Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 22 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.

---

Q1. Which country was named the world's happiest country in the 2023 World Happiness Report?

A) Denmark

B) Finland

C) Switzerland

D) Norway

Answer: B

Explanation: The 2023 World Happiness Report, based on people's own assessment of their happiness and economic and social data, named Finland the world's happiest country.

The report considers six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, and assigns a happiness score based on an average of data over a three-year period.

India was ranked 126 out of 137 countries on the list. The report highlights acts of kindness that grew in Ukraine despite the Russian invasion.

Q2. What do waste-to-energy projects in India aim to do?

A) Convert biodegradable organic waste into electricity

B) Increase the efficiency of recycling non-biodegradable dry waste

C) Convert non-recyclable dry waste into organic compost

D) Generate electricity from non-recyclable dry waste and ease the solid waste management burden

Answer: D

Explanation: Waste-to-energy projects in India aim to generate electricity from non-recyclable dry waste, which is a challenging portion of the present solid waste management (SWM) system. These projects use non-recyclable dry waste, including low-grade plastic, rags, and cloth, which cannot be recycled, to generate power. The waste is combusted to generate heat, which is then converted into electricity. This process increases the State's power generation capacity and eases the SWM burden. In India, solid waste is generally 55-60% biodegradable organic waste, 25-30% non-biodegradable dry waste, and around 15% silt, stones, and drain waste. Of the non-biodegradable dry waste, only 2-3% is recyclable, and the remainder consists of low-grade plastic, rags, and cloth that cannot be recycled. Therefore, waste-to-energy projects aim to utilize this non-recyclable dry waste to generate electricity and ease the SWM burden.

Q3.Which of the following statements regarding the pardoning power of the President of India is/are correct?

1)The President of India can grant a pardon, reprieve, respite or remission of punishment or suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.

2)The President's pardoning power is subject to judicial review.

3)The President can only grant pardons in cases where the offence has been committed against a Union Law or a Union Territory.

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: Article 72 of the Indian Constitution grants the President of India the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.

This power can be exercised by the President at any time after conviction, either before or after the initiation of proceedings.

The pardoning power is not absolute and is subject to judicial review.

There is no restriction on the nature of the offence in respect of which the President can grant a pardon. The President can grant a pardon in cases where the offence has been committed against a Union Law or a Union Territory or where the offence is of a general nature.

Q4. What is the primary role of INS Androth?

A) Conducting anti-aircraft operations in coastal waters

B) Conducting anti-submarine operations in deep waters

C) Conducting anti-submarine operations in coastal waters

D) Conducting mine-clearing operations in deep waters

Answer: C

Explanation: The primary role of INS Androth and similar Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine-laying operations. These ships are propelled by three diesel-driven water jets and can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots. They are designed to operate in shallow waters, where traditional submarines cannot operate. These ships are also capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.

Q5. When is the International Day of Forests celebrated, and why is it celebrated?

A) March 22, to raise awareness about forest restoration

B) March 21, to highlight the importance and significance of forests and raise awareness about forest restoration

C) April 22, to celebrate Earth Day and its importance

D) June 5, to celebrate World Environment Day and its importance

Answer: B

Explanation: The International Day of Forests is celebrated on March 21 every year to highlight the importance and significance of forests and raise awareness about forest restoration.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Forests are essential to our planet, as they filter out sediments, purify water, and clean the air we breathe.

According to the UN website, "Forest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations."

The theme for each year is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2023 is 'Forests and health.'