Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (16 November 2022)

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

Date: 16 November 2022

Q1. Consider the following Statements regarding The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

1. Due diligence must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries.
2. Significant Social Media Intermediary should appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person and Resident Grievance Officer who shall be a resident of India.
3. The Rules have been framed in the exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Select the correct Statement(s) using the code given below.

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Due diligence must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries. In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour provisions will not apply to them. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • Significant Social Media Intermediary should appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person and Resident Grievance Officer who shall be a resident of India. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The Rules have been framed in the exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology(Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011. Thus statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the Finance Commission of India:

1. It is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution.
2. The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are binding on the government.

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:

  • The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are of an advisory nature only and therefore, not binding upon the government. So, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statements on freedom of religion in the context of the Indian Constitutional set up:

1. The Supreme Court takes a lenient view of religious conversions whatever may be their basis, taking it as matter of one’s fundamental right.
2. The Constitution guarantees unqualified freedom of religion to every person.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The SC has always cautioned against forced conversion and maintained that right to propagate religion under ART 25 does not entitle one a right to forced conversion.
  • Hence statement 1 is incorrect
  • Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practise, and propagation of religion but subject to health, morality, and public order.
  • Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Q4. Which of the following(s) is/ are considered as pollutants as per the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)-2009

1. Lead (Pb)
2. Benzene
3. Benzopyrene
4. Arsenic (As)
5. Nickel (Ni)
6. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
7. Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

a) 1, 2, 6 and 7 only
b) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
d) All of the Above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

  • Standards are set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) using the powers of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
  • The standards are revised over the years and the latest revision to the NAAQS was done in 2009.
  • The current standards (2009) comprise 12 pollutants as follows:
  1. Ammonia (NH3)
  2. Lead (Pb)
  3. Benzene
  4. Benzopyrene
  5. Arsenic (As)
  6. Nickel (Ni)
  7. Particulate Matter 10 (PM10)
  8. Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)
  9. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  10. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  11. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  12. Ozone (O3)

Hence, all the pollutants are correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Panchsheel Principles.

1. Panchsheel principles were first mentioned in the Sino-Indian Agreement, 1954 and publicly formulated by Jawahar Lal Nehru.
2. These principles would later become the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement.
3. The Panchsheel Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Premier Zhou Enlai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Panchsheel principles were first mentioned in the Sino-Indian Agreement, 1954 and publicly formulated by Zhou Enlai. Thus statement 1 is not correct.
  • These principles would later become the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The Panchsheel Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Premier Zhou Enlai. Thus statement 3 is also correct.