Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (12 August 2022)

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

Date: 12 August 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding G20:

1. It is an informal group of 20 countries.
2. Countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea are members of the G20.

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: (D)

Explanation:

  • The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
  • The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Q2. Consider the following:

1. Madhav Menon Committee
2. V.S. Malimath Committee

Which of the above committees are related to criminal justice system?

Choose the correct option

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Both the committees are related to reforms in the criminal justice system.

  • In 2000 the Govt formed a panel under Justice VS Malimath to suggest an overhaul of the criminal justice system. The panel submitted its report in 2003 and felt the criminal justice system is more inclined towards the accused than the victim.
  • In N.R. Madhav Menon headed a 4 member committee entrusted to draft the “Draft National Policy on Criminal Justice”. The committee submitted its report in the year of 2007, advocating a complete overhaul of the whole criminal justice system of India

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding agriculture sector in India:

1. Agriculture, including agricultural education and research is a subject under Concurrent list of Indian Constitution.
2. India’s total R&D expenditure as percentage of GDP has been continuously increasing and at present it is close to 2%.
3. Investment in agricultural research and development yields much better returns as compared to fertilizer subsidy, power subsidy, and education or on roads.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Agriculture, including agricultural education and research; protection against pests and prevention of plant diseases is a State subject under schedule VII of the constitution.
  • According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, the total R&D expenditure in India as percentage of GDP has been stagnant at 0.6 to 0.7 per cent in the last two decades — much lower than the US (2.8 per cent), China (2.1 per cent), South Korea (4.3 per cent) and Israel (4.2 per cent).
  • The Economic Survey shows that every rupee spent on agricultural research and development yields much better returns (11.2), compared to returns on every rupee spent on fertilizer subsidy (0.88), power subsidy (0.79), education (0.97) or on roads (1.10).

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding India’s Healthcare Sector:

1. In India, more than half of hospitals are situated in rural areas where 75% of total population resides.
2. The out-of-pocket-expenditure is as high as 70 per cent in some States.
3. In India, public expenditure on health is close to 20% of the total health expenditure while in China and USA, it is close to 25% and 45% respectively.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • According to health information 31.5% of hospitals and 16% hospital beds are situated in rural areas where 75% of total population resides.
  • Even after 75 years, our health system pushes more than 50 million people into poverty each year, with out-of-pocket-expenditure as high as 70 per cent in some States.
  • In India, public expenditure on health is 17.3% of the total health expenditure while in China, the same is 24.9% and in Sri Lanka and USA, the same is 45.4 and 44.1 respectively.

Q5. Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) aims to achieve which of the following by the end of the decade?

1. Reduce the number of zero-dose children by 100 percent
2. Achieve 500 introductions of new or under-utilized vaccines in low- and middle-income countries
3. Achieve 90% coverage for essential childhood vaccines

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • By the end of the decade, IA2030 aims to:
  • Reduce by 50% the number of children receiving zero vaccine doses
  • Achieve 500 introductions of new or under-utilized vaccines in low- and middle-income countries
  • Achieve 90% coverage for essential childhood vaccines