UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: March 11, 2025
March 11, 2025 March 11, 2025
1. In the context of space governance, consider the following statements:
- Space debris includes all man-made objects in Earth orbit that are non-functional.
- The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 mandates that states are responsible for all space activities conducted by private entities.
- The 1972 Convention on Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects requires proof of negligence for liability claims.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Space debris includes all man-made objects in Earth orbit that are non-functional: This is correct. Space debris refers to defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions.
- The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 mandates that states are responsible for all space activities conducted by private entities: This is correct. The treaty establishes that states are liable for activities conducted by both governmental and commercial actors.
- The 1972 Convention on Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects requires proof of negligence for liability claims: This is incorrect. The convention imposes absolute liability, meaning no proof of negligence is needed for claims.
2. With respect to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
- The PM-SYM scheme guarantees a minimum pension of ₹5,000 per month after the age of 60.
- The scheme is mandatory for all workers in the unorganised sector.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:- The PM-SYM scheme guarantees a minimum pension of ₹5,000 per month after the age of 60. Incorrect: The PM-SYM scheme guarantees a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60, not ₹5,000.
- The scheme is mandatory for all workers in the unorganised sector. Incorrect: The scheme is voluntary and not mandatory for workers in the unorganised sector.
3. Which of the following is/are the missile defense systems?
- THAAD system
- Iron Dome
- Aegis system
- S-400 Triumf
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) THAAD system: It uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy incoming threats and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 150 km.
- Iron Dome: It has an interception success rate of about 90% against incoming threats and operates at a range of 4 to 70 kilometers.
- Aegis BMD: It employs advanced radar systems and has been successfully tested against various ballistic missile threats.
- The S-400 Triumf is a surface-to-air missile system (SAM) that defends against aircraft, missiles, and drones. It’s one of Russia’s most advanced air defense systems.
4. In the context of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme, consider the following statements:
- It is a Central Sponsor Scheme which was launched in 2020.
- It offers medium- to long-term debt financing for post-harvest infrastructure and community farming projects through interest subvention and financial support.
- All loans up to a limit of ₹ 2 crores under this financing facility will have an interest subvention of 3% per annum.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- It is a Central Sponsor Scheme which was launched in 2020. Incorrect: It is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 2020. The duration of the Scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2032 (10 years).
- It offers medium- to long-term debt financing for post-harvest infrastructure and community farming projects through interest subvention and financial support. Correct: The scheme shall provide a medium- to long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
- All loans up to a limit of ₹ 2 crores under this financing facility will have an interest subvention of 3% per annum. Correct: All loans up to a limit of ₹ 2 crores under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years.
5. In the light of NASA’s Voyager missions, consider the following statements:
- Voyager 1 is the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space.
- Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have visited Uranus and Neptune.
- Voyager 1 discovered a thin ring around Saturn.
- Both Voyager spacecraft are powered by solar panels.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Voyager 1 is the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space: This is correct. Voyager 1 entered interstellar space in 2012, but Voyager 2 entered it later in 2018.
- Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have visited Uranus and Neptune: This is correct. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have made flybys of both ice giants.
- Voyager 1 discovered a thin ring around Saturn: This is incorrect. Voyager 1 discovered a ring around Jupiter, not Saturn.
- Both Voyager spacecraft are powered by solar panels: This is incorrect. They are powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators, not solar panels.
The above questions are part of Daily UPSC 20 Current Affairs MCQs Series in GKToday Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for user friendly test with detailed answers and explanations.
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