EDEN IAS

Daily MCQ UPSC Current Affairs

Daily MCQs for UPSC Current Affairs | 23RD JANUARY 2023

Question 13: Consider the following statements:

  1. Dhanu Yatra is an annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha.
  2. It is considered the largest open-air theatre in the world. 
  3. The plays in the festival start with the dethroning of Emperor Ugrasen of Mathura by angry Kansa over the marriage of his sister Devaki with Vasudev.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

  • Dhanu Yatra is an annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha.
  • It is considered the largest open-air theatre in the world. Spread over five square km, the entire town of Bargarh turns into a stage for the yatra.
  • The ‘Dhanu Yatra’ which marks the victory of good over evil, came into existence in Bargarh in 1947-48 as part of the celebration of the country’s Independence and is held annually.
  • The plays in the festival start with the dethroning of Emperor Ugrasen of Mathura by angry Kansa over the marriage of his sister Devaki with Vasudev.
  • The festival will conclude with the death of demon king Kansa and restoration of the throne to Ugrasen.

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2022/aug/25/odisha-dhanuyatra-from-december-27-after-covid-break-of-two-years-2491215.html

Question 14: Consider the following statements:

  1. Srisailam Temple is built on the top of the Nallamala hills situated on the banks of river Krishna.
  2. Srisailam Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  3. Srisailam Temple is the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

About Srisailam Temple (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh):

  • It is built on the top of the Nallamala hills situated on the banks of river Krishna.
  • It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy) and Goddess Parvati (Goddess Bhramaramba Devi).
  • It is the only temple in India significant to both Saivism and Shaktism.
  • The presiding deity is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in the shape of Lingam.
  • It is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas of Goddess Parvati.
  • It is also classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam (glorified in Tamil Tevaram hymns).
  • It has earliest reference in Pulumavi’s Nasik Inscription (2nd Century) of Satavahana Dynasty.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/srisailam-temple-muslim-shopkeepers-hail-sc-order-7679664/

Question 15: Consider the following statements:

  1. Assam is the only state to have an NRC (National Register of citizens).
  2. It includes persons whose names appear in any of the electoral rolls up to the midnight of 24th March 1971.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

  • NRC (National Register of citizens) is an official record of those who are legal Indian citizens.
  • At present, Assam is the only state to have an NRC. It was first prepared in 1951 and finally updated in 2019.
  • NRC was updated as per provisions of Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
  • It includes persons whose names appear in any of the electoral rolls up to the midnight of 24th March 1971 or NRC, 1951, and their descendants.
  • Its origin can be traced back to the Assam Accord 1985.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-cag-audit-report-on-assams-nrc/article66311741.ece

Question 16: Consider the following statements:

  1. National E-Governance Services Limited is India’s first Information Utility.
  2. National E-Governance Services Limited is registered with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under aegis of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL)

  • NeSL is India’s first Information Utility.
  • It is registered with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under aegis of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
  • Primary role of NeSL is to serve as a repository of legal evidence holding the information pertaining to any debt/claim, as submitted by financial or operational creditor and verified and authenticated by parties to debt.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/the-stage-is-set-for-digital-banks/article66321746.ece

Question 17: Consider the following statements:

  1. Green methanol is methanol that is produced renewably and without polluting emissions.
  2. Green methanol is a low-carbon fuel that can be made from either biomass gasification or renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide.
  3. Grey methanol is obtained by synthesis reaction from methane present in natural gas.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

Green Methanol:

  • The green methanol project involves capturing carbon from NTPC power plants and converting it into a green fuel.
  • The objective of the partnership was to demonstrate technologies for firing a higher percentage of Torrefied Biomass in NTPC’s coal fired units, Methanol Firing and Ammonia Firing.
  • Green methanol is methanol that is produced renewably and without polluting emissions, one of its variants being generated from green hydrogen.
  • It is a low-carbon fuel that can be made from either biomass gasification or renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide (CO2).
  • This chemical compound can be used as a low-carbon liquid fuel and is a promising alternative to fossil fuels in areas where decarbonization is a major challenge, such as maritime transport.
  • Grey methanol is obtained by synthesis reaction from methane present in natural gas (or in some cases, as in China, still from coal). It is therefore not a renewable or clean energy.
  • Blue methanol is also obtained by synthesis derived from natural gas but includes as part of the process the capture and storage of the carbon generated during its production, converting it into a less polluting product.
  • Methanol is a low carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, CO2 from thermal power plants and natural gas. It is the best pathway for meeting India’s commitment to COP 21.
  • NITI Aayog’s ‘Methanol Economy’ program is aimed at reducing India’s oil import bill, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and converting coal reserves and municipal solid waste into methanol.

Source: https://www.niti.gov.in/methanol-economy

Question 18: Consider the following statements:

  1. Capturing of attendance through National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) is compulsory at worksites where 20 or more workers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS) are employed.
  2. NMMS, mobile application, was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Which of the following statements is/are true?
A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: A

Explanation

National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS):

  • Centre has made digitally capturing of MGNREGA attendance universal from January 1, 2023, through NMMS.
  • Capturing of attendance through NMMS is compulsory at worksites where 20 or more workers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS) are employed.
  • NMMS, mobile application, was launched by Ministry of Rural Development in 2021.
  • It aims to bring more transparency, and ensure proper monitoring, of schemes.
  • It permits taking real time attendance of workers at MGREGS worksites along with geo-tagged photograph.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-makes-digitally-capturing-mgnrega-attendance-universal-from-january-1/article66307769.ece