Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (13 October 2022)

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

Date: 13 October 2022

Q1. With reference to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report 2021, which of the following is the major cause of suicide in India?

a) Use of technology
b) Poverty
c) Love Affairs
d) Family Problems

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • According to NCRB data, ‘Family Problems’ was the major cause of suicides which accounted for 33.2% of total suicides in 2021. So, option (d) is correct.
  • ‘Illness’ (18.6%), ‘Drug Abuse/ Alcoholic Addiction’ (6.4%), ‘Marriage Related Issues’ (4.8%), ‘Love Affairs’ (4.6%), ‘Bankruptcy or Indebtedness’ (3.9%), ‘Unemployment’ (2.2%), ‘Failure in Examination’ (1.0%), ‘Professional/Career Problem’ (1.6%) and ‘Poverty’ (1.1%) were other causes of suicides.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. In the Global Innovation Index 2021, India stood last among the BRICS nations.
2. In terms of R&D expenditure, India lags behind all BRICS nations.
3. The bulk of the R&D expenditure is done by the private sector in India.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are not correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Among BRICS nations, only China, ranked 11th, performed better than India; Russia ranks 47th, Brazil 54th, and South Africa 61st. Hence, the first statement is incorrect.
  • In terms of R&D expenditure, India lags behind all BRICS nations.
  • The bulk of the R&D expenditure is done by the public sector, unlike other countries where the private sector also plays an important role. Hence, the third statement is also incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the economy and economic governance models:

1. In a command economic model the society creates and dictates economic plans to drive the production, investments and allocation of goods, services and resources.
2. In a Centrally planned economic system governments and centralized powers control much of the economic processes, including allocating and distributing resources, goods and services.

Choose the INCORRECT answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Centrally planned economic system.
  • In this model the society creates and dictates economic plans to drive the production, investments and allocation of goods, services and resources.
  • Command economic system.
  • In a command economic system governments and centralized powers control much of the economic processes, including allocating and distributing resources, goods and services.
  • Both the statements are interchanged therefore both statements are incorrect and thus answer is (c).

Q4. With reference to the ‘Draft Indian Telecommunications Bill 2022’, which of the following statements are correct?

1. The draft Bill has no provisions on cyber security of either telecommunications or related infrastructure.
2. It proposes to establish the Universal Service Obligation Fund with the objective to boost connectivity in underserved rural areas.
3. The bill proposes to include internet-based and OTT communication services such as WhatsApp calls, Facetime, Google Meet etc under telecom services.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: The draft Bill has no provisions on cyber security of either telecommunications or related infrastructure.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022 also proposes to replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) with the Telecommunication Development Fund (TDF). The Universal Service Support Policy came into effect from 01.04. 2002. The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 giving statutory status to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was passed by both Houses of Parliament in December 2003.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The bill proposes to include internet-based and OTT communication services such as WhatsApp calls, Facetime, Google Meet etc under telecom services.

Q5. ‘Global Illicit Trade Environment Index’ is released by:

a) The Economist Intelligence Unit
b) Interpol
c) World Trade Organization
d) World Economic Forum

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Global Illicit Trade Environment Index is commissioned by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) and produced by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
  • The Index evaluates countries on their structural capability to guard against illicit trade, highlighting specific strengths and weaknesses.
  • Hence (a) is the correct option.