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

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

Date: 19 September 2023

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Montreal Protocol:

1. It aims to reduce ozone-depleting substance production and consumption.
2. India is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol.
3. It was declared at the end of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) recently celebrated the 29th World Ozone Day. On September 16, the world observes World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It is a global agreement to protect the Earth's ozone layer by phasing out the ozone-depleting chemicals. It includes both production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals. It was signed in 1987 and enacted in 1989. Kigali agreement is the recent amendment to the material protocol which envisages the phase-down of HFCs in 2016. India became a signatory to the Montreal Protocol in 1992. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Taiwan Strait:

1. It separates the island of Taiwan and Continental Asia and is also known as the Formosa Strait.
2. The strait is currently part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north.

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: (C)

Explanation: Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait separates the island of Taiwan (Formosa) and continental Asia (coast of China’s Fukien province). It is an arm of the Pacific Ocean found in the South China Sea. It contains the Pescadores Islands (controlled by the government of Taiwan). The area lies in a typhoon zone. It is the primary shipping route between China and Japan, and Europe. The strait is currently part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north. Hence, both statements are correct.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Chausath Yogini Temple:

1. It was built by king Mahipala in the Satavahana dynasty.
2. It is part of the UNESCO world heritage and is located in Odisha.

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: (D)

Explanation: It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple was built by the Kachchhapaghata king Devapala. The king belonged to the Pala dynasty. The Mitaoli temple has 64 chambers dedicated to the 64 yoginis. The Madhya Pradesh temple believed to have inspired the old Parliament building. Hence, both statements are incorrect.

4. Which of the following countries has committed to exchanging "K9 Vajra" technology to improve defense cooperation?

(a) Russia and India
(b) South Korea and India
(c) India and Japan
(d) India and Israel

Answer: (B)

Explanation: South Korea is eager to share submarine and missile technologies with India to improve defense cooperation. Both presidents agreed to boost defense collaboration, citing the K9 Vajra, a 52-caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer manufactured by a South Korean firm. Over the next three years, South Korea will provide India with a USD 4 billion credit line for "high-value" projects 52-caliber. Hence, option (b) is correct.

5. With reference to Pralay Ballistic Missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is a surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile that is capable of being launched from a mobile launcher.
2. It can hit targets from a distance of 1000 to 1400 km and is powered by a liquid fuel rocket motor.

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:

  • Pralay is a Hindi word which means “apocalypse” or “to cause great destruction” or “damage”. The Pralay missile project was sanctioned in 2015 and is a derivative of the Prahaar missile programme, which was first tested in 2011. It is a surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile that is capable of being launched from a mobile launcher. It is developed by DRDO. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • It can hit targets from a distance of 150 to 500 km and is extremely difficult to intercept by enemy interceptor missiles. Pralay is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor and is a high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead that weighs somewhere between 350 kg to 700 kg. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.