Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (24 July 2023)

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

Date: 24 July 2023

1. Consider the following statements, with reference to Degree Days (DD):

Statement 1 – Degree days are measures of how cold or warm a location is and is used to assess the energy needed to keep people comfortable.
Statement 2 – The more extreme the outside temperature, the lower the number of DD and the lower the requirement of energy for space heating or cooling.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but statement II is incorrect.
(d) Statement -I is incorrect but Statement -II is correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Degree days are measures of how cold or warm a location is and is used to assess the energy needed to keep people comfortable. A DD compares the mean outdoor temperatures recorded for a location to a standard temperature. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The more extreme the outside temperature, the higher the number of DD and the higher the requirement of energy for space heating or cooling. A Cooling DD quantifies the energy requirement for cooling while a Heating DD quantifies the energy requirement for heating. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. Bedaquiline, recently seen in news is used to treat which of the following disease?

(a) Cancer
(b) Tuberculosis
(c) Malaria
(d) Hepatitis

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently, Johnson & Johnson's patent on bedaquiline, a key drug for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment, expired on July 18. Bedaquiline is a cornerstone drug for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment. Bedaquiline is used in combination with other medicines to treat tuberculosis patients when the first line of treatment fails to kill the bacteria. Hence, option (b) is correct.

3. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA):

1. E-cigarettes are battery-operated systems that heat a substance (liquid or solid), which contains nicotine and often flavours, to create an aerosol for inhalation.
2. PECA prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India.

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:

  • E-cigarettes are battery-operated systems that heat a substance (liquid or solid), which contains nicotine and often flavours, to create an aerosol for inhalation. E-cigarettes’ aerosols have harmful substances such as nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead, chemicals causing lung diseases such as diacetyl. An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that emits a vaporized solution to inhale. These devices have various names, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, vaporizer cigarettes, vapes, and vape pens. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Ministry of Health and Family welfare launched an online portal for reporting of violations under Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act (PECA). All forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems including e-cigarettes are prohibited under PECA. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

4. Consider the following statements regarding Waterspout:

1. Waterspouts are usually formed on the sea surface only.
2. It is seen mostly in the Polar region.
3. Tornadic waterspouts have the same characteristics as a land tornado.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • A waterspout is a column or funnel of ferociously whirling air that typically forms over the surface of the sea. It resembles a tornado. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Most often, tropical and subtropical regions are where waterspouts develop. But on rare occasions, regions like Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East also record these. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Tornadoes that originate over water or migrate from land to water are referred to as tornadoes with waterspouts. They have many traits with a land tornado. They are linked to violent thunderstorms and frequently come with strong winds, rough seas, significant hail, and perilous lightning. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

5. Consider the following countries:

1. Kazakhstan
2. Turkmenistan
3. Iraq
4. Uzbekistan

How many of the countries given above border the Caspian Sea?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • According to a group of worldwide academics, the world's most significant freshwater sources, including Lake Titicaca in South America and the Caspian Sea between Europe and Asia, have been losing water at a cumulative rate of roughly 22 gigatonnes per year for almost three decades.
  • Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are the five nations that surround the Caspian Sea.

Hence, option (d) is correct.