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

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

Date: 13 July 2023

1. With reference to Guillain-Bare Syndrome, consider the following statements:

1. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which immune system mistakenly attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.
2. It is contagious or inherited and its exact cause remains unknown.
3. There is no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Peru has declared a state of national emergency amid a surge in patient suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is a rare neurological disorder in which immune system mistakenly attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • It is not contagious or inherited and its exact cause remains unknown. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • There is no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

2. This national park is located in the Nilgiri hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Nilgiri Bio Reserve. It was established with the prime motive of conserving its keystone species – the Nilgiri Tahr. Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several perennial streams that originate in the park. The National Park is:

(a) Guindy National Park
(b) Mudumalai National Park
(c) Mukurthi National Park
(d) Silent Valley National Park

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Recently, Tamil Nadu Police increased vigil around Mukurthi National Park to curb poaching. Mukurthi National Park lies in the western corner of Nilgiris Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu. The park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is sandwiched between the Mudumalai National Park and the Silent Valley National Park. The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1982 and upgraded to a National Park in 1990. It was established with the prime motive of conserving its keystone species – the Nilgiri Tahr. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was formerly known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park. It is also home to Mukurthi Peak (2,554m), the fourth highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills. Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several perennial streams that originate in the park and drain into the Bhavani Puzha. Hence, option (c) is correct.

3. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Buses’:

Statement 1 – These buses do not produce any carbon emissions.
Statement 2 – Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy and water.

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: (A)

Explanation: The hydrogen buses are like an electric bus, in that hydrogen interacts with ‘fuel cell’ battery producing electricity and no carbon emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel in an electrochemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy and water. At the anode, a catalyst separates the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons and both subatomic particles take different paths to the cathode. Hence, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

4. Consider the following statements:

1. All Scandinavian countries are members of NATO.
2. Sweden is located in Northern Europe and is bordered by the Norwegian Sea to the east.
3. The official currency of Sweden is the Euro.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • All Scandinavian countries are not members of NATO. Previously, Finland, another Scandinavian country, became a member of NATO. Sweden has expressed its interest in joining NATO, but its request has faced hurdles as approval from Turkey and Hungary is still pending. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Sweden is located in Northern Europe and is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the east. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

5. In the context of textiles, consider the following statements:

1. Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) was introduced in 2005.
2. National Technical Textile Mission strives to position India as a global leader in the field of Technical Textiles.
3. National Handloom Day celebrated annually on 7th August.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) was introduced in 2005; this scheme focuses on providing state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities to the textile industry for establishing their textile units. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • National Technical Textile Mission strives to position India as a global leader in the field of Technical Textiles, with the goal of increasing the domestic market size from USD 40 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • National Handloom Day: Celebrated annually on 7th August, this day commemorates the significance of the handloom weaving community in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.