Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Date: 27 December 2022
Q1. The recently launched 'Mega Science Vision (MSV)-2035' is an initiative of:
a. The Ministry of Science and Technology.
b. The Ministry of Defence.
c. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
d. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The proposed Mega Science Vision Document-2035, an effort led by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the government of India, aims to make students more innovative and creative.
Q2. Which of the following are the advantages of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) over the irrigated rice?
1. SRI requires only about half as much water as normally
applied in irrigated rice.
2. SRI Paddy Cultivation involves less expenditure and gives more yields.
3. In SRI paddy cultivation, less quantity of seeds are required.
Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of the above
Answer: (D)
Explanation:
- Under SRI paddy fields are not flooded but kept moist during vegetative phase. Later only one inch of water is maintained. SRI requires only about half as much water as normally applied in irrigated rice.
- SRI Paddy Cultivation involves less expenditure and gives more yields. Thus, it is beneficial for small and marginal farmers.
- In SRI paddy cultivation, less quantity of seeds - 2 kg / acre is required. Hence, fewer plants per unit area (25 x 25 cm) whereas in mainstream chemical intensive paddy cultivation requires 20 kg seed per acre. (1 acre= approx 0.4 ha).
Hence, all the statements are correct.
Q3. How long can a governor keep the bill without giving assent as per the constitution of India?
a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
d) None of the above
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Article 200 does not lay down any time frame for the Governor to assent, withhold assent, or reserve the bill for the consideration of the president. So, option (d) is correct.
Q4. Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business Index? [UPSC CSE Prelims 2019]
A. Maintenance of law and order
B. Paying taxes
C. Registering property
D. Dealing with construction permit
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- The World Bank's ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ covers 10 sub-indicators namely-
- Starting a Business, Dealing with Construction Permits, Getting Electricity, Registering Property, Getting Credit, Protecting Minority Investors, Paying Taxes, Trading Across Borders, Enforcing Contracts and Resolving Insolvency.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
1. Countervailing Duty (CVD) is imposed when, large
manufacturers from abroad may export goods at very low prices compared to prices
in the domestic market. Such dumping may be with intention to cripple domestic
industry or to dispose of their excess stock.
2. Anti-Dumping Duty. This duty is imposed by the Central Government when a
country is paying the subsidy to the exporters who are exporting goods to India
3. National Calamity Contingent Duty: The duty is levied on goods like tobacco,
pan masala or any items that are harmful for health. The rate of the tax varies
from 10% to 45% and different rates are applied for different reasons.
Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?
a) Only one statement is correct.
b) Only two statements are correct
c) All three statements are correct
d) All statements are incorrect.
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Basic Customs Duty
Basic customs duty is the duty imposed on the value of the goods at a specific rate. The duty is fixed at a specified rate of ad-valorem basis. This duty has been imposed from 1962 and was amended from time to time and today is regulated by the Customs Tariff Act of 1975. The Central Government has the right to exempt any goods from the tax.
Countervailing Duty (CVD)
This duty is imposed by the Central Government when a country is paying the subsidy to the exporters who are exporting goods to India. This amount of duty is equivalent to the subsidy paid by them. This duty is applicable under Sec 9 of the Customs Tariff Act. So Statement 1 is incorrect.
Safeguard Duty
In order to make sure that no harm is caused to the domestic industries of India, a safeguard duty is imposed to safeguard the interest of our local domestic industries. It is calculated on the basis of loss suffered by our local industries.
Anti-Dumping Duty
Often, large manufacturers from abroad may export goods at very low prices compared to prices in the domestic market. Such dumping may be with intention to cripple domestic industry or to dispose of their excess stock. This is called ‘dumping’. In order to avoid such dumping, Central Government can impose, under section 9A of Customs Tariff Act, anti-dumping duty up to margin of dumping on such articles, if the goods are being sold at less than their normal value. Levy of such anti-dumping duty is permissible as per WTO agreement. Anti-dumping action can be taken only when there is an Indian industry producing ‘like articles’. So Statement 2 is incorrect.
National Calamity Contingent Duty
This duty is imposed by Sec 129 of the Finance Act. The duty is levied on goods like tobacco, pan masala or any items that are harmful for health. The rate of the tax varies from 10% to 45% and different rates are applied for different reasons. So Statement 3 is correct.
Solution: As only one statement is correct (3rd statement) so correct option is (a).
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the legal provisions with respect to heritage preservation in India
1. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regulates all
archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR).
2. National Monuments Authority (NMA) under the Ministry of Culture works in
accordance with provisions of Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
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: (A)
Explanation:
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. (Statement-1 is correct)
- It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
- National Monuments Authority (NMA)
- Established under the Ministry of Culture in accordance with the requirements of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.
- It compliments ASI in its functions. (Statement-2 is incorrect as NMA is established under AMASR Act)
