Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (27 April 2022)

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

Date: 27 April 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. India has the cheapest electricity price in South Asia.
2. India is net importer of electricity power from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither of these

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Bhutan exports 70% of its own hydropowered electricity to India worth almost U.S.$100 million. Nepal on the other hand, not only sells its surplus hydroelectricity to India but also exported fossil fuel to India worth U.S.$1.2 billion. India exports 1,200MW of electricity to Bangladesh, sufficient for almost 25% of the daily energy demand.
  • Bhutan has the cheapest electricity price in South Asia (U.S.$0.036 per kilowatt hour, or kWh) while India has the highest (U.S.$0.08 per kWh.).

Q2. Which of the following organisation releases the World Competitiveness Index 2021?

a) The Heritage Foundation
b) World Economic Forum
c) World Bank
d) Institute for Management Development’s 

Answer: (D)

Explanation: India held the 43rd rank on the Institute for Management Development (IMD)'s annual World Competitiveness Index 2021. Switzerland led the 64-nation list, followed by Sweden (moved up to the second position from sixth in 2020), Denmark, the Netherlands and Singapore.

Q3. Consider the following statements about Kuril islands :

1. These are the set of four islands situated between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.
2. They are under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and are part of the Sakhalin Territory,
3. Russia claims two large southern islands,i.e., the islands of Shikotan and Habomai, also known as the “Kuril Islands”.

Choose the incorrect statements :

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: KURIL ISLANDS

  • These are a set of four islands situated between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean near the north of Japan's northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido in East Asia. Hence, the first statement is incorrect.
  • They are under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and are part of the Sakhalin Territory, but Japan claims two large southern islands,i.e., the islands of Shikotan and Habomai, also known as the “Kuril Islands”. Hence, the third statement is incorrect.
  • Japan calls the Kuril islands as Northern Territories and Russia as the South Kurils.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Data Protection Act:

1. It is passed by Australia.
2. Users of very large online platforms (VLOPs), which have more than 45 million registered EU users, will be able to challenge content moderation decisions made by the platforms.
3. The Big Techs would face yearly audits for systemic risks linked to their businesses.

Choose the correct Statement :

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Data Protection Act is passed by the European Union . Hence,the first statement is incorrect.
  • Users of very large online platforms (VLOPs), which have more than 45 million registered EU users, will be able to challenge content moderation decisions made by the platforms.
  • The Big Techs would face yearly audits for systemic risks linked to their businesses.
  • Tech companies would be compelled to set up new policies and procedures to remove flagged hate speech, terrorist propaganda and other material defined as illegal by countries within the EU.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

1. Central government can lay down the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
2. Central government has the power to direct the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process.
3. The Act does not address modern concepts of pollution such as noise, overburdened transport systems and radiation waves which are also an important cause for the deteriorating environment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • It can lay down the procedures and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
  • It has the power to direct the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process.
  • The Act does not address modern concepts of pollution such as noise, overburdened transport systems and radiation waves which are also an important cause for the deteriorating environment.

Q6. Consider the following statements

1. Blue Hydrogen doesn’t have CO2 and CO as a by product.
2. It is the most environment friendly Hydrogen generating process.

Which of the following is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) Neither

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Blue Hydrogen involves production of CO2 and CO as a by-product but it is captured and stored.
  • Green Hydrogen is the most environment friendly process as it’s by products are water and water vapour.

Q7. Consider the following statements Virtual digital asset:

1. In India there is no definition of Virtual digital asset under any Act or Bill.
2. In India income from the transfer of virtual digital assets will be taxable at a flat rate of 30%.

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

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of these

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • In India income from the transfer of virtual digital assets will be taxable at a flat rate of 30%.
  • In the explanatory memorandum of the Finance Bill, the government stated, “To define the term “virtual digital asset”, a new clause (47A) is proposed to be inserted to section 2 of the Act.