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

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

Date: 1 November 2023

1. Consider the following statements, with reference to World Energy Outlook 2023:

1. It is a flagship report released biennially by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
2. The report projected that the global emissions would raise global temperatures by approximately 2.4°C.
3. For the first time, the report projected that fossil fuel demand will peak by the end of this decade.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently the World Energy Outlook 2023 was released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) which has projected that the global emissions would raise global temperatures by approximately 2.4°C. The World Energy Outlook 2023 provides in-depth analysis and strategic insights into every aspect of the global energy system. The World Energy Outlook 2023 is released annually by the International Energy Agency (IEA) since 1998. This Outlook assesses the evolving nature of energy security for around 50 years.
The Outlook examines the implications of today's energy trends in key areas including investment, trade flows, electrification and energy access. The Outlook 2023 also examines what needs to happen at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai to keep the door open for the 1.5 °C goal. The anticipated peak in fossil fuel demand by the end of this decade (2030). There is an urgent need for increased investment, diversified energy sources and geopolitical considerations in the global energy transition for positive shifts towards Net-Zero commitments. For the first time, the report projected that fossil fuel demand will peak by the end of this decade under the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) scenario. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Ice Sheet:

1. An ice sheet is essentially a mass of glacial ice that covers less than 50,000 square kilometres of land.
2. The gain of mass in the ice sheet leads to a rise in global mean sea level and loss of it leads to fall in global mean sea level.
3. Artic ice sheet and Antarctica ice sheet are only two major ice sheet that contain about two-thirds of all the freshwater on Earth.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The recent study has found that the water in West Antarctica will continue to get warmer three times faster than the 20th century, leading to an increased melting of the region’s ice sheet. An ice sheet is essentially a mass of glacial ice that covers more than 50,000 square kilometres of land. Ice sheets contain about 99% of the fresh water on Earth and are sometimes called continental glaciers. As ice sheets extend to the coast and over the ocean, they become ice shelves. Greenland ice sheet and Antarctica ice sheet are only two major ice sheet that contain about two-thirds of all the freshwater on Earth. When ice sheets gain mass, they contribute to a fall in global mean sea level and when they lose mass, they contribute to a rise in global mean sea level. The earth have reached the point where some impacts of climate change can no longer be avoided and substantial ice loss in West Antarctica is probably one of them. Hence, all statements are not correct.

3. Operation Sesha, sometimes seen in the news recently, is associated with which of the folllowing?

(a) To curb the illegal trade of Timber.
(b) To curb child sexual abuse material in social media.
(c) To curb the increasing Narcotics substances among school students.
(d) To provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling alone.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently the Union Finance Ministry launched the 4th phase of ‘Operation Sesha’ to curb the illegal trade of Timber, including Red Sanders. Operation Sesha was launched in 2015 to bust organised syndicates of smugglers of precious woods. The name Sesha has been derived from Seshachalam forest in Andhra Pradesh, bordering Karnataka. Under this initiative, the directorate of revenue intelligence of Indian Customs works in collaboration with probe agencies of several other countries to curb illegal trade of timber. Phase IV of ‘Operation Sesha’ aims to curb the illegal trade of Timber, including Red Sanders. Hence, option (a) is correct.

4. Recently, ‘Candolleomyces albosquamosus’ seen in the news. It is species of which one of the following?

(a) Mushroom
(b) Lichen
(c) Algae
(d) Fern

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Palode have discovered a new fungus species known as Candolleomyces albosquamosus. It is the new species of Candolleomyces, a relatively tiny genus with only 35 species recognized worldwide. Candolleomyces albosquamosus can be found in the natural forest on dead logs or bamboo culms. Hence, option (a) is correct.

5. Consider the following statements regarding the Bru community:

1. They speak the Kaubru language.
2. They are a nomadic tribal tribe that lives in India's north-eastern provinces.

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: (C)

Explanation: For the first time, Bru refugees will not vote in Mizoram elections because they have been relocated to Tripura on a Central Government-sponsored rehabilitation program. Bru, also known as Reang, is a Northeastern indigenous people primarily found in Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam. They speak a language called "Kaubru," which has a tonal effect on the Kuki language but is essentially the Kok-Borok dialect. They are designated as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Tripura. They are of Indo-Mongoloid ancestry. Their languages are related to Austro-Asian tribes in the Tibeto-Burman family. They are ethnically divided into two major clans, Meska and Molsoi. Hence, both statements are correct.