Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (04 January 2023)

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

Date: 04 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to demonetisation:

1. The Central Government possesses the power to initiate and carry out the process of demonetisation of all series of bank notes, of all denominations.
2. The RBI can independently extend the time period for exchange of old currency notes.

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

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 Both
d) None of above

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Central Government possesses the power to initiate and carry out the process of demonetisation of all series of bank notes, of all denominations. However, all series of bank notes, of all denominations, could not be recommended to be demonetised by the Central Board of the Bank under Section 26 (2) of the Act. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • As per the recent majority judgment, the RBI does not have any independent powers to extend the time period of currency exchange. Hence, Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution permits the state for making any law regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political, or other secular activities, which may be associated with religious practice.
2. The Constitution permits the state to enact a law to prohibit the exclusion of ‘classes and sections’ of Hindu society to enter into Hindu temples of a public character.

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: (C)

Explanation:

  • Article 25(2) of the Constitution permits the state for making any law regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political, or other secular activities, which may be associated with religious practice. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • Article 25(2)(b) empowers the state to enact a law to prohibit the exclusion of ‘classes and sections’ of Hindu society to enter into Hindu temples of a public character and also make laws for social welfare and reform. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following Statements on Representation of women in Panchayat:

1. Article 243D of the Constitution ensures participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions by mandating not less than one- third reservation for women out of total number of seats.
2. Not less than one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women.

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

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 Both
d) None of above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • ‘Panchayat’, being “Local government”, is a State subject and part of State list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Clause (3) of Article 243D of the Constitution ensures the participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions by mandating not less than one-third reservation for women out of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election and number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats. (Option 1 is correct)
  • Further, in terms of clause (4) of Article 243D of the Constitution, the offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide, provided that the number of offices of Chairpersons reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayats at each level in any State shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of such offices in the Panchayats at each level as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the State or of the Scheduled Tribes in the State bears to the total population of the State, provided further that not less than one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women. (Option 2 is correct)

Solution: Both the statements are correct, so the correct option is (c)

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022:

1. Mandatory to notify the Competition Commission of India of any transaction with a deal value in excess of ₹2,000 crores.
2. Appointment of a Director General by the Competition Commission of India rather than the Central government.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • It will be mandatory to notify the Commission of any transaction with a deal value in excess of ₹2,000 crores and if either of the parties has substantial business operations in India.
  • The appointment of a Director General by the Competition Commission of India rather than the Central government gives the Commission greater control.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘'Prisons/persons detained therein' in India

1. ‘Prisons’ is a Union Subject but administration and management of prisons is the responsibility of respective State Governments.
2. Prison occupancy rates in India are more than 100%.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India 'Prisons/persons detained therein' is a State subject under Entry 4.
  • Hence, administration and management of prisons is the responsibility of respective State Governments. (Statement-1 is incorrect)
  • According to Prison Statistics of India (PSI) 2020 prison occupancy in India stood at 118%.
  • States such as Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand had tragic occupancy rates of 177%, 174%, and 169%, respectively (December 2020).
  • The share of under-trials in prisons was at an all-time high at 76% in December 2020. (Statement-2 is correct)