Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 13 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.

---

Q1.Which of the following events coincided with the Sikh festival of Baisakhi in 1919, leading to a tragic incident known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

a) The passage of the Rowlatt Bills curbing the civil liberties of Indians

b) The launch of a non-violent peaceful protest by MK Gandhi

c) The imposition of martial rule in Lahore and Amritsar by Sir Michael O’ Dwyer

d) The harvest of winter crops and the onset of spring

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

The passage of the Rowlatt Bills in 1919 curtailed the civil liberties of Indians, allowing colonial forces to arrest people without any warrant or trial. This led to resentment among Indians, and a movement for independence from British rule had been steadily gaining ground. In defiance of colonial orders and to protest against the Rowlatt Bills, an event was held at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, which coincided with the Sikh festival of Baisakhi. The tragic incident that followed, known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, saw colonial forces under the command of Colonel Dyer open fire on unarmed civilians, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries. The imposition of martial rule in Lahore and Amritsar by Sir Michael O’ Dwyer on April 11 was a prelude to this tragic event, and the order reached Amritsar only on April 14. Gandhi's call for a non-violent peaceful protest had not yet been launched at this time. The harvest of winter crops and onset of spring were traditional events celebrated by the Sikh community at this time, but they were not directly related to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Q2.The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission, launched by the European Space Agency, aims to explore:

a) Jupiter and its icy moons to understand their origin, history, and evolution

b) The largest moon in the Solar System - Ganymede

c) The potentially habitable environments on Jupiter's icy moons

d) All of the above

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

The European Space Agency is launching the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission with the goal of exploring Jupiter and its icy moons to understand their origin, history, and evolution.

The mission aims to thoroughly explore the Solar System’s largest planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, which potentially have habitable environments.

The mission will examine all three moons, but the main focus will be on Ganymede, as it is the largest moon in the Solar System and the only one to generate its own magnetic field. The mission will use remote sensing, geophysical, and in situ instruments to make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its moons.

Q3.What is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and how does it conduct experiments?

a) A device that conducts experiments with subatomic particles

b) A small science experiment used to study subatomic particles

c) A device that collides two beams of particles in opposite directions to smash them head on

d) a and c are correct

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a device built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to conduct experiments with subatomic particles.

The LHC is the world’s largest science experiment and is capable of accelerating two beams of particles in opposite directions and smashing them head-on. The particles used in the LHC experiments are hadrons, which are subatomic particles made up of smaller particles. The LHC typically uses protons, which are made up of quarks and gluons.

Q4.What is UNDEF, and what is its objective?

a) UNDEF is a United Nations General Trust Fund that promotes the democratization of countries

b) UNDEF is a fund that aims to improve the economic conditions of developing nations

c) UNDEF is a fund that supports humanitarian efforts in times of crisis

d) UNDEF is a fund that supports the activities of political parties in developing nations

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is a United Nations General Trust Fund that was created in 2005 by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan.

The objective of UNDEF is to promote the democratization of countries worldwide by funding projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

The majority of UNDEF funds are allocated to local civil society organizations.

Q5.Katchatheevu Island was in the news recently. Where is it located?

(a) East of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(b) West of Lakshadweep Islands

(c) At Palk Strait

(d) South of Sagar Island

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Katchatheevu island is an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait northeast of Rameswaram, 33 km from the Indian coast, but within the maritime boundaries of Sri Lanka.

The island was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It was controlled by the Ramnad Zamindari, centred in Ramanathapuram, and became part of the Madras Presidency during the Raj.

In 1974, an agreement was signed, and the island was ceded to Sri Lanka.