Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Date: 27 October 2023
1. Consider the following statements, with reference to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF):
1. It is a subsidiary body that promotes the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
2. India is a founding member of the forum which was established on the year 2000.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The United Nations Forum on Forests promotes the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Its main objective to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment. UNFF is a subsidiary body that was established by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in October 2000. The Forum has universal membership and is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies. India is a founding member of the forum. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is organising a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as part of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). Hence, both statements are correct.
2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR):
1. HDSR aims to control man-made light pollution in the area in order to preserve the pristine dark skies for astronomical research.
2. It is an Indian astronomical observatory that is located in the South Pole of Antarctica.
3. The Bortle scale is a 9 level numeric scale that measures the brightness of a telescope.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Recently the 1st official star party for experienced amateur astronomers was organised by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in eastern Ladakh. HDSR aims to control man-made light pollution in the area in order to preserve the pristine dark skies for astronomical research. A dark sky is the night sky as nature meant for it to be, without any light pollution. The Reserve is promoted as a tourist destination for enjoying the night sky and also helps in socio-economic development of the local villages. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
HDSR is India’s first dark sky region which is centred at Hanle in Eastern Ladakh, around the Indian Astronomical Observatory. It is India's first Night Sky Sanctuary is located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
The Bortle scale is a 9 level numeric scale that measures the night sky's brightness of a particular location. The scale ranges from Class 1, the darkest skies available over the earth, through to Class 9, which denotes the pale, light-marred skies over the insides of cities. HDSR region falls under the Bortle Class 1. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
3. “25 by 25 target” is an initiative of which of the following?
(a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(b) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
(c) World Health Organization (WHO)
(d) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Recent analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicate that India will likely to miss target set by world health organisation in its 25 by 25 target. “25 by 25 target” is an initiative of World Health Organisation (WHO) to reduce by 25% in in premature mortality from no-communicable diseases (NCDs) compared to 2010 by 2025. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2012. The framework is expected to drive progress in prevention and control of NCDs. It provides the foundation for advocacy, raising awareness, reinforcing political commitment and promoting global action to tackle these deadly diseases. Hence, option (c) is correct.
4. Consider the following statements, with reference to Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC):
1. It is a global conveyor belt that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean by bringing warm water north and cold water south.
2. AMOC circulation brings warmth to various parts of the globe and also carries nutrients necessary to sustain ocean life.
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: The recently published “2023 State of the Climate Report: Entering uncharted territory” indicate that AMOC may cross the tipping point and start to collapse between 2025 and 2095. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean by bringing warm water north and cold water south. The slower currents that occur from the surface to the seafloor are driven by changes in the saltiness and ocean temperature is a process called thermohaline circulation. These currents are carried in a large "global conveyor belt," which includes the AMOC. AMOC circulation brings warmth to various parts of the globe and also carries nutrients necessary to sustain ocean life. The circulation process begins as warm water near the equator moves toward the poles (such as the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic), where it cools and forms sea ice. Hence, both statements are correct.
5. With reference to the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC), consider the following statements:
1. The Eastern Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) is India's first coastal economic corridor.
2. It runs from Kolkata (West Bengal) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) in the north to the south.
3. The New Development Bank granted a loan to cover the corridor's construction.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) is India’s first coastal economic corridor along the eastern coast. Hence, statement 1 is correct. ECEC also aligns with port-led industrialisation under Sagarmala initiative and Act East Policy by linking domestic companies with vibrant global production networks of East and Southeast Asia. It stretches about 2,500 km from Kolkata (West Bengal) in the north to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) in the south. Hence, statement 2 is correct. It will connect the long eastern coastline and strategically located ports with the multiple international gateways to connect India with global value chains (GVCs) in East and Southeast Asia. The construction of this corridor is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by approval of a loan. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
