UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: February 21, 2025
February 21, 2025 February 21, 2025
1. In horizontal tax devolution, how many of the following criteria, besides population, area, and income distance, did the Fifteenth Finance Commission consider?
- Demographic performance
- Forest and ecology
- Governance reforms
- Stable government
- Tax and fiscal efforts
Select the correct answer:
[A] Only two
[B] Only three
[C] Only four
[D] All five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only three]
Notes:- Demographic performance: Correct: Demographic performance assesses population factors like growth rate and composition. The 15th Finance Commission used 2011 data and assigned a 12.5% weight, favoring states with lower fertility rates.
- Forest and ecology: Correct: Forest and ecology evaluate environmental conservation. A weightage of 10% was given based on the proportion of dense forest in each state.
- Governance Reforms: Incorrect: Governance reforms were not considered as a criterion for horizontal tax devolution.
- Stable Government: Incorrect: Stable government was not explicitly included as a criterion.
- Tax and fiscal efforts: Correct: Tax and fiscal efforts assess a state’s efficiency in tax collection. A 2.5% weight was assigned based on tax revenue relative to state GDP (2016-19).
2. With reference to the concept of local governance in India, consider the following statements:
- Panchayati Raj is a three-tier system comprising Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and Zila Panchayat.
- The 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 1992 to enhance local self-governance.
- Gram Sabha is the smallest unit of local governance and consists of all adult members of a village.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Panchayati Raj is a three-tier system comprising Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and Zila Panchayat: Correct. It establishes local self-governance in rural areas.
- The 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 1992 to enhance local self-governance: Incorrect. The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 1992 to enhance local self-governance. It provides constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions.
- Gram Sabha is the smallest unit of local governance and consists of all adult members of a village: Correct. It plays a crucial role in decision-making at the village level.
3. With reference to the pollution issues concerning the Ganges during the Maha Kumbh, consider the following statements:
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water.
- Faecal coliform bacteria are primarily used as an indicator of water quality and safety for human contact.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water. Correct: High BOD levels indicate severe pollution and reduced oxygen availability for aquatic life.
- Their presence indicates potential health risks, including waterborne diseases like cholera. Correct: Faecal coliform bacteria are primarily used as an indicator of water quality and safety for human contact.
4. Consider the following:
- Burkina Faso
- Guinea
- Chad
- Sudan
Which of the following is the correct order of the above countries from west to east?
[A] 1 2 3 4
[B] 4 3 2 1
[C] 3 1 4 2
[D] 2 1 3 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2 1 3 4]
Notes:- The correct order of the countries from west to east is: Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan.
- Guinea: Located in West Africa.
- Burkina Faso: Also in West Africa, slightly east of Guinea.
- Chad: Considered a central African country, further east than Burkina Faso.
- Sudan: Situated further east than Chad.
5. In the light of banking regulations and deposit insurance, consider the following statements:
- The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) was established in 1961.
- The DICGC insures deposits in all types of banks, including regional rural banks.
- The insurance coverage per depositor per bank is ₹1 lakh.
- The DICGC is a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) was established in 1961: This is correct. The DICGC was established to provide deposit insurance to depositors in Indian banks.
- The DICGC insures deposits in all types of banks, including regional rural banks: This is correct. The DICGC covers commercial banks, cooperative banks, and regional rural banks.
- The insurance coverage per depositor per bank is ₹1 lakh: This is incorrect. The current insurance coverage is ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank.
- The DICGC is a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI): This is incorrect. The DICGC is not a subsidiary but operates under the RBI.
The above questions are part of Daily UPSC 20 Current Affairs MCQs Series in GKToday Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for user friendly test with detailed answers and explanations.
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