Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (28 June 2023)

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

Date: 28 June 2023

1. In the context of Government e-Marketplace, consider the following statements:

1. GeM platform was introduced by the Government of India, in 2016.
2. GeM holds the first position globally among similar platforms.
3. GeM 4.0 is an integration of advanced technologies.
4. GeM 4.0 has advanced search engine with Natural Language Processing.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

  • The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an online platform introduced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in 2016 to simplify the procurement process for goods and services by government departments and organizations. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • GeM is accessible to all government departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, and other organizations.
  • GeM holds the third position globally among similar platforms, trailing behind Singapore's GeBIZ. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • The largest procurement platform worldwide is South Korea's KONEPS.
  • GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in government procurement in India.

GeM 4.0

New Features and Enhancements:

  • Timely payment for sellers.
  • Advanced search engine with Natural Language Processing (NLP). Hence, statement 4 is correct.
  • Demand aggregation for consolidated orders.
  • Revamped user interface for improved user-friendliness.
  • Staggered or flexible delivery options.
  • Redesigned bidding module for targeted bidding.
  • Integration of advanced technologies like analytics, machine learning, deep learning, and AI. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • Improved grievance redressal mechanism.
  • Simplified cataloguing with price variance.
  • Enhanced payment options with integration of banks and ERPs.
  • Introduction of seller rating for informed decision-making.Inclusion of new services and categories.
  • Direct interaction between sellers and buyers.
  • Dedicated pages for CPSUs (central PSUs).

2. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Indian wolves, jackals, leopards, langur primates, blue bulls, chinkaras, spotted dee, chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, four-horned gazelle, blackbuck, Indian hare, Indian crested porcupine, Southern grasslands grey langur, leopards, sloth bears, spotted hyenas, grey wolves, golden jackals, Indian foxes and ratels. The park has witnessed the return of one male tiger from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

The above paragraph is related to:

(a) Kuno National Park
(b) Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
(c) Kanha Tiger Reserve
(d) Ranipur Tiger Reserve

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is situated along the Kuno River, which is a major tributary of the Chambal River. The park was initially created in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary. It received the designation of a national park in 2018. Ranthambore National Park is located at a distance of 150km from Kuno and can be reached in 3.5 hrs. Ranthambore tiger T-136 has crossed Rajasthan border and reached Morena in Madhya Pradesh, which is close to Kuno National Park where the cheetahs were recently introduced by Prime Minister.

3. Consider the following deficits:

1. Fiscal deficit
2. Current Account Deficit
3. Revenue deficit

How many of the above-mentioned deficits related to Twin deficit situation?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Twin deficit refers to the situation when an economy suffers from both the fiscal deficit and the Current Account Deficit.
  • Recently, India’s current account deficit (CAD), a key indicator of the external sector, narrowed to $1.3 billion, or 0.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), in the January-March quarter (Q4) of fiscal 2022-2023 (FY23), mainly on account of moderation in trade gap and rise in services exports.

4. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: 'Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomenon can influence an EI Nino's impact on the monsoon.
Statement-II: IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.

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 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: (A)

Explanation:

  • Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomenon can indeed influence an El Niño's impact on the monsoon. The IOD is a climate pattern in the Indian Ocean characterized by temperature differences between the western and eastern parts of the ocean. Hence, statement-I is correct.
  • It is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between the tropical Western Indian Ocean and the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. Hence, statement-II is correct
  • Statement-II explains why the IOD phenomenon can influence an El Niño's impact on the monsoon. El Niño events, characterized by warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, can lead to reduced monsoon rainfall in certain regions. However, when an IOD event occurs simultaneously, it can alter the influence of El Niño on the Indian monsoon. The temperature differences associated with the IOD can affect atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to variations in the monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent.

5. Consider the following statements regarding Geographical Indication (GI) Certification:

1. It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods.
2. It is also a part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

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:

  • Geographical Indication (GI) certification is indeed used for agricultural, natural, and manufactured goods. It is a form of intellectual property protection that recognizes the specific geographical origin of a product and the unique qualities or characteristics associated with that region. Hence, statement 1 is correct
  • Geographical Indication (GI) certification is also a part of the World Trade Organisation's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. TRIPS sets out minimum standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including GIs. GIs are recognized as a type of intellectual property and are covered under the TRIPS agreement. Hence, statement 2 is correct.