Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (17 January 2023)

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

Date: 17 January 2023

Q1. Regarding "Carbon Credits", which one of the following statements is NOT correct? [UPSC PRELIMS 2011]

A. The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol.
B. Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gasses below their emission quota.
C. The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
D. Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with Kyoto protocol and is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, statements A and C are correct.
  • Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gasses below their emission quota. Hence statement B is also correct.
  • The prices of credits are primarily driven by the levels of supply and demand in the markets. So the prices are not fixed by UNEP.

Thus, statement D is NOT correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements with reference to Voice of the Global South Summit:

1. It was hosted by India to discuss the goals to achieve the long-term temperature goal targeted under Paris Climate Summit.
2. It was held under the theme - ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose’.
3. The ‘Global South’ broadly refers to countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, North America.

Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • India hosted the Global South summit to articulate the views of the developing countries regarding the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It was held under the theme - ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose’ - essentially envisages bringing together countries of the global south and sharing their perspectives and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The ‘Global South’ broadly refers to countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statements about ‘YUVAi program:

1. The National e-Governance Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with its partners, has launched the program.
2. It is a National Program with the objective of enabling school students from classes 8th to 12th with AI tech and social skills in an inclusive manner.

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:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast becoming a part of all our lives, yet the number of people who understand AI as a technology is limited. With an aim to address this growing skills gap, build digital readiness among the next-generation, and continue the momentum of the inclusive and collaborative AI Skilling program initiated in 2020, National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India, has launched the innovation challenge every youngster was waiting for, the ‘YUVAi- Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’ program. (Hence option 1 is incorrect).

What is ‘YUVAi’ about?

  • The National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with its partners, has launched ‘YUVAi: Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’- A National Program for School Students with the objective of enabling school students from classes 8th to 12th with AI tech and social skills in an inclusive manner. (Hence option 2 is correct).
  • The program will provide a platform for youth to learn and apply AI skills and be empowered to develop meaningful social impact solutions.

Solution. As only statement 2 is correct, Hence correct option is (b).

Q4. Which of the following technologies is/are examples of AI-Artificial Intelligence:

1. Google Maps
2. Self-driving cars
3. Face Detection and Recognition
4. E-Payments

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Examples of AI-Artificial Intelligence include Google Maps and Ride-Hailing Applications, Face Detection and recognition, Text Editors and Autocorrect, Chatbots, E-Payments, Search and Recommendation algorithms, Digital Assistants, Self-driving cars, Smart assistants, Automated financial investing, Virtual travel booking agents, social media monitoring, etc. So, option (d) is correct.