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

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

Date: 18 September 2023

1. Consider the following statements with reference to the Anorthosite:

1. Anorthosite is a type of sedimentary rock composed predominantly of calcium-rich materials.
2. Anorthosite are found on both the earth’s and the moon’s surface.
3. Anorthosite soil is available in India in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • A hefty supply of the anorthosite soil from Sittampoondi and Kunnamalai villages ensured the Chandrayaan-3 mission's success. Anorthosite, type of intrusive igneous rock composed predominantly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar. It contains Aluminium, Silicon and Calcium, minerals that are high in demand. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Plagioclase – It is a member of the feldspar group (like orthoclase) and is a framework silicate. Plagioclase consists of a solid solution between the albite and anorthite end-members, and together with quartz is the most common of the rock forming minerals. All anorthosites found on Earth consist of coarse crystals, but some samples of the rock taken from the Moon are finely crystalline. Most anorthosites formed during Precambrian times. In India, this soil is available in abundance in places like Sithampoondi and Kunnamalai villages surrounding Namakkal, and also in some areas in Andhra Pradesh and northern parts of the country. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are correct.

2. With reference to Anti-trust laws, consider the following statements:

1. Antitrust laws are regulations that encourage competition by limiting the market power of businesses and corporations.
2. In India, anti-trust provisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Competition Act, 2002.

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: US government commenced anti-trust trial against Google to check its dominance in Search Engine market to eliminate competition and maintain its monopoly. Antitrust laws are regulations that encourage competition by limiting the market power of businesses and corporations. In India, anti-trust provisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Competition Act, 2002. The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises, and regulates combinations (mergers, amalgamations, and acquisitions). Hence, both statements are correct.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to Cosmological Constant:

1. It is a form of matter or energy that acts in opposition to gravity.
2. It is considered equivalent to dark energy.
3. The idea of cosmological constant was first proposed by Albert Einstein.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The cosmological constant is presumably an enigmatic form of matter or energy that acts in opposition to gravity. It is considered by many physicists to be equivalent to dark energy. Albert Einstein, came up with the cosmological constant, which he called the universal constant, in 1915. The cosmological constant was intended to balance certain calculations in his theory of general relativity. At the time, physicists believed the universe was static, neither expanding nor contracting. However, Einstein's work suggested that gravity would cause it to do one or the other. Hence, all statements are correct.

4. With reference to PM Vishwakarma scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to provide subsidised loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to traditional artisans and craftsmen including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers.
2. It is available for rural and urban artisans and craftsmen across India.
3. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) is the nodal ministry of this scheme.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Vishwakarma scheme in New Delhi on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. The scheme is being seen as a means for the government to reach out to the economically marginalised and socially backward communities – particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups. It is a new scheme with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore and is fully funded by the Central government. It aims to provide subsidised loans of up to Rs 2 lakh to traditional artisans and craftsmen including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) is the nodal ministry. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs would provide active support for implementation of the scheme for the wellbeing of the Vishwakarmas. It is available for rural and urban artisans and craftsmen across India. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are correct.

5. Consider the following pairs of UNESCO heritage in danger list and their respective countries:

UNESCO danger list Country
1. Saint Sophia Cathedral Ukraine
2. Lake Turkana Canada
3. Hampi India

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The UN's cultural organisation placed World Heritage Sites in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv on its in danger list. The decision, taken at UNESCO's annual world heritage committee meeting in Riyadh, is a step towards better protection of the historic sites. UNESCO had added Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral and the medieval buildings of the city's Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery site to the list. The two historic sites have remained under permanent threat since the commencement of the war. Kyiv's Saint Sophia cathedral dates back to the 11th century and is one of the city's best-known landmarks. Lviv, the western Ukrainian city near the Polish border, was founded in the late middle ages and its historic centre was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
  • Garamba National Park is located in Congo and Lake Turkana is located in Kenya. Hence, pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
  • India – Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Hampi are the two heritage sites from India placed under the Danger List. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.