Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (18 April 2022)

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

Date: 18 April 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. At the Paris climate Conference of Parties, Prime Minister committed India to a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070.
2. The net-zero commitment is part of a strategy of Panchamrit.

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

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of these

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • At the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26), Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed India to a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070.
  • The net-zero commitment is part of a strategy of Panchamrit or “five elixirs.”

Q2. Consider the following statements about the Standing Deposit Facility:

1. It is a monetary policy instrument to absorb liquidity with any collateral.
2. It is the floor of the LAF (Liquidity Adjustment Facility) corridor, replacing the hitherto fixed rate reverse repo.

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

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of these

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • It is the floor of the LAF corridor, replacing the hitherto fixed rate reverse repo;
  • It is a monetary policy instrument to absorb liquidity without any collateral (collaterals in this case are normally government securities) with an interest rate of 3.75 per cen.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to Elnino:

1. It refers to an abnormal warming of the eastern Pacific waters usually causing heavy rains around South America, but also drought in the other western end whose effects percolate to India.
2. Rainfall associated with the summer monsoon in Southeast Asia tends to be greater than normal, especially in northwest India and Bangladesh.

Chose the correct statement:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • In the La Nina year, rainfall associated with the summer monsoon in Southeast Asia tends to be greater than normal, especially in northwest India and Bangladesh.
  • It is the “cool phase” of ENSO, is a pattern that describes the unusual cooling of the tropical eastern Pacific.
  • This generally benefits the Indian economy, which depends on the monsoon for agriculture and industry.

Q4. Consider the following statements about oil bonds.

1. An oil bond is an IOU (I Owe You), or a promissory note issued by the RBI to the (oil marketing companies) OMCs.
2. This is issued in lieu of cash that the government would have given to the OMCs so that these companies don’t charge the public the full price of fuel.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • An oil bond is an IOU, or a promissory note issued by the government to the OMCs, in lieu of cash that the government would have given them so that these companies don’t charge the public the full price of fuel.
  • By issuing such oil bonds, the government of the day is able to protect/ subsidise the consumers without either ruining the profitability of the OMC or running a huge budget deficit itself.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. The value of bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Australia is around US$ 40 billion in 2020.
2. Education remains Australia’s largest service export to India.
3. The main products that India exported to Australia are refined petroleum, packaged medicaments, and railway passenger cars.

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: (B)

Explanation:

  • The value of bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Australia is around US$18 billion in 2020.
  • Education remains Australia’s largest service export to India.
  • The main products that India exported to Australia are refined petroleum, packaged medicaments, and railway passenger cars.

Q6. Consider the following statements about a Metropolitan Planning Committee in India:

1. It is constituted under the provisions of constitution of India.
2. It prepares the draft development plans for the metropolitan area.
3. Has the sole responsibility for implementing government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan areas.

Choose the correct option:

a) 1 and 2
b) 1 and 3
c) 2 and 3
d) 1.2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Article 243 ZE: Constitution of Metropolitan Planning Committees.

  • The Metropolitan Planning Committee ( MPC)is expected to be a high-level, democratically elected body that will provide a constitutional mandate for the entire metropolitan development planning process.
  • It prepares a Metropolitan Area Development Plan Draft.
  • Coordination of plans developed by municipalities and panchayats in the Metro area, including co-ordinated spatial planning of the area.
  • MPC helps in the draft planning and not in implementing government sponsored schemes in metropolitan area. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q7. Consider the following statements about POCSO Act:

1. Act is gender neutral and regards the best interests and welfare of the child.
2. POCSO Act defines a child as any person below Fifteen years of age.

Which of the above statement/s are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both of the above
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted to Protect the Children from Offences of Sexual Assault, Sexual harassment and pornography with due regard for safeguarding the interest and well-being of children. The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age, and regards the best interests and welfare of the child as matter of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the child. The act is gender neutral.