Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (18 April 2023)

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

Date: 18 April 2023

Q1. Which of the following is/are major developmental project(s) supported by India in Afghanistan?

1. The construction of the Salma Dam
2. The construction of the Zaranj-Delaram highway
3. The construction of the Afghan Parliament building

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: India has provided support to several major projects in Afghanistan, including the construction of the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, the construction of the Zaranj-Delaram highway, and the construction of the Afghan Parliament building. Thus, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statement regarding India’s updated NDCs up to 2030.

1. India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 55 percent by 2030, from 2005 level.
2. It also aims to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • India at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action. This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets. The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070
  • As per the updated NDC, India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect).
  • Also achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. The approval also takes forward the Prime Minister’s vision of sustainable lifestyles and climate justice to protect the poor and vulnerable from adverse impacts of climate change. (Hence statement 2 is correct).

As only the second statement is correct, the correct option is (b).

Q3. Consider the following statements about Lithium Metal:

1. Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal.
2. Lithium is the least dense of all the metals, and can easily float on water.

Choose the incorrect options:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that belongs to the group of elements on the periodic table. Statement 1 is correct.
  • It has an atomic number of 3 and is the lightest metal, with a density about half that of water.
  • Lithium is highly reactive and can easily ignite in air, so it is usually stored in mineral oil to prevent oxidation.
  • It has a low melting point of only 180.5°C, which makes it useful in some alloys and for certain industrial processes.
  • Lithium is the least dense of all the metals, and is one of the few elements that can float on water. Statement 2 is correct.

Q4. With reference to the PM MUDRA yojana, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched to bring small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system.
2. As per the latest available data, the share of Shishu loans is the highest in the disbursement of the Mudra Loan.
3. Only the members of ST, SC, OBC or minority communities, can avail the loan facility under this scheme.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The MUDRA Scheme aims to bring small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
  • Data as on 24 March 2023 puts the scheme’s cumulative disburse amount at ₹22.65 trillion.
  • The share of Shishu loans is the highest, at 40%, suggesting that the PMMY has largely supported first-time entrepreneurs.
  • Thus statement 2 is also correct.
  • Any individual who is otherwise eligible to take a loan and has a business plan for a small business enterprise can avail of credit under the scheme.
  • So statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet Jupiter and its three large ocean-bearing moons.
2. Europa Clipper is an interplanetary mission in development by ISRO comprising an orbiter.
3. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System.

Select the correct statements-

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto and Europa – with a suite of remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
  • Europa Clipper is an interplanetary mission in development by NASA comprising an orbiter.
  • It is planned for launch in October 2024, the spacecraft is being developed to study the Galilean moon Europa through a series of flybys while in orbit around Jupiter.
  • So statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System.
  • Thus statement 3 is correct.