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

Total Questions: 63

51. Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? [2020-1]

1. Minimum Support Price

2. Government's trading

3. Government's stockpiling

4. Consumer subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 & 4

Solution:Prima facie all of these activities will affect the price of rice in India but just to cross check with authentic sources: refer to

"Prices of rice and wheat remained stable since 2014 due to adequate supply and also due to maintenance of adequate buffer stock of rice and wheat (by FCI)" So, #3 is correct. So Option a eliminated.

"Sale of wheat and rice is undertaken through Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) so as to check inflationary trend in prices of food grains". So, #2 is also correct. So Option b eliminated.

The National Food Security Act provides subsidized rice at 3 per kg to the poor families. So, #4 is correct.

There is only one option where 2, 3 and 4 are given together- Option d.

52. Which one of the following situations best reflects "Indirect Transfers" often talked about in media recently with reference to India? [2022-1]

(a) An Indian company investing in a foreign enterprise and paying taxes to the foreign country on the profits arising out of its investment.
(b) A foreign company investing in India and paying taxes to the country of its base on the profits arising out of its investment.
(c) An Indian company purchases tangible assets in a foreign country and sells such assets after their value increases and transfers the proceeds to India.
(d) A foreign company transfers shares and such shares derive their substantial value from assets located in India.

Correct Answer: (d) A foreign company transfers shares and such shares derive their substantial value from assets located in India.

Solution:This term was in news context of the Vodafone taxation case. Answer is "d".

53. The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ? [2022-1]

(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

Correct Answer: (a) The best means of salvation was devotion.

Solution:As per Class7 NCERT Ramanuja, born in Tamil Nadu in the eleventh century, was deeply influenced by the Alvars. According to him the best means of attaining salvation was through intense devotion to Vishnu. Vishnu in His grace helps the devotee to attain the bliss of union with Him. He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness in that the soul even when united with the Supreme God remained distinct.

54. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? [2022-1]

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Solution:Statement 3 is wrong: The then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad did the Pran-Pratistha at the on 11 May 1951. Therefore by elimination the answer is (a).

55. Consider the following statements: [2023-1]

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.

2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while Brah Mos is a solid fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:The correct answer is (d).

Statement 1 is incorrect because ballistic missiles are not jet-propelled. They are rocket-propelled throughout their flight.

Statement 2 is incorrect because Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), while BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile. ICBMs travel at least 5,500 kilometers, while cruise missiles travel less than 5,500 kilometers.

56. Which one of the following is the correct description of "100 Million Farmers"? [2024-1]

(a) It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.
(b) It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry.
(c) It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely.
(d) It is a platform with the mission of encouraging the farmers to form Farmer Product Organisations or Agribusiness Consortiums, thus facilitating the access to global open markets to sell their products.

Correct Answer: (a) It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.

Solution:The World Economic Forum's initiative, 100 Million Farmers, is creating partnerships among governments, businesses, NGOs, and academic bodies to advance sustainable food systems. Their goal is to speed up the shift towards agricultural practices that support climate neutrality, biodiversity, and resilient farming communities. This initiative emphasizes the crucial role of food production and farmers in global efforts to address climate change and preserve natural environments, promoting widespread adoption of eco-friendly agricultural methods. Option (a) is the correct answer.

57. Consider the following statements: [2024-1]

Statement-1: India does not import apples from the United States of America.

Statement-11: In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Correct Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Solution:Statement 1 is wrong: India imports apples. Recently, India decided to remove additional duties on import of eight US products, including apples. The import of apples from USA was to the value of US$ 5.27 million (4,486 Ton) in FY 2022-23.

Statement 2 is correct: Indian Customs can clear food products including Genetically Modified (GM) food products only after necessary approval/No Objection Certificate (NOC) by FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 prohibits import, manufacture, use or sale of GM food without FSSAI's approval.

58. With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements: [2024-1]

1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding.

2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised.

3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3

Solution:Statement 1 is correct: Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (erstwhile National Land Record Modernization Programme) is a as a Central Sector Scheme i.e. 100% funding by the Centre. State government is not required to contribute money.

Statement 2 and 3 are also right as per Government's India Yearbook. Hence, Option (d) is the correct answer.

59. Who of the following is the author of the books "The India Way" and "Why Bharat Matters"? [2024-1]

(a) Bhupender Yadav
(b) Nalin Mehta
(c) Shashi Tharoor
(d) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Correct Answer: (d) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Solution:The India way and Why Bharat Matters are authored by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

60. Consider the following properties included in the World. [2024-1]

Heritage List released by UNESCO:

1. Shantiniketan

2. Rani-ki-Vav

3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Correct Answer: (b) Only two

Solution:Statement 1 is correct - Shanti Niketan was added to the World Heritage List released by UNESCO in the year 2023.

Statement 2 is incorrect - Rani-ki-Vav was added to the World Heritage List released by UNESCO in the year 2014.

Statement 3 is correct - Scared Ensembles of the Hoysalas was added to the World Heritage List released by UNESCO in the year 2023.

Statement 4 is incorrect - Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya was added to the World Heritage List released by UNESCO in the year 2002.

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