Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (14 April 2023)

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

Date: 14 April 2023

Q1. With reference to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, consider the following statements:

1. The act prohibits all forms of online gaming, including those involving skill-based games.
2. This is the first time that a state government in India has taken steps to regulate online gaming.

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: (D)

Explanation:

  • The act does not prohibit all forms of online gaming, but only those that involve betting or wagering. Skill-based games are allowed under the act. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It is not the first time that a state government in India has taken steps to regulate online gaming. The state of Nagaland has already passed the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2016 to regulate online gaming. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q2. What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? (UPSC 2020)

1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop.
2. Without the need for a nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Zero tillage is a conservation agriculture practice that involves planting crops without tilling the soil. The advantages of zero tillage in agriculture include:
  • Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop, which helps in reducing air pollution and conserving soil moisture.
  • Without the need for a nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible, which saves time and labour.
  • Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible, which helps in mitigating climate change by storing carbon in the soil. Hence all the statements are correct.

Q3. Consider the following statement regarding PM SVANidhi.

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme and fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
2. The objectives are to enable working capital loans up to `10,000, incentivize timely repayment, and provide rewards for digital transactions.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

What are the charges that have been introduced on UPI transactions?

  • The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme i.e. fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. (Hence statement 1 is correct.)
  • It has following objectives:
  • To facilitate working capital loan up to `10,000;
  • To incentivize regular repayment; and
  • To reward digital transactions. (Hence statement 2 is correct.)
  • The scheme will help formalize the street vendors with above objectives and will open up new opportunities to this sector to move up the economic ladder.

As both the statements are correct, the correct option is (c).

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the India International Arbitration Centre.

1. The India International Arbitration Centre is an autonomous institution based in New Delhi, to conduct arbitration, mediation, and conciliation proceedings.
2. It was established in 2019 and declared as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) None of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The India International Arbitration Centre is an autonomous institution based in New Delhi, to conduct arbitration, mediation, and conciliation proceedings.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • It was established in 2019 and declared as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.
  • Hence statement 2 is also correct.

Q5. With reference to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, consider the following statements:

1. The FCRA was enacted in 1976 in order to maintain strict control over voluntary organizations and political associations that received foreign fundings.
2. FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs operating in India.
3. The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.

Which of the statements given above is/are Incorrect?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
  • The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
  • Thus, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.
  • Therefore, statement 3 is correct.