Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (29 September 2023)

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

Date: 29 September 2023

1. With reference to Atal Pension Yojana (APY), consider the following statements:

1. APY is a flagship social security scheme launched under Ministry of Finance.
2. It, replaced Swavalamban scheme, provides minimum guaranteed pension for people in unorganized sector to all bank account holders in age group of 18 to 40 years.
3. Subscriber would receive guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month after attaining age of 60 years, depending on contribution.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has requested the government to increase the guaranteed pension amount under APY. APY is a flagship social security scheme launched under Ministry of Finance. It, replaced Swavalamban scheme, provides minimum guaranteed pension for people in unorganized sector to all bank account holders in age group of 18 to 40 years. Subscriber would receive guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month after attaining age of 60 years, depending on contribution. It is administered by PFRDA under National Pension System. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements with reference to India Ageing Report, 2023:

1. India has the world’s highest old age population.
2. Kerala has the lowest old age population in India.
3. It is jointly released by Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Recently the India Ageing Report, 2023 was jointly released by the International Institute for Population Sciences and the United Nations Population Fund. By 2050, the share of the elderly in India’s total population can reach more than 20 %. The number of working age people in the age group of 15-59 years will decrease. Women will live longer than men, due to which the number of older women will be more than older men. The elderly population of India currently estimated to be at 41% and the percentage of elderly population in the country projected to double to over 20% of total population by 2050. By 2046 it is likely that elderly population will have surpassed the population of children (aged 0 to 15 years) in the country. The report called for a special focus on older persons in disaster-preparedness plans that are formulated. Monaco has the highest old age population in the world. In India, Kerala has the highest old age population. Hence, all statements are incorrect.

3. Consider the following statements with reference to Micro Earthquakes:

1. It is a low intensity earthquake with a magnitude of 2.0 or less.
2. They occur only along the coastal boundaries of the continent.

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: The frequent occurrence of the Micro earthquake may be the reason for the sinking of the Joshimath, Uttarakhand. An earthquake having a magnitude (M) less than 2.0 is termed as Micro Earthquake. India is located in a seismically active region where 59% of India's land mass is prone to earthquakes. Joshimath region of Uttarakhand falls in the highest seismic zone of India. The seismic activity of micro earthquakes is normal in Joshimath region. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

4. Consider the following statements regarding the Conocarpus tree:

1. It is an invasive species of mangrove.
2. It is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.
3. Flowering in this tree takes place in summer and the particles spreading from it causes cold, coughing, asthma, allergy etc. harms to human beings nearby.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • It is an invasive mangrove species, recently banned by Gujarat government. Earlier, Telangana government had also banned it. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Conocarpus is a genus of two species of flowering plants in family of Combretaceae, native to tropical regions of the world. It is widely used in public spaces for its ornamental looks. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Flowering in this tree takes place in winter and the particles spreading from it causes cold, coughing, asthma, allergy etc. harms to human beings nearby. Roots of this species go deep inside soil and develop extensively, damaging telecommunication lines, drainage lines and freshwater systems. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

5. Sonobuoys, recently seen in news is related to which of the following?

(a) To take underwater photographs.
(b) Detection and analysis of sound in the ocean.
(c) To avoid oil spills.
(d) Measurement of oceanic currents and tides.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Sonobuoys are small, disposable devices that are used in underwater acoustics and sonar systems to detect and analyze sound in the ocean, particularly for detecting submarines and other underwater objects. Sonobuoys are dropped into the ocean from aircraft or launched from ships or submarines. They dive to a predetermined depth and start listening for acoustic signals, assisting in the identification of potential submarine threats. Multiple sonobuoys can be deployed in a pattern to pinpoint a target's exact location. Hence, option (b) is correct.