Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (20 April 2023)

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

Date: 20 April 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. India's per capita emissions are the highest among the top three emitters globally.
2. The Kyoto Protocol established carbon trading as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 has enabled India to create a carbon credit trading scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • India is the world's third-largest emitter of CO2 equivalent emissions and has a per capita emission of 1.8 tons of CO2e, which is lower than that of the US and China. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Kyoto Protocol established carbon trading as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was reaffirmed in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 has given the Centre a green signal to create a carbon credit trading scheme in India. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statement regarding NABARD.

1. NABARD came into existence on 12 July 1988 by transferring the agricultural credit functions of RBI and refinance functions of the then Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC).
2. The SHG Bank Linkage Project launched by NABARD in 1992 has blossomed into the world’s largest microfinance project.
3. NABARD today is fully owned by the Government of India.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • NABARD came into existence on 12 July 1982 by transferring the agricultural credit functions of RBI and refinance functions of the then Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC). Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It was dedicated to the service of the nation by the late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on 05 November 1982. Set up with an initial capital of Rs.100 crore, its paid up capital stood at Rs.17, 080 crore as on 31 March 2022.
  • Consequent to the revision in the composition of share capital between Government of India and RBI, NABARD today is fully owned by the Government of India. Hence statement 3 is correct.
  • The SHG Bank Linkage Project initiated by NABARD in 1992 has developed into the biggest microfinance project globally. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The Kisan Credit Card, which was created by them, has been a source of relief for millions of farmers. They have funded 20% of the total rural infrastructure in India.
  • NABARD was also among the first organizations to utilize watershed development as a means for climate-proofing.

As only 2nd and 3rd statements are correct, the correct option is (b).

Q3. Consider the following statement about Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)

1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
2. It has the objective of helping the rural poor to set-up enterprises at the village level in non-agricultural sectors.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) as a sub-scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). (Statement 1 is incorrect).
  • It has the objective of helping the rural poor to set-up enterprises at the village level in non-agricultural sectors. The operational unit of the project is Block. A maximum of 2,400 enterprises can be supported in one Block with the approved funds. (Statement 2 is correct).

As Only 2nd statement is correct, so correct option is (b)

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Cheetahs:

1. Cheetah is the only large carnivore to have become extinct in Independent India.
2. They are classified as threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
3. The gestation (pregnancy) period for the cheetah is six months.

Which of the above statements is/are Not correct?

a) 1 Only
b) 2 and 3 Only
c) None of the above
d) 3 Only

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Cheetah is the only large carnivore to have become extinct in Independent India. Statement 1 is correct.
  • They are classified as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Statement 2 is not correct.
  • The gestation (pregnancy) period for the cheetah is three months. Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Q5. With respect to the “Safe harbour” provision, consider the following statements:

1. It is prescribed under section 67B of the IT Act, 2000
2. It is legal immunity that online intermediaries enjoy against content posted by users on their platforms.
3. Online intermediaries are liable to take down user-generated content on receiving ‘actual knowledge’ of its illegality through a court or government order.

Select the correct statements 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: (B)

Explanation:

  • Safe harbour – as prescribed under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 is legal immunity that online intermediaries enjoy against content posted by users on their platforms.
  • Section 67B of the IT Act 2000 is related to “Abusing children online”.
  • Thus statement 1 is NOT correct but statement 2 is correct.
  • The current IT Act 2000 accords safe harbour protection to online intermediaries whereby platforms are liable to take down user-generated content on receiving ‘actual knowledge’ of its illegality through a court or government order.

Therefore, statement 3 is also correct.