Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (17 March 2023)

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

Date: 17 March 2023

Q1. What does the term "potential output" or "potential GDP" refer to in economics?

a) The current level of economic activity in the economy.
b) The minimum sustainable level of economic activity in the economy.
c) The maximum sustainable level of economic activity in the economy.
d) The level of economic activity that can be achieved with unlimited resources.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Economists use the term “potential output” or “potential GDP” to describe the economy’s maximum sustainable level of economic activity. .( Hence option C is correct)
  • Growth in potential GDP is determined by growth in the potential labor force (the number of people who want to be working when the labor market is strong) and growth in potential labor productivity
  • Actual GDP falls short of potential GDP in a recession, when aggregate demand is weak; it can temporarily exceed potential GDP in a boom, when aggregate demand is strong. But, over longer periods, actual GDP and potential GDP tend to grow together.

Solution. As statements C is correct, The correct option is (c).

Q2. Which of the following initiatives is NOT a part of the Department of Science and Technology's efforts to promote gender equity in science and technology?

a) Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)
b) Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN)
c) Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) Programme
d) National Award for Woman Scientist

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

  • The National Award for Women Scientists is a special award initiated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to recognize the contribution of women scientists in the field of Earth System Sciences. It is not a part of the Department of Science and Technology's efforts to promote gender equity in science and technology.
  • The other initiatives listed, namely GATI, KIRAN, CURIE Programme, Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEM, and Vigyan Jyoti Scheme are all initiatives under the Department of Science and Technology aimed at encouraging and supporting women's participation in science and technology. So, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements about BIMSTEC:

1. The BIMSTEC intra-regional trade is significantly greater than ASEAN’s.
2. It is a regional organization comprising seven member-states.
3. Indonesia is also a member of BIMSTEC.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The BIMSTEC intra-regional trade was at $70 billion in 2021, significantly lower than ASEAN’s $600 billion, where exports were over $111 billion. Statement 1 is Not correct
  • It is a regional organization comprising seven member-states located in the Bay of Bengal region of South and Southeast Asia. Statement 2 is correct.
  • The member-states are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Hence Statement 3 is Not correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. Both police and prisons are in the State List of Seventh Schedule.
2. The Ministry of Law and Justice does an annual ranking of police stations.
3. The short-listing for a state (UT) is done on the basis of CCTNS.
4. If CCTNS isn’t used, there is no chance of a police station being short-listed.

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

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

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Both police and prisons are in the State List of Seventh Schedule. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs does an annual ranking of police stations, based on objective data (with an 80 per cent weight) and a survey-based assessment (with 20 per cent weight). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • CCTNS doesn’t enter the ranking directly, though indirectly, it does. The short-listing for a state (UT) is done on the basis of CCTNS. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • If CCTNS isn’t used, there is no chance of a police station being short-listed. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Extra Information:

  • In 2022, Aska in Ganjam (Odisha) was ranked the best police station.
  • Across states, there is a separate Pragati dashboard on different aspects of CCTNS – infrastructure, manpower and use of the database.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

1. It is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization that was founded on 15 June 2001 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
2. The Samarkand declaration was adopted by the council of heads of government of the SCO.
3. Recently Iran became the 9th member of SCO.

Which of the statements given above is/are Incorrect?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Beijing, China is the Headquarter of SCO.
  • Thus statement 1 is not correct.
  • The Samarkand declaration was adopted by the council of heads of government of the SCO.
  • Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Recently Iran became the 9th member of SCO during the annual summit of 2021 held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Thus statement 3 is correct.