Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 6 NOVEMBER 2018

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding water distribution & scarcity in India :

1) As per CAG report, only 18% of the rural population has access to potable piped water.
2) 70% of the water in India’s water supply is contaminated.
3) India’s Har ghar Jal scheme has a target of 80% piped water by 2025.
4) Spending on small water enterprises would help in supplying safe drinking water at a reduced cost than on larger projects.

Which of the above statements are true as per Safe Water Network (SWN) report recently submitted to the government ?

a) 1,2 & 3 only
b) 1,2 & 4 only
c) 2,3 & 4only
d) all of the above

Q2. The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu embarked on his first Africa visit from this week, In his weeklong visit, he will visit Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi where he is scheduled to interact with heads of state of the three nations, business fora and address Indian Community.

Which of the following countries in southern part of Africa is not land-locked ?

a) Zimbabwe
b) Malawi
c) Mozambique
d) Botswana

Q3. With India’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completing its first deterrence patrol, the country has joined the elite club of nations which possess a minimum deterrent ‘nuclear triad.

Which of the following statements regarding nuclear deterrence are true ?

1) A ballistic missile submarine is a strategic asset as it can fire city-destroying missiles from anywhere in the ocean and remain undetected for a long time.
2) India has put in place a robust nuclear command and control structure, effective safety assurance architecture and strict political control, under its Nuclear Command Authority.
3) All the big five nuclear nations the US, Russia, France, China and the UK are already full-fledged nuclear triad powers.
1a) 1 & 2only b) 2 & 3only c) 1 & 3only d) all the above

Q4. Which of the following statements regarding cyclones are true ?

1) Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area and are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather in severe cases.
2) A tropical cyclone begins to weaken as soon as its source of warm moist air begins to ebb, or is abruptly cut off. This happens after the landfall.
3) Majority of cyclones in India have their genesis over the Arabian sea and usually strike the west coast of India.

a) 1 & 2only
b) 2 & 3only
c) 1 & 3only
d) all of the above

Q5. Which of the following are the major threats to migratory birds in India ?

1) Inadequate food supplies cause starvation among migrating birds every year.
2) Collision with obstacles like tall glass buildings, electrical wires and poles.
3) Pollution such as lead poisoning or oil spills is not only harmful to locally affected birds, but to migratory birds as well.
4) A bird's own inexperience with migration can be a great threat to its success and survival.
5) natural disasters can destroy crucial stopover and rest sites as well as destroying food sources birds need to refuel along their journeys.

a) 1,2 & 3 only
b) 3,4 & 5 only
c) 1,3 & 5 only
d) all of the above