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

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

Date: 20 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The H5N1 avian influenza virus was first detected in China.
2. Till now, no human H5N1 infections have been reported.
3. Domestic ducks are recognized as an important reservoir for H5N1.
4. Intra-mammal transmission of H5N1 is not possible.

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

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The H5N1 avian influenza virus was first detected in 1996 on a goose farm in China. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • To date, over 800 cases of human H5N1 infections have been reported, with a high fatality of 53%. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Domestic ducks are recognized as an important reservoir for H5N1. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • Intra-mammal transmission of H5N1 in captivity in mink farms has been recorded, posing a bigger concern concerning zoonotic potential. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.

Q2. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act”? (UPSC 2011)

a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households
b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
c) Adult members of households of all backward communities
d) Adult members of any household

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to any rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work.
  • All adult members of the household, male or female, who are willing to do unskilled manual work are eligible to benefit from the scheme, regardless of their caste, religion or community. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following provision about UAPA 1967:

1. Under the act, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if the crime is committed on foreign land, outside India.
2. The amendment of 2019 empowers the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds.

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: (C)

Explanation:

Key Provisions of the UAPA 1967 Act:

  • The Act assigns absolute power to the central government. It can declare an activity as unlawful, by way of an Official Gazette.
  • The act has the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments.
  • Under the act, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if the crime is committed on foreign land, outside India. (Hence option 1 is correct).
  • The investigating agency can file a charge sheet in a maximum of 180 days after the arrests. This duration can be extended further after information to the court.

2019 Amendment:

  • The amendment empowers the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds. (Hence option 2 is correct).
  • It empowers the Director-General, National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval for seizure or attachment of property when the case is under investigation by the agency.
  • It also empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.

Solution: As only the 2nd and 3rd statements are correct, So the correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Ocean warm pool (IOWP).

1. Indian Ocean warm pool is defined as the areas of the Indian Ocean with sea surface temperature (SST) values > 28 °C.
2. Due to global warming, the IOWP is expanding Easternwards.
3. In India, the northeastern region gets rainfall for 150 days, while the northwestern region gets only 70 days.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Indian Ocean warm pool (IOWP), defined as areas with sea surface temperature (SST) values > 28 °C is significantly expanding in most regions.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • With global warming, the IOWP is expanding westwards.
  • Hence statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • In India, the northeastern region gets rainfall for 150 days, while the north-western region gets only 70 days.
  • Thus statement 3 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements about Organ donation in India:

1. India conducts the third-highest number of transplants in the world every year.
2. Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, of 1994.
3. The law allows both deceased and living donors to donate their organs.
4. It also identifies brain death as a form of death.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • India conducts the third-highest number of transplants in the world every year. Statement 1 is correct
  • Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, of 1994. Statement 2 is correct
  • The law allows both deceased and living donors to donate their organs. Statement 3 is correct
  • It also identifies brain death as a form of death. Statement 4 is correct.

Hence all the statements are correct.