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

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

Date: 30 December 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Subordinate (delegated) legislation-

1. When the function of legislation is delegated to government bodies or the executive branch the legislation created is known as Subordinate legislation.
2. The concept of delegated legislation is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution but can be understood by interpreting Article 312.

Choose the CORRECT answer using the codes given below:

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • When the function of legislation is delegated to government bodies (executive) other than the legislature, the legislation created is known as “Delegated Legislation.”
  • Such legislation is to be made within the framework of the powers so delegated by the legislature and is, therefore, known as delegated or secondary or subordinate or subsidiary legislation. (Statement-1 is correct)
  • Although the concept of delegated legislation is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution, it can be understood by interpreting Article 312.
  • Article 312 gives the right to the Rajya Sabha to open a new branch of All India Service with a majority of two-thirds majority vote.
  • In the case of D. S. Gerewal v. State of Punjab, the Supreme Court held that Article 312 of the Constitution of India deals with the powers of delegated legislation. (Statement-2 is correct)

Q2. Consider the following reasons that can be behind prevalence of bonded labour in India:

1. Chronic Poverty and Inequality.
2. Lack of access to formal credit.
3. Caste-based discrimination.

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

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

Reasons behind prevalence of bonded labour:

  • Chronic Poverty and Inequality: Widespread chronic poverty and socio-economic inequality are the prime causes behind prevalence of bonded labour which often takes up an inter-generational form. Hence option 1 is correct
  • Landlessness: Having no property or possessions of their own to sell when money is needed can result in families relying on landlords
  • Lack of access to formal credit: In the absence of formal credit, rural poor are forced to approach money lenders who then exploit illiterate rural poor. Hence option 2 is correct.
  • Informal economy: More than 90% of India’s total workforce is engaged in the informal economy- withholding of wages, debt bondage, and physical and sexual abuse at the workplace are common
  • Caste-based discrimination: Social stigmatisation and economic marginalisation of lower castes and Dalits have led to unequal power dynamics between marginalised and dominant groups. Hence option 3 is correct
  • Education: The prevailing educational infrastructure is highly unsuitable to children of economically deprived families who often fall into the trap of bonded labour

Solution: As all statements are correct so correct option is (d)

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Electrostatic Precipitator:

1. Electrostatic Precipitator removes the particles from the smoke only after combustion has taken place.
2. It imparts an electrical charge to the particles that make them stick to the metallic plates inside the precipitator.
3. It uses a spray of water to catch pollutants during emissions.

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

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Scrubber: It is a device that uses a spray of water to catch pollutants during emissions. A dry scrubber is used to remove acid gases. This process includes spraying wet lime powder into the hot exhaust chamber. The scrubber uses this lime to neutralise acid gases. Hence option (c) is the correct answer. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
  • Electrostatic Precipitator: It helps in controlling pollution by removing many chemicals. It removes the particles from the smoke only after the combustion has taken place. It imparts an electrical charge to the particles that make them stick to the metallic plates inside the precipitator. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Q4. Which of the following best describes the term 'Import Cover', sometimes seen in the news? [UPSC CSE PRELIMS EXAM 2016]

A. It is the ratio of value of imports to the Gross Domestic Product of a country.
B. It is the total value of imports of a country in a year.
C. It is the ratio between the value of exports and that of imports between two countries.
D. It is the number of months of imports that could be paid for by a country's international reserves.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Import Cover measures the number of months of imports that can be covered with foreign exchange reserves available with the central bank of the country. Thus option D is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Special Mention Accounts are those accounts that show symptoms of bad asset quality once the account is overdue or before its being identified as NPA.
2. A non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.

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:

  • Special Mention Account (SMA) is an account that is exhibiting signs of incipient stress resulting in the borrower defaulting in timely servicing of her debt obligations, though the account has not yet been classified as NPA as per the extant RBI guidelines. So, statement 1 is correct.
  • A non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days. So, statement 2 is correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):

1. MGNREGA has mandatory provision of Social Audit.
2. MGNREGA makes it compulsory that at least one-third of beneficiaries should be women.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 correct
b) 2 correct
c) Both 1 and 2 are correct
d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

Salient features of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

  • Right to Work is a statutory right
  • At least one-third of beneficiaries should be women.
  • Wages must be paid according to the statutory minimum wages specified by states
  • Demand-Driven and legally-backed guarantee for any rural adult to get work within 15 days, if failed then ‘unemployment allowance’ should be given.
  • Act promotes Decentralization with significant role to PRI in planning and implementation
  • Mandatory Social audit.