Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (23 October 2023)

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

Date: 23 October 2023

1. Consider the following statements, with reference to NaMo Bharat:

1. It is a multimodal semi-high-speed regional rapid transit system that ensures balanced and sustainable urban development.
2. It connects the western India with eastern India from Jaipur in Gujarat to Kolkata in West Bengal.
3. National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) which comes under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is the implementing agency for Namo Bharat.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: India’s first indigenous mass rapid system, RRTS covering Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut section was inaugurated recently. Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system dedicated to regional connectivity. RRTS, now called as NaMo Bharat, was designed with a speed of 180 kmph. It is modelled on systems such as the RER in Paris, Germany, Austria and USA. It is a multimodal semi-high-speed regional rapid transit system that ensures balanced and sustainable urban development. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
8 RRTS corridors have been identified for development in the NCR. Phase - I: Out of 8, 3 corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I. Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Corridor, Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar Corridor, Delhi-Panipat Corridor Construction & Implementation – National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture of Union government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. NCRTC comes under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are not correct.


2.Consider the following statements, with reference to Cyclone Tej:

1. It is a cyclonic storm formed in the Bay of Bengal.
2. It was named by India.

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: (B)

Explanation: The Cyclone Tej in the Arabian Sea is turning into a cyclonic storm. It is expected to turn into a severe cyclonic storm and move towards the south coasts of Oman and adjoining Yemen. Cyclone Tej was named by India. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.


3. Consider the following statements, with reference to Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF):

1. A Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) is a corpus used for settlement of trades during defaults.
2. All intermediaries such as stock exchanges, clearing corporations and brokers contribute towards SGF.
3. SGF is received only in the form of securities.

How many of the above statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) have regulated norms for the Settlement Guarantee Fund in commodity derivatives segment. The primary objective of SGF is to have a fund for each segment to guarantee the settlement of trades executed in respective segment of the stock exchange. A Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) is a corpus used for settlement of trades during defaults. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
All intermediaries such as stock exchanges, clearing corporations and brokers contribute towards SGF. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
SGF is received in the form of cash and securities. Members are required to maintain a minimum of 10% of their Securities Segment margin requirements in the form of cash contributions to SGF. Members have the option to maintain their entire SGF contribution in the form of Cash. The SEBI has recently notified that excess contribution may be returned to the contributing stakeholders on a pro-rata basis, after taking due approval from SEBI. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


4. Indian Army’s recent initiative to promote indigenous military knowledge by merging ancient strategic insights with modern military practices, is named:

(a) Project Udbhav
(b) Project Avishkar
(c) Project Shakti
(d) Project Chanakya

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The effort for the integration of India’s “ancient strategic acumen” into the contemporary military domain and develop an “indigenous strategic vocabulary”, rooted in India’s “philosophy and culture” was launched under ‘Project Udbhav of Indian Army. Hence, option (a) is correct.


5. Consider the following statements, with reference to Agni-D:

1. It is an AI based surveillance software system developed by DRDO.
2. It is deployed in the Radcliffe line along India-Pakistan border.

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: (D)

Explanation: The army’s forward posts in the northern sector have started testing an artificial intelligence (AI) based software Agni-D for surveillance and thwarting transgressions. Agni-D is a defence software that has been developed by Captain Vikas Tripathi, an electrical engineer with the army. The software system was showcased Aero India. Agni-D has been tested in internal camps and during army exercises over the last few months. Agni-D is a coded system that aims to automate surveillance centers and outposts. The system can recognize heat signatures of various types, including weapons, tanks, armored vehicles and missiles captured by surveillance cameras. It can also prove to be vital for security proposes of static formations of forces at peace stations across the country. Agni-D is deployed in the eastern Ladakh sector, a region of strategic importance due to its closeness to China. Hence, both statements are not correct.