Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (07 January 2023)

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

Date: 07 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the retirement age in India and the world-

1. The retirement age for most of the public sector jobs in India lies around 60 years.
2. The global average retirement age for men stands at less than 60 years.
3. The Union government reduced the retirement age of central government employees from 62 years to 60 years in 1998.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The retirement age in India has languished around 60 for over three decades now; among the lowest globally.
  • The retirement age for central government employees was last revised in May 1998, when it was moved up from 58 to 60 years.
  • Even in the private sector it lies in the 58 to 62 year-band and only a small segment with shortage of personnel such as doctors and scientific officers has age around 60 years.
  • (Statement-1 is correct and statement-3 is incorrect)
  • According to OECD’s ‘Pensions at a Glance 2021’ report, the global average retirement age for a man working from the age of 22 was 64.2 years in 2020.
  • This is expected to increase to 66.1 years by 2064 for people entering the workforce after 2020.
  • (Statement-2 is incorrect)

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

1. It was launched in Feb 2016 as a flagship scheme for crop insurance.
2. The maximum premium payable by farmers is 2 percent for all food and oilseeds crops grown in the kharif (summer) season, 1.5 per cent for same crops grown in rabi (winter) season and 5 per cent for commercial and horticulture crops.
3. Crop insurance is mandatory to avail a farm loan.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • PMFBY was launched in Feb 2016. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • Under this scheme, The maximum premium payable by farmers is 2 percent for all food and oilseeds crops grown in the kharif (summer) season, 1.5 per cent for same crops grown in rabi (winter) season and 5 per cent for commercial and horticulture crops. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • Crop insurance is made optional to avail farm loan. Thus statement 3 is not correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Like other citizens, ministers are guaranteed the right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1) (a).
2. The reasonable restrictions laid out in Article 19(2) are also applicable for public functionaries.
3. Fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 can be enforced even against private entities.

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

a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Like other citizens, ministers are guaranteed the right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1) (a), governed by the reasonable restrictions laid out in Article 19(2).
  • The reasonable restrictions laid out in Article 19(2) are also applicable for public functionaries.
  • Fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 can be enforced even against private entities.

Hence, all the statements are correct.

Q4. Which of the following crops are millet?

1. Jowar
2. Maize
3. Ragi
4. Bajra

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 1, 3, and 4 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet). Maize crops are not millet. So, option (b) is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding draft regulations for ‘Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India’ :

1. Both the full-time programmes in offline mode and distance learning programmes in online mode will be allowed.
2. Need a nod from the education ministry to set up their campuses in India.
3. Initial approval will be for 10 years.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Terms and conditions in draft regulations for ‘Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India’:

  • Foreign universities with campuses in the country can only offer full-time programmes in offline mode. Online or distance learning will not be allowed.
  • The foreign universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will need a nod from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to set up their campuses in India.
  • Initial approval will be for 10 years and will be renewed in the ninth year subject to the meeting of certain conditions.
  • The foreign universities shall not offer any such study programme which jeopardizes the national interest of India or the standards of higher education in India.