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Daily-mcqs 21 Mar 2024

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams 21 Mar 2024

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Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams

Q1:

Consider the following statements about the BhashaNet Portal:

1. It is an online platform launched by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to promote digital inclusion.

2. It aims to provide resources and tools for creating, translating and making digital content accessible in multiple languages.

3. It is expected to empower marginalized communities, promote cultural diversity, and improve digital literacy across India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A: Only one

B: Only two

C: All three

D: None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) unveiled the BhashaNet portal on Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, scheduled for March 21, 2024, at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The BhashaNet Portal is an online platform, aims to promote digital inclusion by ensuring that individuals, regardless of language or script, can fully participate in the digital world. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.


This initiative demonstrates the joint commitment of NIXI and MeitY to advancing digital inclusion and promoting Universal Acceptance across the nation. Theme - "BhashaNet: Impetus Towards Universal Acceptance": The theme highlights the portal's dedication to bridging linguistic divides and ensuring access to digital resources for all citizens. By facilitating access to digital resources in diverse languages, the portal has the potential to empower marginalized communities, promote cultural diversity and enhance digital literacy nationwide. Hence, statement 3 is correct.


Q2:

Consider the following statements about Reverse Flipping:

1. It involves relocating the domicile of an Indian company back to India after it had moved overseas.

2. It leads to support of entrepreneurial talent, value creation in foreign jurisdictions instead of India and benefit of intellectual property and tax revenue for the country.

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: A

Explanation:

Recently, startups like Pine Labs, Zepto, and Meesho have expressed intentions to relocate their headquarters to India, yet Indian-origin companies planning to shift from the US or Singapore encounter significant tax burdens. Reverse flipping involves relocating the domicile of an Indian company back to India after it had moved overseas, also known as 're-domiciling'. Hence, statement 1 is correct.


Flipping entails transforming an Indian startup into a 100% subsidiary of a foreign entity, involving the transfer of intellectual property (IP) and changes in ownership structure. It leads to brain drain of entrepreneurial talent, value creation in foreign jurisdictions instead of India, and loss of intellectual property and tax revenue for the country. It is increasingly observed among Indian startups, particularly in the fintech sector, as they prepare for IPOs and seek long-term benefits in the Indian market. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.


Q3:

Scientists recently discovered a new species of giant river dolphin in the Amazon Basin. The newly discovered giant river dolphin species Pebanista Yacuruna is believed to be related to which of the following groups of modern dolphins?

A: Amazon River dolphins (Iniidae)

B: South Asian river dolphins (Platanista)

C: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops)

D: Oceanic dolphins (Delphinidae)

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the researchers from the University of Zurich (UZH) unveiled the existence of the largest river dolphin species in Peru's Amazon Basin, dating back 16 million years. Pebanista Yacuruna belongs to the Platanistoidea group. The name "Pebanista Yacuruna" is derived from the Northern Quechua word for a mythical aquatic creature believed to inhabit the Amazon basin. Its identity was confirmed through the discovery of a fossilized skull, indicating a length of 3.5 meters, making it the largest of its kind. It shares its closest living relatives with South Asian river dolphins, including the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin. Pebanista Yacuruna shares its closest living relatives with South Asian river dolphins and shares affinities with the Platanista genus. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q4:

Consider the following statements about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), recently seen in news:

1. It is the most common and effective Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedure used to overcome infertility.

2. It involves extracting eggs, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus for pregnancy.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

A: 1 only

B: 2 only

C: Both 1 and 2

D: Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has requested a report from the Punjab government regarding Charan Kaur's IVF treatment, mother of the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, citing a potential violation of age limits under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure used to assist individuals or couples facing fertility challenges in achieving pregnancy. It is the most common and effective type of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), which encompasses various medical procedures aimed at addressing infertility. Hence, statement 1 is correct.


It entails extracting eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferring resulting embryos into the uterus to facilitate implantation and pregnancy. It can be used to treat infertility arising from various factors such as blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, ovulation disorders, genetic disorders and unexplained infertility. Babies conceived through IVF are often colloquially referred to as "test tube babies." Hence, statement 2 is correct.


Q5:

Consider the following passage:

Recently, the Prime Minister of this country announced his resignation, citing "personal and political" reasons. This is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, located in northwest Europe.  It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the Irish Sea to the East and the Celtic Sea to the South.  It shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, to the northeast.

 

The above passage best describes which of the following countries?

A: Ireland

B: Cyprus

C: Malta

D: United Kingdom

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Ireland's Prime Minister and leader of the Fine Gael party, citing "personal and political" reasons. Ireland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, located in northwest Europe. Dublin is the capital of Ireland. Ireland is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the Irish Sea to the East and the Celtic Sea ( to the South.


It shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, to the northeast. The highest point in Ireland is Carrauntoohil, which is located in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in County Kerry. The major rivers in Ireland include the Shannon, Barrow, Suir, Blackwater and Nore. Ireland has significant mineral resources including zinc, lead, silver, gypsum and limestone, with zinc and lead being the most economically important. Hence, option (a) is correct.