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

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

Date: 27 October 2022

Q1. With reference to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), consider the following statements:

1. It is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
2. The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six Members who shall be appointed by the Central Government.

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 Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, of 2002. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • CCI consists of a chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Hate Speech refers to an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender.
2. At present there are no provisions in the Indian Penal Code to penalize hate speech.
3. Open criticism of government policies and operations is a ground for restricting the freedom of speech and expression.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are NOT correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Hate Speech is defined by the 267th report of the Law Commission of India as “an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief and the like”.
  • There are various provisions in the Indian Penal Code that penalize hate speech. For example,
  • Sections 153A and 153B of the IPC: Punish acts that cause enmity and hatred between two groups.
  • Section 295A of the IPC: Deals with punishing acts which deliberately or with malicious intention outrage the religious feelings of a class of persons.
  • Sections 505(1) and 505(2): Make the publication and circulation of content that may cause ill-will or hatred between different groups an offence. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • In S. Rangarajan vs P. Jagjivan Ram, the SC has widened the scope of freedom of speech & expression by including the right to criticize as a fundamental right to form his opinion on any issues of general concern. Thus, open criticism of government policies and operations is not a ground for restricting expression. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q3. With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020)

1. Worker productivity (Rs per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
3. In rural areas, the growth in the non-farm economy increased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • As per NITI Ayog's report, worker productivity has increased for both rural and urban areas. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • There is a change in occupational structure with a decline in the percentage share of labour-force in the agricultural sector and a rise in the services sector. So, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • The Economic Census of India estimates that around 41.89 million rural people are employed in non-agricultural establishments which registered a growth rate of 4.56 % during 1998-2005. So, statement 3 is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Adaptation Gap Report (AGR).

1. It has been published by the World Meteorological Organization since 2014.
2. It provides an annual science-based assessment of the global progress on adaptation planning, financing, and implementation.
3. UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2021 expected that annual adaptation costs in developing countries are estimated at USD 70 billion.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • UNEP has produced the AGR since 2014, with the aim to inform the climate negotiations among UN Member States. Thus statement 1 is not correct.
  • AGR provides an annual science-based assessment of the global progress on adaptation planning, financing, and implementation. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2021 expected that annual adaptation costs in developing countries are estimated at USD 70 billion. Thus statement 3 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Waste To Energy (WTE) technologies.

1. Polycrack technology involves heating straw, grass and sawmill residue to over 250-degree Celsius and breaking it into smaller biomass.
2. Torrefaction is a heterogeneous catalytic process which converts multiple feedstocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon as well as water.

Choose the INCORRECT answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Torrefaction: It involves heating straw, grass and sawmill residue to over 250-degree Celsius.
  • Polycrack Technology: heterogeneous catalytic process which converts multiple feedstocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon as well as water.
  • Since the statement-1 and statement-2 are interchanged thus both are incorrect.