Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (10 August 2022)

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

Date: 10 August 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements about copper:

1. Copper has very high thermal and electrical conductivity.
2. It cannot occur in nature in a directly usable metallic form (native metals).
3. As per one estimate an electric vehicle uses 83 kg of Copper.
4. Karnataka is the largest producer of copper in India followed by Rajasthan.

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

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • It has very high thermal and electrical conductivity.
  • Copper is one of the few metals that can occur in nature in a directly usable metallic form (native metals).
  • Alloyed with iron and nickel to make stainless steel.
  • It is one of the constituents of stainless steel.
  • The Copper Alliance estimates that an electric car requires 83kg of copper as against 23kg in an internal combustion engine, while an electric bus needs over 200kg.
  • Madhya Pradesh has become the largest producer of copper in India surpassing Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.
  • Rajasthan is now India's second-largest producer, accounting for more than 40% of the country's total output.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Article 29(1) of the Indian constitution is not confined to minorities but extends to all sections of citizens.
2. Article 30(1) of the Indian constitution is confined to those minorities, which have 'distinct language, script or culture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Article 29(1) extends to all the citizens irrespective of the fact whether they are in majority or minority, the only condition being that such section must have a distinct language, script, or culture of its own.
  • Article 30(1) is not confined to those minorities, which have 'distinct language, script or culture' but extends to all religious and linguistic minorities.

Q3. Blue economy refers to:

a) Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth
b) Industries that cause high levels of pollution and gas emissions.
c) Any economic activity that is legal, but which is unrecorded and unregulated.
d) Economic activities that mostly include Blue-collar workers.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: It is defined by the World Bank as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihood and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.”

Q4. Consider the following statements with regard to the suspended cross LoC trade between India & Pakistan.

1. The cross LoC Trade was initiated in 2003 by the NDA Government as a Confidence Building Measure.
2. It was in the form of the barter trade which grew with time and brought economic prosperity for the local people of Jammu & Kashmir.
3. It was suspended after the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks in 2008.

Which of the above statements are incorrect?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The cross LoC Trade was initiated in 2008 by the UPA Government as LoC Confidence Building Measure.
  • It was in the form of the barter trade which grew with time and brought economic prosperity for the local people of Jammu & Kashmir.
  • It was suspended in 2019 by the NDA government after the alleged links with the terrorist.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the provisions related to safety of dams in India:

1. Water and water storage is in the concurrent list under Schedule 7 of Indian Constitution.
2. The Central Government can enact legislation governing dams if a project affects multiple states or international treaties.
3. Any individual state can pass a resolution requiring centre to enact such a law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, water and water storage is a state subject. Therefore legislating dam safety is the responsibility of state governments.
  • The Central Government can enact legislation governing dams in three scenarios -
  1. If a project affects multiple states or international treaties.
  2. If two or more states pass a resolution requiring such a law e.g. Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal passed resolutions requiring a law on dam safety - Dam Safety Bill 2019.
  3. It can legislate on matters related to the protection of the environment under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 as dams and dam failures can have a significant impact on the environment.

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. Carbon markets under international law were first set up under Paris Agreement.
2. To combat climate change, the Kyoto Protocol has brought a clean development mechanism.

Which of the two statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Carbon markets under international law were first set up under the Kyoto Protocol (1996) and became operational in 2000.
  • To combat climate change, the Kyoto Protocol has brought about a clean development mechanism.