Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (15 March 2023)

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

Date: 15 March 2023

Q1. Which of the following best describes the concept of "data sovereignty"?

a) The principle that all data should be publicly accessible and free of restrictions
b) The legal authority of a government to regulate the collection, storage, and processing of data within its jurisdiction
c) The practice of sharing data across international borders for global development and innovation
d) None of the above

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The term “data sovereignty” refers to the principle that a country has the right to control the collection, storage, and use of data within its borders and also to the informational self-determination of citizens over their data. So, option (b) is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements-

1. Marriages in India can be registered under the respective personal laws.
2. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 has the provision for civil marriage for people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party.
3. Same-sex marriage is recognized under the Special Marriage Act 1954.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Marriages in India can be registered under the respective personal laws Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Muslim Marriage Act, 1954, or under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is an Act of the Parliament of India with provision for civil marriage for people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party.
  • Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The LGBTQ community is demanding the recognition of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act 1954.
  • Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q3. Which of the following are Indian military bases located outside Indian Territory?

1. Farkhor Air Base-Located near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan.
2. Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) - Located at Haa Dzong in Western Bhutan.
3. Mauritius: A military base on North Agalega Island.
4. Oman- A listening post at Ras al Hadd and berthing rights at Muscat naval base.

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

a) 1, 2 and 4 only.
b) 2, 3 and 4 only.
c) 1, 2 and 3 only.
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Tajikistan: Farkhor Air Base is located near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan. It is 130 km southeast of the capital Dushanbe. It is operated by Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajik Air Force. It is India's first military base overseas. Chabahar Port in Iran facilitates Indian transport access to Farkhor Air Base via Afghanistan. (Hence, option 1 is correct.)
  • Bhutan: Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is located at Haa Dzong in Western Bhutan. It is a training mission of the Indian Army in Bhutan. It is responsible for the training of the personnel of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) and the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan (RBG). (Hence, option 2 is correct.)
  • Madagascar: India’s first foreign listening post was set up in northern Madagascar in 2007 to track shipping movements in the Indian Ocean and listen in on maritime communications.
  • Mauritius: India is currently building a military base on North Agalega Island. The island located in the Indian Ocean is leased to the Indian military for the development of strategic assets as of India–Mauritius Military cooperation. (Hence, option 3 is correct).
  • Seychelles: India and Seychelles inked a defence pact for a joint project in Assumption Island to build a naval base. For this, India gave a $100m Line of Credit and Dornier Aircraft to Seychelles. At present, India maintains a coastal surveillance radar system in Seychelles.
  • Oman: India has a listening post at Ras al Hadd and berthing rights at Muscat naval base. Also, there is an establishment at Duqm for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. It is important to note that Duqm had previously served as a port for the INS Mumbai. (Hence, option 4 is correct).
  • Iran: Chabahar Port is located on the Gulf of Oman in south-eastern Iran and is the country's only oceanic port. India took over the port's operations in December 2018.

Solution. As all the statements are correct, Hence the correct option is (d).

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. India is one of the top consumers of crude oil.
2. India’s refining capacity is higher than its domestic demand.
3. It is a net exporter of petroleum products.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • India is one of the top consumers of crude oil. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • India’s refining capacity is higher than its domestic demand, making the country a net exporter of petroleum products. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Q5. Which of the statements is correct about the e-Courts project?

a) A project to make courts have 5-G technology across India.
b) A project to hire more judges dedicated to technology-related disputes.
c) A project to digitize the archives of district courts.
d) A project to computerize district courts across India.

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The e-courts project is a digital initiative of the Indian government launched in 2005.
  • The project aims to computerize district courts across India and make judicial proceedings faster, efficient and more accessible to the public.
  • The project has been administered by the e-Committee of India's Supreme Court in partnership with the Ministry of Law and Justice.
  • The Union budget for 2022-23 has allocated a substantial amount of funds for the third phase of the project. Hence Option D is correct.