Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 10 Mar 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. What is the tripartite IBSA forum?

A) A forum for cooperation between India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka

B) A forum for cooperation between India, Brazil, and South Africa

C) A forum for cooperation between India, Bhutan, and Singapore

D) A forum for cooperation between India, Myanmar, and Thailand

Answer: B

Explanation: The tripartite IBSA forum is a group of three emerging economies: India, Brazil, and South Africa. The IBSA acronym stands for the initials of the three countries. The forum was established in 2003 to promote cooperation between the three countries in various areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, education, and culture.

The IBSA forum is an important forum for South-South cooperation and a potential counterbalance to the traditional dominance of the developed countries in global governance. The forum is also a potential platform for promoting the interests of the developing countries in multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

The grouping was formalized and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum when the three countries' Foreign Ministers met in Brasilia on 6 June 2003 and issued the Brasilia Declaration. India is the current IBSA Chair.

Five IBSA Leadership Summits have been held so far. The 5th IBSA Summit was held in Pretoria on 18 October 2011.

Q2. What is Carbon Sequestration?

A) It is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

B) It is the process of converting carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis

C) It is the process of reducing carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy

D) It is the process of extracting carbon from the soil to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Answer: A

Explanation: Carbon Sequestration is a process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or other sources. The primary objective of carbon sequestration is to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is one of the primary greenhouse gases responsible for global warming and climate change.

Carbon sequestration can be achieved through various methods, such as natural, geological, and terrestrial carbon sequestration.

Natural carbon sequestration involves the uptake of CO2 by plants during photosynthesis, which is then stored in the form of organic matter in soil and biomass.

Geological carbon sequestration involves capturing CO2 from large point sources such as power plants and storing it in deep geological formations.

Terrestrial carbon sequestration involves the management of land and forests to increase the amount of carbon stored in soil and vegetation.

Carbon sequestration is an important strategy for mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is being actively pursued by various countries, including India, as a means of achieving their climate targets.

Q3. What are the functions of NAAC?

A) To provide financial aid to India’s higher educational institutions

B) To assess the quality of India’s higher educational institutions

C) To regulate the admission process of India’s higher educational institutions

D) To oversee the conduct of examinations in India’s higher educational institutions

Answer: B

Explanation: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 to assess and accredit India’s higher educational institutions based on their quality standards. NAAC follows a multi-layered assessment process that includes evaluating the institutions' curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and financial well-being. Based on the assessment, NAAC awards grades to colleges and universities, ranging from A++ to C, and if an institution is graded D, it means it is not accredited.

Although the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued many circulars directing institutes to undergo NAAC’s assessment mandatorily, the process remains largely voluntary. However, the National Education Policy (2020) aims to get all higher educational institutions to obtain the highest level of accreditation within the next 15 years.

As of January 31, 2023, only 418 universities and 9,062 colleges out of the 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges in the All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2020-21 were NAAC-accredited, according to information shared by the Centre in Lok Sabha in February.

Q4. What is the process of appointment to the Election Commission of India?

A) The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner

B) The Prime Minister appoints the Election Commissioners with the advice of the President

C) The Chief Election Commissioner appoints the other Election Commissioners

D) The Election Commissioners are elected by the Members of Parliament

Answer: A

Explanation: The Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country.

Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislature, the office of the President of India and the office of the Vice President of India shall be vested in the election commission.

Presently, the Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners. They hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years.

Q5. Which countries signed an MoU on semiconductors Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership following the Commercial Dialogue 2023?

A) India and the U.S

B) China and South Korea

C) United States and Canada

D) France and Germany

Answer: A

Explanation: India and the United States have signed an MoU on semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership following the Commercial Dialogue 2023.

The MoU seeks to establish a collaborative mechanism between the two governments on Semiconductor Supply chain resiliency and diversification in view of the US’s CHIPS and Science Act and India’s Semiconductor Mission.

The India-US Commercial Dialogue was also re-launched today to discuss cooperation for unlocking new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.