Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (13 January 2023)


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

Date: 13 January 2023


Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Foreign trade of India.

1. India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.
2. India’s service exports are more than its service imports.
3. Business service constitutes the majority of service exports from India.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • India’s service exports are more than its service imports. This means that India has a net service surplus. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Software services constitute the bulk of India's service export at around 40-45 per cent, followed by business services at about 18-20 per cent, travel at 11-14 per cent and transportation at 9-11 per cent. Thus statement 3 is not correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements on Protection against arrest and detention:

1. No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed.
2. Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty four hours of such arrest.
3. Nothing in statements 1 and 2 shall apply to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien or to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.
4. As per a Supreme Court judgement Right to speedy trials is an essential part of Fundamental right to life and liberty.

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

a) 1, 2 and 4 only
b) 1,2 and 3 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

Article 22 in The Constitution of India:

Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases:

  1. No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may not be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice. (Hence option 1 is correct)
  2. Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty four hours of such arrest excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate. (Hence option 2 is correct).
  3. Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply (a) to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien; or (b) to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention. (Hence option 3 is correct).

In the case Katar Singh V. State of Punjab, it was declared that right to speedy trials is an essential part of Fundamental right to life and liberty. Hence option 4 is correct)

As all the statements are correct so correct option is option (d).

Q3. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), sometimes seen in the news, is related to:

a) Textile sector
b) Manufacturing sector
c) Telecom sector
d) Renewable Energy sector

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was formed by an Act of Parliament and was established in April 2002 under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act 2003.
  • It aims to provide financial support for the provision of telecom services in commercially unviable rural and remote areas of the country. So, option (c) is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India

1. The Office of the Registrar General of India’s approval is mandatory for the inclusion of any community in Scheduled Tribe (ST) lists.
2. Currently Lokur Committee recommendations are followed to determine scheduling of communities to the ST lists.
3. The term 'Scheduled Tribes' is mentioned in the Constitution of India.
4. The Constitution of India defines the criteria for recognition of Scheduled Tribes.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Although the term 'Scheduled Tribes' is mentioned in the Constitution of India, the Constitution does not define the criteria for recognition of Scheduled Tribes. (Statement-3 is correct and Statement-4 is incorrect)
  • As a result, during the initial years after independence, the definition contained in 1931 Census was used to categorize Schedule Tribes.
  • As per 1931 Census, Schedule tribes are termed as "backward tribes” living in the "Excluded" and "Partially Excluded" areas.
  • Against this backdrop, the Govt of India set up an Advisory Committee on the Revision of Lists of Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes, also known as Lokur Committee, in 1965.
  • The Office of the RGI’s approval is mandatory for the inclusion of any community in Scheduled Tribe (ST) lists, as per the procedure for scheduling tribes. (Statement-1 is correct)
  • Currently the Office of the Registrar-General of India (RGI) is following the set of criteria set out by the Lokur Committee. (Statement-2 is correct)

Q5. Consider the following statements with respect to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020:

1. Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) for the country has shown a significant decline from 2019.
2. U5MR for females is higher than for males.
3. The Rural-Urban difference in Infant Mortality Rate has narrowed compared to 2019.
4. No gender differential has been observed in 2020.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 released on 22nd September 2022 by Registrar General of India (RGI):
  • Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) for the country has shown a significant decline of 3 points (Annual Decline Rate: 8.6%) from 2019 (32 per 1000 live births in 2020 against 35 per 1000 live births in 2019). It varies from 36 in rural areas to 21 in urban areas.
  • U5MR for females is higher (33) than for males (31).
  • The Rural-Urban difference has narrowed to 12 points (Urban 19, Rural-31).
  • No gender differential has been observed in 2020 (Male -28, Female - 28).

Hence, all statements are correct.