Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 20 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. The Clean Note Policy of the Reserve Bank of India aims to:

a) Introduce new denominations of banknotes.

b) Improve the security features of currency notes and coins.

c) Increase the circulation of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes.

d) Withdraw all banknotes issued prior to 2005.

Answer: b

Explanation: The Clean Note Policy of the Reserve Bank of India aims to provide the public with good-quality currency notes and coins that have better security features. It focuses on ensuring that the currency in circulation meets the required standards and quality. This policy involves withdrawing soiled notes from circulation and introducing currency notes with enhanced security features.

Q2. The STARS Program is a government-approved education reform initiative in India, financially aided by:

a) World Bank

b) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

c) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

d) Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Answer: a

Explanation: The STARS Program in India is a government-approved education reform initiative that is financially aided by the World Bank. The World Bank provides financial support to facilitate the implementation of the program's objectives and activities to improve the country's education system. Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Program. The program aims to improve the school assessment system and ensure equal education for all. The program comes under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (MoE).

Q3. What is the objective of 'Operation Karuna' launched by India?

a) To provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.

b) To establish military cooperation with Myanmar.

c) To counter the effects of Cyclone Mocha in India.

d) To assist Myanmar in tackling internal conflicts.

Answer: a

Explanation: 'Operation Karuna' launched by India aims to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, which has been devastated by Cyclone Mocha.

Q4. With reference to the Sanchar Saathi portal developed by the Department of Telecom (DoT), consider the following statements:

1. The Sanchar Saathi portal aims to protect mobile phone users from various frauds and provides a citizen-centric platform.

2. Users can check the connections registered under their names through the Sanchar Saathi portal.

3. The portal allows users to report fraudulent or unrequired connections to the Department of Telecom.

4. Users can block mobile phones that have been stolen or lost using the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 2, 3, 4 only

b) 1, 2 and 3 only

c) 2, 3 and 4 only

d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: b

Explanation: Statement 4 is incorrect: The statement incorrectly mentions that users can block mobile phones that have been stolen or lost using the Sanchar Saathi portal. The portal may provide information and assistance regarding reporting stolen or lost phones, but the actual blocking of devices is usually done by the respective mobile service providers.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the European Free Trade Association (EFTA):

1. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organization established to promote free trade and economic integration.

2. EFTA consists of three Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

3. The primary objective of EFTA is to benefit its Member States and their trading partners worldwide.

4. EFTA was established by the Stockholm Convention in 1960.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 3 and 4 only

b) 2 and 4 only

c) 1, 2, and 3 only

d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 2 is incorrect: EFTA comprises four Member States, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. These countries are part of EFTA and engage in free trade among themselves and with other countries.