Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 1 April 2023

Welcome to the RAYACADEMY Daily Current Affairs MCQs! Our focus is to provide you with engaging and informative questions that primarily revolve around current affairs, derived from reliable sources such as 'The Hindu', 'Indian Express', and 'PIB'. Our MCQs test your understanding of factual and conceptual knowledge, which is essential for cracking the UPSC IAS and State PCS prelim exams.

Below are some of Today's Current Affairs MCQs. We hope you make the most of this initiative and wish you all the best in your preparation.

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Q1.Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Foreign Trade Policy (2023)?

1)The policy document is based on the principles of ‘trust’ and ‘partnership’ with exporters.

Revisions to the policy shall be done only after the announcement of a new FTP.

2)The FTP 2023 focuses on process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business for exporters.

3)The policy introduces a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exporters to close old pending authorizations and start afresh.

4)The FTP 2023 encourages the recognition of new towns through the “Towns of Export Excellence Scheme".

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1, 2, and 4 only

B. 1, 3, and 5 only

C. 2, 3, and 4 only

D. 1, 3, 4, and 5

Answer: D. 1, 3, 4, and 5

Explanation:

The Foreign Trade Policy (2023) is a policy document that is based on the continuity of time-tested schemes facilitating exports as well as being nimble and responsive to the requirements of the trade. The policy is based on principles of ‘trust’ and ‘partnership’ with exporters. Hence, statement 1 is true.

In the FTP 2015-20, changes were done after the initial release, even without the announcement of a new FTP, responding dynamically to emerging situations. Hereafter, the revisions of the FTP shall be done as and when required. Hence, statement 2 is false.

The FTP 2023 aims at process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business for exporters. It also focuses on emerging areas like dual-use high-end technology items under SCOMET, facilitating e-commerce export, and collaborating with States and Districts for export promotion. Hence, statement 3 is true.

The new FTP is introducing a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exporters to close old pending authorizations and start afresh. Hence, statement 4 is true.

The FTP 2023 encourages the recognition of new towns through the “Towns of Export Excellence Scheme” and exporters through the “Status Holder Scheme”. Hence, statement 5 is true.

Therefore, statements 1, 3, 4, and 5 are true, and the correct answer is option D.

Q2. What was the main issue raised in the Vaikom Satyagraha launched in 1924?

A. The prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from walking on the roads surrounding temples

B. The prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from entering temples

C. The prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from using public facilities

D. The prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from voting in elections

Answer: B. The prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from entering temples

Explanation: The Vaikom Satyagraha, launched in 1924, was a non-violent agitation against the prohibition of lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas from entering temples in the temple town of Vaikom in the princely state of Travancore. The lower castes were considered polluting, and various rules were in place to distance them from the upper castes. The movement aimed to open up the four roads around the temple to lower castes, and it marked the beginning of “temple entry movements” across the country. The Vaikom Satyagraha also brought Gandhian methods of nonviolent protest to Travancore, and it foregrounded social reform.

Q3.Which of the following statements about the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is/are correct?

1)CPTPP is a free trade agreement (FTA) between 10 countries.

2)The CPTPP was signed by the 10 countries on 8 March 2018 in Santiago, Chile.

3)The CPTPP incorporates, by reference, the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement (signed but not yet in force), with the exception of a limited set of suspended provisions.

4)The 11 countries have a shared vision of the CPTPP as a platform that is open to others to join if they are able to meet its high standards.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1, 2 and 3 only

C) 1, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: C) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement (FTA) between 11 countries - Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. So, statement 1 is correct.

The CPTPP was signed by the 11 countries (not 10) on 8 March 2018 in Santiago, Chile. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

The CPTPP incorporates, by reference, the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement (signed but not yet in force), except a limited set of suspended provisions. This means the CPTPP is a separate treaty built upon the TPP Agreement. So, statement 3 is correct.

The 11 countries have a shared vision of the CPTPP as a platform that is open to others to join if they can meet its high standards. This statement is correct, and hence, statement 4 is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is c) 1, 3 and 4 only.

Q4. Which of the following statements about the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is/are correct?

1)The NMNF has been formulated as a separate and independent scheme from 2023-24 by upscaling the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddati (BPKP).

2)The success of NMNF requires a behavioural change in farmers to shift from chemical-based inputs to cow-based, locally produced inputs.

3)Natural Farming is a way of chemical-free farming based on desi cow and locally available resources, with no chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: C) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has been formulated as a separate and independent scheme from 2023-24 by upscaling the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddati (BPKP). Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

The success of NMNF requires a behavioural change in farmers to shift from chemical-based inputs to cow-based locally produced inputs. The NMNF aims to motivate farmers to adopt chemical-free farming and enhance the reach of natural farming and thus requires continuous creation of awareness, training, handholding, and capacity building of farmers in the initial years. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.

Natural Farming is a way of chemical-free farming based on desi cow and locally available resources, with no chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It promotes traditional indigenous practices which give freedom to farmers from externally purchased inputs and is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm desi cow dung-urine formulation; managing pests through diversity, on-farm botanical concoctions, and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs directly or indirectly. Emphasis is given to improving natural nutrient cycling and increasing organic matter in the soil, which can help with climate change resilience and carbon sequestration in soils. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

Q5. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in

A) The matter of creating new All India services

B) Amending the Constitution

C) The removal of the Government

D) Making cut motion

Answer: B) Amending the Constitution

Explanation: According to Article 368, a bill to amend the constitution can be introduced in either House of the Parliament, and both the houses have the equal powers with respect to the Constitutional Amendment Bill. Hence, B is correct.

According to Article 312, the Rajya Sabha has exclusive power in the matter of creating All India Services. Hence, A is wrong.

According to Article 75(3), the Government is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Hence C is wrong.

Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations with regards to the making cut motion. Hence D is wrong.