Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (07 August 2023)

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

Date: 07 August 2023

1. With reference to Bhu-Vision, consider the following statements:

1. Bhu-Vision is an automated soil testing and advisory platform that is backed by artificial intelligence (AI).
2. It has been jointly developed by ICAR-IIRR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Indian Institute of Rice Research) and KrishiTantra.
3. It provides quick and accurate results directly to farmers and stakeholders through a soil health card on their mobile devices.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Recently, a revolutionary IoT-based automated soil testing and agronomy advisory platform, Bhu-Vision was officially launched at AICRP (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad. It is also known as KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing System. It has been jointly developed by ICAR-IIRR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Indian Institute of Rice Research) and KrishiTantra. This system seamlessly conducts 12 key soil parameter tests in just 30 minutes. It provides quick and accurate results directly to farmers and stakeholders through a soil health card on their mobile devices. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Clouded leopard:

1. It is the State animal of Tripura and listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
2. It prefers grassland, shrubs, subtropical and dense tropical forests.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a wild cat species inhabiting dense forests in the Himalayas, mainland Southeast Asia and South China. It is the State animal of Meghalaya. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Clouded Leopard prefers grassland, shrubs, subtropical and dense tropical forest up to a height of 7,000 feet occurring from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China. It has been added to India’s Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species to aid more research and strengthen conservation efforts. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

3. Lampedusa Island, recently seen in news, is located in which of the following water bodies?

(a) Mediterranean Sea
(b) Caribbean Sea
(c) South China Sea
(d) Caspian Sea

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Lampedusa is a part of Italy and falls under the administrative region of Sicily. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically within the Province of Agrigento in Sicily. It is the largest island in the Pelagie Islands group. Lampedusa is known for its rugged coastline, featuring cliffs, rocky shores and sandy beaches. Hence, option (a) is correct.

4. Consider the following statements, with reference to BharatNet Project:

1. It is an ambitious project of the Government of India to provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in the country.
2. It aims to provide a minimum bandwidth of 2gbps to each of the 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.
3. It is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), launched in October 2011, was renamed the Bharat Net Project in 2015. It is an ambitious project of the Government of India to provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in the country. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • It aims to provide affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all households and on-demand capacity to all institutions to realize the vision of Digital India, in partnership with States and the private sector. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • The entire project is being funded by the Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was set up to improve telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country. The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which was incorporated on 25.02.2012 under Indian Companies Act 1956. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

5. Consider the following statements about Trachoma disease:

Statement I - Trachoma is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Statement II - This disease is basically seen in sub-tropical and Polar regions due to cold climates.

Which one 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: (C)

Explanation: Trachoma is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness and is one of the conditions known as neglected tropical diseases. Blindness from trachoma is irreversible. It is a neglected tropical disease and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, the WHO recommends the SAFE strategy, a comprehensive approach to reducing transmission of the causative organism, clearing existing infections and dealing with their effects. Hence, Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.