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

Total Questions: 50

1. The Government holding in BPCL is: [2003]

Correct Answer: (b) between 60% and 70%
Solution:The government presently holds 66.20% stake in BPCL.

2. Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India? [2003]

Correct Answer: (c) Under FEMA, violation of foreign exchange rules has ceased to be a criminal offence.
Solution:FERA was replaced by FEMA on 1 June, 2000. FERA was given a sunset clause of two year till 31st may 2002.

3. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. India's Import of crude and petroleum products during the year 2001-02 accounted for about 27% of India's total imports.

2. During the year 2001-02, India's exports had increased by 10% as compared to the previous year.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) Only 1
Solution:India's import of crude and petroleum products during the year 2001-02 was 27.4% of India's aggregate imports and registered a decline from the previous financial year.

4. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2004]

Correct Answer: (a) Under the Targeted Public Distribution System, the families Below Poverty Line are provided 50 kg of foodgrains per month per family at subsidised price.
Solution:Under the TPDS, Government of India increased the allocation to BPL families from 10 kg to 20 kg of food grains per family per month at 50% of the economic cost and allocation to APL families at economic cost w.e.f. 1.4.2000.

This was further increased to 25 kgs in 2001. Currently, allocation is done as per the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), which provides for all India coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population for receiving highly subsidized food grains. Under this act, beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System are entitled to 5 kilograms per person per month of cereals.

5. Which one of the following was the largest IT software and services exporter in India during the year 2002-03? [2004]

Correct Answer: (c) Tata Consultancy Services
Solution:Infosys technologies is second.

6. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002.

2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India.

3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 & 2
Solution:An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2005.

7. Assertion (A): For the first time, India had no trade deficit in the year 2002-03. [2004]

Reason (R): For the first time, India's exports crossed worth $ 50 billion in the year 2002-03.

Correct Answer: (d) A is false but R is true.
Solution:The trade deficit fell from 2000-01 to 2002-03.

8. Which one of the following is the correct decreasing sequence in terms of the value (in rupees) of the minerals produced in India in the year 2002-03? [2004]

Correct Answer: (b) Fuel minerals-Metallic minerals-Non metallic minerals.
Solution:Fuel minerals- Metallic minerals- Non metallic minerals.

9. What was the reason for 5 lakh people of Hong Kong to make a demonstration around the middle of 2003? [2004]

Correct Answer: (b) They were against the Hong Kong Governments plan to impose an internal security law.
Solution:Nearly 5 lakh people of Hong kong demonstrated around the middle of 2003 against the Hong kong Government plan to impose an internal security law.

10. The Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Shanta Sinha is known as: [2004]

Correct Answer: (b) an anti-child labour activist.
Solution:The Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Shanta Sinha is an anti-child labour activist who had done considerable work to rescue child labour from hazardous industries.