Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (22 March 2023)

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

Date: 22 March 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

1. It codifies the concept of diplomatic immunity.
2. The receiving state is not obliged to provide protection to the premises of the mission.
3. Diplomatic missions can employ their own security.

Which of the statements given above is/are Not correct?

a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None of the above

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • It codifies the concept of diplomatic immunity, which grants privileges to diplomats that enable them to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. Statement 1 is correct.
  • The receiving state has a special duty to protect the premises of the mission under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Statement 2 is not correct.
  • While diplomatic missions can also employ their own security, ultimately, the host nation is accountable for security. Statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. HDI is a composite index of health, education and standard of living.
2. It was introduced in 1990 by UNDP to evaluate and compare the level of human development in different regions around the world.
3. Recently, India has been ranked 132 out of 191 countries.

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) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The HDI assesses a country’s average accomplishment in three aspects: a long and healthy life, Knowledge and a decent standard of living.
  • Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
  • It was introduced in 1990 by UNDP as an alternative to conventional economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not consider the broader aspects of human development.
  • Thus statement 2 is also correct.
  • According to the Human Development Report of 2021-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73).
  • Therefore, statement 3 is also correct.

Q3. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS)?

1. The old pension scheme provides return certainty while the new pension scheme offers market-linked returns without any guarantee.
2. The corpus on maturity under the OPS is entirely tax-free, while only 60% of the corpus under the NPS is tax-free.
3. Only government employees are eligible for receiving a pension under the old and new pension schemes after retirement.

Choose the answer using the correct code:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The old pension scheme provides return certainty, as it bases the monthly pension on the last wage received by the employee. On the other hand, the new pension scheme offers market-linked returns without any guarantee. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • Old Pension Scheme (OPS) income is not subject to the taxation system. However, under the new pension scheme, 60% of the corpus on maturity is tax-free, while the remaining 40% is taxable when invested in annuities. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • Only government employees are eligible for receiving a pension under the old pension scheme after retirement. On the other hand, the new pension scheme can be availed by all citizens between 18 and 65 years. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the production and marketing of millets in India?

1. Millets were sidelined in favour of high yielding varieties of rice and wheat during the Green Revolution of the 1960s.
2. Millets are the most remunerative crop in India and have always been in high demand.
3. Hybrid varieties of millets have dramatically increased the yield of millets in India.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • During the Green Revolution of the 1960s, millets were sidelined in favor of high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat that could produce two to three times more per acre. (Hence option 1 is correct)
  • The combination of guaranteed procurement by the government and the cultivation of rice and wheat made India food secure, even in times of droughts and climate challenges. As a result, there was a significant increase in demand for rice and wheat. (Hence option 2 is incorrect).
  • Hybrid varieties of jowar and bajra exist, and that yields have not dramatically risen in decades indicating that technological advancements alone may not be enough to achieve substantial growth in production. (Hence option 3 is incorrect)

Solution: As 2nd and 3rd statements are incorrect, The correct option is (b)