Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Date: 15 December 2023
1. Consider the following statements:
1. A member Lok Sabha can be suspended only by a motion passed by the Parliament with a simple majority.
2. There is no need of passing a motion for revocation of such suspension.
3. Article 122 of the constitution bars the judicial review of proceedings of Parliament.
4. The suspension of MPs cannot be more than the length of the ongoing session.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
An MP will face an automatic suspension of either five days or for the duration of the remaining session, whichever is shorter. The House retains the authority to resolve and end this suspension at any point. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
The Speaker does not possess the authority to lift or revoke the suspension order. The prerogative to revoke the suspension lies with the House itself. If the House wishes to do so, it can pass a motion to revoke the suspension of a Member. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Article 122 of the Indian Constitution establishes the immunity of parliamentary proceedings from judicial review, emphasizing their exemption from court scrutiny. Nevertheless, there have been instances where courts have intervened in the procedural functioning of legislatures, despite this constitutional provision. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Rule 374 authorizes the Presiding Officers to name legislators persistently disrupting the House after repeated warnings. Following this, the House can propose a motion to suspend the MP for the remainder of the session. Hence statement 4 is correct.
2. Consider the following statements about road accidents around the world:
1. There is an overall fall in number of fatalities in road accidents around the world.
2. India has seen a rise in road accidents by about 15%.
3. Western European region accounts for majority of accidents.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation:In 2021, approximately 1.19 million road traffic fatalities were reported, reflecting a 5% decrease from the 1.25 million deaths documented in 2010. Despite a significant growth in the global motor vehicle fleet, substantial expansions of road networks, and an almost one-billion rise in the global population, efforts to improve road safety have resulted in a modest overall decline in fatalities. India experienced a notable upswing in fatalities, with a 15% increase, rising from 1.34 lakh in 2010 to 1.54 lakh in 2021. Over half of the United Nations Member States achieved a reduction in road traffic deaths between 2010 and 2021. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Regional discrepancies reveal that 28% of all fatalities occur in the WHO South-East Asia Region, 25% in the Western Pacific Region, 19% in the African Region, 12% in the Region of the Americas, 11% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and 5% in the European Region. The European Region has observed the most substantial reduction in deaths since 2010, reporting a 36% decline. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
3. Which of the following statements about Constellation Gemini is not correct?
(a) Gemini is a zodiac constellation located in the Western celestial hemisphere
(b) Gemini lies between Taurus to the west and Cancer to the east with Auriga and Lynx to the north
(c) Gemini is highly visible in the winter skies of the Northern Hemisphere, remaining observable throughout December–January nights.
(d) Gemini is supposed to stay at its position until 27th Century.
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Gemini, a zodiac constellation situated in the northern celestial hemisphere, holds historical significance as one of the 48 constellations meticulously documented by the 2nd-century AD astronomer Ptolemy. Enduring through time, Gemini retains its status among the 88 modern constellations and is intricately linked with the mythological twins Castor and Pollux from Greek mythology. Hence option (a) is not correct.
In the vast canvas of the night sky, Gemini finds its place between Taurus to the west and Cancer to the east. To the north, it shares proximity with Auriga and Lynx, while Monoceros and Canis Minor lie to the south, and Orion graces the southwest. In classical antiquity, Cancer marked the Sun's position during the northern solstice (June 21). However, the gradual shift known as axial precession relocated this celestial boundary into Gemini around the 1st century AD.
The Sun's journey during the northern solstice made a transition from Gemini to Taurus in 1990, a position it will maintain until the 27th century AD before progressing into Aries. Gemini, taking center stage, becomes particularly prominent in the winter skies of the Northern Hemisphere, casting its celestial presence throughout the night during the months of December and January.
4. Consider the following statements about Ranthambore National Park:
1. Ranthambore National Park houses the Sambhar Salt Lake, the largest inland salt lake in India.
2. It is at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B)
Explanation: India's largest inland salt lake, Sambhar Lake, is situated in Sambhar Lake Town, Jaipur district, Rajasthan, approximately 80 km southwest of Jaipur and 64 km northeast of Ajmer. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Ranthambore National Park stands as one of Northern India's largest and most renowned national parks, situated in the southeastern part of Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. Originally established in 1955 under the name Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary, it earned the status of a national park in 1980. Nestled at the convergence point of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, this park has become a vital habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Its significance is particularly pronounced in the realm of tiger conservation, as Ranthambore is home to a substantial population of Royal Bengal tigers. Beyond these majestic creatures, the park hosts a variety of other wildlife, including leopards, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, and hyena. This harmonious blend of flora and fauna adds to the allure of Ranthambore National Park, making it a key destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife aficionados alike.
5. Barracuda, recently seen in news is a:
(a) Mass nesting of Olive ridley turtles
(b) India’s fastest solar-electric boat
(c) A Triassic age dinosaur
(d) A deep sea coral
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Barracuda, the fastest solar-electric boat in India, is a groundbreaking creation by Navalt Solar and Electric Boats. This impressive vessel measures 14 meters in length and 4.4 meters in width, designed not only for passenger transport but also cargo carriage, accommodating up to 12 passengers. With a remarkable top speed of 12.5 knots (23 kmph) and a seven-hour range on a single charge, Barracuda is equipped with twin 50 kW electric motors, a marine-grade LFP battery, and a 6 kW solar power system. Hence statement 2 is correct. Designed to tackle rough seas with waves reaching up to four meters, Barracuda ensures a smooth, noiseless operation without vibration or air pollution. Beyond its technical prowess, the solar-electric boat aims to offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil-fuel boats, contributing to the cause of cleaner oceans. Recognizing its innovative impact, Barracuda clinched the world's best startup award in the mobility and transportation category at the Berlin Start-up Energy Transition Awards 2023. This accolade further solidifies Barracuda's position as a transformative force in the realm of sustainable maritime transportation. Arribada: Arribada, or mass nesting, is a distinctive behavior exhibited by olive ridley turtles, characterized by the gathering of thousands of females on the same beach to lay their eggs. During this remarkable event, the turtles engage in the process of laying eggs, a ritual that spans five to seven days. The eggs are deposited in conical nests, each approximately one and a half feet deep, meticulously dug by the turtles using their hind flippers.
