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

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

Date: 30 September 2023

1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Sankalp Saptaah' initiative:

1. It is designed to facilitate the implementation of the Tribal Area Development Programme (TADP ).
2. This program includes panchayat and block-level people's representatives and functionaries from across the country at Adivaraha Mandapam.
3. The themes for the first six days include "Sampoorna Swasthya," "Suposhit Parivar," "Swachhta," "Krishi," "Shiksha," and "Samridhi Diwas."

How many of the above statements are correct?

(A) Only one
(B) Only two
(C) All three
(D) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Sankalp Saptaah is closely linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).

The Aspirational Blocks Program (Launched in 2023) takes its cues from the Aspirational District Programme initiated in 2018, encompassing 112 districts across India. The central objective of the ABP is to elevate governance standards and improve the overall quality of life in 500 Aspirational Blocks, spanning 329 districts throughout the country.

Tribal area development programs include-

Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

The inaugural program includes approximately 3,000 panchayat and block-level people's representatives and functionaries from across the country at Bharat Mandapam.

Bharat Mandapam is a massive International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre in New Delhi, India, managed by ITPO. It hosted the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit, the first G20 summit held in India, from September 9 to 10, 2023.

Adi Varaha Mandapam, part of the Mahabalipuram rock-cut cave temples, is located near the Shore Temple and Rathas in the hilltop town of Mamallapuram. It represents late seventh-century Indian rock-cut architecture and stands as an excellent specimen of ancient Hindu cave architecture.

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Sankalp Saptah will be observed in all 500 aspirational blocks. Each day of Sankalp Saptah focuses on a specific development theme. The themes for the first six days include "Sampoorna Swasthya," "Suposhit Parivar," "Swachhta," "Krishi," "Shiksha," and "Samridhi Diwas." Hence statement 3 is correct.

2. Consider the following statements about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act):

1. It is designed to protect children under 18 from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography.
2. It introduced the death penalty for aggravated penetrative sexual assault of a child under the POCSO (Amendment) Act 2022.
3. The law panel advised keeping the age of consent at 18 in the Protection of Children from

Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) but suggested a more lenient approach for cases involving adolescents aged 16 to 18.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(A) Only one
(B) Only two
(C) All three
(D) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) is a pivotal legal framework in India dedicated to combatting child sexual abuse. Enacted in 2012, this Act falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD). Its primary purpose is to safeguard individuals under the age of 18 from various forms of sexual offenses, including assault, harassment, and pornography. Hence statement 1 is correct.

The Act was further reviewed and amended in 2019 to Introduce more stringent punishment including the death penalty for Committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Recently, the Law panel, headed by Justice (Retired) Ritu Raj Awasthi, advised keeping the age of consent at 18 in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) but suggested a more lenient approach for cases involving adolescents aged 16 to 18. Hence statement 3 is correct.

3. Consider the following statements regarding MNREGA:

1. Gram Sabha Selects the Social Audit Committee under MNREGA.
2. It is based on an Act (MGNREGA) passed in 2005, which makes a legislative commitment to provide the right to work.
3. 100 days for every household in the village whose adult members are ready to work.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(A) Only one
(B) Only two
(C) All three
(D) None

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The 73rd Amendment of the Constitution empowered the Gram Sabhas to conduct social audits in Mnrega in addition to other functions. Gram Sabha also Selects the Social Audit Committee under MNREGA. Hence statement 1 is correct.

The MGNREG is the world's largest public employment program, administered by India's Ministry of Rural Development and established under the MGNREGA Act of 2005, legally ensuring the right to work. Hence statement 2 is correct.

To enhance the livelihood security of people by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled work. Hence statement 3 is correct

4. Which of the following scientific terms refers to crops that yield significantly more per hectare than traditional variants and were a central focus of the Green Revolution?

A) Low-Yielding Varieties (LYVs)
B) High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs)
C) Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
D) Traditional Crop Varieties (TCVs)

Answer: (B)

Explanation: High-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops are those that yield significantly more per hectare than traditional variants. These varieties, often disease-resistant and possessing increased tolerance to conditions such as drought, were a central focus of the Green Revolution. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan played a crucial role in introducing and promoting HYVs in India, contributing significantly to the country's agricultural productivity and food security.

5. Consider the following statements regarding the Green Revolution:

1. Dr. Norman Borlaug is known as the 'Father of Green Revolution' in India.
2. The word “Green Revolution” was coined by William S. Gaud of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1968.
4. India adopted IR8 a semi-dwarf rice variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that could produce more grains of rice per plant.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(A) Only one
(B) Only two
( C) three
(D) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Green Revolution came to India in 1961 during a critical period when the nation faced the threat of famine. Driven by the efforts of Norman Borlaug, who was invited to India by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, an advisor to the Indian Minister of Agriculture, this transformative initiative earned Dr. Swaminathan the title of the "Father of the Green Revolution in India." Guided by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Green Revolution took full form in 1968, notably boosting food grain production in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

The word “Green Revolution” was coined by William S. Gaud of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1968. Hence statement 2 is correct

India began its own Green Revolution program of plant breeding, irrigation development, and financing of agrochemicals. India soon adopted IR8 a semi-dwarf rice variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that could produce more grains of rice per plant when grown with certain fertilizers and irrigation. Hence statement 3 is correct.