Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (17 December 2022)

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

Date: 17 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
2. The GDP maps the economy from the supply side by adding up all the expenditures.
3. It maps the value-added by different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, industry and services.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
  • While the GDP maps the economy from the expenditure (or demand) side that is by adding up all the expenditures, the GVA provides a picture of the economy from the supply side. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • GVA maps the “value-added” by different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, industry and services. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? (UPSC 2017)

a) Resident Indian citizens only
b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments
d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Any Indian Citizen, resident or non-resident, between the age of 60- 65 years can also join NPS and continue up to the age of 70 years in NPS. So, options (a) and (b) are incorrect.
  • NPS applies to all new employees of Central Government service (except Armed Forces) and Central Autonomous Bodies joining Government service on or after 1st January 2004. So, option (d) is incorrect.
  • All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments can join the National Pension System. So, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements about Bharat Bill Payment system:

1. The Bharat Bill payment system is a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conceptualised system driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
2. Bharat BillPay has multiple modes of payment like, Internet Banking, Mobile, Mobile-Banking, Mobile Wallets, Kiosk, ATM, Bank Branch etc.
3. It offers bill collection categories like electricity, telecom, DTH, gas, water bills, etc. and payments like insurance premium, school fees, local taxes, housing society payments, etc. at one single window.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Option 1 is correct. The Bharat Bill payment system is a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conceptualised system driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It is a one-stop ecosystem for payment of all bills providing an interoperable and accessible “Anytime Anywhere” Bill payment service to all customers across India with certainty, reliability and safety of transactions.
  • Different Payment Channels.
  • Option 2 is correct. Bharat BillPay transactions can be initiated through multiple payment channels like Internet, Internet Banking, Mobile, Mobile-Banking, Mobile Wallets, Kiosk, ATM, Bank Branch, Agents and Business Correspondents, by just looking at the Bharat BillPay logo.
  • Bharat BillPay - The One stop destination for all recurring payments.
  • Option 3 is correct. Bharat BillPay has multiple modes of payment and provides instant confirmation of payment via an SMS or receipt. It offers myriad Bill collection categories like electricity, telecom, DTH, gas, water bills, etc. and also other repetitive payments like insurance premium, mutual funds, school fees, institution fees, credit cards, FasTag, recharge, local taxes, housing society payments, etc. at one single window. An effective mechanism for handling consumer complaints has also been put in place to support consumer regarding any Bill related problems in Bharat BillPay.

Additional info

  • Different Payment Modes.
  • Bharat BillPay facilitates myriad payment modes enabling Bill payments. The payment modes options facilitated under the ecosystem are Cards (Credit, Debit and Prepaid), NEFT Internet Banking, UPI, Wallets, Aadhar based Payments and Cash.

Q4. In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of. [UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2020]

a) Digital Security Infrastructure
b) Food Security Infrastructure
c) Health Care and Education Infrastructure
d) Telecommunication and Transportation Infrastructure

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a technology for authenticating users and devices in the digital world.
  • It is used in End-to-End Encryption technology.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Information Act, 2005

1. Any citizen can request information from a public authority only and not a private entity.
2. Non Resident Indians can also seek information under the RTI Act.
3. If a larger public is served then the disclosure of information is exempted under Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Any Indian citizen can request information from a "public authority", so it is not applicable to the private sector. (Hence, statement-1 is correct).
  • The RTI act allows the Non-Indian Residents to seek information under the Act.(Statement-2 is correct)
  • Section 8 (2) provides for disclosure of information exempted under Official Secrets Act, 1923 if larger public interest is served. (Statement-3 is correct.)

Q6. Which of the following measures can help reduce the current account deficit (CAD)?

1. Remove bottlenecks in the supply chain.
2. Depreciation of exchange rate.
3. Hawkish monetary policy

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) 1,2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Removing bottlenecks in the supply chain can reduce the trade barriers thus can increase the export. Thus reduces the CAD.
  • Depreciation of the currency will help increase India’s export competitiveness. Thus reduces the CAD.
  • Hawkish monetary policy will increase the domestic interest rate therefore decrease the private investment which is vital for creation of new industries and products that can be exported to earn foreign reserves. Thus, this does not reduce the CAD.

Hence correct option is (a)