Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (20 January 2023)

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

Date: 20 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Jallikattu.

1. Jallikattu is a bull taming sport of Tamilnadu.
2. It is considered as a sport which has an important role in preserving and promoting the culture of breeding native bull breeds, and ensures their survival.
3. In A. Nagaraja case, the supreme court has banned the use of bulls for Jallikattu events in the state.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Jallikattu is a bull taming sport, played in Tamil Nadu around the time of Pongal festival in January every year. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The Tamil Nadu government claims that the sport plays an important role in preserving and promoting the culture of breeding native bull breeds, and ensures their survival. Hence statement 2 is also correct.
  • In May 2014, a Two-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court, in Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja, banned the use of bulls for Jallikattu events in the state, and bullock cart races across the country. Thus statement 3 is also correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Euthanasia:

1. Active Euthanasia assists suicide through an injection of lethal substances to accelerate death.
2. Passive Euthanasia is intentionally causing death by not providing essential, necessary, and ordinary care or food and water.
3. At Present, Active and Passive Euthanasia both are legal in India.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Active euthanasia involves a physician, who actively assists suicide by injecting lethal substances to accelerate death. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • Passive euthanasia is the withdrawal of nutrition and water and withholding of life-saving treatment, thus facilitating the person’s end, and relieving them from suffering. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • Active euthanasia remains illegal in India. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statement regarding the Tax to GDP ratio:

1. The tax-to-GDP ratio is a measure of a nation's tax revenue relative to the size of its economy.
2. Developing nations typically have higher tax-to-GDP ratios than developed nations.

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: (A)

Explanation:

Understanding the Tax-to-GDP Ratio

  • The tax-to-GDP ratio is a measure of a nation's tax revenue relative to the size of its economy. (Hence option 1 is correct)
  • This ratio is used with other metrics to determine how well a nation's government directs its economic resources via taxation.
  • Developed nations typically have higher tax-to-GDP ratios than developing nations. (Hence option 2 is incorrect).
  • Higher tax revenues mean a country is able to spend more on improving infrastructure, health, and education—keys to the long-term prospects for a country’s economy and people.
  • According to the World Bank, tax revenues above 15% of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) are a key ingredient for economic growth and, ultimately, poverty reduction.

Solution. As only statement 1 is correct, Hence correct option is (a) 1 only.

Q4. With reference to the Editors Guild of India (EGI), consider the following statements:

1. The guild functions as a trade union for profit-making.
2. It was founded in 1978.
3. It works with the objective of protecting press freedom.

Which of the statement 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:

  • Editors Guild of India (EGI) is a non-profit organization of journalists based in India. The guild does not function as a trade union. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Editors Guild was founded in 1978 with the twin objectives of protecting press freedom and raising the standards of editorial leadership of newspapers and magazines. Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Q5. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2020)

1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer is a by-product of oil refineries.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • As far as market-linking of urea prices is concerned, the MRP of urea is statutorily fixed by the Government. Whereas, MRP of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers the manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates as per market dynamics.” Therefore first statement is not fully correct. Hence statement 1 is not correct
  • Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas. Statement 2 is correct
  • Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer is a by-product of oil refineries. Hence Statement 3 is correct