Daily MCQs for UPSC Preparation » Daily MCQs 22 August

Daily MCQs 22 August

Q 1. Which of the following atmospheric gases are considered in calculating the value of the National Air Quality Index?

1. Carbon dioxide

2. Nitrogen dioxide

3. Sulphur dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)

Recently, a report was released titled Air Quality and Health in Cities, which analysed pollution and global health effects for more than 7,000 cities around the world between 2010 and 2019. The study ranked cities on the basis of two major air pollutants found — fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Delhi and Kolkata are ranked first and second in the list of top 10 most polluted cities when PM 2.5 levels were compared.

Option (B) is correct: National Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms which are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature and colour. There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. It considers eight pollutants namely:

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Ozone (O3)
  • PM 2.5
  • PM 10
  • Ammonia (NH3)
  • Lead (Pb)

Q 2. With reference to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, consider the following statements:

1. Section 69A draws its power from Article 19(2) of the Constitution which allows the government to place reasonable restrictions on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

2. Both Central and state governments can exercise the power of directing intermediaries to block access to online content directly.

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)

The website of Video LAN Client (VLC) Media Player has been banned in India. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 allows the government to direct an intermediary to “block for access by the public” any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource if it is necessary or expedient to do so, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence”.

Statement 1 is correct: Section 69A draws its power from Article 19(2) of the Constitution which allows the government to place reasonable restrictions on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

Statement 2 is not correct: Detailed procedure for blocking content is provided by the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 (IT Rules, 2009) that have been formulated under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

  • Only the Central government can exercise the power of directing intermediaries to block access to online content directly and not the State governments.

Q 3. Consider the following pairs:

Major ports : Location

1. Kandla Port : Gujarat

2. V. O. Chidambaranar Port : Odisha

3. Kamarajar Port : Tamil Nadu

4. Jawaharlal Nehru Port : Maharashtra

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

A. Only one pair

B. Only two pairs

C. Only three pairs

D. All four pairs

Answer: (B)

Recently, the government has prepared the Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022. The draft Indian Ports Bill,2022 seeks to repeal and replace the existing Indian Ports Act 1908, which is more than 110 years old, becoming imperative that the Act is revamped to reflect the present-day frameworks. Major Ports are under the Union list of the Indian Constitution and are administered under the Indian Ports Act 1908 and the Major Port Trust Act, 1963.

Option (B) is correct: List of Major Ports in India 

  • Kandla Port, Gujarat (Pair 1 is correctly matched)
  • V. O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin Port), Tamil Nadu (Pair 2 is not correctly matched)
  • Kamarajar Port (Ennore Port), Chennai, Tamilnadu (Pair 3 is correctly matched)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Maharashtra (Earlier Known as Nhava Sheva) (Pair 4 is correctly matched)
  1. Mumbai Port, Maharashtra 
  2. Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh 
  3. Marmagao Port, Goa
  4. New Mangalore Port, Karnataka 
  5. Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu 
  6. Cochin Port, Kerala 
  7. Haldia Port, Kolkata (West Bengal)
  8. Paradip Port, Orissa 

Q 4. NITI Aayog’s Governing Council is comprised of:

1. The Prime Minister of India

2. Chief Ministers of all the states and union territories with the legislature

3. Lt Governors of union territories

4. Finance minister of India

5. Union Home Minister

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only

B. 2, 3 and 4 only

C. 1, 4 and 5 only

D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (A)

Recently, the Prime Minister chaired the seventh meeting of the Governing Council (GC) of NITI Aayog.

Option (A) is correct: NITI Aayog’s Governing Council is the premier body trusted with developing a shared vision of national priorities and strategies with the active involvement of States and Union Territories. It is a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues. It comprises

  • The Prime Minister of India
  • Chief Ministers of all the states and union territories with the legislature
  • Lt Governors of union territories
  1. Ex-Officio Members of NITI Aayog
  2. Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
  3. Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog
  4. Special Invitees

Q 5. Which of the following river is/are the left bank tributaries of Godavari River?

1. Manjira

2. Pranhita

3. Indravathi

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (C)

Recently, Officials issued the second warning with the flood level crossing 50 feet in the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam, Telangana, and the flow in the river crossing the 13-lakh cusecs mark.

Option (C) is correct: The Godavari is the largest Peninsular River system. It is also called the Dakshin Ganga. Godavari River rises from Trimbakeshwar near Nasik in Maharashtra and flows for a length of about 1465 km before outfalling into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari basin extends over the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in addition to smaller parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and the Union territory of Puducherry. Pravara, Purna, Manjra, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Pranhita (combined flow of Wainganga, Penganga, Wardha), Indravati, Maner and the Sabri are the important Tributaries of Godavari.

  • The Pravara, Manjira and Maner are right bank tributaries.
  • The Purna, Pranhita, Indravathi and Sabari are important left-bank tributaries