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

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

Date: 16 September 2023

1. Consider the following statements, with reference to National Judicial Data Grid portal (NJDG):

1. It is the national repository of all case related information pertaining to the Supreme Court, High Courts, District and Taluka Courts.
2. NJDG has been developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Recently, the Supreme Court of India has on boarded the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) portal that will aid the ease of doing business initiative of the Government of India. National Judicial Data Grid portal (NJDG) is the national repository of all case related information pertaining to the Supreme Court, High Courts, District and Taluka Courts.
  • NJDG has been developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) in close coordination with the in-house software development team of the Computer Cell, Registry. The entire database shall be periodically updated on the NJDG portal.
  • The portal provide access to case related information, statistics such as institution, pendency and disposal of cases, case-types, year-wise break-up of the Supreme Court of India.
  • NJDG is the only website which offers single window access to the entire information relating to cases and Courts starting from the Taluka level Courts to the Apex Court of our country in a searchable manner.

Hence, both statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements with reference to International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML):

1. It is an intergovernmental treaty organization that was established in 1955, headquartered at Paris.
2. It aims to develop model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry.
3. India is not a member of the organisation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: India has recently become an OIML certificate-issuing authority which will help the Indian economy in several ways, including an increase in exports, earning of foreign exchange, and generation of employment. The OIML stands for International Organisation of Legal Metrology. Established in 1955 and headquartered in Paris. The OIML is an international standard-setting body. It develops model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry. It is an intergovernmental treaty organization that provides mutual recognition systems which reduce trade barriers and costs in a global market. OIML is a single certificate accepted worldwide. OIML-CS is a system for issuing, registering and using OIML certificates, and their associated OIML type evaluation/test reports, for instruments like digital balance, clinical thermometers, etc. With the addition of India, the number of countries authorised to issue OIML certificates has increased to 13. India became a member of the OIML in 1956. India signed the metric convention in 1956. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

3. Which of the following statements best describes the Overnight Index Swap (OIS)?

(a) It is an interest rate swap involving the overnight rate being exchanged for a fixed interest rate.
(b) It is an overnight interest rate which represents the average rate for overnight Treasury repo transactions.
(c) It is a benchmark interest rate that financial institutions use to price U.S. dollar-denominated derivatives and loans.
(d) It is the target interest rate set by the RBI at which commercial banks borrow and lend their extra reserves to one another overnight.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently Indian overnight index swap (OIS) rates reached their highest levels as investors opted to pay short-end swaps in anticipation of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) upcoming rate hike. Overnight Index Swap (OIS) is an interest rate swap agreement where a fixed rate is swapped against a pre-determined published index of a daily overnight reference rate. It refers to a hedging contract in which a party exchanges a predetermined cash flow with a counter-party on a specified date. The overnight index swap denotes an interest rate swap involving the overnight rate being exchanged for a fixed interest rate. An overnight index swap uses an overnight rate index such as the federal funds rate as the underlying rate for the floating leg, while the fixed leg would be set at a rate agreed on by both parties. Hence, statement (a) is correct.

4. Consider the following claims regarding the Changthangi goat:

1. The Changthangi goat is found in Ladakh's Changthang area.
2. The Changthangi goat is typically domesticated and kept by nomadic Changpa people.
3. The Changthangi goats provide the Mohair Wool utilised in the shawl's weaving.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The Changthangi goat is an animal found in Ladakh's cold, arid Changthang region. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Changthangi goat is usually domesticated and raised by nomadic communities called the Changpa. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The wool that is used in weaving the Pashmina Shawl is obtained from the Changthangi goats. The Mohair Wool used in weaving the shawl is obtained from the Angora goat. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

5. Which of the following best defines the term 'MULE', recently seen in the news?

(a) A lunar rover
(b) It is a load-bearing autonomous robot
(c) It is a drone defence system
(d) It's an anti-tank missile

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Indian Army presented the Multi-Utility Legged Equipment (MULE) at the recent North Tech Symposium 2023 in Jammu. It is an autonomous load-bearing robot designed for the Indian Army. It was designed for human-free intervention in tracking down and eliminating terrorists. It is outfitted with 360-degree cameras and radars to assist the operator in detecting threats and shooting them down. It is an analog-faced machine with four legs and a payload capacity of 12 kg. The gadget can function on Wi-Fi or Long-Term Evolution (LTE), allowing it to reach distances of up to 10 kilometers from the location. It is operated via an easy-to-use remote control. It can also incorporate a firing platform. It is capable of taking on projects with pre-programmed missions and may be employed in various terrains, including snow and mountains. It can climb mountains up to 45 degrees and steps as high as 18 cm. Hence, option (b) is correct.