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

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

Date: 07 February 2023

Q1. With reference to Lithium-ion batteries consider the following statements:

1. A Lithium-ion battery is a type of Non-rechargeable battery.
2. It is lightweight and has high energy density.
3. It can be used to power electric vehicles in the automobile Industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is NOT correct.
  • It is lightweight and has high energy density i.e. stores more energy per unit of weight when compared to other kinds of batteries.
  • Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The most common battery type in electric vehicles is lithium-ion and Lithium polymer batteries, because of their high energy density compared to their weight.
  • Thus, statement 3 is also correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. As of now, there is no institutionalised mechanism for water cooperation between India and China.
2. China has signed no such water-sharing treaty with India or any of its neighbours and continues to act in a unilateral manner in the region.
3. China shares hydrological information about Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river as per a Memorandum of Understanding.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • As of now, there is no institutionalised mechanism for water cooperation between India and China.
  • China has signed no such treaty with India or any of its neighbours and continues to act in a unilateral manner in the region.
  • However, in 2002, India and China entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wherein China agreed to share hydrological information about Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) including its discharge at Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia stations.

Hence, all statements are correct.

Q3. What is the main objective of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P)?

a) To support developing countries in transitioning to a sustainable energy system
b) To promote the use of fossil fuels in energy generation
c) To enhance energy security through increased dependence on imported energy sources
d) To encourage the exploration and production of nuclear energy

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) is a recently launched financing cooperation mechanism that was originally conceived to help heavily coal-dependent emerging economies make a just energy transition away from coal that also addresses the social consequences of the transition, including training and alternative job creation for affected workers and new economic opportunities for affected communities. So, option (a) is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements about dams in India:

1. Maharashtra leads with 2394 dams while Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are at the second and third spots in terms of the number of dams.
2. Around 80% of the dams in India have surpassed 25 years of age, with over 227 of them being over 100 years old.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • In India, there are 5334 existing large dams while the other 411 large dams are under various stages of construction. Maharashtra leads with 2394 dams while Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are at the second and third spots in terms of the number of dams. (Hence option 1 is correct.)
  • These dams are ageing over the years with about 80% of dams exceeding 25 years of age, and over 227 dams exceeding 100 years. The ageing of dams and deferred maintenance of the dam have made dam safety a matter of concern. . (Hence option 2 is correct.)
  • The Dam Safety Act, 2021 was enacted by the Parliament and came into force with effect from 30th December 2021. The Act is aimed at ensuring surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of the specified dam for prevention of dam failure-related disasters and to provide for an institutional mechanism to ensure their safe functioning.

Solution. As both statements 1 and 2 are correct, Hence correct option is (c).

Q5. Consider the following statements about Union Budget 2023-24:

1. There is an increase in the expenditure on MGNREGA in 2023-24 compared to the revised estimates (RE) of 2022-23.
2. Road transport and highways have a capital outlay of Rs 2.70 lakh crore in 2023-24 against Rs 2.17 lakh crore in 2022-23 (RE).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • There is a decrease in the expenditure on MGNREGA in 2023-24 compared to the revised estimates (RE) of 2022-23. Hence statement 1 is Not Correct
  • Road transport and highways have a capital outlay of Rs 2.70 lakh crore in 2023-24 against Rs 2.17 lakh crore in 2022-23 (RE). Hence statement 2 is correct.