Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (13 February 2023)

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

Date: 13 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Oil palm is a native of South East Asia.
2. India is the world’s largest importer of palm oil.
3. Karnataka is the main oil palm growing states in India.
4. India has developed value-added products out of bio-mass from oil palm and has utilized this bio-mass in various forms in the plantation estate improving the crop productivity.

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

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) None of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Oil palm is a native of West Africa. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • India is the world’s largest importer of palm oil, buying over 9 million tonnes annually, or nearly two-thirds of its total edible oil imports. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • At present, bio-mass utilisation by palm oil mills in India is limited.
  • Malaysia and Indonesia have developed value-added products through their in-house R&D, out of bio-mass, and also through the utilisation of this bio-mass in various forms in their plantation estate, improving their crop productivity. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala are the main oil palm growing states, accounting for 98% of total production. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) are protected under which law?

a) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
b) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
c) Environment Protection Act, 1986
d) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in India is protected under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • The CRZ regulations are implemented through the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, which was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the authority of the Environment Protection Act. So, option (c) is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Textile sector in India:

1. This sector is the second largest provider of employment in India, after agriculture.
2. India is the largest cotton producer in the world and also has the highest area under cotton cultivation.

Which of the above statements is/are Not correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Textile sector accounts for more than two per cent of the total GDP and more than 12 per cent of the manufacturing sector gross domestic product (GDP). Statement 1 is correct.
  • The sector is also the second largest provider of employment in India, after agriculture.
  • India is a largest cotton producer (23%) in the world and has the highest area under cotton cultivation (39% of world area). Statement 2 is correct.

Hence option d is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Periodic Labour Force Survey.

1. It is prepared by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
2. It gives estimates of Key employment and unemployment Indicators like, the Labour Force Participation Rates (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Unemployment Rate (UR), etc.
3. Annual Report of periodic labour force survey 2020-21 finds that India’s female work participation rate at 65 per cent in 2020-21.

Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • PLFS gives estimates of Key employment and unemployment Indicators like, the Labour Force Participation Rates (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Unemployment Rate (UR), etc. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • India’s female work participation rate at 25 percent in 2020-21 is among the lowest for emerging economies. Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q5. What is the main characteristic of fourth-generation warfare, sometimes seen in the news?

a) Conventional military operations
b) Non-linear battlefields
c) Guerrilla tactics
d) Large-scale use of nuclear weapons

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

Fourth-generation warfare is characterized by non-linear battlefields, where the distinction between combatant and non-combatant is blurred, and traditional military hierarchies and chains of command are disrupted. This type of warfare often involves unconventional tactics, such as terrorism, insurgency, and cyber-attacks, and requires a more nuanced approach to counter it. So, option: (b) is the correct answer.