Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 2 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.

---

Q1.Which of the following statements is true about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? A. ASEAN was founded in 1967 by five Southeast Asian countries, including India. B. ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization of eight Southeast Asian countries. C. ASEAN's headquarters are located in Singapore. D. India is not a member of ASEAN. Answer: D

Explanation: The statement that ASEAN was founded in 1967 by five Southeast Asian countries, including India (option A), is incorrect. India is not a member of ASEAN. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because ASEAN is currently an intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries, not eight. These countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Option C is also incorrect because while Singapore is a member of ASEAN, ASEAN's headquarters are actually located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Q2.Which of the following statements is/are true about the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) report on oil imports? 1) The report identified India, China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Turkey as countries that banned Russian oil imports after the Ukraine invasion. 2) The report classified India, China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Turkey as 'laundromats' for Western countries that banned imports of Russian-origin crude oil. 3) According to the report, the five countries identified as 'laundromats' are responsible for 70% of Russia's crude oil exports. A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) All of the above Answer: B Explanation: The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) report did not identify India, China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Turkey as countries that banned Russian oil imports after the Ukraine invasion. Instead, the report identified these countries as 'laundromats' for Western countries that banned imports of seaborne Russian-origin crude oil. The report highlights that these five countries imported oil commodities worth €42 billion after the war started on February 24, 2022. Furthermore, the report states that the five countries are responsible for 70% of Russia's crude oil exports.

Q3.Which of the following statements is/are true about psychedelics? 1) Psychedelics alter perception, mood, and thought processing while leaving the person's insight unimpaired. 2) Psychedelics are addictive and highly toxic. 3) The use of psychedelic substances is prohibited under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. A) 1 only B) 2 only C) 3 only D) 1 and 3 only Answer: D Explanation: Psychedelics are a group of drugs that alter perception, mood, and thought-processing while leaving the person's insight unimpaired. Unlike many other illicit drugs, psychedelics are non-addictive and non-toxic. In India, the use of psychedelic substances is prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.

Q4.Which of the following statements about the World Trade Organization (WTO) is/are correct?

1. The WTO was founded in 1995 and is the only international organization dealing with trade rules between countries.

2. The WTO has 164 members, and according to its rules, all decisions are taken through consensus, and any member can exercise a veto.

3. The WTO aims to promote free trade, which is done through trade agreements discussed and signed by the member states.

4. The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s top decision-making body and usually meets every four years.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only

B. 2 and 4 only

C. 1, 3 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The WTO was established on January 1, 1995, and is the only international organization dealing with trade rules between countries.

Statement 2 is correct. The WTO has 164 members, and according to its rules, all decisions are taken through consensus, and any member can exercise a veto.

Statement 3 is correct. The WTO aims to promote free trade, which is done through trade agreements discussed and signed by the member states.

Statement 4 is incorrect. The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s top decision-making body and usually meets every two years, not four years.

Q5.Which of the following statements about Green Hydrogen is/are correct?

1. Green Hydrogen is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.

2. The carbon intensity of Green Hydrogen depends on the carbon neutrality of the source of electricity used.

3. The production of Green Hydrogen is independent of the source of electricity used to generate it.

4. Green Hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2, and 3 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A.

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Green Hydrogen is produced using water electrolysis with electricity generated by renewable energy, such as solar or wind power.

Statement 2 is correct. The carbon intensity of Green Hydrogen depends on the carbon neutrality of the source of electricity used. The more renewable energy in the electricity fuel mix, the “greener” the hydrogen produced.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The production of Green Hydrogen is not independent of the source of electricity used to generate it. Hydrogen's carbon intensity depends on the electricity source's carbon neutrality.

Statement 4 is incorrect. Green Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources and not fossil fuels.