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

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

Date: 17 November 2022

Q1. Consider the following Statements regarding the World Population Prospects 2022.

1. It is released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
2. The report underlines that India is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023.
3. Life expectancy at birth for men exceeded that for women by 5.4 years globally.

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:

  • The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, released the World Population Prospects 2022, an estimate of likely trends in the global population. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The report underlines that India is expected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • Life expectancy at birth for women exceeded that for men by 5.4 years globally, with female and male life expectancies standing at 73.8 and 68.4 years, respectively. Thus statement 3 is not correct.

Q2. With which of the following countries does India have a free trade agreement (FTA)?

1. Australia
2. UAE
3. Japan
4. U.K.
5. European Union

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • India has signed 13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): the India-Sri Lanka FTA, Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the India-Nepal Treaty of Trade, India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit, India-Thailand FTA, India-Singapore CECA, India-ASEAN CECA, India-South Korea CEPA, India-Japan CEPA, India-Malaysia CECA, India-Mauritius CECPA, India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA.
  • India is negotiating FTAs with countries such as the European Union, Canada, the U.K., and Israel. So, option (a) is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Indian Exports.

1. In the FY 2021-22 India had exported goods valued over $400 billion.
2. Only a few coastal and southern states including Gujarat and Maharashtra contribute to over 65 % of India’s overall exports.

Choose the INCORRECT answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

According to Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Ministry of Commerce

  • India’s goods exports stood at a valuation of $422 billion in FY 2021-22.
  • It is $130 billion more (a 44.6% increase YoY) than the $291.8 billion recorded in FY 2020-21.

Hence, statement-1 is correct.

  • The top ten States account for 85.3 percent of India’s overall exports.
  • The significant contribution comes from the top five States — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
  • These States alone contribute 66.8 per cent of India’s overall exports in FY 2020-21.

Hence, statement-2 is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the G20 countries:

1. The G20 was formed in the backdrop of the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s.
2. The G20 countries include 60% of the world’s population, 80% of global GDP, and 75% of global trade.
3. Both Indonesia and Malaysia are members of the G20.

Choose the correct option below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The G20 group was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular.
  • Hence, statement-1 is correct.
  • It aims to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries.
  • Together, the G20 countries include 60% of the world’s population, 80% of global GDP, and 75% of global trade.
  • Hence, statement-2 is correct.
  • Members: 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 EU.
  • The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members.
  • India is hosting the G-20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi next year in 2023.
  • Malaysia is not a G20 member.

Hence, statement-3 is incorrect.

Q5. Bihar imposed complete prohibition of liquor in the state in April 2016, drawing its inspiration from which article of the Indian Constitution?

a) Article 47
b) Article 48
c) Article 21
d) Article 51-A (g)

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Bihar imposed complete prohibition in the state in April 2016, drawing its inspiration from Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the state to endeavour to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health. Hence option a is correct.