Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (21 January 2023)

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

Date: 21 January 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements-

1. Tax evasion is the illegal non-payment or under-payment of taxes, usually by deliberately making a false declaration or no declaration to tax authorities.
2. Tax avoidance is the legal practice of seeking to minimize a tax bill by taking advantage of a loophole or exception to the rules, or adopting an unintended interpretation of the tax code.
3. India has joined the Inclusive Framework of G20 countries to reduce the impact of illicit trade and smuggling.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Tax evasion is the illegal non-payment or under-payment of taxes, usually by deliberately making a false declaration or no declaration to tax authorities. Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • Tax avoidance is the legal practice of seeking to minimize a tax bill by taking advantage of a loophole or exception to the rules, or adopting an unintended interpretation of the tax code. Therefore, statement 2 is also correct.
  • In 2021, India has joined the Inclusive Framework of G20 countries to reduce the impact of MNE tax abuse. Thus statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Private sector investment constitutes almost 80 percent of the capital formation in agriculture.
2. The Southern region takes up almost 45 percent of the total agriculture credit disbursed in the country.
3. Cropping intensity is higher in Eastern and Central regions.
4. The agriculture credit landscape in India is heavily tilted towards the post-harvest requirements of agriculture.

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

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Private sector investment constitutes almost 80 percent of the capital formation in agriculture and bank credit is the major driver. Hence, statement Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The South, which accounts for 18 percent of the Gross Cropped Area (GCA), takes up almost 45 percent of the total agriculture credit disbursed in the country. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • On the other hand, Central, Eastern, and North-East regions account for 43 percent of the Gross Cropped Area but utilize only 22 percent of agriculture credit.
  • Cropping intensity, indicative of the potential demand for credit, is now higher in Eastern and Central regions and the share of agriculture credit in the N-E region rose from 0.2 percent (2000-2001) and currently stands at around 0.75 percent. Thus, statement 3 is correct.
  • Currently, the agriculture credit landscape is heavily tilted towards the production side, marketing and post-harvest requirements are relatively credit-starved (including the product landscape). Thus, statement 4 is incorrect.

Q3. With reference to E-Courts Project, consider the following statements:

1. It is being implemented since 2007 as a part of the National E-Governance Plan.
2. The main objective of the project is to leverage ICT to provide designated services to lawyers, litigants, and the judiciary.

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: (C)

Explanation:

  • The E-Courts Project is being implemented since 2007 as a part of the National E-Governance Plan. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • The objective of the e-courts project is to provide designated services to litigants, lawyers, and the judiciary through universal computerization of the courts in the country and enhancement of ICT enablement of the justice system. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements about POCSO Act:

1. The Act does not create any distinction between the victim or the perpetrators on the basis of their gender.
2. The statement of the child is to be recorded at Police Station only and generally by a woman police officer.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Act does not create any distinction between the victim or the perpetrators on the basis of their gender. Statement 1 is Correct
  • The statement of the child is to be recorded at his/ her place of residence and generally by a woman police officer. Statement 2 is Not correct

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Uniform Civil Code.

1. The Constitution of India under Article 42 provides for directive action as an endeavour of the state to secure a UCC.
2. A common civil code can aid national integration by removing contradictions based on ideologies.

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: (B)

Explanation:

UCC:

  • The Constitution of India under Article 44 provides for directive action as an endeavour of the state to secure a UCC. (Hence option 1 is incorrect)
  • The Supreme, while delivering its judgement in the John Vallamattom case (2003), expressed regret on the lax implementation of a UCC. It noted that a common civil code shall aid national integration by removing contradictions based on ideologies and reiterated the need for a UCC in its triple talaq ruling of 2017. (Hence option 2 is correct)

As only 2nd statement is correct, so correct option is (b) 2 only.