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


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

Date: 31 October 2023


1. Consider the following statements, with reference to Dyslexia:

1. Dyslexia is a learning disability disorder that impairs a person's ability to read.
2. Go Red campaign aims to raise awareness about dyslexia.
3. Dyscalculia is a sub-type of dyslexia that affects a person's ability to understand basic things.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Rashtrapati Bhawan was recently lit in red in support of the ‘Go Red’ campaign that aims to raise awareness about dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disability that impairs a person's ability to read and it can be inherited. Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia includes: Phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds), Spelling, Rapid visual-verbal responding. Adult onset dyslexia usually occurs as a result of brain injury or dementia. Dyscalculia is learning disorder affects a person's ability to do math which is not a subtype of dyslexia and different from it. Treatment for dyslexia should focus on the specific learning problems of affected individuals. Generally, treatment includes modifying teaching methods and the educational environment to meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia. Every year International Dyslexia Awareness Month is observed in October. The theme for 2023 is ‘Go Red’. The goal of this event is to eliminate discrimination, raise public awareness and eradicating the stigma attached to dyslexia and other learning disorders. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


2.Consider the following statements with reference to Xerography:

1. It is an image-forming process that relies on a photoconductive substance whose electrical resistance decreases when light falls on it.
2. It is an anti-photocopying feature that prevents counterfeiters from duplicating or printing currency notes using xerographic machines.

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: Xerography is the basis of the most widely used document-copying machines. Xerography is an image-forming process that relies on a photoconductive substance whose electrical resistance decreases when light falls on it. The process was invented in the 1930s by U.S. physicist Chester F. Carlson (1906–1968) and developed in the 1940s and ’50s by Xerox Corp. (then called Haloid). Hence, statement 1 is correct. Haloid Photographic Company purchased a licence from Battelle to build a machine based on the technique. The company trademarked the name for this machine as the “Xerox machine” in 1948 and availed the first model for sale in 1949. Haloid itself changed its name to Haloid Xerox in 1958 and to Xerox Corporation in 1961. Later, Xerox also introduced the laser-based photocopier. Xerox machines refused to copy banknotes that included a particular marking of 5 small rings positioned like stars in the Orion constellation. Similar markings have since been found on the banknotes of at least 35 national banks. The Reserve Bank of India in 2005 said that the new Rs 50 notes at that time had “Omron anti-photocopying feature”. “Omron anti-photocopying feature” prevents counterfeiters from duplicating or printing currency notes using xerographic machines. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.


3.Which of the following countries were recently removed from the FATF Grey List?

1. Cayman Islands
2. Jordan
3. Panama
4. Albania
5. South Africa

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently the Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories were excluded from the FATF Grey List. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. It is 39-member body that was established in 1989 and is based in Paris. India is one of the member of it. FATF Plenary is the decision-making body of FATF meets three times per year and holds countries to account if they do not comply with the Standards. If a country repeatedly fails to implement FATF Standards then it can be named a Jurisdiction under Increased Monitoring (the grey list) or a High Risk Jurisdiction (black list). Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (grey list) – Countries that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing are placed under it. When a country is placed under grey list then the country has must commit to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring. Along with Cayman Islands, Jordan, Panama, and Albania were also removed from the FATF Grey List. As of June 2023, the countries under grey list includes: Barbados, Bulgaria, South Africa, UAE, Yemen, Vietnam, Syria etc. Hence, option (a) is correct.


4.The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement is associated with which one of the following organizations?

(a) World Trade Organisation (WTO)
(b) World Food Programme (WFP)
(c) World Health Organisation (WHO)
(d) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement ensures that traded products between WTO members do not spread pests and diseases and that food products do not contain harmful substances or pathogens. The "SPS Agreement" entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995. WTO has 164 member nations (including India and the United States). Hence, option (a) is correct.


5. With reference to the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI), 2022, consider the following statements:

1. Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI), 2022 grants central investigating agencies authority to collect, store, and analyze physical and biological samples such as retina and iris scans of arrested individuals.
2. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is responsible for both enacting the Act and setting up the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
3. The CrPI Act directly mentioned the use of DNA samples and face-matching procedures for the purpose of investigation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI), 2022 grants police and central investigating agencies authority to collect, store, and analyze physical and biological samples such as retina and iris scans of arrested individuals. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
This legislative move aimed to enhance law enforcement capabilities and ushered in a new era in criminal identification and data management. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is responsible for both enacting the Act and setting up the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
The NCRB played a pivotal role in guiding police officials on the proper protocol for recording these measurements. The CrPI Act did not directly mention DNA sample collection and face-matching procedures, but the NCRB conveyed plans to implement these measures in discussions with State police officials. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.