Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 16 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 does Article 153 of the Indian Constitution state?

A) There shall be a Governor for each Union Territory

B) There shall be a Governor for each State

C) There shall be a Lieutenant Governor for each Union Territory

D) None of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Article 153 of the Indian Constitution lays down that there shall be a Governor for each State. This means that every State in India should have a Governor who acts as the constitutional head of the State.

The Governor is appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal, as per Article 155. Under Article 156, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President, but his normal term of office is five years. The Governor must also fulfil specific qualifications, as specified in Articles 157 and 158 of the Constitution.

Q2.What is the AUKUS partnership, and what are its objectives?

A) A partnership between India, the US, and Australia to tackle climate change in the Indo-Pacific region

B) A partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US to bolster Australia's naval heft in the Indo-Pacific region and to deploy nuclear-powered submarines

C) A partnership between China, Russia, and North Korea to increase their military presence in the Indo-Pacific region

D) A partnership between ASEAN countries to promote economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region

Answer: B

Explanation: AUKUS is a defence partnership formed between Australia, the UK, and the US in 2021. Its main objective is to help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China's growing influence. The partnership will involve the transfer of technology and expertise to Australia from the UK and the US, which will help it build and operate nuclear-powered submarines. The AUKUS partnership will also involve joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and other forms of cooperation between the three countries.

Q3.Which of the following statements is/are true about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

1)The IPCC was set up by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.

2)The IPCC engages in scientific research to assess the state of knowledge of climate change.

3)The IPCC produces Assessment Reports, special reports, and methodology reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change.

4)The IPCC’s Assessment Reports are widely accepted scientific evaluations of the Earth’s climate and form the basis for government policies to tackle climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1, 2, and 4 only

C) 1 and 4 only

D) 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer: A

Explanation:

The IPCC was set up by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988. This makes statement 1 true.

However, the IPCC does not itself engage in scientific research. Instead, it asks scientists from around the world to go through all the relevant scientific literature related to climate change and draw up logical conclusions. Therefore, statement 2 is false.

The IPCC produces Assessment Reports, special reports, and methodology reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change. This makes statement 3 true.

Finally, the IPCC’s Assessment Reports are widely accepted scientific evaluations of the Earth’s climate and form the basis for government policies to tackle climate change. This makes statement 4 true.

Q4.Which of the following statements is/are true about the MPLAD Scheme?

1)Under the MPLAD Scheme, MPs can recommend development programmes involving the spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies.

2)MPs and MLAs receive money directly under the MPLAD Scheme.

3)The MPLAD Scheme guidelines focus on creating durable community assets.

4)The MPLAD Scheme was announced by Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao in Rajya Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 3 only

b) 1, 2, and 3 only

c) 1 and 4 only

d) 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Explanation:

Under the MPLAD Scheme, MPs can recommend development programmes involving the spending of Rs 5 crore every year in their respective constituencies. This makes statement 1 true.

However, the MPs and MLAs do not receive any money under these schemes. The government transfers it directly to the respective local authorities. Therefore, statement 2 is false.

The MPLAD Scheme guidelines focus on creating durable community assets like roads, school buildings, etc. This makes statement 3 true.

Finally, the scheme was announced by Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao in Lok Sabha, not in Rajya Sabha. Therefore, statement 4 is false.

Q5.Which of the following statements is/are true about SHESHA?

1)SHESHA is a novel, compact helical-shaped waste converter aimed at managing biodegradable waste generated in small housing societies, restaurants, etc., in situ.

2)SHESHA allows for the centralized processing of biodegradable waste.

3)SHESHA has the potential to generate good quality fuel and manure required for soil applications.

4)The name SHESHA is derived from the serpentine shape of the digester and the Sanskrit name for waste.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2, and 3 only

b) 1 and 4 only

c) 1, 3, and 4 only

d) 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

The SHESHA is a waste converter system aimed at managing biodegradable waste generated in small housing societies, restaurants, etc., in situ. This makes statement 1 true.

However, SHESHA allows for decentralized processing of biodegradable waste, not centralized processing. Therefore, statement 2 is false.

The SHESHA has the potential to generate good quality fuel and manure required for soil applications, making statement 3 true.

Finally, the name SHESHA is derived from the serpentine shape of the digester and the Sanskrit name for waste. This makes statement 4 true.