Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (24 May 2022)

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

Date: 24 May 2022

Q1. Which of the following countries is the largest foreign direct investment source in India?

a) Singapore
b) USA
c) Mauritius
d) Netherlands

Answer: (A)

Explanation: According to DPIIT data, the main investor in India is Singapore, comprising 29% of the total FDI followed by USA at 23%, Mauritius at 9%, and Netherlands at 6%. Other investors include Japan, UK, Germany, France, UAE and Cyprus.

Q2. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC 2020)

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-speech conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
b) 1, 3, and 4 only
c) 2, 4, and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

Q3. Consider the following sentences:

1. A person charged under Sedition law can’t apply for a Central Government jobs only.
2. The recent amendment in UAPA empowers both the Central/State Government to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • A person charged under Sedition law can’t apply for any government job.
  • The 2019 amendment to UAPA empowers the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the MGNREGA scheme:

1. The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for 150 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
2. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj ,Govt of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
3. Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory.

Choose the incorrect statements:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

  • MGNREGA also known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) is Indian legislation enacted on August 25, 2005.
  • The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Hence, the first statement is incorrect.
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments. Thus, the second statement is also incorrect.
  • This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled workers to people living below the poverty line in rural India.
  • It attempts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the country. Roughly one-third of the stipulated workforce must be women.
  • Within 15 days of submitting the application or from the day work is demanded, wage employment will be provided to the applicant.
  • Right to get unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought.
  • Social Auditing of MGNREGA works is mandatory, which lends to accountability and transparency. Hence, the third statement is correct.

Q5. Which of the following reasons is/are correct about India’s wheat export ban?

1. Rising levels of wholesale and retail inflation
2. Russia and Ukraine war
3. Dip in government procurement
4. Reduced Production due to severe heatwave

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Rising levels of wholesale and retail inflation
  • Russia Ukraine war: Considering that Russia and Ukraine together account for about 29 percent of the global wheat exports, their inability to export wheat has led to the doubling of wheat prices in the global market.
  • Dip in procurement: This year the government’s wheat purchase has seen a dip owing to several reasons from lower yield to higher market prices being offered by private traders.
  • A large quantity of wheat was being bought by traders at a higher rate than the minimum support price (MSP).
  • Farmers and traders are holding on to some quantity of wheat, expecting higher prices for their produce in the near future.
  • Reduced Estimate: After several parts of wheat-producing States in the north experienced unusually warm weather in March-April, the Government lowered marginally, early this month, the estimated wheat production, from 111.32 million tonnes to 105 million tonnes.
  • Turbulent market conditions: As for international food prices, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said that even before the war, prices had reached an all-time high due to market conditions and the high prices of energy, fertilizers, and other agricultural services.