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

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

Date: 31 May 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. "Eddelu Karnataka" was a movement aimed at rousing the populace from political apathy during election time.
2. The Supreme Court has stated that the Constitution does not empower the Governor to intervene in inter-party or intra-party disputes.
3. Referred to as the Fourth Estate by some, civil society empowers thinking individuals to reclaim control of the constitutional system and assert their influence in safeguarding the principles of democracy.

How many of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) Only One
b) Only Two
c) All Three
d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • "Eddelu Karnataka" was a movement aimed at rousing the populace from political apathy during election time. Writers, poets, artists, and filmmakers formed a cohesive unit within civil society to champion this cause. (Statement 1 is correct.)
  • The Supreme Court, while observing its limitations in adjudicating petitions for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule, maintained that the Speaker of the House should decide on disqualification proceedings within a reasonable period. Furthermore, the court criticized the actions of the Maharashtra Governor, stating that they were not in accordance with the law and that the Constitution does not empower the Governor to intervene in inter-party or intra-party disputes. (Statement 2 is correct.)
  • Referred to as the Fifth Estate by some, civil society empowers thinking individuals to reclaim control of the constitutional system and assert their influence in safeguarding the principles of democracy. (Statement 3 is incorrect.)

As only two statements are correct, the correct option is (b).

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) in India:

1. The NSM was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating a powerful supercomputing capability for the country and boosting research.
2. The NSM is led jointly by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Science and Technology.
3. The Indian government has signed a deal with the French corporation, Atos, to procure high-performance computers for the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The NSM was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating a powerful supercomputing capability in India and boosting research. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The NSM is a joint initiative led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Science and Technology. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Indian government has signed a deal with Atos, a French corporation, to procure high-performance computers for India. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Q3. Direction: The question consists of two statements, one labeled as the 'Assertion (A)' and the other as 'Reason (R)'. Examine these two statements carefully and select the answer to this question using the codes given below:

  • Assertion (A): Antarctica plays a significant role in the global network of ocean currents known as the "overturning circulation."
  • Reason (R): This circulation redistributes heat, carbon, and nutrients across the planet, maintaining climate stability and facilitating the transport of oxygen to the deep ocean.

Which of the following options is correct?

a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are individually true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Antarctica plays a significant role in the global network of ocean currents known as the "overturning circulation." (Assertion is correct).
  • This circulation redistributes heat, carbon, and nutrients across the planet, maintaining climate stability and facilitating the transport of oxygen to the deep ocean. (Reason is also correct)
  • However, recent research indicates that the deep ocean currents around Antarctica are slowing down at a much faster rate than previously predicted. This slowdown has profound implications for climate, sea levels, and marine life.

As both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A, the correct option is (a).

Q4. Consider the following:

1. The 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity (COP) resulted in a global commitment to increase international financial flows from developed to developing countries.
2. At the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, a Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund was established to assist developing countries.

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:

  • The 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity (COP) resulted in a global commitment to increase international financial flows from developed to developing countries. Statement 1 is correct.
  • At the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, a Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund was established to assist developing countries. Statement 2 is correct.