Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (25 January 2023)

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

Date: 25 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following Statements regarding the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022.

1. The Bill will apply to the processing of digital personal data within India only.
2. Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given consent.
3. The Parliament will establish the Data Protection Board of India.

Select the Incorrect Statement(s) using the code given below.

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Bill will apply to the processing of digital personal data within India where such data is collected online, or collected offline and is digitized.
  • It will also apply to such processing outside India, if it is for offering goods or services or profiling individuals in India. Thus statement 1 is NOT correct.
  • Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given consent. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The central government (Not the Parliament) will establish the Data Protection Board of India.
  • The central government will prescribe: (i) composition of the Board, (ii) selection process, (iii) terms and conditions of appointment and service, and (iv) manner of removal. Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q2. With reference to National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a central sector scheme under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. Under this Scheme, children of every age group withdrawn from child labour activities are put into NCLP Special Training Centres before being mainstreamed into the formal education system.

Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme is a central sector scheme under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • Under this Scheme, children in the age group of 9-14 years are withdrawn from work and put into NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care etc. before being mainstreamed into the formal education system. The children in the age group of 5-8 years are directly linked to the formal education system through close coordination with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. So, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statement about Aspirational Districts Programme:

1. Launched in January 2019, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) aims to quickly and effectively transform 110 most under-developed districts across the country.
2. The broad outlines of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

Aspirational Districts Programme

  • Launched by the Hon’ble PM in January 2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across the country. (Hence option 1 is incorrect)
  • The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking; all driven by a mass movement. (Hence option 2 is correct)

Additional Information:

  • With States as the main drivers, this program focuses on the strength of each district, identifying low-hanging fruits for immediate improvement and measuring progress by ranking districts on a monthly basis.
  • The ranking is based on the incremental progress made across 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under 5 broad socio-economic themes - Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Infrastructure.
  • The delta-ranking of Aspirational Districts and the performance of all districts is available on the Champions of Change Dashboard.

As only 2nd statement is correct, the correct option is (b). 2 only

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to Red Tide:

1. Red Tide is a phenomenon where certain phytoplankton species contain pigments and bloom such that the human eye perceives the water to be discolored.
2. Major factors influencing red tide events include Cold ocean surface temperatures, and low salinity.
3. Red Tide is scientifically referred to as “Harmful Algal Blooms”.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Red Tide is a phenomenon where certain phytoplankton species contain pigments and bloom such that the human eye perceives the water to be discolored. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Factors influencing red tide events include warm ocean surface temperatures, low salinity, high nutrient content, calm seas, and rain followed by sunny days during the summer months. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Red Tide is scientifically referred to as “Harmful Algal Blooms”. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Q5. The Horn of Africa consists of which of the following countries?

a) Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
b) Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
c) Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Congo.
d) Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Horn of Africa consists of the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
  • It covers approximately two million square kilometers (770,000 square miles), and is inhabited by roughly 115 million people. Hence A is the correct answer