National (Current Affairs – UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

1. Consider the table given below providing some details of the results of the election to the Karnataka State Legislature Assembly held in December, 1994: [1995]

Political Party	Percentage of Popular Votes obtained	Number of Seats secured
Janta Dal	36	116
Congress	31	35
BJP	20.4	40

In terms of electoral analysis, the voter-seat distortion is to be explained as the result of the adoption of the:

(a) hare system
(b) cumulative vote system
(c) first-past-the post system
(d) plural vote system

Correct Answer: (c) first-past-the post system

Solution:Under First Past The Post (FPTP) voting takes place in constituencies that elect a single MP. Voters put a cross in a box next to their favoured candidate and the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins. All other votes count for nothing.

2. To prevent recurrence of scams in Indian Capital Market, the Government of India has assigned regulatory powers to: [1995]

(a) SEBI
(b) RBI
(c) SBI
(d) ICICI

Correct Answer: (a) SEBI

Solution:Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been assigned regulatory powers to prevent recurrence of scams in Indian capital market by government of India.

3. In the field of space technology-India has demonstrated during 1994, her capability to: [1995]

(a) design advance intercontinental ballistic missile warning systems
(b) build satellites
(c) build stealth missiles
(d) launch geo-stationary satellites

Correct Answer: (d) launch geo-stationary satellites

Solution:The launching of SROS-2 on 4 May, 1994 and IR.S.P-2 on 15th October 1994, showed that India is capable to launch geo-stationary satellites.

A Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) takes a satellite around the Earth at a rate of once per day, keeping it roughly in the same area over the ground.

A Geostationary Orbit (GSO) is a geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of zero, meaning, it lies on the equator.

All geostationary satellites are geosynchronous. Not all geosynchronous satellites are geostationary.

4. Which one of the following satellites is to be launched from India in 1996? [1996]

(a) IRS-P2
(b) IRS-P3
(c) IRS-EN
(d) IRS-ID

Correct Answer: (b) IRS-P3

Solution:IRS-P3 was an experimental earth observation mission undertaken by ISRO. The objectives of the mission were processing and interpretation of data generated by its two payloads, the Wide Field sensor and Modular Optoelectric Sensor, developed by the German Aerospace Center. The mission was completed during January 2006 after serving for 9 years and 10 months.

5. Which one of the following is a modern tank? [1996]

(a) Bhim
(b) Akash
(c) Arjun
(d) Prithvi

Correct Answer: (c) Arjun

Solution:Arjuna is the modern tank produced by Defence Research and Development, Organisation (DRDO).

6. The average rate of domestic savings (gross) for the Indian economy is currently estimated to be in the range of: [1997]

(a) 15 to 20 percent
(b) 20 to 25 percent
(c) 25 to 30 percent
(d) 30 to 35 percent

Correct Answer: (b) 20 to 25 percent

Solution:The average rate of gross domestic savings for the Indian Economy estimated to be in the range of 20-25%.

7. One of the important agreements reached in the Ministerial Conference of WTO refers to: [1997]

(a) Commerce in Information Technology
(b) Multilateral Agreement on Investment
(c) Multi-fibre Agreement
(d) Exchange of technical personal?

Correct Answer: (a) Commerce in Information Technology

Solution:Taking note that a number of Members have agreed on a Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products.

8. Which one of the following States of India has passed a legislation (in 1996) making the maintenance of one's parents mandatory? [1997]

(a) Kerala
(b) West Bengal
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Himachal Pradesh

Correct Answer: (d) Himachal Pradesh

Solution:The Himachal Pradesh Maintenance of Parents and Dependents Bill, 1996 was passed to provide speedy relief to old parents unable to maintain themselves-it makes it mandatory for children to maintain their elderly parents.

9. Bharat Ratna was awarded in 1997 to: [1998]

(a) Dr. Homi Bhabha (Posthumous)
(b) Former President R. Venkataraman
(c) Satyajit Ray (Posthumous)
(d) Dr. Abdul Kalam

Correct Answer: (d) Dr. Abdul Kalam

Solution:Abdul Kalam was the recipient of Bharat Ratna 1997.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour, given for exceptional service towards any field of human endeavour, without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex. The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954.

10. Which of the following Parties were not a part of the United Front Which was in power during '96-97'? [1998]

1. Bahujana Samaj Party

2. Haryana Vikas Party

3. Samata Party

4. Asom Gana Parishad

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Codes:

(a) 1, 2, 3 & 4
(b) 1, 2 & 3
(c) 3 & 4
(d) 1 & 2

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 & 3

Solution:Bahujan Samaj Party, Haryana Vikas party and samta party were not the part of the United front.

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