UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PRELIMS 2019 SPECIAL

LECTURE 44

MCQs – CURRENT AFFAIRS

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Consider the following statements regarding UNNATI, an initiative by ISRO:

1. It is a capacity building programme on nanosatellite development.

2. It has been launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference

on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space .

Which of the above statement/s is/are incorrect?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 or 2

Answer : d

QUESTION 1

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a

QUESTION 1

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In June 2018 the international community gathered in Vienna for UNISPACE+50.1

UNNATI, a capacity building programme on Nanosatellite development, is an initiative by ISRO tocommemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference on the exploration and peacefuluses of outer space (UNISPACE-50)

2

The programme provides opportunities to the participating developing countries to strengthen inassembling, integrating and testing of Nanosatellite.

3

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) works to promote international cooperationin the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology forsustainable economic and social development.

4

The state wise coverage of percentage of people under National Food Security Act, 2013 is

determined by?

a) Socio Economic and Caste Census

b) Household Consumption Expenditure Survey of NSSO

c) Both a and b

d) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Answer : b

QUESTION 2

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a

QUESTION 2

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Context - The CM of Mizoram called on the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and PublicDistribution regarding enhancement of coverage and allocation under NFSA. The CM highlighted the factthat after the implementation of NFSA, the allocation of foodgrain to the state has come down

1

About NFSA:• came into force in July, 2013• Nutritious meal, free of charge to pregnant women & lactating mothers and children up to 6 years of

age under ICDS.• Nutritious meal, free of charge to children in the 6-14 years of age group under MDM.• Maternity benefits of Rs. 6000 to Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers• PDS now governed by provisions of NFSA• Coverage under PDS: 75% Rural and 50% Urban population; State-wise coverage determined by the

Planning Commission (now NITI Ayog) on the basis of 2011-12 Household Consumption Expendituresurvey of NSSO.

• Coverage of two-thirds of the total population at the all India level, under two categories ofbeneficiaries – Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH).

• Foodgrains Entitlement: 5 kg per person for PHH category and 35 kg per household for AAY households.• Prices: Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains

2

a

QUESTION 2

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• Identification of Households: to be done by States/UTs, which are required to frame their own criteria• Women Empowerment: Eldest woman (18 years or above) to be the head of the household for the

purpose of issuing of ration cards.• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: To be set up at the District and State levels.• Transparency: Provisions for disclosure of records relating to PDS, placing beneficiaries list in public

domain

3

Since 2010-11, an annual Status Paper on public debt that provides a detailed analysis of the

overall debt position of Government of India is being released by?

a) Reserve Bank of India

b) Ministry of Finance

c) NITI Aayog

d) Both b and c

Answer : b

QUESTION 3

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a

QUESTION 3

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Since 2010, the Central Government (Ministry of Finance) has been bringing out an annual Status Paper onpublic debt that provides a detailed analysis of the overall debt situation of the country, including externaldebt and State Government's Debt.

1

This paper enhances transparency in public debt by providing a detailed account of debt operations andan assessment of the health of the public debt portfolio.

2

Earlier a separate "Handbook of Statistics on Central Government Debt" and a separate "DebtManagement Strategy“ document was published, these have now been brought under the Annual Statuspaper itself.

3

This publication provides consolidated information on various facets of public debt management:• Debt profile of Central Government and state governments• Debt Management Strategy (medium term – 3 to 5 years)• Trends in public debt• Features of Central Government liabilities• Details of General Government Debt, etc.

4

aa

QUESTION 3

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Government liabilities have been broadly classified as debt contracted against the Consolidated Fund of India (definedas Public Debt) and liabilities in the Public Account, called Other Liabilities..

5

Public debt is further classified into internal and external debt. Internal debt consists of marketable debt and non-marketable debt.

6

Government dated securities and Treasury Bills, issued through auctions, together comprises marketable debt.Intermediate Treasury Bills issued to State governments and select Central Banks (14 days ITB), special securities issuedto National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), securities issued to international financial institutions, etc., are part of non-marketable internal debt.

7

Other Liabilities include liabilities on account of Provident Funds, Reserve Funds and Deposits, Other Accounts, etc8

Consider the following statements regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA) as defined

by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD):

1. It is government aid designed to promote the economic development and welfare of developing

countries only.

2. It includes loans and credits for military purposes also.

3. Aid may be provided bilaterally or channelled through a multilateral development agencies

Which of the above statement/s is/are incorrect?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1 and 2 only

Answer : c

QUESTION 4

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a

QUESTION 4

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Official development assistance (ODA) is defined as government aid designed to promote the economicdevelopment and welfare of developing countries

1

Loans and credits for military purposes are excluded.2

Aid may be provided bilaterally, from donor to recipient, or channelled through a multilateraldevelopment agency such as the United Nations or the World Bank.

3

Aid includes grants, "soft" loans (where the grant element is at least 25% of the total) and the provisionof technical assistance.

4

The OECD maintains a list of developing countries and territories; only aid to these countries counts asODA. A long-standing United Nations target is that developed countries should devote 0.7% of their grossnational income to ODA.

5

a

QUESTION 4

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Japan has an Official Development Assistance program to help developing nations with supplies, civilengineering and other assistance

6

The grant element measures the concessionality or "softness" of financial terms of a loan. The lower theinterest rate and the longer the maturity period, the higher the grant element, which means it is morebeneficial to the borrower. The grant element for a grant is 100%.

Also Note:

Consider the following statements regarding the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas of India:

1) The theme of 2019 Divas is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India” and shall be held in

Bangalore.

2) It is celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the

Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

Identify the correct statements:

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) All the given statements are incorrect

Answer : b

QUESTION 5

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a

QUESTION 5

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indiancommunity with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

1

During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi BharatiyaSamman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad

2

The 15th PBD Convention is being held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.3

The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India".4