[T25] UPSC Mock Round#34:NAA Extension, 1Nation1Ration, Hydroponic cultivation, Hyperandrogenism

1. Prologue
2. Economy
3. Mrunal’s Economy Lecture Series for Prelim-2020
4. Environment & Geography
5. Polity and IR
6. Science Tech

Prologue

• Timelimit: 30 minutes. 2 Marks for correct answer; -0.66 marks for wrong answer.
• Mitron, my [T25] series contains 25 Mock MCQ primarily aimed at UPSC IAS/IPS Civil Service exam aspirants.
• I usually don’t give direct answer below the MCQs but indirect hints. Because, then you’ve to read the MCQ again & apply logical reasoning skills. This will improve your mental faculties compared to a scenario where direct answers are spoon-fed. having said that, if you want to learn some background theory and the correct answer, you may visit my playlist at Unacademy.
• This 34th set contains questions from June-2019 Current Affairs.
• धीरे धीरे करते हुए, so far I’ve done 34 sets x 25 questions each = 850 MCQs. Given the fact that UPSC Prelims even asks contemporary topics even from 2-3 years preceding the exam, so you should go through all of them available at Mrunal.org/Prelims

Economy

Q. In 2019, India has ratified Multilateral Convention of _ _ _ _ to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting.

1. UN
2. OECD
3. FATF
4. FSDC

HINT: FATF is for Money laundering and terror Finance , FSDC is an Indian body headed by the Finance Minister and UN doesn’t care so much for tax avoidance.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) about the European Central Bank:

1. Its headquarters is in Germany.
2. Former IMF chief Christine Lagarde will be its next head in 2019.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only  2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Lagarde resigned from IMF because she’s 100% certain of getting this job and living a comfortable life in Frankfurt. Where is Frankfurt located, socho?

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) about the World Bank:

1. Its headquarters is situated at Washington.
2. The former SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya has been appointed as the MD and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only  2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: SBI Managing Director Anshula Kant

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme:

1. It’s being jointed implemented by UIDAI and NITI Aayog
2. This scheme will not applicable to migrant workers.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution will integrate all ration cards to one server and any beneficiary, anywhere in the country, will be able to pick up their grain from any public distribution system of their choice after 30th June, 2020.

Q. Find correct the statement(s) about National Anti-Profiteering Authority:

1. It has been constituted under the Central excise and customs act.
2. In 2019, its tenure has been extended by another two more years.
3. It ensures the benefit of input tax credit of direct and indirect taxes on the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT: Setup under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. GST council extended its tenure by 2 more years, deals with GST and not DIRECT Tax.

Q. find out incorrect statement(s) regarding National Electricity Distribution Company:

1. It’s jointly formed by NTPC and Coal India.
2. It has been accorded MAHA-RATNA status.
3. It’ll distribute electricity in only in the UTs with Legislature.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 3
4. 1 and 2 and 3

HINT:   NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India have formed it, and if this is formed in 2019- then how can it directly become a Maharatna company which requires x crores of profit over y years!! And if its name is ‘national’, then how can it be doing work only in UT with Legislature!?

Q. Find out the incorrect statement(s) regarding second edition of Health Index released by Niti Aayog in 2019:

1. Kerala and Bihar are best and worst performers respectively as per this index.
2. Ranking is under four categories — North, West, South, Eastern states and UTs
3. It recommended Union to spend 8% of its budget on healthcare sector.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 3
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 2
4. 1 and 2 and 3

HINT: Kerala best, UP worst. Ranking was done under three categories — larger states, smaller states and Union territories (UTs)  to ensure comparison among similar entities. Union government should spend 2.5 percent of gross domestic product on health

Q. In 2019, RBI has waived the charges on following to encourage less-cash economy

1. NEFT
2. RTGS
3. IMPS

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT: NPCi runs IMPS, then how can RBI on its own volition say it’ll be free!?

Q. In 2019-May RBI’s Nandan Nilekani Panel submitted report on Less cash economy. It has proposed:

1. Government should stop MDR subsidy
2. Government should enact a law to legalize cryptocurrencies in India
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: will stopping MDR subsidy help less cash economy? Will allowing cryptocurrency reduce the challenging of money laundering?

Q. Find correct statement(s) about the LIBRA cryptocurrency:

1. It’s designed by Satoshi Nakomoto, the father of cryptocurrencies.
2. World Bank has issued ‘Bond-i’ bonds using its blockchain technology
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: If same developer makes new cryptocurrency- people will lose faith in original one. Bond-i uses Ethereum’s blockchain

Q. As of 2019-June, ‘On-tap’ Licensing system is applicable in India for:

1. Commercial Banks
2. Small Finance Banks
3. Regional Rural Banks

Which of the statements given above is/are correct

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only

HINT: RRB are setup under RRB Act. So, how does on-tap system come into picture? Further, in 2019-June Shakti announced to give ‘On-Tap’ license in Small Finance Bank category.

Q. Find correct statement(s) about the National Housing Bank

1. Originally it was 100% owned by RBI
2. It’s the apex regulator in Housing Finance
3. It acts as the nodal bank to operate PAISA Portal to release interest subsidies for PM-Awas Yojana

Which of the statements given above is/are correct

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only

HINT: I’ve explained it in this Video.

Q. Which of the following has/have been provided under Nirmala S’s General Budget 2019?

1. Standup India scheme has been merged with MUDRA scheme
2. Each women in each SHG will be eligible for MUDRA Loans
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT:

Q. Find wrong statement(s) about the Standup India scheme

1. It can be availed from banks as well as Microfinance companies.
2. A male entrepreneur from economically weaker section (EWS) of unreserved category is not eligible for this scheme.
3. It’s implemented by the Ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship

Answer Codes

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only

HINT: only SCB branch, beneficiary only SC/ST/Women, defaults covered by DFS’s NCTCGC.

Mrunal’s Economy Lecture Series for Prelim-2020

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Environment & Geography

In 2019, Which of the following developed country became the world’s first to pass laws for ending its contribution to global warming by 2050.

1. France
2. Germany,
3. Japan
4. United Kingdom

HINT: It’s a monarchy with a PM who copies the hairstyle, idiocy and arrogance of Donald Trump.

Q. Find out the correct one(s) about Cyclone Vayu:

1. Cyclone Vayu devastated large areas of Tamilnadu.
2. Cyclone Vayu was the most intense cyclone among all the cyclones that occurred in India in the calendar year 2019.
3. Arabian Sea cyclones are also relatively weak compared to those emerging in the Bay of Bengal.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 3
4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: In 2019, Vayu came to Gujarat, whereas Fani which striked Odisha was much stronger and intense. From this statement, what can we ‘infer’ about the third statement!?

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding hydroponic cultivation and find out the incorrect statement(s) from the given options:

1. It is a waterless farming technique.
2. Hydroponics helps plants to grow faster with higher yields than conventional farming.
3. Hydroponics is safer than chemical farming but it is prone to soil-borne diseases.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of the given

HINT: It’s a soil free farming, wherein plant roots are kept in nutrient-rich, oxygenated water, hence better yield than traditional soil farming.

Q. Which of the following river linking project can resolve water crisis in Bundelkhand?

1. Damanganga-Pinjal project
2. Par-Tapi-Narmada project
3. Ken-Betwa link project

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. Only 3

HINT: check the location of those rivers in map of India!

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding Kaleshwaram water project and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

1. This project has the world’s longest water tunnels, aqueducts, underground surge pools, and biggest pumps.
2. It is constructed on barrage across Krishna river.
3. It involves water sharing between Telangana and Maharashtra

Answer Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: Godavari

Polity and IR

Q. Find out the incorrect statement(s) regarding Lok Sabha bills:

1. A bill get lapsed on prorogation of the house.
2. Bill not passed by Lok Sabha but pending in Rajya Sabha will lapse if Lok Sabha dissolves.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: VP V.Naidu expressed concerns over the lapsing of bills, hence topic in news.   Read Laxmikanth Chapter on Parliament to identify the answer.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding national party in India and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

1. If party loses the national party status, they can retain their symbol but are not eligible for free airtime on public broadcasters during elections.
2. National People’s Party of Assam recently gets status of National Party status 2019.
3. National Party status is accorded by ECI whereas State party status is accorded by State Election Commission.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them

HINT: Only Election Commission of India (ECI) can grant National Party or State Party status to any political party in the country. 2019: National People’s Party of Meghalaya got the status of National Party. If parties lose the national party status, they can no longer stake claim to their symbol and are not eligible for free airtime on public broadcasters during elections or to an office space in the national capital.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding Maratha quota in Maharashtra and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

1. Maharashtra is the only state which exceeds the reservation limit of 50%.
2. Maratha community is declared as Socially and Educationally Backward Class.
3. To update the list of State Economically Backward Classes, State Legislature requires prior approval of Parliament.

Answer Codes

1. 1 and 2 only
2. Only 2
3. Only 2 and 3
4. Only 1 and 3

HINT: No parliamentary approval required. Tamil nadu also crossed the limit of  50%

Q. Find incorrect the statement(s) about UN Security Council:

1. In the non-permanent seats in UNSC, the Latin American nations have quota of 2 seats.
2. Non-permanent member of UNSC are elected for a period of 5 years.
3. After independence, India became a non-permanent members only thrice in 1971, 1991 and 2001.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them

HINT:

• The five permanent members of the Council are China, France, Russia, UK and the US.
• The 10 nonpermanent seats are elected for 2 years tenure and quota distributed on a regional basis : five for African and Asian States; one for Eastern European States; two for the Latin American and Caribbean States; and two for Western European and other States.
• Previously, India has been elected as a nonpermanent member of the Council for the years 1950–1951, 1967–1968, 1972–1973, 1977–1978, 1984–1985, 1991–1992 and most recently in 2011–2012
• 2019: India’s candidature for a nonpermanent seat at the powerful UN Security Council for a two-year term has been unanimously endorsed by the 55-member Asia-Pacific grouping, including China and Pakistan.

Science Tech

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES) and find out the incorrect statement(s) from the given options:

1. AES primarily affects the central nervous system in children
2. AES disease outbreak is usually reported during December to February in India.
3. Bihar govt. Launched “DASTAK” campaign AES.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the most common cause of AES, it affects central nervous system, mostly in children. Disease outbreak is usually reported during monsoons (June-October), UP Government launched the campaign DASTAK to fight it.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION and find out the incorrect statement(s) from the given options:

1. It is a habitable artificial satellite in the medium earth orbit.
2. Presently there are two operational ISS – one by NASA and one by GAIA
3. India is planning to launch its own space station under Mission Gaganyaan.

Answer Codes

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT:

Russia’s Mir space station stopped in 2001. Presently we’ve only NASA’s ISS in the low orbit. Gaganyaan will send Indian(s) to space and return in 3-7 days. Indias’ space station project is not yet given any fancy name.

Q. Which of the following correctly explains the hyperandrogenism:

1. It is a hormonal therapy to cure infertility among women.
2. It is a medical invention that enabled the deaf person to hear the sound from the vibration of air
3. It is a condition that attracts the beings of opposite sexes due to pheromones.
4. It is a condition that causes female body to naturally produce male sex hormones at higher levels than most women

HINT: Caster Semenya banned from some sporting events because of this.

Visit Mrunal.org/prelims for Previous Rounds of [T25] Mock MCQ Question / Answers.