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Daily-mcqs 04 Jan 2025

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams 04 Jan 2025

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams

Q1:

Consider the following statements regarding the revision of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) base year:

1.     Recently, The Government of India has decided to revise the current base year of WPI from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

2.     Working Group for the revision of WPI is headed by Prof. Ramesh Chand, was constituted by Government.

3.     The revision of the WPI base year aims to keep the index in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Which of the above statements are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 and 3 only

C: 1 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: A

Explanation:

1. Statement 1: Correct. The Government of India has constituted a Working Group to revise the WPI base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23. The revision is aimed at adapting to structural changes in the economy, making the index more relevant for current economic conditions.

2. Statement 2: Correct. The Working Group for the revision of the WPI is headed by Prof. Ramesh Chand, who is a Member of NITI Aayog.

3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The revision of the WPI base year is intended to make the index more accurate and reflective of the structural changes in the Indian economy, not specifically to align it with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Q2:

Consider the following statements regarding the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC):

1.     The GEAC is constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and its functions include appraising activities involving large-scale use of genetically engineered organisms.

2.     The GEAC was previously known as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which was renamed in 2010.

3.     The GEAC is responsible for clearing genetically modified (GM) crops only for experimental field trials but not for their commercial release.

4.     Under the new rules of 2025, experts on the GEAC are required to disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decisions unless specifically requested.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A: 1, 2, and 4 only

B: 1, 3, and 4 only

C: 2, 3, and 4 only

D: 1, 2, 3, and 4

Show

Answer: A) 1, 2, and 4 only

Explanation:

1. Statement 1: Correct. The GEAC is indeed constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Its functions include appraising activities involving the use of hazardous microorganisms and genetically engineered organisms, especially with regard to environmental impact.

2. Statement 2: Correct. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee was renamed to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010 to reflect its role in appraising rather than just approving genetically engineered organisms.

3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The GEAC is responsible not just for the experimental field trials of genetically modified (GM) organisms but also for approving the environmental release of GM crops. Therefore, its role extends beyond field trials to include decisions regarding the commercial release of GM crops as well.

4. Statement 4: Correct. The new rules require expert members to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from meetings or decisions unless specifically requested. This is to ensure impartiality and transparency in the decision-making process.

Q3:

Consider the following statements regarding the recent decisions taken by the Union Cabinet:

1.     The Union Cabinet has extended the one-time special subsidy on Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer at the rate of ₹3,500 per metric tonne, which will be effective from January 1, 2025.

2.     The continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) has been approved until 2027-28.

3.     The budget allocation for the DAP Special Package is approximately ₹3,850 crore.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1 and 3 only

C: 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct. The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the DAP subsidy at ₹3,500 per metric tonne, starting from January 1, 2025, until further notice.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The continuation of the PMFBY and RWBCIS has been approved until 2025-26, not 2027-28.

Statement 3: Correct. The tentative budget allocation for the DAP Special Package is approximately ₹3,850 crore, aimed at ensuring affordability for farmers.

Q4:

Consider the following statements regarding the new initiatives approved by the Union Cabinet:

1.     The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with an allocation of ₹824.77 crore.

2.     The Cabinet has approved the Weather Information and Network Data System (WINDS) initiative to enhance weather-related data accuracy, which will be implemented in 2025-26.

3.     The creation of FIAT will improve the technology and effectiveness of agricultural insurance schemes, including PMFBY and RWBCIS.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 and 3 only

C: 1 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Show

Answer: C) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct. The Cabinet has approved the establishment of FIAT with ₹824.77 crore to improve the technological infrastructure of agricultural insurance schemes.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The WINDS initiative will be implemented in 2024-25, not 2025-26.

Statement 3: Correct. The FIAT fund is aimed at improving the technology and effectiveness of agricultural insurance schemes, including PMFBY and RWBCIS.

Q5:

Which of the following statements about the Maldives is true?

1.     The Maldives became independent from the United Kingdom in 1965 and established a presidential republic in 1968.

2.     The Maldives has a land area of 90,000 square kilometers, making it one of the smaallest countries in Asia.

3.     The Maldives is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Which of the above statements are correct?

A: 1 and 3 only

B: 2 and 3 only

C: 1, 2, and 3

D: 1 only

Show

Answer: A) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct. The Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and became a presidential republic in 1968.