Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (16 December 2022)

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

Date: 16 December 2022

Q1. With respect to the Census of India, consider the following statements:

1. The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
2. Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.
3. Under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, the population census is a Union subject.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The responsibility of conducting the decadal census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. So, statement 2 is correct.
  • Under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, the population census is a Union subject. It is found in the constitution's seventh schedule, serial number 69. So, statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. According to the recent World Bank report, the female labour force participation rate in India has declined from 32 per cent in 2005 to 19 per cent in 2022.
2. Female labour force participation in India only accounts for marketable employment opportunities and does not consider unpaid domestic services.

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:

  • According to the recent World Bank report, the female labour force participation rate in India has declined from 32 per cent in 2005 to 19 per cent in 2022. Statement 1 is correct
  • Female labour force participation in India only accounts for marketable employment opportunities and does not consider unpaid domestic services. Statement 2 is correct

Hence both the statements are correct

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. A key central policy to source solar power is facilitating the establishment of small solar power projects as large solar parks usually translate to higher per-unit production costs.
2. Domestic manufacturing capacities in the solar sector match the present potential demand for solar power in the country.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • A key central policy to source solar power is facilitating the establishment of large solar parks since small solar power projects usually translate to higher per-unit production costs. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Domestic manufacturing capacities in the solar sector do not match up to the present potential demand for solar power in the country. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Q4. Capital expenditure is the money spent by the government includes which of the following:

1. Acquiring fixed and intangible assets
2. Upgrading an existing asset
3. Repairing an existing asset
4. Repayment of loan.
5. Interest payment on past debt

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

a) 1,3,4,5 only
b) 1,2,5 only
c) 1,2,3,4 only
d) 1,2,3,4,5

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Capital spending is associated with investment or development spending, where expenditure has benefits extending years into the future. Capital expenditure includes money spent on the following:
  • Acquiring fixed and intangible assets
  • Upgrading an existing asset
  • Repairing an existing asset
  • Repayment of loan
  • Unlike capital expenditure, which creates assets for the future, revenue expenditure is one that neither creates assets nor reduces any liability of the government. Revenue expenditure includes:
  • Salaries of employees
  • interest payment on past debt
  • Subsidies, pension, etc.

Q5. Consider the following Statements regarding the Foreign Reserve of India.

1. Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities.
2. India’s Forex Reserve includes Foreign Currency Assets, Gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights and Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
3. SDR is an international currency created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves.

Select the correct Statement(s) 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: (A)

Explanation:

  • Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities. In India, RBI has the responsibility of maintaining Foreign exchange Reserve. So Statement 1 is correct.
  • India’s Forex Reserve includes Foreign Currency Assets, Gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights and Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. It is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. Thus statement 3 is not correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the Competition Commission of India (CCI)-

1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Competition Act, 2002.
2. The commission is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions to statutory authorities and enforces the Competition Act.

Choose the INCORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body constituted in March 2009.
  • It is established under the Competition Act, 2002 which came into existence in place of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) in the aftermath of recommendations of the Raghavan committee. (Statement-1 is correct.)
  • The commission is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions to statutory authorities and also deals with other cases.
  • It is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act 2002. (Statement-2 is correct)