Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 31 August 2020

Q1. The first phase of the Census and the exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR), scheduled for this year but deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars.
2) The census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on people of India which helps the State to chalk out various policies.
3) With a history of more than 130 years, this reliable, time tested exercise has been bringing out a veritable wealth of statistics every 10 years and is considered part of essential services in India.

Options :

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

Q2. The Centre has communicated to states the two borrowing options to meet the GST Compensation requirement for the current financial year. The GST has ineffect replaced which of the following taxes in India ?

1) Purchase tax
2) Entry tax
3) Entertainment tax
4) VAT
5) Gift tax

Options :

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

Q3. India has co-sponsored a security council resolution that calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women personnel in peacekeeping operations. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true?

1) India has a long tradition of being associated with UN Peacekeeping since its inception. The country made history in 2007 when she deployed the first all-women Police Unit in the UN Mission in Liberia.
2) UN Security Council Resolution on ‘women in peacekeeping' calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping operations.
3) India is the fifth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Forces.

Options :

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

Q4. An asteroid with diameters between 22 and 49 metres will shoot pass Earth in a distance closer than Earth from the Moon on September 1, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) The asteroid, listed as a potentially hazardous asteroid, was first discovered in the spring of 2011 and passes by Earth every nine years.
2) A "potentially hazardous asteroid" is currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid's potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth.
3) Scientists consider wandering asteroids or fragments from past collisions have knocked into Earth in the past, playing a key role in the development of our planet.

Options :

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

Q5. India has decided to withdraw from KAVKAZ-2020 military exercise involving China & Pakistan recently. The military exercise was to be hosted by which of the following countries ?

a) Uzbekistan
b) Russia
c) Japan
d) UAE

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