Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (31 August 2023)


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

Date: 31 August 2023


1. Consider the following statements, with reference to Self-Respect Marriages:

1. In Self-Respect Marriages, a couple can declare themselves married without the presence of a priest.
2. The self-respect marriages was recognized by the Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1967.
3. These marriages are exempted from registration as per the law.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently Supreme Court notified that ‘Self-respect’ marriages in Tamil Nadu don’t need public solemnization. It allows a couple to solemnize their marriage through a joint declaration to live as husband and wife in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons. Section 7-A of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 deals with the special provision on “self-respect and secular marriages”. It legally recognises “any marriage between any two Hindus”, which can be referred to as “suyamariyathai” or “seerthiruththa marriage” or by any other name. Self-respect marriages allows a couple to tie a knot in the absence of a priest, through a written or an oral declaration. In this type of marriage, a Hindu couple is not needed to follow any religious practices and can be declared married to each other in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons. It is extended only to the state of Tamil Nadu. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Vyommitra:

1. It is an AI enabled robot that will accompany astronauts in the unmanned GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) Mission.
2. It has been designed, developed and integrated indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

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: Vyommitra's mission is to perform specific tasks in order to analyse how astronauts might behave. The robot was designed, developed, and integrated by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU). An AI-enabled robot is designed to ride aboard a rocket and survive stress and vibrations while in flight. It has the ability to speak, see and make facial expressions, it has been created to resemble a human. Vyommitra will accompany astronauts on manned missions in addition to the unmanned Gaganyaan mission. She will mimic every action that astronauts are required to take and respond to them in two languages. She will monitor via module parameters that can alert, carry out life support procedures, carry out tasks like operating switch panels and imitate other human actions in space throughout the un-crewed flight. Vyommitra will also acquire a digital twin, which would be built through collaboration with academic institutions such as the IITs. Hence, both statements are correct.

3. The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, which is recently seen in the news, is located in which state?

(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Assam
(d) Himachal Pradesh

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or the Hollongapar Reserve Forest, was renamed on May 25, 2004. It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest in Assam's Jorhat district. The sanctuary is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock, as well as the Bengal slow Loris, the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states. Hence, option (c) is correct.

4. Consider the following statements regarding Smishing:

1. It entails sending bogus text messages to people to deceive them into disclosing critical personal information.
2. Smishing messages generally contain urgent or attractive content designed to compel recipients to act quickly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The term "smishing" is a combination of "SMS" (Short Message Service) and "phishing." Smishing is a type of phishing attack that includes sending bogus SMS messages to someone to fool them into disclosing sensitive personal information such as passwords, credit card details, or other confidential data. Smishing messages generally include urgent or attractive content designed to induce recipients to take immediate action, such as clicking on a malicious link, dialing a phone number, or disclosing sensitive information. Hence, both statements are correct.

5. With reference to Walking Leaves, consider the following statements:

1. They are insects that live in densely forested places and feed on plants.
2. Walking leaves, both male and female, can fly considerable distances.
3. Their arms and legs can regenerate.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Walking Leaves, sometimes known as leaf insects, are insects that resemble leaves. They are any of over 50 species of flat, generally green insects (order Phasmida or Phasmatodea) with a remarkable leaflike appearance. They eat on vegetation and like highly forested places. Their native range stretches from Indian Ocean islands to areas of mainland South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as Papua New Guinea and Australia in the western Pacific. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Males are often smaller than females. They are generally brown or green, with some being somewhat speckled or having serrated edges, similar to nibbled leaves. Female walking leaves are unable to fly. Males can fly short distances since their hind wings are highly developed. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Walking leaves' arms and legs can regenerate. Hence, statement 3 is correct.