Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (30 August 2023)

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

Date: 30 August 2023

1. Consider the following statements with reference to Article 35A:

1. Article 35A empowered the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir to define the permanent residents of the state of J&K.
2. Article 35A falls outside the purview of the judicial review.
3. Article 35A is not defined in the original constitution.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Article 35A empowered the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature to define “permanent residents” of the State and provide them special privileges. ‘Permanent residents’ included people who were hereditary State subjects as in 1927, when J&K was a princely state prior to its accession to the Indian Dominion in 1947. Article 35A had enjoyed a status over and above the Ninth Schedule (laws outside the ambit of judicial review) of the Constitution. Article 35A was introduced through the Constitution Order, 1954 issued by the President under Article 370. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following statements regarding Nabhmitra:

1. It is a two-way messaging services device that uses satellite-based communication to ensure safety of the fisherman.
2. The device is developed by Department of Fisheries.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Nabhmitra is the satellite-based communication system that enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea. Nabhmitra is a device developed by ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) for the safety of fishermen.
  • Weather and cyclone warnings will be communicated in the local language to the fishermen. The boats can also send distress messages to the authorities. In emergency situations like capsizing and fire, fishermen can press a button on the device and get in touch with the control centre. Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

3. With reference to SVAMITVA Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a central sector scheme that aims to establish clear ownership of property in rural areas with issuance of legal ownership cards to the property owners.
2. It uses drone technology for mapping land parcels to ‘Record of Rights’ to village households.

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: SVAMITVA scheme under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) won the National Award for e-Governance 2023. It is a central sector scheme that aims to establish clear ownership of property in rural areas with issuance of legal ownership cards to the property owners. It uses drone technology for mapping land parcels to ‘Record of Rights’ to village households. Scheme covers multifarious aspects viz. facilitating monetisation of properties and enabling bank loan; reducing property related disputes; comprehensive village level planning etc. Hence, both statements are correct.

4. With reference to Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV), consider the following statements:

1. These are a modified version of vehicles that could run on a blend of petrol and ethanol.
2. Engine damage is more in FFVs than in the normal vehicles.
3. Flex-fuel vehicles run on hybrid electric technology.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV) have engines that can run on flexible fuel — a combination of petrol and ethanol, which can include up to 100% ethanol. When FFV is integrated along with strong hybrid electric technology, it is referred as FFV-SHEVs. Strong hybrid is another term for full hybrid vehicles, which have the capability to run solely on either electric or petrol modes. Ethanol can also, unfortunately, cause corrosion and damage to the engine, mainly because it absorbs dirt easily. FFVs differ from bi-fuel vehicles that use separate tanks for each fuel, like compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Hence, only statement 2 is incorrect.

5. Picoflare Jets, recently seen in the news is related to:

(a) The supersonic passenger jets that could fly from New York to London in only 90 minutes
(b) The wind jets that emanate during collision of two alike cyclones
(c) The jets that emanate from structures on the Sun’s corona
(d) The jets that emanate from the northern and southern lights of Auroras

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Picoflare Jets emanate from structures on the corona called coronal holes where the sun's magnetic field stretches into space rather than back into the star. They are relatively small in size. These jets could actually be a major source of mass and energy to sustain the solar wind. Hence, option (c) is correct.