Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (24 April 2023)

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

Date: 24 April 2023

Q1. Which of the following statements is/are true about botanical gardens?

1. The oldest academic botanical garden in India is the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Indian Botanic Garden, located in Howrah, Kolkata.
2. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew near London, founded in 1840, is the oldest academic botanical garden in the world.
3. Botanical gardens are important centres for plant exploration, discovery and research, as well as biodiversity outreach.
4. The Chengalpattu Botanical Garden is set to become India's largest botanical garden, spread across 138 hectares.

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 4 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3, and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Indian Botanic Garden, located in Howrah, Kolkata, is the oldest academic botanical garden in India, established in 1787 under a different name. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew near London is not the oldest academic botanical garden in the world. The Orto Botanico di Padova in Italy is the oldest academic botanical garden in the world, founded in 1545. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Botanical gardens are important centres for plant exploration, discovery and research, as well as biodiversity outreach. Thus, statement 3 is correct.
  • The Chengalpattu Botanical Garden, set to become India's largest botanical garden, is spread across 138 hectares and is a recent development in Tamil Nadu. Thus, statement 4 is correct.

Q2. Which of the following reports is/are released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO)?

1. State of the Global Climate
2. Living Planet Report
3. Greenhouse Gas Bulletin

Choose the correct option:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Reports published by WMO:
  • State of the Global Climate
  • Greenhouse Gas Bulletin
  • Global Atmosphere Watch Report
  • Guidelines for Climate Services
  • World Climate Services Programme Report
  • Living Planet Report is released by World Wildlife Fund. Hence option (d) is correct.

Q3. Which of the following is not a key pillar of the Eat Right India initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare?

a) Safe and healthy food for school children
b) Front-of-pack labeling for packaged food products
c) Promoting the use of locally sourced and traditional foods
d) Encouraging the consumption of plant based food only

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The Eat Right India initiative focuses on promoting safe and healthy food practices, including front-of-pack labeling, encouraging the use of locally sourced and traditional foods, and ensuring safe and healthy food for school children.
  • The initiative does not encourage the consumption of fast food and sugary beverages, as these are often associated with negative health outcomes.
  • Therefore, the answer is statement D.

Q4. Which of the following organisations about the Genome India project?

1. It has been started by Genomics Consortia (INSACOG).
2. It is part of an International collaborative effort of scientists called the Human Genome Project.

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: (D)

Explanation:

  • It started in Jan 2020 with the involvement of about 20 institutions across India and with analysis and coordination done by the Centre for Brain Research at IISc, Bangalore.
  • It is inspired by Human Genome Project but is not part of it.

Hence both the statements are incorrect.

Correct answer is (d)

Q5. Steel slag can be a material for which of the following?(UPSC 2020)

1. Construction of base road.
2. Improvement of agriculture soil.
3. Production of cement.

Choose the correct option:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Construction of base road: Steel slag can be used as a base or sub-base material in road construction due to its high stability and good drainage properties. It can also improve the resistance to frost and reduce the risk of cracking.
  • Improvement of agriculture soil: Steel slag contains various nutrients that are beneficial to plant growth, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. It can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, water retention, and fertility.
  • Production of cement: Steel slag can be used as a raw material in cement production, replacing some of the traditional raw materials such as limestone and clay. This can reduce the environmental impact of cement production by reducing the need to extract and process natural resources.

Hence option (b) is correct.