Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (22 December 2022)

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

Date: 22 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

1. UNSC consists of five permanent members (P5)—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) and 15 non-permanent members.
2. UNSC is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions on member states.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • UNSC consists of five permanent members (P5)—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) and 10 non-permanent members, as it continues to sideline Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
  • While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to member states, the UNSC is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions on member states.
  • Permanent members can veto (block) any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states to the United Nations or nominees for the office of Secretary-General.

Q2. With reference to the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)” scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
2. Income support of Rs.6000/- per year is provided under the scheme.
3. Fund is directly transferred into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under the Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

Which of the statements 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: (D)

Explanation:

  • It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • Income support of Rs.6000/- per year is provided to all land-holding eligible farmers’ families across the country, in three equal installments of Rs.2000/- every four months. So, statement 2 is correct.
  • Under the scheme the fund is directly transferred into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

So, statement 3 is correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. The OTTs platforms cannot participate in the spectrum auctions.
2. Internet access licensing is under the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).

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:

  • The OTTs cannot participate in the spectrum auctions, nor are they eligible for right of way to lay a cable. Clearly, they are not the same. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • According to the Business Allocation Rules, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) is responsible for ‘all matters pertaining to Internet’ except the Internet access licensing which is under the DoT. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the State-border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka over the Belagavi region:

1. Belagavi became a part of Maharashtra, when state borders were redrawn in 1960.
2. Karnataka rejected the recommendation of the 1966 Mahajan Commission, which ruled in favour of Maharashtra.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Belagavi became a part of Karnataka, then Mysore state, when state borders were redrawn in 1960. (So option 1 is incorrect).
  • Maharashtra has since been demanding the inclusion of Belagavi and a few hundred villages within its boundaries.
  • Maharastra also rejected the recommendation of the 1966 Mahajan Commission, a panel set up by the Centre and headed by former Chief Justice of India Mehr Chand Mahajan, which ruled in Karnataka’s favour. (So option 2 is also incorrect)

Solution: Since asked about incorrect statements, the correct option will be (C).

Q5. Alma-Ata Declaration 1978 is related to which of the following-

a) Healthcare of the people
b) Biological and chemical weapons
c) Women rights
d) Global climate change

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 is a major milestone in the field of public health, and it identified primary health care as the key to the attainment of the goal of Health for All.

Q6. A rising working age population (i.e. demographic dividend) may help in realising which of the followings?

1. Abundant supply of labour.
2. Fall in inflation.
3. Increase in wages.
4. Increase in tax revenue.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The rise in the working-age population will provide with an abundant supply of labour, which will have a bearing on investment and production capacities. (Statement-1 is correct)
  • A rising working-age population would imply more production than consumption as the dependent people are less thus could cause inflation to fall. (Statement-2 is correct)
  • Also, it will also cause the wage rate to decline due to excess labour supply, leading to lower cost-push inflation. (Statment-3 is incorrect)
  • A rising working-age population and a declining dependent population concomitantly would mean increased tax revenue due to higher economic output and, at the same time, less pressure on the government to support an aging population. (Statement-4 is correct)