Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 08 January 2020

Q1. Scientists have mapped the genome of the Indian Cobra, among the most poisonous snakes in the country. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) Each year, about 46,000 people die and 140,000 people are disabled in India from snakebites by the ‘Big 4’ — the Indian cobra, the common krait, Russell’s viper, and the saw­scaled viper.
2) These four venomous species of snakes are concentrated mainly in the north eastern parts of the country.
3) Sequencing a genome is an important step to making anti­venom but wouldn’t on its own solve the problem of making and supplying enough of the product to address the huge volume and variety of snakebites in India.

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3only
d) all of the above

Q2. Which of the following west Asian countries shares international boundary with Iran ?

1) Uzbekistan
2) Iraq
3) Israel
4) Afghanistan
5) Turkey

a) 1,2 & 3 only
b) 2,3 & 4 only
c) 2,4 & 5 only
d) all of the above

Q3. The government is likely to cut spending for the current fiscal by as much as ₹ 2 trillion (₹2 lakh crore) as it faces one of the biggest tax shortfalls in recent years.

Consider the following statements with respect to this initiative :

1) Asia’s third­largest economy, which is growing at its slowest pace in over six years because of lack of private investment, could be hurt further if the government cuts spending.
2) Lack of demand and weak corporate earnings growth in the economy led to lagging tax collections this year.
3) The Centre is likely to keep fiscal deficit under 3.8% of GDP and plans for additional borrowings worth Rs.300-500crores to meet this target.

Which of the above statements are true ?

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3only
d) all of the above

Q4. Which of the following statements regarding the MSME sector in India stands true ?

1) The MSME sector in India employs over 100 million people and accounts for 45% of manufacturing output and more than 40% of the country’s exports.
2) The most important problems faced by SME units is in accessing credit from banks, delay in payments from Public Sector Units and Government departments, the issue of GST refunds and the dearth of skilled manpower in the MSME sector.
3) In order to mainstream the 8 million Indian women who have started and are running their own businesses government has directed that the Government e-Marketplace may handhold the women led SMEs and onboard these enterprises on the GeM portal.

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3only
d) all of the above

Q5. The first-ever comprehensive National Nutrition Survey was conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and which of the following ministries to measure malnutrition?

a) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s welfare
b) Ministry of Health and family welfare
c) Women and child development ministry
d) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

Click Here For Today's Current Affairs

Click Here for MCQ's Archive

Buy Printed Study Material for IAS Pre General Studies (Paper-1)

Join Online Coaching for IAS Pre General Studies (Paper-1)

UPSC Pre Postal Test Series

Answer :

1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (d) 5.(b)