Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (25 August 2023)

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

Date: 25 August 2023

1. Consider the following statements with reference to Astra Missile:

1. ASTRA is an all-weather indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile system.
2. It was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and capable of destroying the targets up to 1000 kilometre.

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: (A)

Explanation: Recently, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully test-fired ASTRA missile off the coast of Goa. ASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft. It is jointly designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and other laboratories of DRDO. The missile has all weather day and night capability. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System integrated with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft is being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). Its range varies from 80-110 kms for version Mk1 and 160kms for version Mk2. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

2. With reference to Mera Bill Mera Adhikar Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice incentive programme that offers cash incentives for uploading invoices.
2. It will be introduced initially in the states of Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat as well as the UTs of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
3. Its objective is to encourage customers to request a bill whenever they make purchases.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The government has announced the launch of the "Mera Bill MeraAdhikaar" Invoice Incentive Scheme starting from September 1, 2023. The "Mera Bill MeraAdhikaar" initiative has been introduced by the Government of India in collaboration with State Governments. It is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice incentive programme that offers cash incentives for uploading invoices. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • It would initially be introduced in the states of Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana, as well as the UTs of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Its objective is to encourage customers to request a bill whenever they make purchases. All invoices issued by GST-registered suppliers to consumers will be eligible for the scheme. A monthly and quarterly draw of lots will be made, and winners will be eligible for cash reward prizes beginning from Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 1 crore. The 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikar' mobile app will be made available on both IOS and Android platforms. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

3. With reference to ‘Methanotrophs’, consider the following statements:

Statement 1 – Methanotrophic microorganisms oxidize methane to harness energy under oxic and anoxic conditions.
Statement 2 – They grow best when the methane concentration is around 5,000-10,000 parts per million (ppm).

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: (B)

Explanation: Methane-utilizing bacteria (methanotrophs) are a diverse group of gram-negative bacteria that are related to other members of the Proteobacteria. Methanotrophic microorganisms oxidise methane to harness energy under oxic and anoxic conditions. They grow best when the methane concentration is around 5,000-10,000 parts per million (ppm). It can grow at low methane concentrations ranging from 200-1,000 ppm. These features make this strain a promising candidate for methane removal technology. Hence, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

4. The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a joint initiative between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and which of the following space agencies?

(a) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
(b) Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
(c) European Space Agency (ESA)
(d) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Indian and Japanese space agencies are collaborating on the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX). It is a joint project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The mission is set to take off in 2025. LUPEX will explore the feasibility of building a base on the Moon, the availability of water ice, and surface exploration technology with a rover and lander. The rover and lander are being developed by JAXA and ISRO, respectively. The rover will carry not only ISRO and JAXA instruments but also those of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Hence option (a) is correct.

5. Consider the following statements, with reference to the Fujiwhara Effect:

1. It is the interaction between two cyclones spinning in the opposite direction.
2. The effect occurs around their common centre of the two cyclones.
3. The occurrence of the Fujiwhara effect helps scientists in forecasting the cyclonic systems.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: When two hurricanes or cyclones, spinning in the same direction, when brought close together, they begin ‘an intense dance around their common centre, this interaction is called the Fujiwhara effect. The interaction could lead to changes in the track and intensity of either or both storms systems. If one hurricane’s intensity overpowers the other, then the smaller one will orbit it and eventually crash into its vortex to be absorbed. If two storms of similar strengths pass by each other, they may gravitate towards each other until they reach a common centre and merge, or merely spin each other around for a while before shooting off on their own paths. In rare instances, the two ‘dancing’ cyclones, if they are intense enough, may merge with one another, leading to the formation of a mega cyclone capable of wreaking havoc along coastlines. The occurrence of the Fujiwhara effect also makes cyclonic systems harder to predict. Hence, only statement 2 is correct.