Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (08 August 2023)

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

Date: 08 August 2023

1. With reference to Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCSs), consider the following statements:

Statement I - It is a statutory body under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.
Statement II - It is responsible for the registration of MSCSs, amendment to by-laws of MSCSs, arbitration, etc.

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: (B)

Explanation: Union Ministry of Cooperation launched the digital portal of the CRCS. This Portal aims to digitize various activities of CRCS like registration, audit, election, vigilance, training, etc. It is a statutory body under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002. It is responsible for the registration of MSCSs, amendment to by-laws of MSCSs, arbitration, etc. Cooperative societies confined to one state only and are governed by cooperative laws of respective state governments.

2. 'Neerakshi', recently seen in news, is associated with which of the following?

(a) Torpedo recovery and launch vessel
(b) An icebreaker driven by nuclear energy
(c) Smog air Purifier
(d) Unmanned underwater vehicle

Answer: (D)

Explanation: India launched its first of its kind Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) named ‘Neerakshi. It can be used for mine detection, mine disposal, underwater surveys etc. It has an endurance of four hours and can go up to 300 metres deep. It is a collaboration of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and MSME entity Aerospace Engineering Private Ltd (AEPL). Hence, option (d) is correct.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to Havana Syndrome:

1. It refers to a set of mental health symptoms experienced by US intelligence and embassy officials in various countries.
2. It involves symptoms such as hearing certain sounds without any outside noise being present, nausea, vertigo and headaches, memory loss.
3. It is result of unregulated mining activities in particular region.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Havana syndrome is a set of medical signs and symptoms reported by US and Canadian embassy staff first in Havana, Cuba dating to late 2016, and subsequently in other countries. The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
  • No exactly reason for the Havana syndrome is known till now. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

4. With reference to Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), consider the following statements:

1. It automatically locates hostile artillery, mortars and rocket launchers and tracks friendly fire to locate the impact point of friendly artillery fire to issue necessary corrections.
2. The radar is designed to detect projectiles with small cross section across the battle space horizon, and has the capability to handle simultaneous fire from weapons deployed at multiple locations.
3. Swathi WLR was indigenously developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Swathi WLR was indigenously developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL. It is electronically scanned phased array radar. It automatically locates hostile artillery, mortars and rocket launchers and tracks friendly fire to locate the impact point of friendly artillery fire to issue necessary corrections. The radar is designed to detect projectiles with small cross section across the battle space horizon, and has the capability to handle simultaneous fire from weapons deployed at multiple locations. The radar uses advanced signal processing techniques for detection and tracking projectiles in the presence of ground, weather clutter and other forms of interference in Electronic Warfare scenario. Hence, all statements are correct.

5. NIDHI Program, recently seen in news is an initiative of which of the following ministry?

(a) Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(b) Ministry of Finance
(c) Ministry of Science and Technology
(d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer: (C)

Explanation: National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is an end-to-end plan for startups to double the number of incubators and startups in the duration of five years. The NIDHI Program, initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) in 2016, aims to foster innovation and startup culture in India. Its objective is to promote S&T-based entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem across the country and nurture start-ups through scouting, supporting, and scaling innovations. Hence, option (c) is correct.