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

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

Date: 22 September 2023

1. With reference to Agumbe forest, consider the following statements:

1. Agumbe is in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka and referred as “Cherrapunji of South India”, with an average rainfall of 8000 mm.
2. It is the world’s only natural habitat of the King Cobra and referred as "The Cobra Capital".
3. It is situated at an elevation of 650 meters within Central Western Ghats and has a distinctive tract of tropical moist evergreen forest.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The amount of rainfall received in Agumbe has reduced as compared to the other towns in the region. Agumbe is in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka and referred as “Cherrapunji of South India”, with an average rainfall of 8000 mm. It is the world’s only natural habitat of the King Cobra and referred as "The Cobra Capital". It is situated at an elevation of 650 meters within Central Western Ghats and has a distinctive tract of tropical moist evergreen forest. It is also located adjacent to the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME):

1. It is a global organisation dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide.
2. The National Medical Commission (NME) is recognised by the WFME.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: National Medical Commission (NMC), has been granted the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for 10 years. WFME was established in 1972 as a common platform for agreeing on principles and standards for medical education over the full life cycle of professional activities. WFME is a global organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide. WFME's accreditation program plays a pivotal role in ensuring that medical institutes meet and uphold the highest international standards of education and training. The National Medical Commission (NMC), India has been granted the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a remarkable tenure of 10 years. The recognition will enhance the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with the global best practices and benchmarks. The recognition will enable Indian medical graduates to pursue postgraduate training and practice in other countries that require WFME recognition. Hence, both statements are correct.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Elephant Corridors:

1. It is a strip of land that enables elephant movement between two or more habitats.
2. West Bengal has the most number of the elephant corridors in India.
3. The border road organisation and the Ministry of Environment are jointly responsible for building elephant corridors.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: In a report released by the Ministry Of Environment Forest And Climate, there has been 40% increase in elephant corridors in India. Elephant corridor is a strip of land that enables elephant movement between two or more friendly habitats. West Bengal has the most elephant corridors (26) that amounts to 17% of the total elephant corridors. Elephants have also seen increased presence in Madhya Pradesh found in Sanjay Tiger reserves and Bandhavgarh. East central region has 52 elephant corridors. North East region has second largest elephant corridors with a total of 48 corridors. Southern India has 32 that is 21 % of the elephant corridors, while northern India was lowest with 18 corridors or 12 %. Majority of the corridors were noted to be within state boundaries and the intensity of the use of corridors has increased by 40%. The decrease in corridor use is attributed to the habitat fragmentation, shrinkage and destruction. Hence, only statement 3 is incorrect.

4. With reference to the Mithun (Bos frontalis), consider the following statements:

1. It is known as the mountain cattle.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has given it the 'food animal' label.
3. It is classified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Mithun in the Northeast has been designated a 'food animal' by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Mithun (Bos frontalis) is thought to be a descendant of the Indian Gaur or bison. It is vital to the socioeconomic and cultural lives of tribes in Arunachal Pradesh such as the Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, and Adi. It is found in Northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, and Yunnan Province, China. It is referred to as the 'cattle of the mountain'. It has a lot of commercial potential as well as the ability to provide nutritional, livelihood, and financial security. It is classified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. It is a state animal of both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Earlier in 2022, Himalayan yak was accepted as a food animal by FSSAI. Hence, all statements are correct.

5. What is a Data Fiduciary's responsibility in the context of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023?

(a) It is incharge of safeguarding data against any sort of processing.
(b) It collects, saves, and shares personal information while also facilitating consent management.
(c) It serves as a regulatory authority in charge of enforcing data protection regulations.
(d) It is a person designated to manage personal data processing.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The DPDP Act is a legal framework developed in India to protect individual's data and ensure that their data is shared only with their consent. It governs the handling of digital personal data and lays down several safeguards to safeguard persons' privacy in the digital age. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, of 2023, was introduced and later enacted by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha after multiple iterations and consultations. Individuals or companies whose data must be protected may be considered DP. The DP must provide written consent to generate and use the data, identifying the exact purpose for which it will be used. DP can revoke the consent at any moment or limit its use. A data fiduciary is an entity that collects, stores, and shares data. Hence, option (b) is correct.