Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (26 August 2023)

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

Date: 26 August 2023

1. In the context of 'The International Lunar Research Station’, consider the following statements:

1. The station would be built on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit and would conduct scientific research such as lunar exploration and utilisation.
2. Russia and China will follow the principles of co-consultation, collaborative construction, and mutual gain.
3. Extensive cooperation inside the ILRS will be encouraged, and this chance will be available to all interested countries and international partners.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The International Lunar Research Station, which would be established on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit, would conduct scientific research operations such as lunar exploration and utilisation, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experimentation, and technical verification. Russia participates in the International Space Station, a livable artificial satellite and the single largest man-made structure in low earth orbit. Russia and China will follow the principles of dialogue, cooperative construction, and mutual gain. Extensive collaboration inside the ILRS will be encouraged, and this opportunity will be available to all interested countries and international partners. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements, with refernce to Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS):

1. It is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan.
2. It is home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists.
3. Due to the abundance tiger population it is a part of tiger corridor.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Recently the ‘in-principal’ approval has been given to declare the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan as a Tiger Reserve. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan. It is known for Indian wolves, four-horned antelope and leopards.
  • It is also home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
  • There is no documented history of the tiger population in the Kumbhalgarh forest and KWS has never been part of any tiger corridor. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

3. Consider the following statements with reference to ‘Minimum Export Price’:

Statement 1 – The government fixes MEP for the selected commodities to arrest domestic price rise under Foreign Trade (Development And Regulation) Act, 1992
Statement 2 – The application of MEP helps farmers/exporters realize better and remunerative prices

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:

  • Minimum export price is imposed in view of the rising domestic retail/wholesale price or production disruptions in the country. It is a kind of quantitative restriction to trade. The government fixes MEP for the selected commodities to arrest domestic price rises and augment domestic supply under Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • This is intended to be imposed for short durations and is removed when situations change. The removal of MEP helps farmers/exporters realize better and remunerative prices. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

4. Consider the following statements, with reference ‘XV summit of BRICS’:

1. It was hosted by India for the first time since the inception.
2. ‘Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development’ was the theme of the summit.

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: (D)

Explanation: It was hosted by South Africa for the third time since the inception of BRICS. ‘BRICS in Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism’ was the theme of the summit. 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg from 22-24 August 2023. Hence, both statements are incorrect.

5. ‘Equal Contrast Technique’ seen in news recently is mostly used for:

(a) Medical imaging
(b) 3D printing
(c) Detect gravitational waves
(d) Sun analysis

Answer: (D)

Explanation: A new methodology called Equal Contrast Technique (ECT) developed to analyze images of the Sun in white light can help obviate temporal and latitudinal variations in observations related to instrument and sky conditions. It can help in accurate analysis of the historic time series of images of Sun and in understanding the dynamics of the sun, solar cycle variations, dynamo processes in the convection zone and resulting long term climatic variations on the earth. Hence, option (d) is correct.