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

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

Date: 24 June 2023

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Denotified tribes (DNTs) were considered "born criminals" under British rule through laws like the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
2. The National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) was established in 2003 and reconstituted in 2005.
3. The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Denotified tribes (DNTs) were indeed considered "born criminals" under British rule through laws like the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. This act stigmatized certain tribes and communities as criminal by birth and subjected them to surveillance, restrictions, and discriminatory treatment. Hence, statement 1 correct
  • The National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) was established in 2003 and reconstituted in 2005. The commission's purpose is to study the social, economic, and educational conditions of denotified tribes, nomadic tribes, and semi-nomadic tribes and make recommendations for their welfare and development. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) does operate under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This board works towards the empowerment, welfare, and development of denotified tribes, nomadic tribes, and semi-nomadic tribes in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

2. Consider the following statements:

1. India and the US will develop a framework for a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
2. ISRO is likely to collaborate with NASA on a manned mission to the moon by 2025.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: India and the United States have signed the Artemis Accord to enhance their space cooperation to new heights:

  • The signing of the "Artemis Accords" and a joint Indo-US mission to the International Space Station in 2024 will elevate bilateral relations and provide momentum to the space sector. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Artemis Accord establishes a common vision with the US and other countries through principles, guidelines, and best practices.
  • India and the US will develop a framework for a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
  • ISRO is likely to collaborate with NASA on a manned mission to the moon by 2025. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • NASA will provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, with the goal of a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.
  • ISRO and its commercial arms have successfully launched 385 foreign satellites from 34 countries on board PSLV.

3. Consider the following statements:

1. Gangotri National Park (GNP) was established in 1989 and is located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
2. The allocation of approximately 50 hectares of land from Gangotri National Park to the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) signifies the strategic importance of the region in terms of border security.

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: (C)

Explanation:

  • The park was established in 1989 in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. It is located in the upper catchment of the Bhagirathi River and includes Gaumukh at Gangotri Glacier, the source of the river Ganga. The park serves as a connecting link between Govind National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The allocation of approximately 50 hectares of land from Gangotri National Park to the Indian Army and ITBP does signify the strategic importance of the region in terms of border security. This allocation highlights the collaboration between environmental conservation efforts and national security interests, striking a balance between safeguarding natural resources and protecting territorial integrity. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

4. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen is the second significant step towards vulture conservation since the banning of Diclofenac in 2006.
Statement-II: Ketoprofen and aceclofenac are equally toxic to vultures as Diclofenac and can lead to their death.

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

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation of 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:

  • Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was responsible for the drastic decline in vulture populations in South Asia. It was banned in several countries due to its toxicity to vultures, as it caused kidney failure in the birds. The ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen, which are also NSAIDs, can be seen as a further step in vulture conservation efforts. Hence, statement-I is correct.
  • Studies have shown that ketoprofen and aceclofenac have similar toxic effects on vultures as diclofenac. When vultures consume carcasses of animals that have been treated with these drugs, it can lead to renal failure and death in vultures. Hence, statement-II is correct.
  • While both statements are individually correct, there is no direct cause-and-effect relationship between the ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen (Statement-I) and their toxicity to vultures (Statement-II). The ban on these drugs is a step towards vulture conservation, but the toxicity of these drugs to vultures is a separate issue that necessitated the ban.

5. Recently, The Kalasa Banduri project on the Mahadayi River seen in news. Consider the following statements regarding the Mahadayi River:

1. It originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary inBelagavi district of Karnataka.
2. It flows through the states of Karnataka and Goa only before draining into the Arabian Sea.
3. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the western tip of the Island of Chorao along with this River.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Mahadayi River originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows through the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa before draining into the Arabian Sea.Hence, statement 1 is correct and 2 is incorrect.
  • Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as the bird sanctuary, and located on western tip of the Island of Chorao along the Mandovi River, Goa, in India. The sanctuary is named after Dr. Salim Ali, the eminent Indian ornithologist. Hence, statement 3 is correct.