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

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

Date: 21 September 2023

1. Consider the following statements with reference to Kisan Rin Portal:

1. It aims to revolutionize credit services under the Kisan Credit Card.
2. The portal is developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
3. It promotes seamless connections with banks to provide more focused and efficient agricultural loans.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched the Kisan Rin Portal to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). The KRP portal serves as an integrated hub, offering a comprehensive view of farmer data, loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilization progress. KRP is poised to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). It will also assist farmers in availing subsidized agriculture credit through the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS). By fostering seamless integration with banks, this portal enables proactive policy interventions, strategic guidance, and adaptive enhancements for more focused and efficient agriculture credit. It promotes seamless connections with banks to provide more focused and efficient agricultural loans. The portal is developed collaboratively by:

  • Ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare (MoA&FW),
  • Department of Financial Services (DFS),
  • Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAH&D),
  • Department of Fisheries (DoF),
  • Reserve Bank of India,
  • National bank for agriculture and development (NABARD)

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. Biohacking, recently seen in news is related to which of the following?

(a) Hacking into biological systems to steal or modify data
(b) Biological experimentation done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms
(c) The use of biotechnology to produce new forms of life or to modify existing ones
(d) Exploiting biological vulnerabilities to cause harm or disruption

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Biohacking has grown in popularity in recent years; it is the process of changing or boosting one's own body or biology by a variety of means, including nutrition, supplements, devices, implants, or genetic engineering.

Biohacking can be used to improve health, performance, well-being, or aesthetics, as well as to explore the boundaries and possibilities of human nature. Genetic engineering is the most well-known sort of biohacking, in which people experiment with new technology to improve their physical look or capabilities. Hence, option (b) is correct.

3. With reference to Five Eyes Alliance, consider the following statements:

1. It is an intelligence-sharing arrangement among US, UK, Canada, Australia and India.
2. Under this, intelligence agencies of these five countries share signal, military and human intelligence among themselves.

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: (B)

Explanation: It is an intelligence-sharing arrangement among US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Under this, intelligence agencies of these five countries share signal, military and human intelligence among themselves. It began in 1946 when the United States and the United Kingdom agreed to an open exchange of intelligence on the communications of foreign nations. It was expanded when Canada joined the alliance in 1948, followed by Australia and New Zealand in 1956. These countries are signatories to the UKUSA Agreement for their cooperation in signal intelligence. The alliance or network monitors the electronic communications of citizens and foreign governments. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

4. Consider the following statements regarding Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS):

1. It provides lump sum aid to excellent athletes.
2. It can be given to active athletes individually or in a group setting.
3. It also assists the families of dead excellent athletes.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: In New Delhi, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports recently honored players under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS). It was founded in March 1982 with the goal of aiding brilliant athletes from the past who were living in impoverished conditions and had brought pride to the country through athletics. The scheme was amended in May 2016 to grant lump sum ex-gratia support to excellent athletes from the past. It covers the entire country of India. The initiative supports the general well-being of athletes to alleviate distress among them and their dependents. The system can be offered to active athletes individually or as a group. The candidate must be a serving or retired athlete (including sports doctors, psychologists, mentors, physiotherapists, masseurs, coaches, support employees, umpires, referees, and match officials). The applicant must have represented India in a sport at the national or international level. The applicant's total annual income (from all sources) must be less than Rs. 4 LPA. It also assists the families of dead excellent athletes. Hence, all statements are correct.

5. Consider the following statements regarding the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO):

1. It is a corporate fraud investigation agency established by the Government of India in response to the Naresh Chandra Committee on Corporate Governance's recommendations.
2. It is a multidisciplinary ministry of finance organization.

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: It was established in 2003 in response to stock market frauds, the failure of non-financial banking organizations, and the phenomenon of vanishing corporations and plantation enterprises, as recommended by the Naresh Chandra Committee on Corporate Governance. The Government of India established it as a corporate fraud investigation agency. It is a multidisciplinary institution that reports to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.