DAILY

CURRENT AFFAIRS

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Current Affairs MCQs for Practice – 04 March 2022

Question-1

What was the main objective of the Sarkaria Commission?

a)   Address caste discrimination

b)   Agricultural reforms

c)   Centre-State relations

d)   Monetary policy

Ans-c

Explanation-

Signs of a confrontation between Raj Bhavan and the elected government in a State are not infrequent in the country. The onus often appears to be on the Chief Ministers to avert a constitutional crisis. The Sarkaria Commission's charter was to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments in the country.

Question-2

Along with imposing additional sanctions on Russia, the U.S. is also targeting which country in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine?

a)   Lithuania

b)   Belarus

c)   Poland

d)   Romania

Ans- b

Explanation-

The United States is imposing additional sanctions on Russia and also targeting Belarus in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the White House said. “The United States will take actions to hold Belarus accountable for enabling Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” the White House said.

Question-3

Oil prices have surged amid the intensifying Ukraine conflict. Russian oil exports form what percentage of global supply?

a)   20%

b)   15%

c)   8%

d)   3%

Ans- c

Explanation-

Oil prices surged on March 2 as supply disruption fears mounted following hefty sanctions on Russian banks amid the intensifying Ukraine conflict, while traders scrambled to seek alternative oil sources in an already tight market. Russian oil exports account for about 8% of the global supply.

Question-4

Russia exports palladium to make semiconductors. There are two largest producers of Palladium in the world. Russia is one, which is the other one?

a)   Ukraine

b)   Canada

c)   South Africa

d)   The USA

Ans- c

Explanation-

Palladium is often used as an alternative to gold in making various devices as the metal is highly malleable and resistant to corrosion. Russia and South Africa are the two largest producers of palladium. In 2021, Russia supplied 2.35 million ounces (66 million grams) of palladium, according to precious metals refiner Heraeus.

Question-5

India, once again, abstained as the United Nations General Assembly voted 141-5 to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling upon Moscow to unconditionally withdraw its troops. Along with India, four other neighbour countries abstained. Which are the four countries?

a)   Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China

b)   Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China

c)   Bhutan, Nepal, UAE, China

d)   Myanmar, Afghanistan, China, UAE

Ans- b

Explanation-

A number of countries in India’s neighbourhood supported the resolution— Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Afghanistan, Myanmar voted in favour of it. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, like India, abstained. China also abstained. The UAE, which had abstained from the UNSC vote, voted for the resolution in the General Assembly.

Question-6

What is celebrated on March 3 every year by the United Nations?

a)   Earth Day

b)   World Animals Day

c)   World Wildlife Day

d)   Environment Day

Ans- c

Explanation-

March 3 is observed by all UN member States as World Wildlife Day (WWD), to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild animals and plants.

Question-7

 With reference to Thermobaric weapons, consider the following statements:
1. They use oxygen from the air for a large, high-temperature blast.
2. Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits use, transfer, production and stockpiling of Thermobaric bombs.
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

Ans- a

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct:Thermobaric weapons — also known as aerosol bombs, fuel air explosives, or vacuum bombs — use oxygen from the air for a large, high-temperature blast.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Thermobaric Weapons are not prohibited by any international law or agreement, but their use against civilian populations in built-up areas, schools or hospitals, could attract action under The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

Question-8

With reference to the Governor in India, consider the following statements:

1. A Governor can summon legislative assembly without consulting the Chief minister or the Speaker.
2.Punchhi Commission suggested ending the practice of burdening Governors with the office of Chancellor in universities.

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

Ans- b

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: In Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker And Ors (2016), the SC concluded that the Governor’s discretion did not extend to the powers conferred under Article 174 and hence he could not summon the House, determine its legislative agenda or address the legislative assembly without consulting the Chief minister or the Speaker.
• Statement 2 is correct: M. Punchhi Commission suggested ending the practice of burdening Governors with the office of Chancellor in universities.

Question-9

With reference to Stree Manoraksha Project, consider the following statements:

1.The project aims to provide training and supervision in psychosocial and mental health care for staff and counsellors of all One Stop Centres (OSCs).
2.The project is launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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

Ans- a

Explanation-

Statement 1 is correct: The project aims to provide training and supervision in psychosocial and mental health care for staff and counsellors of all One Stop Centres (OSCs). Statement 2 is incorrect: National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, with support and funding from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 

Question-10

With reference to National Pension System, consider the following statements:

1.NPS accounts can be opened by the government employees alone.
2. All NPS accounts are non-withdrawable permanent retirement accounts.
3.NPS is implemented and regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA).

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

a)   1 and 2 only

b)   3 only

c)   1 and 3 only

d)   2 and 3 only

Ans- b

Explanation-

Statement 1 is incorrect: NPS was made available to all Citizens of India from May 2009. Any individual citizen of India (both resident and Non-resident) in the age group of 18-65 years can join NPS. Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs) can also enrol to invest in NPS tier-1 accounts.. Statement 2 is incorrect: There are two tiers of NPS Accounts. Tier-I account: This is the non-withdrawable permanent retirement account into which the accumulations are deposited and invested as per the option of the subscriber. Tier-II account: This is a voluntary withdrawable account which is allowed only when there is an active Tier I account in the name of the subscriber. Statement 3 is correct: NPS is implemented and regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Source- The Hindu Newspaper /PIB/ The Indian Express