Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 21 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.Which of the following statements is true regarding the 'herSTART' platform launched by Gujarat University?

A) It is a start-up platform dedicated to women entrepreneurs.

B) It is a start-up platform dedicated to tribal entrepreneurs.

C) It is a start-up platform dedicated to educating entrepreneurs.

D) It is a start-up platform dedicated to science and innovation.

Answer: A) It is a start-up platform dedicated to women entrepreneurs.

Explanation: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched 'herSTART' – a start-up platform of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, which is dedicated to women entrepreneurs. The platform aims to boost women entrepreneurs' innovation and start-up efforts and connect them with various government and private enterprises. The passage clearly states that the President expressed her happiness in inaugurating a start-up platform dedicated to women entrepreneurs.

Q2.Which of the following statements is true regarding the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

A) IPCC is an intergovernmental organization that aims to provide policy-relevant information on climate change.

B) IPCC is a non-governmental organization that aims to promote climate change denial.

C) IPCC is a government agency that provides climate change information to the private sector.

D) IPCC is a non-profit organization that aims to promote renewable energy sources.

Answer: A) IPCC is an intergovernmental organization that aims to provide policy-relevant information on climate change.

Explanation: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a body of the United Nations, established in 1988, that provides scientific information to policymakers regarding climate change. It is a platform for international cooperation on climate change research and policy, and it is composed of experts from around the world. The IPCC aims to assess the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the risks and impacts of climate change, as well as potential response options.

Q3.What is OROP, implemented by the Narendra Modi government in 2015?

A) One Rank, One Pay scheme for Central Government employees

B) One Rent, One Person scheme for urban housing

C) One Road, One Permit scheme for interstate transport

D) One Rank, One Pension scheme for Armed Forces personnel and family pensioners

Answer: D) One Rank, One Pension scheme for Armed Forces personnel and family pensioners

Explanation: One Rank, One Pension (OROP) is a scheme that aims to provide equal pensions to military personnel who retire at the same rank and with the same length of service, regardless of the date of retirement. The scheme was implemented by the Narendra Modi government in 2015 for the Armed Forces personnel and family pensioners. It provides an equal pension for the same rank and length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement. The revision of pension under OROP was approved by the union cabinet in December 2020, with arrears to be paid in four half-yearly instalments, except for family pensioners who will receive it in one instalment.

Q4. What is the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA)?

A) A scheme for the conservation and management of identified wetlands in the country

B) A plan for the conservation of aquatic species in the country

C) A programme for the development of fisheries in the country

D) A campaign to create awareness about the importance of wetlands

Answer: A) A scheme for the conservation and management of identified wetlands in the country

Explanation: The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) is a centrally sponsored scheme for the conservation and management of identified wetlands in the country on a cost-sharing basis between the Central Government and respective State Governments/Union Territories. The scheme covers various activities such as interception, diversion, and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lakefront development, in-situ cleaning, i.e. desilting & de-weeding, stormwater management, bioremediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey & demarcation, bio-fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation, education and awareness creation, community participation, etc. Under the NPCA scheme, MoEF&CC has sanctioned the central assistance for the conservation of 165 wetlands across the country, including 42 Ramsar sites, based on the proposals received from the State Governments/ Union Territories in the form of Integrated Management Plans in conformity with the guidelines.

Q5.Which of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of the Yamuna river?

A) Chambal

B) Betwa

C) Ken

D) Tapti

Answer: D) Tapti

Explanation:

The Yamuna river, one of the major rivers of India, originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows through several states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, before merging with the Ganges river in Allahabad.

The Yamuna river has several tributaries, including the Chambal, Betwa, and Ken rivers. The Chambal river originates in the Vindhya range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Rajasthan before joining the Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh. The Betwa river originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Uttar Pradesh before merging with the Yamuna river in Hamirpur. The Ken river, also known as the Karnavati river, originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan before joining the Yamuna river in Chilla, Uttar Pradesh.

The Tapti river, on the other hand, is not a tributary of the Yamuna river. It originates in the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Maharashtra and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea.