Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (19 December 2022)

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

Date: 19 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. All South Asian countries now have close to 100% electricity access.
2. Bhutan and Nepal are almost 100% dependent on hydropower.
3. Dependence on coal is highest in India among the South Asian countries.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Most of the countries (except Afghanistan) now have close to 100% electricity access. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Bhutan and Nepal are almost 100% dependent on hydropower. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Bangladesh relies on natural gas (57%), and dependence on coal is highest in India (55%). Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • Pakistan relies on coal (27%) and oil (31%), whereas Maldives is almost entirely dependent on oil-based power generation.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or digital rupee or e-rupee (e₹):

1. It is issued by the RBI in digital form.
2. It is a fungible legal tender, for which holders need to have a bank account.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • CBDC is a legal tender issued by the RBI in digital form. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • It is a fungible legal tender, for which holders need not have a bank account. So, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Conference of Parties (COP 15) of Convention on Biodiversity (CBD):

1. COP-15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has held at Montreal, Canada.
2. Parties to COP-15 aims for the final stage negotiations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
3. India at COP-15 agreed on reducing the agriculture-related subsidy.

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:

  • COP 15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held at Montreal, Canada.
  • COP 15 aims for the final stage of negotiations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
  • India at COP 15 did not agree on reducing the agriculture-related subsidy.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the International Labour Organisation (ILO)-

1. It is the only “tripartite” UN specialized agency and is headquartered at Geneva.
2. It was established in the aftermath of the First World War through the Treaty of Versailles.
3. India is a founding member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • International Labour Organization (ILO)-
  • It is the first specialized agency of the UN headquarters at Geneva. (Statement-1 is correct)
  • It was established in 1919 through the Paris Peace conference or Treaty of Versailles. (Statement-2 is correct)
  • It is the only “tripartite” UN specialized agency.
  • India is a founding member of ILO. (Statement-3 is correct)

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Private Member’s Bill:

1. A bill introduced by a member other than a minister is termed a private member's bill.
2. Admissibility of the bill is decided by the Chairman in the case of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of Lok Sabha.
3. As of now, 15 private member’s bills have become an Act since 1950.
4. No private member’s bill has become an Act since 1970.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

About Private Member's Bill

  • A bill introduced by a member other than a minister is termed a private member's bill.
  • Drafting of the bill is the sole responsibility of the concerned Member of Parliament.
  • Usually introduced and discussed on Fridays and requires one month’s prior notice.
  • Admissibility of the bill is decided by the Chairman in the case of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of Lok Sabha.

History of Private Member’s Bills in India:

  • As of now 14 private member’s bills have become an Act since 1950.
  • Important legislations among them include the 26th amendment (abolition of privy purses) and the 61st amendment (voting age from 21 to 18).
  • Although, no private member’s bill has become an Act since 1970.
  • The last one was the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1968.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the Global Gender Gap Index.

1. It is published by the World Economic Forum.
2. It benchmarks gender parity across four key dimensions or sub-indices — economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
3. India ranks 135 among a total of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The Global Gender Gap Report is an index designed to measure gender equality which is published by the World Economic Forum. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The Global Gender Gap Index benchmarks gender parity across four key dimensions — economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • India ranks 135 among a total of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022. Thus statement 3 is also correct.