Daily Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC IAS Prelims - 8 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 true about the Arexvy vaccine recently approved by the FDA?

1) It is the first vaccine approved for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

2) It is manufactured by Pfizer.

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation: The FDA recently approved the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to lower respiratory tract disease in people older than 60. The vaccine, called Arexvy, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company GSK. This vaccine is significant because it is the first RSV vaccine to be approved anywhere in the world. Option A is incorrect because while Arexvy is the first approved RSV vaccine, it is not the first vaccine to be approved for RSV overall. Option B is incorrect because while the vaccine is approved for lower respiratory tract disease, it is specifically for RSV-related disease. Option D is incorrect because the vaccine is manufactured by GSK, not Pfizer.

Q2.Which of the following statements regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is/are correct?

1. CPEC will benefit only China and Pakistan.

2. CPEC will positively impact Iran, Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republic, and the region.

3. CPEC is a 3,000-km-long route of infrastructure projects connecting China’s northeast Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Gwadar Port in the western province of Balochistan in Pakistan.

4. CPEC is not a part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 and 4 only

C) 1, 2 and 4 only

D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a framework of regional connectivity. Statement 1 is incorrect, as the CPEC will positively impact Iran, Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republic, and the region.

Statement 3 is incorrect as it mentions China’s northeast Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, whereas the correct location is northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Statement 4 is correct, as CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Thus, the correct answer is B) 2 and 4 only.

Q3. What are molecular motors, and how do they drive intracellular trafficking?

A) Molecular motors are enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions within cells.

B) Molecular motors are organelles that transport materials within cells.

C) Molecular motors are proteins that convert mechanical energy to chemical energy.

D) Molecular motors are proteins that convert chemical energy to mechanical work along cytoskeletal filaments to drive intracellular trafficking.

Answer: D

Explanation: Molecular motors are a class of proteins that play a crucial role in intracellular trafficking by converting chemical energy to mechanical work along cytoskeletal filaments. Each cell in the body is a complex soup of electrochemical reactions that produce energy, but they are insufficient. Cells also need to move things, such as pull two organelles together, move cargo towards and away from the nucleus, and power the movement of subcellular molecules. Many of these actions are driven by molecular motors, which use biochemical energy to do mechanical work.

Q4.Which of the following statements regarding the naming of cyclones in the north Indian Ocean is/are correct?

1. Cyclones in the north Indian Ocean are named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) after following a standard procedure.

2. The IMD is mandated to issue advisories on the development of cyclones and storms to 12 other countries in the region.

3. Cyclones in the north Indian Ocean are named by a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP.

4. The WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalizes the list of names for cyclones in the north Indian Ocean after each country sends in suggestions.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1, 2, and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: C

Explanation:

The procedure of naming cyclones in the north Indian Ocean. Statement 1 is correct, as cyclones in the north Indian Ocean are named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) after following a standard procedure.

Statement 2 is also correct, as the IMD is mandated to issue advisories on the development of cyclones and storms to 12 other countries in the region.

Statement 3 is incorrect as it was not the WMO/ESCAP but the IMD that names the cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean.

Statement 4 is correct, as after each country sends suggestions, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalizes the list of names for cyclones in the north Indian Ocean.

Q5. What is a Vostro account?

A) A Vostro account is a foreign currency account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank's country.

B) A Vostro account is a domestic currency account that a foreign bank holds for a domestic bank in the foreign bank's country.

C) A Vostro account is a domestic currency account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank's country.

D) A Vostro account is a foreign currency account that a foreign bank holds for a domestic bank in the foreign bank's country.

Answer: C

Explanation: A Vostro account is an account that a domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic bank's currency. This allows the foreign bank to carry out transactions in the domestic currency, in this case, the Indian rupee. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed nine such Vostro accounts in India, including IndusInd Bank and Uco Bank. These accounts are used to facilitate cross-border transactions and are typically subject to certain regulatory requirements.