Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 5 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 is/are true regarding the India-Maldives defence cooperation?

1. The Coast Guard 'Ekatha Harbour' is being constructed by India for the Maldives National Defence Force.

2. Uthuru Thila Falhu Harbour Project is the largest Indian grant-in-aid project in the Maldives.

3. India is seeking to expand ties with the Maldives in defence and security to counter China's influence in the region.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

The following statements are true regarding the cooperation:

1. The Coast Guard 'Ekatha Harbour' is being constructed by India for the Maldives National Defence Force.

2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi, laid the foundation stone for the harbour at Sifavaru in Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll.

3. Uthuru Thila Falhu Harbour Project is among the biggest Indian grant-in-aid projects in the Maldives.

4. India seeks to expand ties with the Maldives in areas of defence and security amid China's efforts to expand its regional influence.

Q2.Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Central Clearing Counterparty (CCP)?

1. The CCP performs two main functions in a market transaction - clearing and settlement.

2. The CCP acts as a buyer to every seller and a seller to every buyer for the purpose of effecting settlement of their transactions.

3. The CCP is authorised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate in India.

4. The CCP is authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate in India under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1, 2, and 3 only

c) 1, 2, and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: c

Explanation:

The following statements are true regarding the CCP:

1. The CCP performs two main functions in a market transaction - clearing and settlement.

2. The CCP acts as a buyer to every seller and a seller to every buyer for the purpose of effecting settlement of their transactions.

3. The CCP is authorised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate in India. This statement is false. The CCP is authorised by the RBI to operate in India under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. SEBI is responsible for regulating the securities market in India, but it does not authorise the operation of CCPs.

Q3.Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Kremlin?

1. The term "kremlin" refers to a fortress inside a city with over 20 kremlins across Russia.

2. The Kremlin in Moscow is the most important and popular Kremlin and is metonymically used to refer to Russian political authority.

3. The Kremlin has been the seat of political power in Russia since the 14th century.

4. The Kremlin is situated on the southern bank of the Moskva River and is enclosed within the Kremlin Wall.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2, 3, and 4 only

c) 1, 2, and 3 only

d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: c

Explanation:

The following statements are true regarding the Kremlin:

1. The term "kremlin" refers to a fortress inside a city with over 20 kremlins across Russia.

2. The Kremlin in Moscow is the most important and popular Kremlin and is metonymically used to refer to Russian political authority.

3. The Kremlin has been the seat of political power in Russia since the 14th century.

4. The Kremlin is situated on the southern bank of the Moskva River and is enclosed within the Kremlin Wall. This statement is false. The Kremlin is situated on the northern bank of the Moskva River and is enclosed within the Kremlin Wall with its distinctive towers.

Q4.Which organization publishes a yearly report on press freedom in countries worldwide?

a) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

b) Amnesty International

c) Human Rights Watch

d) Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Answer: d

Explanation: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is a global media watchdog that publishes a yearly report on press freedom in countries worldwide. The report is known as the World Press Freedom Index and ranks countries based on each country's press freedom level. The index considers factors such as media independence, transparency, censorship, and violence against journalists. Headquartered in Paris, it has consultative status with the United Nations. India’s ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries, according to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF).In comparison, Pakistan has fared better when it comes to media freedom, as it was placed at 150, an improvement from last year’s 157th rank.In 2022, India was ranked at 150. Norway, Ireland and Denmark occupied the top three positions in press freedom, while Vietnam, China and North Korea constituted the bottom three.

Q5.Which state's forest and wildlife department launched the Punarjeevanam scheme in 2016?

a) Tamil Nadu

b) Karnataka

c) Kerala

d) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: c

Explanation: The Punarjeevanam scheme was launched in 2016 by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department. The scheme aims to revive the farming of millets and endemic crops in the tribal settlements under the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Idukki district of Kerala. The sanctuary is home to the Great Grizzled Squirrel of India, and there are 11 tribal settlements comprising Muduvan and Hill Pulaya communities under the Wildlife Division. The scheme has revived 34 varieties of ragi and multiple kinds of beans, millets, amaranthus, maize, and pumpkin.