(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 20 July 2020

Q1. Data from an oil and gas exploration company has helped geologists discover a series of faults at the foot of the Himalaya. Which of the following statements regarding the discovery stands true ?

1) In this method of seismic reflection data, seismic waves are produced by small explosions at multiple sources, and many recorders called geophones record the sound echoing off layers beneath the surface.
2) The signals are combined to make an image that looks like a slice showing layers through the top few kilometres of the Earth’s crust. The researchers were able to identify the faults because the pattern of layers showed bends.
3) All faults are related to the movement of Earth's tectonic plates. The biggest faults mark the boundary between two plates. Seen from above, these appear as broad zones of deformation, with many faults braided together.

Options :

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

Q2. Discussions between Southern African Customs Union (SACU) [and India to achieve a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) have been revived with the two sides holding a virtual meeting last week to discuss various aspects of the PTA. Which of the following countries constitutes the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) ?

1) Nigeria
2) Lesotho
3) South Africa
4) Zimbabwe
5) Botswana

Options :

a) 1,2 & 3 only
b) 2,3 & 5 only
c) 1,3 & 5 only
d) 2,4 & 5 only

Q3. The Centre has revised ceiling for utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) from 25 to 35% to contain the Covid-19 pandemic recently. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) SDRF shall be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims. Disasters like Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves are covered under SDRF.
2) For the purpose of procurement of essential equipment and setting up additional testing laboratories, the expenditure is to be incurred from SDRF and will be monitored by the National Executive Committee (SEC).
3) The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% for special category States/UTs. The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission.

Options :

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

Q4. India’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR) falls below 2.5% for the first time. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) In epidemiology, a case fatality rate (CFR) sometimes called case fatality risk or case-fatality ratio is the proportion of deaths from a certain disease compared to the total number of people diagnosed with the disease for a particular period.
2) At the ground level, frontline health workers like ASHAs and ANMs have done a commendable job of managing the migrant population and to enhance awareness at the community level. As a result, there are 29 States and UTs with CFR lower than the India average. 5 States and UTs have a CFR of Zero. 14 States and UTs have a CFR of less than 1%.
3) The preliminary CFR, for example, during an outbreak with a high daily increase and long resolution time would be substantially lower than the final CFR.

Options :

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

Q5. Which of the following countries has recently issued orders for the telecom companies to stop free internet services to its subscribers for accessing social media ?

a) China
b) United States
c) Bangladesh
d) Australia

Current Affairs MCQ

NEW! UPSC IAS COMPLETE NOTES

Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 20 July 2020