Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 13 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.Which of the following statements about sickle cell anaemia is correct?

A) It is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells

B) It is a genetic disorder that affects the structure of haemoglobin in red blood cells

C) It can be cured with antibiotics

D) It only affects individuals of European descent

Answer: B)

Explanation: Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that affects the structure of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. In individuals with sickle cell anaemia, the haemoglobin protein is abnormal, causing the red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These abnormal red blood cells can clog blood vessels and reduce oxygen flow to the body's tissues, leading to various health problems. Sickle cell anaemia is most common in individuals of African descent, although it can also affect individuals of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent. There is no cure for sickle cell anaemia, but treatments such as pain management and blood transfusions can help manage the symptoms.

Q2 The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was enacted by the National Democratic Alliance government in India in 2002 to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, and financing of terrorism. Which of the following statements is/are true about the PMLA?

1)The PMLA came into force on July 1, 2005.

2)The PMLA was enacted to prevent the process of converting illegally earned money into legal cash.

3)The PMLA only empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to punish offenders.

A) Only statement 1 is true

B) Only statements 1 and 2 are true

C) Only statements 2 and 3 are true

D) All statements are true

Answer: B)

Explanation: The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was passed by the National Democratic Alliance government in 2002, but it came into force on July 1, 2005. The PMLA was enacted to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, and financing of terrorism by preventing the process of converting illegally earned money into legal cash. The law empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to control money laundering, confiscate property, and punish offenders, but it is not the only agency authorized to do so. The PMLA also established the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information relating to suspicious financial transactions. Therefore, statement 3 is false, and the correct answer is B) Only statements 1 and 2 are true.

Q3. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States government, which of the following statements about adenoviruses is correct?

A) Adenoviruses only affect children with low and compromised immunity.

B) Adenoviruses are spread only through close personal contact.

C) Adenoviruses cause severe illnesses such as Ebola and SARS.

D) Adenoviruses can cause acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and pink eye symptoms.

Answer: D)

Explanation: According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States government, adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause a mild cold or flu-like illness. The virus is usually spread from an infected person to others by close personal contact. Still, it can also be transmitted through the air by coughing, sneezing, and touching an object or surface with adenoviruses. While the virus can affect people of any age group, children with low and compromised immunity are at a higher risk. In addition to common cold or flu-like symptoms, adenoviruses can cause acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pink eye (conjunctivitis), and acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Adenoviruses can cause acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and pink eye symptoms.

Q4.What is the basic principle behind a fluorescence microscope?

A) It views an object by studying how it absorbs visible light.

B) It views an object by studying how it reflects visible light.

C) It views an object by studying how it scatters visible light.

D) It views an object by studying how it re-emits its absorbed light.

Answer: D)

Explanation: The basic principle behind a fluorescence microscope is that it views an object by studying how it re-emits light that it has absorbed, i.e. how it fluoresces. The object is illuminated with light of a specific wavelength, and particles in the object absorb this light and re-emit it at a higher wavelength (i.e. different colour). These particles are called fluorophores, and the object is infused with them before being placed under the microscope. Therefore, options A, B, and C are incorrect. There are versions of fluorescent microscopes with more sophisticated abilities, such as epifluorescence and confocal laser-scanning microscopes, which allow for the more precise imaging of the object being studied.

Q5.What is the Blue Economy?

A) It refers to the economy of countries with a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea.

B) It refers to the economy of countries with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.

C) It refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

D) It refers to using natural gas resources found under the ocean floor.

Answer: C)

Explanation: The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth. This concept emphasizes the importance of preserving the health of the world's oceans while also using them as a source of economic opportunity. The Blue Economy encompasses a range of activities such as fisheries, tourism, renewable energy, shipping, and marine biotechnology. It aims to balance economic development with environmental protection and social well-being.