Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (16 March 2023)

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

Date: 16 March 2023

Q1. Which of the following applications could potentially benefit from the discovery of a room-temperature superconductor?

1. More efficient power transmission over long distances
2. Developing ultra-fast computer processors
3. Building more powerful and compact MRI machines
4. Creating new types of solar cells

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • A room-temperature superconductor would have significant practical applications in many fields, including energy, medicine, and electronics. For example, it could greatly improve the efficiency of power transmission over long distances, leading to significant energy savings.
  • It could also lead to the development of ultra-fast computer processors, which would have far-reaching implications for industries ranging from finance to healthcare.
  • Additionally, a room-temperature superconductor could enable the creation of more powerful and compact MRI machines, improving the accuracy and speed of medical imaging.
  • It could also lead to the development of new types of solar cells that are more efficient and cost-effective. So, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Loan penetration among women declined to 7% in 2022 from 14% in 2017 due to the pandemic.
2. Rajasthan and Bihar have shown commendable growth in credit disbursal to women.
3. Housing loans are seeing a rise in women borrowers.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • As per TransUnion (Cibil), loan penetration among women rose to 14% in 2022 from 7% in 2017. Statement 1 is not correct
  • The report showed that despite the pandemic, the number of women borrowers grew strong.
  • Even Rajasthan and Bihar showed commendable growth in credit disbursal to women, based on total credit-active borrowers. Statement 2 is correct
  • Housing loans are seeing a rise in women borrowers. Statement 3 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to the PM Ghati Shakti scheme:

1. It aims to bring convergence among the infrastructure schemes launched by both the Union and state governments.
2. The PM Ghati Shakti Digital portal facilitates the electronic transfer of funds from one department to another.
3. The plan will lead to different departments working under NITI Aayog.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • PM Gati Shakti will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of both Union and State Governments. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  • The PM Ghati Shakti digital portal brings 16 Ministries together for integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects in order to ensure that all departments have visibility of each other's activities providing critical data while planning & execution of projects in a comprehensive manner. It has nothing to do with financial transactions. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Individual Ministries and Departments often work in silos. There is lack of coordination in planning and implementation of the project resulting in delays. PM GatiShakti will help in synchronizing the activities of each department, as well as of different layers of governance, in a holistic manner by ensuring coordination of work between them. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council.

1. It is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
2. The council's main headquarters is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
3. Recently Iran has joined the GCC.

Which of the statements given above is/are Incorrect?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The council's main headquarters is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
  • Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Recently Iran became the 9th member of SCO (not GCC) during the annual summit of 2021 held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding National Education Policy 2020.

1. It is drafted by the K.Kasturirangan Committee.
2. National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund outstanding research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
3. National Educational Technology Forum to facilitate the proper use of technology in the domains of teaching, learning, assessment, administration and management systems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • NEP 2020 is drafted by the K.Kasturirangan Committee.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund outstanding research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
  • Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • National Educational Technology Forum for proper use of technology in the domains of teaching, learning, assessment, administration and management systems.
  • Thus statement 3 is also correct.