Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (19 May 2023)

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

Date: 19 May 2023

Q1. Which of the following is an example of a sustainable agriculture commodity value chain?

a) A coffee value chain that relies on monoculture farming practices and heavy use of pesticides
b) A cotton value chain that uses genetically modified seeds and requires significant amounts of water and energy inputs
c) A rice value chain that relies on agroforestry practices, reduces chemical use and promotes soil health
d) A palm oil value chain that involves the deforestation of rainforests and displacement of indigenous communities

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Sustainable agriculture commodity value chains are those that prioritize environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout the entire value chain, from production to consumption. Such value chains aim to minimize negative environmental impacts while maximizing positive social and economic outcomes. Thus, the rice value chain that relies on agroforestry practices, reduces chemical use, and promotes soil health, is an example of a sustainable value chain. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The UAE, the US and Saudi Arabia host the largest number of migrants from India.
2. Post-pandemic there is a gradual decline in the numbers of Indians going abroad for work.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • The UAE, the US and Saudi Arabia host the largest number of migrants from India. Statement 1 is correct
  • The data shows there is a gradual increase in the number of Indians going abroad for work. Hence option 2 is not correct.

Q3. With reference to the Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification (ASTR), consider the following statements:

1. ASTR is a facial recognition tool developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to detect and block possible fraudulent mobile connections.
2. ASTR utilizes convolutional neural network (CNN) models to encode human faces in subscribers' images.

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: ASTR, developed by the DoT, is an artificial intelligence-based facial recognition tool designed to detect and block fraudulent mobile connections. It uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to compare human faces in subscriber images, employing a match threshold of at least 97.5 percent to identify similarities. Thus, both statements are correct.