Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (22 August 2023)

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

Date: 22 August 2023

1. Consider the following statements regarding Magnetar:

1. It is a rare type of neutron star.
2. It emits a tremendous quantity of energy in the form of flares and X-rays.
3. It has a weak magnetic field compared to the Earth.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: According to a new study, measurements and stellar development models of a hot, helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star indicate that when it bursts as a supernova, it will form a magnetar. Magnetars emit massive amounts of energy in the form of flares, X-rays, and gamma-ray bursts, in addition to extremely high magnetic fields. A magnetar's magnetic field may be created by the inside of a neutron star, which is thought to be made up of neutrons, quarks, and exotic states of matter such as Bose-Einstein condensates, forming a superconducting fluid. As a result, when the star rotates, it acts like a massive dynamo, producing a massive magnetic field. A magnetar is a rare form of neutron star distinguished by an extremely high magnetic field. Hence, only statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Piripkura Tribe, sometimes seen in the news belongs to which of the following regions?

(a) Amazon Rainforest of South America
(b) Congo Rainforest of Africa
(c) Tropical Rainforest of Myanmar
(d) Tropical rainforest of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Brazil recently found the last survivors of Piripkura tribe who are in the verge of complete extinction. Piripkura Tribe belongs to Amazon Rainforest of South America. They are offshoot of a larger Indigenous group that once spread across a large swath of the forest. Piripkura protected area are being given to people for commercial exploitation. Hence, option (a) is correct.

3. Recently, Supreme Court appointed a committee to oversee relief and rehabilitation in Manipur, the committee is chaired by:

(a) Gita Mittal
(b) Shalini Phansaklar Joshi
(c) Asha Menon
(d) Indu Malhotra

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently, the committee of former high court judges appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee relief and rehabilitation in Manipur has submitted three reports — on loss and reconstruction of “essential documentation”; upgrading the compensation; and appointment of domain experts to facilitate its work. The panel is headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal and includes former Bombay High Court judge Justice Shalini Phansaklar Joshi and former Delhi Haigh Court judge Justice Asha Menon. Hence, option (a) is correct.

4. Consider the following statements:

Statement I - IMEI numbers are fixed for a mobile device throughout its lifetime and cannot be changed.
Statement II - IMEI numbers are hard coded into the hardware of the device during production, making them unique and unchangeable.

Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a one-of-a-kind identifier assigned to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other cellular-enabled gadgets. It has 15 digits and serves as a phone's unique identifier. It acts as a digital fingerprint for each individual. It is used to uniquely identify devices on mobile networks. The telecom and customs departments collaborate to check and record the IMEI numbers of handsets that arrive into India. The IMEI number is required for a variety of applications, including device authentication and network connectivity. IMEI numbers are permanent for the life of a mobile device and cannot be changed. IMEI numbers are hard coded into the hardware of a mobile device during manufacturing, making them unique identifiers that remain fixed throughout the device's lifetime. This procedure assures that each mobile device has a unique and unchanging IMEI number. Hence, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

5. Consider the following statements, with reference to ‘Gene-edited mustard’:

1. It is based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing while being non-genetically modified.
2. It is India’s first ever low pungent mustard that is pest and disease resistant.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: CRISPR/Cas9 – a gene-editing tool deploying an enzyme was used, which acts as a “molecular scissors” to cut the DNA at precise targeted locations of the gene, and then letting the natural DNA repair process to take over. The new GTR genes-edited mustard lines are transgene-free or non-genetically modified (GM). Indian scientists have developed the first ever low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant. Hence, both statements are correct.