Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (30 August 2022)

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

Date: 30 August 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding James Webb Telescope:

1. It will be situated near the second Lagrange point of the Earth-Sun system.
2. It will be able to look back over 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies of the early universe.
3. The telescope works in the infrared spectrum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • James Webb Telescope is an international collaboration between NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency.
  • It will be situated near the second Lagrange point of the Earth-Sun system which is directly opposite the Sun.
  • It will be able to look back over 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies of our early universe and work in the infrared spectrum, collecting infrared light from the object it is focused on.
  • Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light and would help it look farther back in time more effectively than other telescopes.
  • It will also help scientists look into the atmosphere of stars, which is usually shrouded with dust and gas during formation.

Q2. Consider the following statements about the GDP deflator:

1. The GDP deflator is a measure of inflation.
2. It is seen as a more comprehensive measure of inflation than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
3. This ratio helps show the extent to which the increase in the gross domestic product has happened on account of higher prices rather than an increase in output.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (D)

Q3. With reference to the ‘World Trade Organization’, consider the following statements:

1. It is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
2. The WTO's top decision-making body is the General Council.
3. Its headquarters is in Nairobi, Kenya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The WTO's top decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference. Below this is the General Council and various other councils and committees.
  • Ministerial conferences usually take place every two years.
  • The General Council is the top day-to-day decision-making body. It meets a number of times a year in Geneva.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the health sector in India

1. India spends about 3% of its GDP on the healthcare sector.
2. “Health” comes under the Concurrent list of the Indian constitution
3. National Health Authority (NHA) a statutory body is the nodal agency to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • India spends very less as compared to other large economies, In the last decade It has spent less than 2% of its GDP on the healthcare sector barring the Pandemic year when the healthcare spent stood at 2.1% of GDP.
  • “Health” comes under the STATE list of the constitution.
  • However 15th Finance commission chairman NK Singh had recommended putting Health in Concurrent list.
  • National Health Authority (NHA) is a body by a Gazette notification and thus not a statutory body.
  • It is the nodal agency to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Essential Commodities Act, 1955:

1. The Central government can notify an item as an essential commodity and it can also impose limit on stocks.
2. The government can also fix the minimum support price (MSP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity” under the act.
3. The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the schedule.

Which of the statement/s 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 ECA was enacted in 1955 by the Government to regulate the production, supply, and distribution of a whole host of commodities that it declares ‘essential’ to make them available to consumers at fair prices.
  • The government can also fix the minimum support price (MSP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”.
  • The Centre can notify an item as an essential commodity and it can also impose limits on stocks.
  • Section 2(A) of the act states that an “essential commodity” means a commodity specified in the “Schedule” of this Act.
  • The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the “Schedule”.

Q6. Which of the following statements are true?

1. The state-run banks are better at financial inclusion whereas their private peers are better at profit maximisation.
2. Mega-merger of four sets of PSBs has created stronger, more competitive banks.
3. The PSBs follow Corporate Governance whereas Private Banks are yet to follow them.

Choose the correct option:

a) 1 and 2 Only
b) 1 and 3 Only
c) 2 and 3 Only
d) All of the above

Answer: (B)