DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 8th February 2023

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Science and Technology

Context: Recently Scientists have created a new type of ice that matches the density and structure of water, perhaps opening a door to studying water’s mysterious properties. The ice is called medium-density amorphous ice.

About Amorphous Ice:

• The ice is called medium-density amorphous ice.
• Amorphous ice consists of water molecules arranged in a disordered state, with no large-scale regularity to their orientations or positions.
  • This kind of ice is most often found in space.
• Almost all ice in the universe is amorphous and, in a form, called low-density amorphous ice.
  • This forms when water condenses onto dust grains in space.
  • Comets are amorphous ice as well.
• Amorphous ice’s water molecules are in a disorganized form resembling a liquid.
• This kind of ice is most often found in space.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because (2021)

1. It is dipolar in nature
2. It is a good conductor of heat
3. It has high value of specific heat
4. It is an oxide of hydrogen

Q.2) Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss? (2018)

1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Governance

Context: Yuva Sangam registration portal launched

About Yuva Sangam Portal:

• The Yuva Sangam will focus on conducting exposure tours of the youth comprising of students & off-campus youngsters from North Eastern States to other states & vice versa. 
• It will provide an immersive, multidimensional experience of various facets-under four broad areas of Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development) and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect).
• Yuva Sangam will celebrate India`s diversity, rejuvenate the spirit of oneness and highlight the strength of India`s democracy.
• Youth between the ages of 18 and 30 will take part in this programme.
• Ministry – Ministry of Development of North-East Region

Source: NewsOnAir

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Syllabus

• Prelims – History and Art and Culture

Context: Stone carvings that archaeologists say date back to the Paleolithic period or the Stone Age. have been discovered in Gurugram.

About Rakhigarhi and discoveries:

• The discovery of stone carvings has been made in the Badshahpur area of Tethar village of Sohna.
• The petroglyphs discovered in the area include hand and footprints of animals and humans engraved on quartzite rocks and graffiti.
• Most of the carvings are of animal paws and human footprints, while some are just basic symbols, which had presumably been kept for some special purpose.

Rakhigarhi

• Rakhigarhi in Haryana is the largest Harappan site in the Indian subcontinent.
• At Rakhigarhi, the excavations are being done to trace its beginnings and to study its gradual evolution from 6000 BCE (Pre-Harappan phase) to 2500 BCE.
• Rakhigarhi is an ideal candidate to believe that the beginning of the Harappan civilization took place in the Ghaggar basin in Haryana and it gradually grew from here.

Source: Times of India

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Which one of the following ancient towns is well known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? (2021)

1. Dholavira
2. Kalibangan
3. Rakhigarhi
4. Ropar

Q.2) With reference to the period of the Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as (2020)

1. ports handling foreign trade
2. capitals of powerful kingdoms
3. places of exquisite stone art and architecture
4. important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Science and Technology

Context: Recently Brazil sinks age old aircraft carrier carrying asbestos, other toxins.

About Asbestos:

• It is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral.
• Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals made up of heat-resistant fibers.

• It consists of flexible fibers resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion.
• Asbestos is an excellent electrical insulator and is highly fire-resistant, so for much of the 20th century it was very commonly used across the world as a building material.
• Construction materials contained asbestos because it is an effective insulator.
  • Asbestos in cloth, paper, cement, plastic and other materials makes them stronger.
• Asbestos mainly comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and China.
  • The toxic mineral was once mined throughout North America.
• Asbestos has been used on ships as both a fire retardant and an insulator to protect sailors from the constant and jarring vibrations of ships’ engines.

Health Effects

• It is known to be a highly toxic material and a carcinogen.
• Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers can become trapped in the respiratory or digestive systems of the body, accumulating over time.
• Repeated exposure can cause inflammation and damage the DNA.
• The following illnesses have been associated with asbestos exposure: lung cancer, COPD, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics? (2021)

1. Low-density polyethylene
2. Polycarbonate
3. Polyethylene terephthalate
4. Polyvinyl Chloride

Q.2) “Triclosan” considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? (2021)

1. Food preservatives
2. Fruit ripening substances
3. reused plastic containers
4. Toiletries

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Governance

About the scheme:

• It was launched during the year 2015-16 to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
• PMKSY has been conceived amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and the On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).
• The scheme will be implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development.
• Ministry of Rural Development is to mainly undertake rain water conservation, construction of farm pond, water harvesting structures, small check dams and contour bunding etc.
• MoWR, RD &GR, is to undertake various measures for creation of assured irrigation source, construction of diversion canals, field channels, water diversion/lift irrigation, including development of water distribution systems.
• Ministry of Agriculture will promote efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices like drips, sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm “(Jal Sinchan)”, construction of micro-irrigation structures to supplement source creation activities, extension activities for promotion of scientific moisture conservation and agronomic measures.
• Programme architecture of PMKSY will be to adopt a ‘decentralized State level planning and projectized execution’ structure that will allow States to draw up their own irrigation development plans based on District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and State Irrigation Plan (SIP).
• It will be operative as convergence platform for all water sector activities including drinking water & sanitation, MGNREGA, application of science & technology etc. through comprehensive plan.
• State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State will be vested with the authority to oversee its implementation and sanction projects.
• The programme will be supervised and monitored by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister with Union Ministers from concerned Ministries.
• A National Executive Committee (NEC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to oversee programme implementation, allocation of resources, inter-ministerial coordination, monitoring & performance assessment, addressing administrative issues etc.

Source:  PIB

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) In India under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? (2020)

1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer
2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant willfully damages it, if proved so
3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion
4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third-party files a suit

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2) With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements :

1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2018)

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity and Governance

Context: According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the NCST is functioning with less than 50% of its sanctioned strength.

About NCST:

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
• By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19 February, 2004.
• The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, and the Vice-Chairperson that of a Minister of State and other Members have the ranks of a Secretary to the Government of India.

Composition

• It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members who are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• At least one member should be a woman.
• The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the other Members hold office for a term of 3 years.
• The members are not eligible for appointment for more than two terms.

Major functions of commission under 338A

• To investigate & Monitor matters relating to Safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution or under other laws
• To inquire into specific complaints relating to Rights & Safeguards of STs
• To participate and Advise in the Planning Process relating to Socio-economic development of STs
• To annually present report to the President
• To discharge such other functions in relation to STs as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (2022)

1. This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
2. This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
3. This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
4. The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.

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Syllabus

• Prelims – Geography

Context: According to data released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, even though farmers have surpassed last year’s acreage under wheat, the increase in sown area in the 2022-23 Rabi season has been only marginal — by 0.4 per cent.

• Rabi cropping season is from October-March (winter).
• The rabi crops include wheat, barley, oats (cereals), chickpea/gram (pulses), linseed, mustard (oilseeds) etc.
• Rabi Crops are agricultural crops that are planted in the winter and harvested in the spring.

Wheat​

• Wheat, which is sown and harvested during the rabi season, is one of the staple crops farmed in the nation.
• Indian wheat is largely a soft/medium-hard, medium protein, white bread wheat, somewhat similar to U.S. hard white wheat.
• Durum wheat, often known as pasta wheat or macaroni wheat is also one of the best quality wheat varieties in India.
• Climate requirement:
• wheat requires a combination of factors including cool climate with moderate rainfall, flat and well drained plain areas.
• Fertile friable loam and heavy inputs in the form of irrigation, HYV seeds, fertilizers and mechanization.

Areas of Cultivation:

• Major wheat growing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat.
• Punjab is called as the Wheat Bowl of India emerged as the biggest wheat producer state in 2021.

Production:

• India is the second-largest producer of wheat after China with a share of around 14.14 per cent of the world’s total production in 2020.
• China, India, and Russia are the three largest individual wheat producers in the world, accounting for about 41% of the world’s total wheat production.
• India’s wheat exports are mainly to neighboring countries with Bangladesh having the largest share of more than 54 per cent in both volume and value terms in 2020-21.

Source:   DownToEarth

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas office at Dubai and Moscow.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022)

1. 1 and 3
2. 2 and 4
3. 3 and 4
4. 1 and 4

Q.2) Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop? (2021)

1. Sugarcane
2. Sunflower
3. Pearl millet
4. Red gram

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Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (International Relations)

Context: India and South Korea recently acknowledged the 50th anniversary of India-South Korea diplomatic ties.

About India – South Korea bilateral relations:

Political

• During the Korean War (1950- 53), India played a major role in a cease-fire agreement signed between both the warring sides (North Korea and South Korea) and the ceasefire was declared in July 1953.
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was operationalized from in January 2010.
• In May 2015, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to ‘special strategic partnership’.
• India has a major role to play in South Korea’s Southern Policy under which Korea is looking at expanding relations beyond its immediate region.
• Similarly, South Korea is a major player in India’s Act East Policy under which India aims to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific.

Regional Stability:

• The regional tensions in South Asia especially between India and China create a common interest for India and South Korea.
• This could be a collaborative approach for regional stability.

Nuclear:

• South Korea’s key interest in managing their nuclear neighbour (North Korea) is similar to India’s considerations toward Pakistan.
• The US alliance system, established with South Korea and Japan, puts pressure on North Korea to cap its nuclear programme.
• Containing North Korea is beneficial to India’s economic and regional ambit in East Asia.
• It also adds to its approach to the nuclear non-proliferation regime as a responsible nuclear state.

Economic:

• The current bilateral trade between India and South Korea is at USD 21 billion and the target that has been set is USD 50 billion by the year 2030.
• India and South Korea have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), 2010 which has facilitated the growth of trade relations.
• To facilitate investment from Korea, India has launched a “Korea Plus” facilitation cell under ‘Invest India’ to guide, assist and handhold investors.

Diplomatic:

• There is a long-lasting regional security dilemma with the continued verbal provocations and a conventional arms race.
• Thus, despite the alliance system, Seoul appears to be searching for a stronger diplomatic stand on imminent regional issues beyond the alliance system.
• South Korea’s approach to India comes with strategic optimism for expanding ties to ensure a convergence of interest in planning global and regional strategic frameworks.

Cultural:

• Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho or Hong Jiao visited India from 723 to 729 AD and wrote the travelogue “Pilgrimage to the five kingdoms of India” which gives a vivid account of Indian culture, politics and society.
• Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore had composed a short but evocative poem – ‘Lamp of the East’ – in 1929 about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright future.

Indian diaspora:

• Many Indian scholars are pursuing post-graduate and Ph. D programmes, mostly in pure sciences live in South Korea.
• During the past few years, many professionals, mainly in the areas of IT, shipping and automobile have immigrated to ROK.
• Coordination Committee by the Indian high commission works to bring all the Indian Associations in ROK onto a common platform.
• The Committee is an effective platform for dissemination of information and coordinating cultural events/activities.

Multilateral Platforms Shared by Both the Countries:

• United Nations
• World Trade Organisation
• ASEAN Plus
• East Asia Summit (EAS)
• G-20

Challenges

• Inadequate Trade: In the last few years, India and South Korea have faced serious blockades to their economic ties.
  • Trade between the two countries was sluggish and there was no major inflow of South Korean investment into India.
• Indian Diaspora: Within South Korea, the integration of Indians in the local population is far from complete, with some instances of racial prejudice or discrimination toward Indians
• Inadequate acknowledgment of Korean Culture: To a certain extent Indians are unable to distinguish between the cultural and social characteristics of South Koreans from that of Japanese/Chinese.
• Unfulfilled potential of Cultural Centres: Indian Culture Centre (ICC) was established in Seoul to promote people-to-people contacts.
  • However, ICC has to reach an exponentially wider audience and its focus has to expand beyond the urban, English-speaking elite of Seoul.
  • The same may be applicable to South Korean culture centres in India.
• Multi-dimensional challenges: The current emerging alignment between India and South Korea, which has the potential to bring the two countries closer together, may prove short-lived if proper attention is not paid to the multi-dimensional challenges it faces.

Way Forward:

India’s significance for South Korea is growing primarily because of the latter’s deepening strategic dilemma with China – its largest economic partner. South Korea’s shifting perception about its economic engagement with China has influenced Seoul’s strategy towards other Asian powers. Against this background, policymakers in Seoul see India as a crucial partner and their government is taking various steps to upgrade ties under their new policy framework called the ‘New Southern Policy.’

India-Republic of Korea (RoK) relations has made great strides in recent years and has become truly multidimensional. The bilateral relations are spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high-level exchanges.

Source:  Indian Express

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Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Internal Security)

Context: Recently, the Union Home Minister stated that the ministry is determined to destroy the entire ecosystem of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by “financial choking”.

• According to the Union Home Minister, for the first time in four decades, the number of deaths of civilians and security forces in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) came down to under 100 in 2022.
  • Left Wing Extremism had come down by 76% in 2022 as compared to 2010.

About Left-wing Extremism(LWE) in India:

• Left-wing extremists, popularly known as Maoists worldwide and as Naxalites/Naxalism in India, has been a major threat to India since the 1960s.
• The term Naxalism derives from the name of the Naxalbari village in West Bengal where a peasant revolt took place against local landlords over a land dispute in 1967.
• The origins of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India goes back to the Telangana peasant rebellion (1946-51), the movement was at its peak in 1967, when the peasants, landless labourers, and Adivasis raided the granaries of a landlord in the Naxalbari village in West Bengal.

Red Corridor:

• The influence zone of LWE in India is called the Red corridor, which has been steadily declining in terms of geographical coverage and number of violent incidents.

States data:

• In 2021, Chhattisgarh accounted for 90 percent (45 out of 50) of all security personnel deaths in the country.
• Jharkhand is the only state that recorded security personnel deaths (5) besides Chhattisgarh in 2021.
  • In 2019, when 52 security force personnel deaths were recorded in the country, Chhattisgarh accounted for just 42 percent (22) of those with Maharashtra accounting for 16 deaths and Jharkhand for 12 deaths.
• Other states for which data has been provided by the government are Bihar, Odisha and Telangana.
• All recorded zero deaths in 2021.
• In 2022, Odisha recorded three deaths while Jharkhand recorded two.

Reasons for Left Wing Extremism:

Tribal discontent:

• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 deprives tribals, who depend on forest produce for their living, from even cutting a bark.
• Massive displacement of tribal population in the naxalism-affected states due to development projects, mining operations and other reasons.

No Follow-Up from administration:

• It is seen that even after police takes hold of a region, administration fails to provide essential services to the people of that region.
• Confusion over tackling naxalism as a social issue or as a security threat.
• State governments considering naxalism as the central government’s issue and thus are not taking any initiatives to fight it.

Lack of Livelihood:

• People who do not have any source of living are taken into Naxalism by Maoists.
• Maoists provide arms and ammunition and money to such people.

Governance related issues:

• Government measures its success on the basis of the number of violent attacks rather than the development done in the Naxal-affected areas.
• Absence of strong technical intelligence to fight with Naxalites.
• Infrastructural problems, for instance, some villages are not yet connected properly with any communication network.

Reasons for decline in violence:

• Greater presence of security forces across the LWE affected States.
• Loss of leaders on account of arrests, surrender and desertions.
• Rehabilitation programs by the governments.
• Better monitoring and shortage of funds and arms.
• Intelligence sharing and raising of a separate 66 Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBs), CRPF battalions like COBRA battalion, Bastariya battalion etc were done by the government to curb the menace of LWE organisations.

Government Initiatives to Fight LWE:

• Operation Green Hunt: It was started in 2009-10 and massive deployment of security forces was done in the Naxal-affected areas
• Aspirational Districts Programme: Launched in 2018, it aims to rapidly transform the districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key social areas.
• SAMADHAN doctrine is the one-stop solution for the LWE problem. It encompasses the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. SAMADHAN stands for-
  • S- Smart Leadership,
  • A- Aggressive Strategy,
  • M- Motivation and Training,
  • Actionable Intelligence,
  • D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas),
  • H- Harnessing Technology,
  • Action plan for each Theatre,
  • N- No access to Financing.
• ROSHNI is a special initiative under, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (Formerly Ajeevika Skills), launched in June 2013 for training and placement of rural poor youth from 27 LWE affected districts in 09 States.
• Road Connectivity: Construction of 17,462 km of roadways had been sanctioned to improve road connectivity, of which work on about 11,811 km had been completed.
• Mobile connectivity: For better mobile connectivity, 2,343 mobile towers had been installed in the first phase during the last eight years, and approval given to upgrade them to 4G. This apart, 2,542 new mobile towers were being installed in the second phase.
• Eklavya Residential Model School: More than 100 Eklavya Residential Model Schools were sanctioned in 21 years prior to 2019, while in the past three years, 103 have been sanctioned.
  • So far, 245 Eklavya schools had been sanctioned in 90 LWE-affected districts and 121 of them were now functional.
• Banks, ATMs and Post offices for financial inclusion:
  • The government also facilitated the opening of 1,258 bank branches and 1,348 ATMs in the worst hit districts, besides 4,903 post offices.

Way Forward:

• Innovative measures are required to be employed in preventing IED(Improvised Explosive Device) related incidents which have caused significant casualties in recent years.
• Emphasis should be laid on the capacity-building and modernization of the local police forces.
• States should rationalize their surrender policy in order to bring innocent individuals caught in the trap of LWE in the mainstream.
• States also need to adopt a focused time-bound approach to completely eliminate LWE groups and ensure all-round development of the affected regions.
• What makes the LWE particularly disturbing is its correlation with the demographic youth bulge in the general Indian population.
  • If the Indian state fails, the widespread unemployment could lead to a serious internal security situation.
• The Centre and the States should make efforts in synchronise that are crucial in eliminating such radicalization amongst groups.

Source: Indian Express

Q.1) Which of the following Harapan sites is the largest among all in the Indian Subcontinent?

1. Banawali
2. Rakhigarhi
3. Dholavira
4. Surkotada

Q.2) Asbestos is known to be a highly toxic material and a carcinogen. When Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers can become trapped in the respiratory or digestive systems of the body, accumulating over time causing severe health hazards.

Asbestos is used in which of the following industries?

1. Ship building industry
2. Textile Industry
3. Cement Industry
4. Paper Industry

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 2 and 3 only
2. 2 3 and 4 only
3. 1 2 and 4 only
4. 1 2 3 and 4

Q.3) The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been conceived amalgamating which of the following schemes:

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
2. Integrated Watershed Management Programme
3. The On Farm Water Management

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 2 and 3
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 8th February 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c