Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (15 October 2022)

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

Date: 15 October 2022

Q1. ‘World Population Prospects’ is released by which of the following institution/organisation?

a) World Bank
b) United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
c) World Economic Forum
d) Economist Intelligence Unit

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, releases the World Population Prospects 2022. So, option (c) is correct.
  • It has been publishing the WPP in a biennial cycle since 1951.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the online gaming industry in India.

1. “Betting and gambling” come under the State list of the constitution of India.
2. States do not have the right to regulate online games of skill because games in the category “betting and gambling” enjoy constitutional protection.
3. In the last few years, the growth rate of the Indian gaming industry has been more than China.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • “Betting and gambling” come under entry 34 of the State list of the constitution of India.
  • The industry in India grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 38% between 2017-2020, as opposed to 8% in China and 10% in the US.
  • It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% to reach Rs 153 billion in revenue by 2024.
  • Various judicial rulings have held that states do not have the right to regulate online games of skill under their powers to regulate “betting and gambling” under entry 34 of the Constitution.
  • Because such games enjoy constitutional protection.
  • As per the solution we can see all the statements are correct therefore the answer is (D).

Q3. How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? (UPSC - 2012)

1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.
2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific studies of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.
3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and interdepartmental coordination and cooperation for the effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.
4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 3 and 4 only
c) 4 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The DRDAs are expected to coordinate effectively with the PRIs, and thus, do not act as a PRI body. Hence, the first statement is incorrect.
  • There is no such provision for DRDAs to undertake area-specific scientific studies of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures. Hence, the second statement is incorrect.
  • The role of the DRDA is in terms of planning for effective implementation of anti-poverty programs; coordinating with other agencies- Governmental, non-Governmental, technical, and financial for successful program implementation; Hence, the third statement is correct.
  • DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes. Hence, the fourth statement is correct.

Q4. With reference to the ‘Living Planet Report 2022’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Living Planet Report is IUCN’s flagship publication.
2. The Living Planet Report is published every 4 years since 1988.
3. It is based on the Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculations.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Living Planet Report is WWF’s flagship publication. So, Statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The Living Planet Report is published every 2 years by the World Wide Fund for Nature since 1998. So, Statement 2 is incorrect.
  • It is based on the Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculations. So, Statement 3 is correct.

Q5. In which of the following continents, Torres Strait Islands are located?

a) Australia
b) Europe
c) Asia
d) South America

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Torres Strait Islands are a group of at least 274 small islands that lie in Torres Strait, the waterway separating far northern continental Australia's Cape York Peninsula and the island of New Guinea. They are part of Queensland, a constituent state of the Commonwealth of Australia, with a special status fitting the native (Melanesian) land rights, administered by the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
  • Hence (a) is the correct answer.