UPSC Current Affairs Quiz

Q. Consider the following statements about the Chandipura virus (CHPV):

1. Chandipura virus is an RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family.
2. CHPV was first identified in Chandipura village in Gujarat, India.
3. The primary vector for CHPV transmission is the sandfly.
4. CHPV primarily affects adults and rarely impacts children.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: B

Chandipura virus is an RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family. It is known for its bullet-shaped structure, typical of the viruses in this family.
CHPV was first identified in 1965 in the village of Chandipura in Gujarat, India.

Q. The drugs — Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) were recently in the news. They are used for:

(a) Treating type 2 diabetes

(b) Inflammation of the active tissues of the brain

(c) Anti Microbial Resistance

(d) Respiratory distress

ans. a
In recent years, the development of new weight loss medicines has revolutionised obesity therapy, particularly in the United States and Europe.

An expert committee of India’s medicines authority approved tirzepatide last week, marking a first. Following a consideration of this proposal, the regulator will provide final permission for the drug, allowing its producer, Eli Lilly, to launch it in the Indian market.

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, which contains the active component semaglutide, to treat type 2 diabetes.

Q.Consider the following statements about the Bhil community:

1. The Bhils are one of the largest indigenous communities in India.
2. Bhils primarily reside in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
3. The Bhil language belongs to the Dravidian language family.
4. Bhils are known for their traditional archery skills.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: B
The Bhil language, also known as Bhili, belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family, not the Dravidian family.

Q. Consider the following statements about the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO):
1. El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.
2. La Niña is associated with stronger-than-normal trade winds and colder ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.
3. The Southern Oscillation refers to changes in atmospheric pressure between the western and eastern Pacific Ocean.
4. ENSO has significant impacts on global weather patterns, including increased rainfall in the western Pacific and droughts in the eastern Pacific during El Niño events.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: B
ENSO does have significant impacts on global weather patterns, but during El Niño events, the western Pacific often experiences droughts, while the eastern Pacific can experience increased rainfall and storms.

Q. Consider the following statements about starch:

1. Starch is a polysaccharide made up of glucose units and is primarily used as an energy storage molecule in plants.
2. The two main forms of starch are amylose and amylopectin, which differ in their molecular structure and solubility in water.
3. Starch is utilized in the textile industry as a sizing agent to improve the texture and finish of fabrics.
4. In the food industry, starch is used as a thickening agent and a stabilizer, but it is not suitable for use in pharmaceuticals due to its instability.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 4 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B
Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units and serves as an energy storage molecule in plants.
The two main forms of starch are amylose (a linear chain of glucose) and amylopectin (a branched chain of glucose), which have different properties, such as solubility and gelatinization behavior.
Starch is indeed used as a sizing agent in the textile industry to enhance the texture and finish of fabrics.
Starch is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a binder and disintegrant in tablets, and its stability is generally sufficient for these applications.

Q. Consider the following statements about Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs):

1. EEHVs are a group of herpesviruses that specifically infect the endothelial cells of elephants.
2. EEHV infections are primarily known to affect Asian elephants and can cause severe hemorrhagic disease in young elephants.
3. There are currently no vaccines available for preventing EEHV infections in elephants.
4. EEHVs have been linked to significant mortality rates in elephant populations in the wild and in captivity.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only

Answer: C
There are ongoing efforts to develop vaccines for EEHV, but as of now, no commercial vaccine is available to prevent these infections.

Q. Consider the following statements about the National Quantum Mission:

1. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is an initiative by the Indian government aimed at advancing quantum technologies and their applications.
2. The mission focuses on developing quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing technologies.
3. NQM is a collaborative effort involving only governmental research institutions and does not include private sector participation.
4. The mission aims to establish a quantum research and development ecosystem in India with a projected investment of over ₹10,000 crore over the next decade.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B
The NQM involves collaboration between government research institutions, private sector companies, and academic institutions, aiming for a broad and inclusive approach.

Q. Consider the following statements about the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme:

1. The PM SHRI scheme is a flagship program launched by the Government of India to improve the infrastructure and quality of government schools.
2. Under the PM SHRI scheme, schools will receive funding to upgrade physical infrastructure, including smart classrooms and laboratories.
3. The scheme focuses exclusively on primary schools, excluding secondary and higher secondary levels.
4. The initiative aims to enhance the overall learning experience and outcomes for students through the development of modern facilities and educational tools.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B
The PM SHRI scheme is not limited to primary schools; it includes secondary and higher secondary levels as well.

Q. Consider the following statements about Bastille Day:

1. Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789.
2. The event marked the beginning of the French Revolution and symbolizes the end of the monarchy in France.
3. Bastille Day is celebrated annually as a national holiday in France with military parades, fireworks, and public gatherings.
4. The Bastille prison was primarily used as a fortress and a royal palace before it was stormed.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 4 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B
The Bastille prison was originally a fortress built in the 14th century and later used as a state prison. It was not primarily used as a royal palace.

Q. Consider the following statements about India-Russia trade relations:

1. India and Russia have a bilateral trade agreement under the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
2. Russia is one of India’s major suppliers of defense equipment, including fighter jets and missiles.
3. The trade between India and Russia has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in the areas of energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals.
4. India and Russia have established a dedicated currency swap mechanism to facilitate trade transactions in their respective currencies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: D
India and Russia do not have a bilateral trade agreement specifically under the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, both countries are involved in broader trade and economic partnerships.
While there have been discussions about increasing the use of local currencies in trade transactions, a dedicated currency swap mechanism specifically for trade transactions has not been established between India and Russia.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the powers and procedures related to Money Bills under Article 109 of the Indian Constitution:

1. A Money Bill can be introduced in the Rajya Sabha if the Lok Sabha is not in session.
2. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill or not.
3. The Rajya Sabha has the power to delay the passage of a Money Bill but cannot amend it.
4. The President’s power to return a Money Bill to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration is limited to a single occasion.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2, 3, and 4 only
C. 1, 2, and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: b
A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha under any circumstances. It must be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Q.MANAS, recently seen in news is related to which of the following organisation?

(a) National Crime Records Bureau

(b) Narcotics Control Bureau

(c) National Human Rights Commission

(d) Intelligence Bureau

ans.b

Q. ‘Mashko Piro’, a tribe recently seen in news are found in:

(a) Amazon rainforest

(b) Sundaland

(c) Australasian rainforest

(d) Indian Ocean islands

ans.a
Indigenous rights NGO Survival International has released rare pictures of the Mashco Piro tribespeople, one of the world’s 100-odd uncontacted tribes.

The Mashko Piro are possibly the largest uncontacted tribe in the world. They live deep in the Amazon rainforest of southeastern Peru.

Q. Read the following lines and answer the question below:

She is widely remembered for her daring act of hoisting the Tricolour at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. She co-edited a newspaper called ‘Inquilab’ with Lohia. In 1965 she was awarded the Order of Lenin prize.

Who is ‘she’ referred to in the above lines?

(a) Sucheta Kriplani

(b) Matangini Hazra

(c) Aruna Asaf Ali

(d) Sarojini Naidu

ans.c
Aruna Asaf Ali got the distinction of unfurling the Tricolour at the Gowalia Tank meeting of the Quit India Movement in Bombay (Mumbai).
She was proclaimed an offender by the police and her property was seized and later auctioned. But she evaded arrest and found mentorship and protection under Ram Manohar Lohia. Perhaps it was her long arduous underground struggle with Socialist leaders like Lohia and Jay Prakash Narayan that steered her towards socialism.

Q. With reference to Kadambini Ganguly, consider the following statements:

1. She was the first female medical practitioner in India.

2. It was due to her efforts that the first Age of Consent Act was passed by the British government in 1891.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ans.c
Apart from being the first female medical practitioner in India, Kadambini Ganguly also lent her voice to the nationalist movement and it was due to her efforts that the first Age of Consent Act was passed by the British government in 1891.

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