Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (12 December 2022)

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

Date: 12 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The dispute between two or more states come under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
2. Parliament under article 3 may by law admit into the Union, or establish, new States.
3. The Supreme Court may alter the boundaries of States.

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

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The dispute between two or more states come under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Hence, the statement 1 is correct.
  • Article 2: Parliament may by law admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit. Hence, the statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Parliament may by law alter the boundaries of any State; Hence, the statement 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA):

1. It was enacted in the year 1976.
2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. The Act ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organizations. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • It is implemented by Union Home Ministry. So, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Act ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained. So, statement 3 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following features of NFSA 2013:

1. Up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), with a uniform entitlement of 5 kg per person per month.
2. Eldest member of the beneficiary household (18 years or above) is considered as 'Head of Family' to issue ration cards.
3. Government during COVID -19 doubled the entitlements of the 800 million who were already covered by the PDS.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Option 1 is correct: Coverage and entitlement: Up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population will be covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), with a uniform entitlement of 5 kg per person per month.
  • Option 2 is incorrect: Eldest woman of the beneficiary household (18 years or above) is considered as 'Head of Family' to issue ration cards.
  • Option 3 is incorrect: Government during COVID -19 doubled the entitlements of the 800 million who were already covered by the PDS (from five kilograms per person per month, to 10kg. However it does not cover those without ration cards.

Q4. The phrases, IBM Qiskit, Tangle Lake and Sycamore sometimes mentioned in the news, are related to

a) Natural satellites of Saturn
b) Cyber malwares
c) Craters on the surface of Jupiter
d) Quantum technology

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Jiuzhang, Tangle Lake and Sycamore, sometimes mentioned in the news, are related to quantum technology.
  • Our traditional technology is based on the basis of the laws of classical physics, specifically by utilizing the flow of electricity.
  • A quantum technology, on the other hand, seeks to exploit the laws that govern the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles.
  • At that tiny scale, many laws of classical physics cease to apply, and the unique laws of quantum physics come into play.

Q5. The newly unveiled India’s Arctic Policy aims to promote-

1. Studying linkages between Polar Regions and the Himalayas.
2. Inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India's interests in the Arctic.
3. Deepen cooperation between India and countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.

Select the correct option:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: India's Arctic policy aims to promote the following agenda—

  • Strengthening national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region. Institutional and human resource capacities will be strengthened within Government and academic, research and business institutions.
  • Inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India's interests in the Arctic.
  • Enhancing understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic on India's climate, economic, and energy security.
  • Contributing better analysis, prediction, and coordinated policymaking on the implications of ice melting in the Arctic on India's economic, military and strategic interests related to global shipping routes, energy security, and exploitation of mineral wealth.
  • Studying linkages between polar regions and the Himalayas.
  • Deepen cooperation between India and countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.
  • Increase India’s participation in the Arctic Council and improve understanding of the complex governance structures in the Arctic, relevant international laws, and geopolitics of the region.

Hence, all the statements are correct.