducting discussions with a view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024. During the forum meeting most APEC members strongly condemn aggression against Ukraine. The effective policies require, above all, responsiveness to all our people and economies. APEC mission and their practical work remain guided by their commitment, as laid out in the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action. Putrajaya Vision 2040 and Aotearoa Plan of Action is an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations. Hence, all statements are not correct.


2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):

The scheme aims to provide pucca houses, piped water supply and roads for PVGT.
2. It focuses on 11 critical interventions through 9 ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
3. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will set up Ayush Wellness Centre and Ayush facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations through mobile medical units.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:The PM-JANMAN will focus on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It aids to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery. 75 communities located in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The scheme aims to provide pucca houses, piped water supply and roads for PVGT. The basic facilities include Road and telecom connectivity, electricity, safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Ministry of Ayush will set up Ayush Wellness Centre as per existing norms and Ayush facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations through mobile medical units. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will facilitate skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multi-purpose centres and hostels as per suitable skills of these communities. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


3. Consider the following pairs:

Tribal community Origin state
1. Soliga Karnataka
2. Betta Kurumba Andhra Pradesh
3. Paniyan Madhya Pradesh

How many of the pairs given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently, Lantana jumbos (statute) was placed at the legislative assembly of Karnataka and Craftsmen from Soliga, Betta Kurumba and Paniyan tribal communities are known for carving elephants and other animals using lantana logs.
Soligas – are the major indigenous tribes of BR Hills situated in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Soligas have led a semi-nomadic life and were engaged in shifting cultivation.
Betta Kurumba – are one of several ethnic groups who live in the Nilgiri-Wynaad region of region of southern India. Their home range straddles the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Paniyan – Wayanad of Kerala holds the largest population the Paniya tribe, also known as Paniyar/Paniyan. They are found in Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala and adjoining districts of Coorg in Karnataka and the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. The term Paniya essentially means ‘someone who does work’ or ‘labourer’. Hence, only pair 1 is correctly matched.


4. Consider the following statements regarding Hammer Candlesticks in Trading:

1. It happens when a security trades much higher than its initial price but rises within a short amount of time to close near the opening price.
2. It could be utilized as an early intraday indication to indicate a shift in a bullish/bearish trend.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: When looking at price movement, it is one of the most popular candlestick patterns traders employ to measure the probability of outcomes. In candlestick charting, a hammer is a price pattern that happens when a security trades much lower than its opening but rises during the period to close near the opening price. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

The hammer candlestick occurs when sellers enter the market during a price decline. By the time the market closes, buyers absorb selling pressure and push the market price near the opening price. The close can be above or below the opening price, although the close should be near the open for the real body of the candlestick to remain small. Analysts view it as a potential bullish trend reversal indicator, mainly appearing at the end of a downtrend. It could be used as a leading intraday indicator to signal a change in bullish/bearish momentum. Hence, statement 2 is correct.


5. Consider the following statements, with reference to the 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14) for India:

1. The plan is prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
2. The plan aims to triple the India’s renewable energy capacity by 2050.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: According to a recent report by a think tank, India will need additional investment of $101 billion to align with International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero target, compared to the 14th National Electricity Plan. National Electricity Plan is prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in accordance with the National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in 5 years. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The country requires an investment of $293 billion between 2023 and 2030 to meet the NEP14 solar and wind capacity targets, including storage and transmission. The plan aims to triple the India’s renewable energy capacity by 2030. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
Key highlights of NEP14 –

• It sets out solar capacity targets of 185.6 GW by FY 2026-27, reaching 364.6 GW by FY 2031-32.
• To achieve these targets, India needs to increase its current annual solar capacity addition by about 36% each year leading up to 2026-27.
• It estimates India’s total annual electricity generation to grow by 1,174 Terawatt hours (TWh) in FY 2022-32 period, reaching a total of 2,666 Terawatt hours (TWh) in FY 2032.
• Solar generation is expected to rise from 73 TWh in FY 2022 to 666 TWh in FY 2032. Wind power will increase from 69 TWh to 258 TWh in the same time period.
• Annual solar and wind generation are expected to rise which combined constitute 66% of India’s power generation growth in this 10-year period.
• If India achieves its solar targets set out in NEP14, solar’s share in the nation’s power mix is expected to increase five-fold from 5% in FY 2022 to 25% in FY 2032.