Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (09 February 2023)

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

Date: 09 February 2023

Q1. Consider the following Statements TRAI-

1. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a constitutional body setup in 1997.
2. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
3. It also works as an adjudicatory and disputes settlement body for the telecom sector in India.

Select the incorrect Statement(s) using the code given below.

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. So, It is a statutory body (Not Constitutional Body).
  • Therefore, statement 1 is NOT correct.
  • TRAI is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
  • Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.
  • Therefore, statement 3 is NOT correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Dated government securities or G-secs
2. Treasury Bills or T-bills
3. External Assistance
4. Short-term borrowings

Which of the above is/are part of the public debt in India?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2 and 4 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • Public debt in India includes:
  • Dated government securities or G-secs
  • Treasury Bills or T-bills
  • External Assistance
  • Short term borrowings
  • Public Debt definition by Union Government
  • The Union government describes those liabilities as part of its public debt which is contracted against the Consolidated Fund of India. This is as per Article 292 of the Constitution.
  • Hence, all the given components are part of the public debt in India.

Q3. Which of the following is/are part of the seven pillars or ‘Saptarishi’ of Union Budget 2023?

1. Youth Power
2. Green Growth
3. Inclusive Development
4. Infrastructure Investment

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 2, 3, and 4 only
c) 1, 2, and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The seven pillars or ‘Saptarishi’ of Union Budget 2023:
  1. Inclusive Development
  2. Reaching the Last Mile
  3. Infrastructure Investment
  4. Unleashing Potential
  5. Green Growth
  6. Youth Power
  7. Financial Sector

So, option (d) is correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements about Currency Deposit Ratio:

1. It is the ratio of how much a bank lends out of the deposits it has mobilised. It indicates how much of a bank's core funds are being used for lending, the main banking activity.
2. A higher ratio indicates more reliance on deposits for lending and vice-versa.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

What Is Credit-Deposit Ratio?

  • It is the ratio of how much a bank lends out of the deposits it has mobilised. It indicates how much of a bank's core funds are being used for lending, the main banking activity. A higher ratio indicates more reliance on deposits for lending and vice-versa. (Hence option 1 and 2 are correct)

Additional Information:

Is There An Ideal Level For This Ratio?

  • The regulator does not stipulate a minimum or maximum level for the ratio. But, a very low ratio indicates banks are not making full use of their resources. And if the ratio is above a certain level, it indicates a pressure on resources.

Why Is It Considered A Key Parameter?

  • The ratio gives the first indication of the health of a bank. A very high ratio is considered alarming because, in addition to indicating pressure on resources, it may also hint at capital adequacy issues, forcing banks to raise more capital. Moreover, the balance sheet would also be unhealthy with asset-liability mismatches.

Solution. As both the statements are correct, Hence the correct option is (c).

Q5. Consider the following statements about El Niño event:

1. It is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
2. El Niño events occur regularly every two years.
3. During the event, westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Statement 1 is correct
  • El Niño is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
  • El Niño events occur irregularly at two- to seven-year intervals. Statement 2 is not correct
  • During an El Niño event, westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator. Statement 3 is correct