Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 19 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 about green deposits is NOT true?

a) Green deposits are similar to regular deposits that banks accept from customers.

b) Banks promise to allocate the money received from green deposits to environment-friendly projects.

c) Green deposits are a type of financial product that allows investors to support environmentally sustainable projects.

d) Green deposits are primarily invested in fossil fuel projects.

Answer: d

Explanation: Green deposits are similar to regular deposits in the sense that they are funds that banks receive from their customers. The major difference is that banks commit to allocating the money received from green deposits towards environment-friendly projects. This means the money is earmarked for initiatives promoting sustainability and combating climate change, such as renewable energy projects. Green deposits are just one component of a broader range of financial products, including green bonds and green shares, which enable investors to contribute to environmentally sustainable projects.

The statement that green deposits are primarily invested in fossil fuel projects is false. In fact, banks that offer green deposits typically avoid using these funds to invest in activities that are considered harmful to the climate, such as fossil fuel projects. Green deposits aim to direct the money towards initiatives that have a positive environmental impact.

Q2. Which of the following statements about lumpy skin disease is true?

a) Lumpy skin disease is caused by the smallpox virus.

b) Lumpy skin disease is a zoonotic virus that can infect humans.

c) Lumpy skin disease is primarily spread through direct contact with infected animals.

d) Lumpy skin disease can be transmitted through contaminated feeding and water troughs.

Answer: d

Explanation: Lumpy skin disease is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the genus Capripoxvirus and is part of the poxviridae family. It is important to note that smallpox and monkeypox viruses also belong to the same family. However, lumpy skin disease is not caused by the smallpox virus.

Lumpy skin disease is a contagious vector-borne disease which can spread through vectors such as mosquitoes, some biting flies, and ticks. The disease primarily affects host animals such as cows and water buffaloes.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretions, which can contaminate common feeding and water troughs. This means that lumpy skin disease can spread through direct contact with the vectors but can also be transmitted through contaminated fodder and water. Preventing the disease by ensuring proper hygiene and avoiding contact with contaminated sources is crucial.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC):

1. ONDC is an interoperable network based on the BeckN protocol that allows various platforms to connect and operate seamlessly regardless of their size.

2. The network consists of different entities known as 'Network Participants,' which include Buyer Applications, Seller Applications, and Gateways responsible for search and discovery.

3. ONDC facilitates the shift from a platform-centric approach to a network-centric approach, enabling buyers and sellers to interact without the requirement of using the same application.

4. ONDC primarily focuses on promoting the discoverability of local digital stores within a specific industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 2, and 3 only

b) 1, 2, and 4 only

c) 1, 3, and 4 only

d) 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 4 is incorrect: The actual focus of ONDC is to break down silos in digital commerce and enable platforms of varying configurations to connect and operate seamlessly. While the discoverability of local digital stores is a potential benefit, it is not the primary objective.

Q4.Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?

a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms.

b) Neem coating slows down the rate of distribution of urea in the soil

c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into the atmosphere by crop fields.

d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops.

Answer: b

Explanation: Spraying urea with Neem oil slows the released nitrogen by about 10 to 15 per cent, concomitantly the consumption of the fertiliser. Many research studies in Ind have conclusively established that Neem oil acts as a effective nitrification inhibitor if coated onto urea.

Q5. The Zojila tunnel, once completed, will connect which two regions?

a) Srinagar and Jammu

b) Srinagar and Shimla

c) Srinagar and Leh

d) Srinagar and Uttarakhand

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and is expected to be Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, boasting a length of 14.15 km. The tunnel will connect Srinagar and Leh. The upcoming Zojila tunnel will provide perennial connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country. This will benefit civilians living and employed in the region and the military by expediting the movement of troops and supplies in this vitally important strategic region.