Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (26 July 2023)

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

Date: 26 July 2023

1. With reference to Controlled human infection studies (CHIS), consider the following statements:

1. CHIS refers to the research methodology that involves intentionally exposing healthy human volunteers to a specific pathogen or infectious agent under controlled conditions.
2. India has conducted CHIS after the Covid-19 pandemic.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Bioethics Unit has introduced a consensus policy statement on ethical conduct of CHIS in India. It aims to address ethical issues of CHIS so that research can be conducted without compromising on ethical principles while ensuring protection of human participants. CHIS refers to the research methodology that involves intentionally exposing healthy human volunteers to a specific pathogen or infectious agent under controlled conditions. This is done for developing models of infection, understanding host-pathogen interactions and/or testing vaccines and therapeutics. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • According to the ICMR, India has not conducted any CHIS yet, because they involve ethical dilemmas and controversial research ethics — such as intentional harm, potential coercion, risk to others, withdrawal rights and research with vulnerable groups. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I- India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0 will facilitate insights and enhance understanding of the energy and climate sectors.
Statement II – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) develops it in collaboration with Vasudha Foundation.

Which one 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 for 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: (C)

Explanation: Recently, NITI Aayog released the India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0. It is India’s one-stop platform for near real-time data on the energy sector, climate, and related economic datasets based on government-published sources. It is developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the energy and climate think-tank Vasudha Foundation. It enables users to freely access and analyze datasets using an analytical engine. ICED provides Near Real-Time Data with in-built Analytics to track Climate Action Progress. Hence, statement-I is correct but statement II is incorrect.

3. With reference to ethanol blending, consider the following statements:

1. An ethanol blend is defined as a blended motor fuel containing ethyl alcohol that is at least 99% pure, derived from agricultural products and blended exclusively with gasoline.
2. The Government of India has advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol to 2025 from 2030.
3. The government has allowed ethanol production from surplus rice with Food Corporation of India and maize respectively for blending with petrol under Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Ethanol is one of the principal biofuels, which is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) is aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes. An ethanol blend is defined as a blended motor fuel containing ethyl alcohol that is at least 99% pure, derived from agricultural products, and blended exclusively with gasoline. Since it is plant-based, it is considered to be a renewable fuel. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Government of India has advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030. A “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25” was also released, which lays out a detailed pathway for achieving 20% ethanol blending. This roadmap also mentioned an intermediate milestone of 10% blending to be achieved by November 2022. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Government has allowed ethanol production/ procurement from sugarcane-based raw materials viz. C & B heavy molasses, sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup, surplus rice with Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Maize respectively for blending with petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

4. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve, recently seen in news, is located in which state?

(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Uttarakhand

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Kalagarh Tiger Reserve is located in the Terai region of Uttarakhand, India. It spans parts of Pauri Garhwal and Nainital districts, covering a significant area. The reserve is bounded by the Ramganga River on the west and the Mandal River on the east. Hence, option (d) is correct.

5. With reference to ‘Zero FIR’ consider the following statements:

1. It is an FIR that is registered irrespective of the area where the offence is committed and the police can no longer claim that they have no jurisdiction over the case.
2. It was recommended by the Justice Verma Committee in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya gang rape case in 2012.

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: (C)

Explanation: Unlike an FIR, which is restricted by jurisdiction, a zero FIR can be filed in any police station, regardless of whether the offence was committed under the jurisdiction of that particular police station. Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number '0'. After a police station registers a zero FIR, it has to transfer the complaint to a police station that has the jurisdiction to investigate the alleged offence. The concept of a zero FIR is relatively new and was introduced on the recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya gang rape case in 2012. It is aimed to put a legal obligation on police to take quick action and prevent them from using the excuse of the absence of jurisdiction. Hence, both statements are correct.