Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (18 January 2023)

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

Date: 18 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to the advantages of Bio-Pesticides:

1. These are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides.
2. Bio-pesticide production requires a low capital investment.
3. Bio-pesticides are effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly.

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: (C)

Explanation:

  • Biopesticides are biologically based agents used for the control of plant pests. These are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • Biopesticide production is a high-risk venture requiring a high initial capital investment — right from the screening stage to the selection of potential strains for sale, packaging, storage, and distribution. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Biopesticides often are effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly, resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding the pollution problems caused by conventional pesticides. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of implementing the 'Unified Payments Interface (UPI)'? [UPSC CSP 2017]

a) Mobile wallets will not be necessary for online payments.
b) Digital currency will totally replace physical currency in about two decades.
c) FDI inflows will drastically increase.
d) Direct transfer of subsidies to poor people will become very effective.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: UPI allows you to pay directly from your bank account to different merchants without the hassle of typing your card details, or net banking/wallet password. Hence option 1 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statement:

1. Article 176 of the Constitution of India deals with the special address by the Governor.
2. Through the address of the Governor, the programs and policies of the government are conveyed to the legislature.

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: (C)

Explanation:

  • Article 176(1) of the Constitution of India enjoins that the Governor shall address both the Houses assembled together at the commencement of the first Session after each general election to the Assembly and at the commencement of the first session of each year and inform the Legislature of the causes of its Summons. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • Through the address of the Governor, the government informs the legislature of its major legislative programs for that year, its achievements in the previous year, and a clear outline of its developmental programs for the future. These programs and policies of the government are conveyed to the legislature through the Governor. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Global Innovation Index 2022.

1. The rankings are released by the World Bank in association with IMF.
2. India rose to 40th rank among 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2022.

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:

  • The rankings are released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). (Hence option 1 is incorrect).
  • India rose to 40th among 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2022, jumping six places from a year ago. (Hence option 2 is correct)
  • This was mainly due to an improvement in information and communication technologies (ICT) services exports, venture capital recipients’ value as well as finance for start-ups.
  • India’s rank has risen by 41 places since 2015 when it was at the 81st spot. The country’s rank stood at 46 in 2021 in the index that tracks innovation both in government policies and industry practices.

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

Q5. Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (UPSC 2022)

a) Cloud Services
b) Quantum Computing
c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
d) Wireless Communication Technologies

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • In quantum computing the information is encoded in qubits.
  • A qubit is a two-level quantum system where the two basis qubit states are usually written as 0 and 1.
  • A qubit can be in state 0 or 1 or (unlike a classical bit) in a linear combination of both states.
  • The name of this phenomenon is superposition.