UPSC MCQs Daily Current Affairs Free PDF For UPSC Exams

1. 28thMarch

3. Consider the following statements regarding Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) System 1. The payments of wages in MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) are done through it. 2. In cases of multiple accounts for the same person, the APBS automatically sends money to the latest-mapped account. 3. APB System remains closed on Sundays choose the Incorrect one (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 3 only (d) None of the above

4. • Ans D • APB System does not work on all days. APB System remains closed on Sundays and RTGS holidays declared by Reserve Bank of India from time to time • It is a unique payment system implemented by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which uses Aadhaar number as a central key for electronically channelizing the Government subsidies and benefits in the Aadhaar Enabled Bank Accounts (AEBA) of the intended beneficiaries. • In cases of multiple accounts for the same person, the APBS automatically sends money to the latest-mapped account. • When the Jan Dhan Yojana (JDY) was launched Aadhaar numbers were seeded into these accounts without proper verification.

5. • It is a payment system based on Aadhaar numbers issued by UIDAI & IIN (Institution Identification Number) issued by NPCI. • APB System is used by the Government Departments and Agencies for the transfer of benefits and subsidies under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme launched by Government of India. • The payments of wages in MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) are done through the Aadhaar Payments Bridge (APB) using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) systems.

7. The cause which was NOT responsible for Bengal Famines during British period A. World War II B. Occupation of Burma by Japan C. Restriction on inter-state trade of rice and other food grains. D. Agricultural drought

8. • Ans d • The Bengal famine of was not caused by an agricultural drought but was man-made. • The Bengal famine was completely due to the failure of policy during the British era. • The research reconstructed agricultural droughts and established a link between famines • They estimated a measure called soil moisture percentile, or SMP. When the SMP was less than 20, it was categorised as drought

9. • Immediate cause of such Famines • During World War II, market supplies and transport systems were disrupted. This is attributed to British policies, and prioritization of distribution of supplies to the military and other select groups. • Occupation of Burma by Japan in 1942 resulted in restriction on rice imports from Burma. • Restriction on inter-state trade of rice and other food grains at the time further aggravated the issue. • Hoarding of rice stocks by traders and farmers in anticipation of speculative rise in rice prices in future as rice shortage was becoming evident. • In early 1943, military and political events adversely affected Bengal’s economy, which was exacerbated by refugees from Burma. • Additionally, wartime grain import restrictions imposed by the British government played a major role in the famine.

11. Recently The Union Health Ministry has notified the Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 choose the correct statement in context of it . 1. The rules will apply to all new drugs, investigational new drugs for human use, clinical trials, bio-equivalence studies and ethics committees. 2. The rules has increased time for approving applications, which has now come down to 60 days for drugs manufactured in India and 100 days for those developed outside the country a) 1 only b) 2 only c) none d) all of the above

12. • Ans a • The rules will apply to all new drugs, investigational new drugs for human use, clinical trials, bio-equivalence studies and ethics committees. • The rules has reduced time for approving applications, which has now come down to 30 days for drugs manufactured in India and 90 days for those developed outside the country. • Also, in case of no communication from Drugs Controller General of India, the application will be deemed to have been approved. • As per the new rule, the requirement of a local clinical trial may be waived for approval of a new drug if it is approved and marketed in any of the countries (EU, U.K., Australia, Japan and U.S.) specified by the Drugs Controller General with the approval of the government. • The new rules will ensure patient safety and an ethics committee will monitor the trials and decide on the amount of compensation in cases of adverse events.

13. Consider the following with regard to Ordinance making power of President: 1. Ordinance making is the discretionary power of the President of India 2. President can promulgate or withdraw an ordinance only on the advice of Cabinet Ministers 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

14. • Ans c • Article 123 of the Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament. These ordinances have the same force and effect as an act of Parliament, but are in the nature of temporary laws. • He can promulgate an ordinance only when both the Houses of Parliament are not in session or when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session. An ordinance can also be issued when only one House is in session because a law can be passed by both the Houses and not by one House alone. An ordinance made when both the Houses are in session is void. Thus, the power of the President to legislate by ordinance is not a parallel power of legislation. • However, his power of ordinance-making is not a discretionary power, and he can promulgate or withdraw an ordinance only on the advice of the council of ministers headed by the prime minister. (not Cabinet Ministers)

15. With reference to Olive Ridley turtles, consider the following statements 1. The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world, inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. 2. These turtles are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada. 3. The species is recognized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red list choose the correct one (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) All of the above

16. • Ans d • The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world, inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. • These turtles, along with their cousin the Kemps ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs. • Though found in abundance, their numbers have been declining over the past few years, and the species is recognized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red list.