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

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

Date: 08 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Freedom of speech is unrestricted and limitless in India.
2. Freedom of speech is only available against the state or its instrumentalities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Freedom of speech is not unrestricted and limitless in India. Article 19 (2) imposes certain restrictions on fundamental rights including freedom of speech. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The Supreme Court of India in its judgment in Kaushal Kishore’s case (rendered on January 3, 2023) declared that the fundamental rights of Indians are exercisable not only vertically but also horizontally. The Court concluded that such fundamental rights can be enforced even against persons other than the state and its instrumentalities. So, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022.

1. MPI constructs a deprivation profile of each household and person through 3 indicators spanning health, education and standard of living.
2. It is released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford.
3. Urban areas have seen the fastest reduction in multidimensional poverty.

Select the correct statement/statements.

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The global MPI constructs a deprivation profile of each household and person through 10 indicators spanning health, education and standard of living.
  • All indicators are equally weighted within each dimension.
  • It identifies people as multidimensionally poor if their deprivation score is 1/3 or higher.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is NOT correct.
  • It is released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford.
  • Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
  • In India, Rural areas saw the fastest reduction in the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022.
  • Thus, statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements about Earthquakes:

1. Magnitude is measured on a logarithmic scale, which means the seismic waves produced by a magnitude of 6 earthquakes have 100 times higher amplitude than the ones produced by a magnitude 5 earthquake.
2. The energy differential is even higher, 32 times for every change of 1 in magnitude.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • Magnitude is a measure of how big the waves are, while the strength refers to the energy it carries. Magnitude is measured on a logarithmic scale, which means the seismic waves produced by a magnitude 6 earthquake have 10 times higher amplitude than the ones produced by a magnitude 5 earthquake. (Hence option 1 is incorrect.)
  • The energy differential is even higher, 32 times for every change of 1 in magnitude. This means that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey on Monday was 100 times bigger — produced 100 times bigger waves — than the 5.8 earthquake in Nepal, and 1,024 (32 x 32) times more powerful. In general, every change of 0.1 in magnitude results in about 1.4 times changes in energy. (Hence option 2 is correct.)

Solution. As only statement 2 is correct, Hence correct option is (b).

Q4. Consider the following statements related to patenting and trademarks:

1. India’s environmental governance system needs the Supreme Court’s approval for administrative decisions in matters concerning the environment.
2. Any proposal involving tree-cutting or non-forest use in a national park or sanctuary needs to be approved by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, headed by the Union environment minister and his decision is final.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are not correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • A unique feature of India’s environmental governance system is the need for the Supreme Court’s approval for administrative decisions in matters concerning the environment. This process came about as a result of the court’s own direction in the T.N. Godavarman (1995) and the Centre for Environmental Law (1995) cases. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Any proposal involving tree-cutting or non-forest use in a national park or sanctuary needs to be approved by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, headed by the Union environment minister but the minister’s decision is not final:
  • The proposal needs to be further examined by a special Supreme Court committee called the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), headed by a retired Secretary to the Government of India, and comprising retired Forest Service officers.
  • If the CEC believes the Standing Committee’s decision to be incorrect, it can defer to the Supreme Court for the final say, along with its own opinion. This procedure prima facie contravenes the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q5. Consider the following statements about Lab Grown Diamonds (LGDs):

1. LGDs have similar physical properties but different optical properties to that of natural diamonds.
2. In India, the share of lab-grown diamonds in the overall diamond business is presently just 2-3 per cent.
3. A common eye can’t distinguish between a natural diamond and an LGD.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • LGDs have similar physical and optical properties to that of natural diamonds. Statement 1 is not correct.
  • In India, the share of lab-grown diamonds in the overall diamond business is presently just 2-3 per cent. Statement 2 is correct.
  • A common eye can’t distinguish between a natural diamond and an LGD. Statement 3 is correct.