Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (31 March 2023)

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

Date: 31 March 2023

Q1. Which of the following statements about the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is/are correct?

1. The NDRF is a specialized force created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
2. The primary responsibility of the NDRF is to respond to natural and man-made disasters.
3. The NDRF is headed by the Director-General who reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Choose the correct answer 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: (D)

Explanation:

  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a specialized force created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • Its primary responsibility is to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • NDRF is functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, within the overall command, control, and leadership of the Director General, NDRF. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Q2. What is the difference between stunting and wasting in the context of malnutrition among children?

a) Stunting and wasting are the same conditions
b) Stunting is a result of acute malnutrition, while wasting is a result of chronic malnutrition
c) Stunting is a result of chronic malnutrition, while wasting is a result of acute malnutrition
d) Stunting and wasting are caused by genetic factors, and cannot be prevented or treated.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Stunting and wasting are two different forms of malnutrition that affect children. Stunting is a result of chronic malnutrition, where a child does not receive enough nutrients over a long period of time, leading to impaired growth and development.
  • On the other hand, wasting is a result of acute malnutrition, where a child loses weight rapidly due to insufficient nutrient intake or an illness.
  • Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because stunting and wasting are not the same conditions. Option B is incorrect because stunting is a result of chronic malnutrition, not acute malnutrition. Option D is incorrect because both stunting and wasting can be prevented and treated through proper nutrition and healthcare.

Solution. The correct option is (C).

Q3. What is the difference between interchange fees and Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?

a) MDR is paid by the merchant, and interchange fees are paid by the customer.
b) MDR is a fee charged to merchants by acquiring entities or banks, while Interchange fees are paid to the issuing entity by the acquirer or the merchant.
c) MDR compensates for risk of payment, while interchange fees cover operating costs.
d) None of the above.

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

What are the charges that have been introduced on UPI transactions?

  • Two types of charges have been introduced — interchange fee and wallet loading charges.
  • Interchange fee can vary from 0.5–1.1 per cent of the transaction and is payable by the retailer or merchant to the wallet provider. This is an extension of how debit or credit cards work. Visa and MasterCard levy interchange fees to cover for the transaction risk, including credit risk and handling charges, or the cost of operating a digital payment network.
  • This shouldn’t be confused with MDR or merchant discount rates. MDR is a fee charged to merchants by an acquiring entity (banks in case of cards). Interchange fees is paid to the issuing entity (or bank and wallets) by the acquirer or the merchant to compensate for risk of payment. For instance, Paytm Payments Bank, which is a wallet provider, will gain if it can receive income on the transaction. (Hence correct statement is B)
  • Second is the wallet loading charge, which is primarily intended to compensate banks for the loss of float or CASA income. If a user transfers money from Bank X to her Amazon Pay wallet, Amazon should pay a 0.15 per cent fee to Bank X, if the transfer is Rs 5,000 or more.

Solution. The Correct option is B.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity.
2. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of carbon-free capacity by 2050.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity & 4th in Solar Power capacity (as per REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report). Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The Indian government has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of carbon-free capacity by 2030. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Mission Karmayogi.

1. It is a capacity-building scheme that was launched in 2020 for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels.
2. It comes under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

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:

  • It is a capacity-building scheme that was launched in 2020 for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • It comes under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is also correct.