Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 7 April 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 United Nations Statistical Commission?

1) The United Nations Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities.

2) The commission is responsible for setting statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods.

3) The United Nations Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).

4) The commission is a Functional Commission of the UN General Assembly.

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 4 only

C) 1,2 and 3 only

D) 2,3 ad 4 only

Answer: C.

Explanation:

The United Nations Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international levels. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

The United Nations Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), which is responsible for providing a global statistical service and promoting the development of national statistical systems. Therefore, statement 3 is also correct.

The commission is not a Functional Commission of the UN General Assembly but is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council. Therefore, statement 4 is incorrect.

Q2.Consider the following pollutants –

1. Sulphur dioxide

2. PM 2.5

3. Ozone

4. Carbon dioxide

5. Carbon monoxide

Which of the following pollutants are covered under the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

A) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

B) 1, 2 and 4 only

C) 2, 3, and 5 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

Answer: D

Explanation:

The colour-coded AQI index was launched in India in 2014, and it helps the public and the government understand the air's condition.

— The AQI transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature and colour.

— The pollutants measured include PM 10, PM 2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon monoxide, Ammonia and Sulphur dioxide.

— There are six categories of AQI, namely ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).

Q3.Which of the following statements is true regarding the fortification of rice as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms?

A) Rice fortification is not considered an effective method to combat malnutrition in India

B) Fortified rice will contain iron, folic acid, and vitamin B-12, as per FSSAI norms

C) FSSAI norms only allow for the fortification of rice with zinc and vitamin A

D) Per capita rice consumption in India is 10.8 kg per month

Answer: B)

Explanation: According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food fortification is considered one of the most suitable methods to combat malnutrition, and rice fortification is an option to supplement the diet of the poor in India.

FSSAI has set norms for rice fortification, which require 1 kg of fortified rice to contain iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 micrograms), and vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).

However, rice may also be fortified with other micronutrients like zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-3, and vitamin B-6. Per capita, rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month, not 10.8 kg per month.

Q4.Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the Indian Space Policy (ISP) 2023?

1) The ISP seeks to regulate and boost private sector participation in the space sector.

2) The policy aims to break the monopoly of the ISRO-driven space sector.

3) The policy does not address the issue of control and access to dual-use space technology or IP.

4) The government aims to create a regulatory environment in compliance with international law.

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 1,2 and 4 only

D) 1,2 and 3 only

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Indian Space Policy (ISP) 2023 aims to regulate and boost private sector participation in the space sector, making it more innovative and sustainable. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

The policy aims to break the monopoly of the ISRO-driven space sector by institutionalizing the sector, which will encourage private sector participation. Therefore, statement 2 is also correct.

The policy framework aims to create a regulatory environment in compliance with international law to drive the overall growth of Indian commercial space activities. Therefore, statement 4 is also correct.

The policy also addresses the crucial issue of controlling and accessing dual-use space technology or IP. Industry demands that IP must be examined on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q5.What is the Stand Up India Scheme, and what is its purpose?

A) A scheme to provide loans to small and marginal farmers for agriculture

B) A scheme to promote entrepreneurship amongst women, SC & ST category by providing loans for greenfield enterprises

C) A scheme to provide employment opportunities for youth in urban areas

D) A scheme to provide affordable housing for low-income families

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Stand Up India Scheme was launched on 5th April 2016 with the aim to promote entrepreneurship amongst women, Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories, to help them in starting a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services or the trading sector and activities allied to agriculture.

The scheme provides loans for greenfield enterprises between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.100 lakh to at least one Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch of Scheduled Commercial Banks.

Stand-Up India aims to promote entrepreneurship amongst women, SC & ST categories and provide loans for greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services or the trading sector and activities allied to agriculture.

The scheme is extended up to the year 2025.