Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 15 May 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 "Three Parents Baby" born using Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT)?

1. The baby carries genetic material from three different individuals.

2. The fertilization technique was developed by the Newcastle Fertility Clinic.

3. Mitochondrial Donation Treatment is used to prevent mitochondrial disease.

4. The nuclear genetic material from the mother's egg is removed and replaced with the donor's genetic material.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1, 2, and 3 only

c) 1, 3, and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: b

Explanation:

The "Three Parents Baby" refers to a baby born using Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT), which is a technique used to prevent mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down maternally, and mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA.

The MDT technique involves using the sperm from the biological father, the eggs from the biological mother, who has mitochondrial disease, and a third female donor with clear mitochondria. The nuclear genetic material from the donor's egg is removed and replaced with the genetic material from the biological parents, and the resulting egg is implanted in the mother's uterus.

The baby carried most of its DNA from its parents and a small percentage from the donor, whose mitochondria have been used while fertilizing the egg.

Therefore, statement 1 is true, as the baby carries genetic material from three different individuals: the biological mother, the biological father, and the female donor.

Statement 2 is also true, as the Newcastle Fertility Clinic developed and refined the fertilisation technique.

Statement 3 is true, as the purpose of Mitochondrial Donation Treatment is to prevent mitochondrial disease.

Statement 4 is wrong, as the nuclear genetic material from the donor's egg is removed and replaced with the biological parents'.

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal and the naming of the cyclones?

1. Cyclones are low-pressure systems that form over warm waters.

2. The air in a low-pressure situation blows in a clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere.

3. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for naming tropical cyclones.

4. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues advisories to 12 other countries in the region on the development of cyclones and storms.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1, 3, and 4 only

c) 2, 3, and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: b

Explanation: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a developing cyclonic or low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal that can result in high rainfall.

Cyclones are low-pressure systems that form over warm waters, and a high temperature anywhere means the existence of low-pressure air. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

In a depression or low-pressure situation, the air rises and blows in an anticlockwise direction around the low in the northern hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect, which is a result of the earth’s rotation on its axis. As warm air rises and cools, water vapour condenses to form clouds, leading to rainfall. Hence statement 2 is wrong. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for naming tropical cyclones, and cyclones that form in every ocean basin across the world are named by the regional specialized meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs). Hence, statement 3 is correct.

The IMD is an RSMC and is mandated to issue advisories to 12 other countries in the region on the development of cyclones and storms. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Q3. Which of the following statements is true regarding Title 42 in the United States?

a) It was implemented by the Democrats to curb legal and illegal immigration.

b) It allowed border agents to rapidly expel many migrants to the United States.

c) It was implemented to stem the spread of the coronavirus in crowded detention settings.

d) It was criticized by Republican then-President Donald Trump as being ineffective in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Answer: c

Explanation: Title 42, the COVID restrictions implemented in the United States, was first implemented by the Republican then-President Donald Trump in March 2020 to stem the spread of the coronavirus in crowded detention settings. It allowed border agents to rapidly expel many migrants to Mexico. However, some public health experts, Democrats, and advocates criticized its health justification, saying it was part of Trump's goal of curbing legal and illegal immigration.

Q4.Which of the following statements is true regarding the current account deficit (CAD) in India?

a) It is the difference between the demand for the US dollar and the demand for the Indian rupee.

b) It is the difference between exporting and importing goods and services.

c) It is the net effect of the surplus on the trading account and the deficit on the invisible account.

d) It occurs when India exports more goods and services than it imports.

Answer: b

Explanation: The current account deficit (CAD) in India is defined as the difference between exports and imports of goods and services. It is the net effect of the surplus (or deficit) on the invisible account and the deficit (or surplus) on the trading account. In India, there is a huge trade deficit and a smaller surplus on the invisibles, which results in an overall deficit in the current account. This implies that, in monetary terms, India imports more goods and services than it exports. This, in turn, implies that the demand for foreign currency (such as the US dollar) is more than the demand for the Indian rupee.

Q5.Which of the following statements is true regarding the glacial advances witnessed in the Yankti Kuti valley in Uttarakhand?

a) The glacial advances were caused by human activities in the region.

b) The glacial flow direction in the region was not affected by tectonic activities.

c) The Kuthi Yankti River is not related to the glacial advances witnessed in the region.

d) Tectonic activities along a major tributary of the Kali Ganga River could have led to an abrupt change in the glacial flow direction.

Answer: d

Explanation: The events of glacial advances have been witnessed from the Yankti Kuti valley in the extreme eastern part of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. It further suggests that strong tectonic activities that occurred several thousands of centuries ago along a major tributary of the Kali Ganga river in the present-day Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand could have led to an abrupt change in the glacial flow direction. Therefore, option d is the correct answer.