Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Date: 23 August 2023
1. Consider the following statements, with reference to Shadow Banking:
1. Shadow banks are non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) that
can operate with little to no oversight from regulators.
2. They are generally unregulated and are not subject to the same kinds of risk
and capital restrictions as traditional banks.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Shadow banking is generally unregulated and not subject to the same kinds of risk, liquidity, and capital restrictions as traditional banks. Shadow banks are non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) that can operate with little to no oversight from regulators. They are financial intermediaries that participate in creating credit but are not subject to regulatory oversight. The shadow banking system can also refer to unregulated activities by regulated institutions, which include financial instruments like credit default swaps. The shadow banking system consists of lenders, brokers, and other credit intermediaries who fall outside the realm of traditional regulated banking. Hence, both statements are correct.
2. Mylara cult, recently seen in the news belongs to which region?
(a) Karnataka and Maharashtra
(b) Foot hills of Aravalli Range
(c) Coastal region of Odisha
(d) Tibetan Plateau and Nepal
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Recently two sculptures belonging to Mylara cult, which resembles one belonging to 15th century A.D. and another to 17th century A.D. were discovered at Basrur in Udupi district of Karnataka. The discovered sculpture has proved that the ancient Mylara cult existed in the coastal region of Karnataka. It shows a royal hero sitting on the horse, holding a sword and a bowl in his right and left hands respectively. The horse shown in sitting posture is also a uniqueness of this sculpture which resembles belonging to the 15th century A.D. This sculpture contains Mylara and Mylaladevi sitting on an ornate horse and both of them holding swords in their right hands. Hence, option (a) is correct.
3. With reference to Acoustic Side Channel Attack, consider the following statements:
1. It is a method of determining which keys are being pressed
by listening to the noises produced by typing on a keyboard.
2. Hackers utilise it to obtain sensitive information such as passwords and
personal messages.
3. The AI model employed to perform the attack has 100% accuracy without the use
of a language model.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: A study titled "A Practical Deep Learning-Based Acoustic Side Channel Attack on Keyboards" discovered that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to decipher passwords by studying keystroke sounds. The sounds made by typing on a keyboard are used in this technique to discern which keys are being pressed. Hackers with the correct tools can decrypt the specific letters and numbers being entered by examining these distinct noises. The classifier attained an accuracy of 95% when trained on keystrokes from a nearby phone, the best accuracy reported without the assistance of a language model, according to the study. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
4. Consider the following statements regarding Tomahawk Missiles:
1. It is a long-range cruise missile manufactured in the
United States that is employed for deep land attack warfare.
2. It can transport both conventional and nuclear payloads.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Explanation: It is a long-range cruise missile manufactured in the United States that is employed for deep land attack warfare. It may be fired from a ship or submarine and deliver its warhead to a target across a considerable distance. It is principally utilised by the navies of the United States and the United Kingdom. It is designed to fly at subsonic speeds while keeping a low altitude, making radar detection difficult. It can twist and turns like a fighter plane to avoid radar detection. It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads. Hence, both statements are correct.
5. Yasuni National Park is recently in the news. This park is situated in which of the following country?
(a) Peru
(b) Bolivia
(c) Brazil
(d) Ecuador
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Yasuni National Park is in Ecuador with an area of 9,823 km2 between the Napo and Curaray Rivers in Napo, Pastaza, and Orellana Provinces in Amazonian Ecuador. Yasuni National Park (YNP) is arguably the most biologically diverse spot on Earth and a convergence point for three unique regions, the Equator, Andes Mountains, and the Amazon rainforest. The park is at the center of a small zone where amphibian, bird, mammal, and vascular plant diversity all reach their maximum levels within the western hemisphere. Hence, option (d) is correct.
