Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (27 April 2023)

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

Date: 27 April 2023

Q1. Which of the following statements regarding the Finance Commission of India is/are correct?

1. It is constituted every five years by the President of India.
2. The main task of the Finance Commission is to recommend the distribution of taxes between the Centre and the States.
3. The recommendations of the Finance Commission are binding upon the Government of India.

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Finance Commission is constituted every five years by the President of India under Article 280 of the Constitution. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
  • The main task of the Finance Commission is to recommend the distribution of taxes between the Centre and the States. It also makes recommendations on grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The recommendations of the Finance Commission are not binding upon the Government of India. However, the Government usually accepts the recommendations of the Commission and implements them in its budgets and policies. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding National Education Policy 2020.

1. It is drafted by the K.Kasturirangan Committee.
2. National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund outstanding research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.

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:

  • NEP 2020 is drafted by the K.Kasturirangan Committee.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund outstanding research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
  • Hence statement 2 is also correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

1. Ross Island has been renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep.
2. Neil Island has been renamed as Swaraj Dweep.
3. Havelock Island has been renamed as Shaheed Dweep.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to honour the memory of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the Prime Minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. (Hence, statement 1 is correct.)
  • Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep respectively. (Hence, statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.)

As only the 2nd and 3rd statements are incorrect, the correct option is (b).

Q4. 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 given above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • While the government does not directly control the retail prices of chemical fertilizers, it does indirectly influence prices by setting the maximum retail price (MRP) for each type of fertilizer. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
  • This MRP acts as a ceiling price, and fertilizer companies are not allowed to charge more than this price. However, companies are free to charge less than the MRP, depending on market conditions.
  • Ammonia is a key raw material for the production of urea, which is the most widely used fertilizer in India. In India, most of the ammonia is produced from natural gas through a process called steam reforming. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • In India, most of the sulphur used in the production of phosphoric acid fertilizer is imported, but some is also produced domestically as a by-product of oil refineries. The sulphur is extracted from crude oil during the refining process, and is then purified and used as a raw material for the production of phosphoric acid fertilizer. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Hence option (b) is correct.