Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (21 April 2023)

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

Date: 21 April 2023

Q1. Which of the following statements is/are true with regard to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 recently notified by the Central Government?

1. The Rules have been formulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 superseding the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001.
2. The Rules provide guidelines on how to handle human and stray dog conflicts without relocating the dogs.

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:

  • Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 have been formulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 superseding the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Hon'ble Supreme Court has in various orders specifically mentioned that the relocation of dogs cannot be permitted. The Rules provide guidelines on how to deal with human and stray dog conflicts without relocating the dogs in an area. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q2. With respect to the “Population Census” provision, consider the following statements:

1. The population census is a Concurrent subject under Article 246 of India Constitution.
2. The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. In India, the last caste census was conducted in 1931.

Select the correct Statement(s) using the code given below.

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The population census is a Union subject under Article 246 of India Constitution. It is listed at serial number 69 of the seventh schedule of the constitution.
  • Thus statement 1 is NOT correct.
  • Beginning in 1872 under British Viceroy Lord Mayo, the first complete census was taken in 1881 under Ripon.
  • Till now, India has conducted a population census 15 times including the last in 2011.
  • The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
  • In India, the last caste census was conducted in 1931.
  • Therefore, statement 3 is also correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements about I2U2 grouping.

1. I2U2 stands for India, Indonesia, the UAE, and the US, and is also sometimes referred to as the ‘West Asian Quad.
2. It aims to discuss “common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in their respective regions and beyond”.

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

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

What does I2U2 stand for?

  • I2U2 stands for India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, and was also referred to as the ‘West Asian Quad’ by Ahmed Albanna, Ambassador of the UAE to India. Back in October 2021, a meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries had taken place when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was visiting Israel. At that time, the grouping was called the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation’. (Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.)

What is the aim of I2U2 grouping?

  • Its stated aim is to discuss “common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in our respective regions and beyond”. (Hence, statement 2 is correct.)
  • Six areas of cooperation have been identified by the countries mutually, and the aim is to encourage joint investments in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. The press release added that with the help of “private sector capital and expertise”, the countries will look to modernise infrastructure, explore low carbon development avenues for industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies.

As only the 1st statement is incorrect, the correct option is (a).

Q4. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended the Minimum Support Price for which of the following?

1. Sorghum,
2. Pearl millet
3. Raw Jute
4. Areca nut
5. Turmeric
6. Ragi

Choose the correct option:

a) 1,2,3,5 and 6 Only
b) 2,3,4 and 5 Only
c) 1,2,3, and 6 Only
d) 2,3,4,5 and 6 Only

Answer: (C)

Explanation: As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities, which comprise 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, barley and ragi), 5 pulses (gram, tur, moong, urad, lentil), 7 oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, soyabean, seasmum, sunflower, safflower, nigerseed), and 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw jute).Hence option c is correct.