Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (16 February 2023)

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

Date: 16 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA):

1. It is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
2. It will be India's first twin-engine aircraft project.
3. The AMCA will have only stealth configurations.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • It will be India's first twin-engine aircraft project. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with an internal carriage of 1,500 kg of payload and a 5,500 kg external payload with 6,500 kg of internal fuel. The AMCA will have stealth and non-stealth configurations. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements on National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP):

1. NMEO-OP is a Central Sector Scheme and the cost will be shared as 60:40 between the Central and the State Government for General states and 90:10 for NE states and 100% for UTs and for central agencies.
2. It targets to increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (additional 6.50 lakh ha).

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: (B)

Explanation: National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched with the aim to enhance the edible oilseeds production and oils availability in the country by harnessing Oil Palm area expansion, increasing CPO production and to reduce import burden on edible oils.

  • NMEO-OP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme,not a Central Sector Scheme and the cost will be shared as 60:40 between the Central and the State Government for General states and 90:10 for NE states and 100% for UTs and for central agencies. (Hence option 1 is incorrect).
  • The target fixed for Oil palm area expansion by 2025-26 under NMEO-Oil palm is as under:
  • To increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (additional 6.50 lakh ha). The target for general states is 3.22 lakh hectares and 3.28 lakh ha for North Eastern states, with targeted FFB production of 66.00 lakh tonnes. (Hence option 2 is correct)
  • To increase Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2028-29.
  • Increase consumer awareness to maintain consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum till 2025-26.

As only the 2nd statement is correct so the correct option is (b).

Q3. Consider following statements about Sixth Schedule:

1. The Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur.
2. The governors of these states are empowered to reorganise boundaries of the tribal areas.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Hence Statement 1 is Not Correct.
  • The governors of these states are empowered to reorganise boundaries of the tribal areas. Statement 2 is Correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

1. 4% reservation in vacancies in government establishments for certain persons or classes of persons with benchmark disabilities.
2. District-level committees will be constituted by the State Governments to address local concerns of PwDs.
3. India does not ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased from 3% to 4% for certain persons or classes of persons with benchmark disabilities. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • District-level committees will be constituted by the State Governments to address local concerns of PwDs. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • India ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007. Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q5. Consider the following statement:

1. Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a subordinate body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
2. GSI has the power to declare geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance.

Which of the following 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:

  • The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a subordinate body of the Ministry of Mines, not the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • According to a 2016 press release by the Ministry of Mines, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance. The GSI or the respective state governments take necessary measures to protect these sites. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.