Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (01 April 2023)

Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Date: 01 April 2023

Q1. Which of the following is a major contributor to India's import basket?

a) Electronics
b) Textile
c) Energy-related products
d) Gold

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Energy-related products dominate India's import basket and account for around 36.6 percent of the total merchandise import bill. Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q2. Which of the following statements about E-AMRIT.

1. E-Amrit is a one-stop destination for all information on generic medicines and busting myths around generic medicines.
2. The E-AMRIT portal has been developed and hosted by NITI Aayog under a collaborative knowledge exchange programme with the UK government and as part of the UK–India Joint Roadmap 2030.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

About Accelerated e-Mobility Revolution for India's Transportation (E-AMRIT)

  • E-Amrit is a one-stop destination for all information on electric vehicles—busting myths around the adoption of EVs, their purchase, investment opportunities, policies, subsidies, etc. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect).
  • The portal has been developed and hosted by NITI Aayog under a collaborative knowledge exchange programme with the UK government and as part of the UK–India Joint Roadmap 2030, signed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. (Hence statement 2 is correct).

Solution: As only the 2nd statement is correct, the correct option is (B).

Q3. With reference to Gig Economy, consider the following statements:

1. It refers to the labour market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work.
2. It only includes jobs that require high levels of education and technical skills.
3. The Gig Economy is limited to the technology industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3 only

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Gig Economy is a term used to describe a labour market in which temporary, short-term contracts or freelance work is prevalent, as opposed to permanent jobs. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • It includes jobs that require a wide range of education and technical skills, from low-skilled manual labour to high-skilled professional services. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • This type of work is typically found in the service and technology industries, but can also be found in other areas such as construction, transportation, healthcare etc. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. Smart PDS is the initiative of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
2. One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) – a nationwide portability scheme that allows beneficiaries to access their food rations from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Smart PDS is the initiative of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD). Statement 1 is correct.
  • One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) – a nationwide portability scheme that allows beneficiaries to access their food rations from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country. Statement 2 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. According to Census 2011, India has 104 million older people (60+years), constituting 8.6% of total population.
2. As per the NSO report, Kerala currently has the highest elderly population in India.
3. The old-age dependency ratio was 14.2 percent in 2011.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • According to Census 2011, India has 104 million older people (60+years), constituting 8.6% of total population.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • Kerala currently has the highest elderly population (16.5 per cent), followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (13.1 per cent), Punjab (12.6 percent) and Andhra Pradesh (12.4 per cent) in 2021.
  • Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The old-age dependency ratio is defined as the number of persons aged 60+ per 100 persons relative to the age group 15-59.
  • The NSO report noted a significant increase in the old-age dependency ratio, which rose from 10.9 per cent in 1961 to 14.2 per cent in 2011 and is projected to increase to 15.7 per cent and 20.1 per cent in 2021 and 2031, respectively.
  • Thus statement 3 is also correct.