Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (17 August 2023)

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

Date: 17 August 2023

1. With reference to Vishwakarma Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. This scheme aims to benefit individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, especially from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
2. The scheme will encompass various elements such as financial aid, modern and green technology training, brand promotion, market connectivity, digital payments, and social security.

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:

  • On India’s 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister announced the upcoming launch of the ‘Vishwakarma Yojana’ which is set to be introduced on Vishwakarma Diwas (September 17).
  • This scheme aims to benefit individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, especially from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. Skilled artisans like weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers, among others, will be empowered through this scheme. The scheme will encompass various elements such as financial aid, modern and green technology training, brand promotion, market connectivity, digital payments, and social security.

Hence, both statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to PM-eBus Sewa scheme:

1. It is augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model.
2. The scheme will cover cities of five lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of states and Union Territories

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Cabinet has given its approval for "PM-eBusSewa," a scheme aimed at enhancing urban bus operations. Priority will be given to cities that currently lack organized bus services for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model. The Scheme would have an estimated cost of Rs.57,613 crore, out of which support of Rs.20,000 crore will be provided by the Central government. The Scheme will support bus operations for 10 years. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The scheme will cover cities of three lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region and Hill States. Under this scheme priority will be given to cities having no organized bus service. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to Graphene-Aurora Program:

1. The program aims to foster innovation of graphene technologies.
2. The program is implemented by Ministry of Mines.
3. India Innovation Centre Graphene (IICG) is set under the program to boost Research and Development in graphene.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Recently ‘Graphene-Aurora Program’ was launched by Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma. The program aims to foster innovation of graphene technologies.
  • This program is implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from MeitY, Government of India and Government of Kerala and Industry partners. India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC) shall be set up under the program. It shall fill the gap between R&D and commercialization by providing a complete facility to startup and industry. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.

4. 'Pibot' that was recently seen in the news, is related to which of the following?

(a) It is a submersible vehicle.
(b) It is a humanoid pilot.
(c) It is a next generation spacecraft.
(d) It is a satellite for Earth observation.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: A team of engineers and researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is now working on a humanoid robot called 'Pibot' that can fly aircraft without the need for cockpit modifications. It is the first humanoid pilot in the world. It can fly an aeroplane like a human pilot by operating all of the individual controls in the cockpit designed for humans. It integrates artificial intelligence and robotics technology, and it can process the natural language of the flight manual and operate the aircraft in real time. Hence, option (b) is correct.

5. Recently an island named Katchatheevu was in the news. In which of the following strait is the island located?

(a) Sunda strait
(b) Malacca strait
(c) Palk strait
(d) Bass strait

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Katchatheevu is an uninhabited off-shore island in the Palk Strait. The island is located between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, India. In 1974, then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi accepted
  • Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan area under the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement" aimed at resolving the maritime boundaries in the Palk Strait. Hence, option (c) is correct.