1. The share of direct taxes in India’s tax kitty peaked in 2009-10 at 60% and thereafter, it has consistently fallen. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for the same?
[A] There was a substantial reduction in direct tax rates in the country
[B] The consumption pattern and economic growth were affected by economic recession
[C] The share of indirect taxes increased substantially
[D] None of the above is an appropriate reason
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The share of indirect taxes increased substantially ]
Notes:
In October 2018, a Time series data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) showed that the share of direct taxes in total taxes rose every year through the first decade of this century — going from 36.31% in 2000-01 to 60.78% in 2009-10. Thereafter it has fallen mainly because of rise of “service tax” collections in the country. Service Tax is now subsumed in GST.
Indirect taxes are said to be regressive in nature as they do not distinguish between poor and rich, and therefore, higher proportion of indirect taxes in total tax collection is not considered ideal.
2. Which of the following country is Europe’s largest Economy?
[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] England
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Germany]
Notes:
Germany is the largest economy in Europe, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over 3.87 trillion Euros in 2022. The United Kingdom and France are the second and third largest economies in Europe, respectively. The other top six largest national economies in Europe are: Russia, Italy, Spain.
The European Union’s GDP was estimated to be around $16.6 trillion in 2022, which is about one sixth of the global economy.
3. The pie chart drawn belown shows the expenses of a family on various items and its savings during the year 2001. Study the graph and answer the question.
If the total income for the year was 100000 Rs. the difference of the expensses (in rupees) between housing and transport was:
[A] 7000 Rs
[B] 10000 Rs
[C] 15000 Rs
[D] 12000 Rs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [10000 Rs]
Notes:The percentage difference in expenditure on housing and transport = (15 – 5) % = 10%
The required difference
Hence option [B] is the right answer.
4. Consider the following statements:
Assertion: Government of India has recently created a GOM to consider amendment to Article 311 of the Constitution
Reason: The provisions of Article 311 have come in the way of bringing corrupt civil servants to book and create obstacles for expeditious punitive action.
Choose the correct option:
[A] Both A and R are correct and R is correct explanation to A
[B] Both A and R are correct, but R is incorrect explanation to A
[C] A is correct , R is incorrect
[D] A is incorrect , R is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are correct and R is correct explanation to A]
Notes:
Article 311 provides protection to Public servants. There is need for rationalization and simplification of procedures to prevent the corrupt and dishonest elements in the system from cornering the benefits of the constitutional safeguards. Central Government has constituted a GoM to consider measures that can be taken to tackle corruption. One of the terms of reference is to consider amendment to Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for summary proceedings in cases of grave misdemeanour or blatant corruption by public servants. The issue is under consideration of GoM.
5. Kelo irrigation project is a water dispute between:
[A] Chhattisgarh and Odisha
[B] Odisha and Telangana
[C] Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
[D] Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chhattisgarh and Odisha]
Notes:
Kelo irrigation project is implemented in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh on Kelo River, a tributary of Mahanadi River. The project is targeted to be completed by year 2018. The project was recently in news due to tussle between Chhattisgarh and Odisha state government over sharing of water of Mahanadi.
6. Identify the tribe of India with the help of given information:
- They are of Matrilineal descent and use matrilocal residence
- They were known as Lalungs in the Assamese Buranjis, Colonial literature and in the Constitution of India
- The tribe has been frequently in news for practising jhuming or shifting cultivation
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Tiwa
[B] Baiga
[C] Jarawa
[D] Dongria Kondh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Tiwa]
Notes:
The above given information is for Tiwa tribe of Assam which has been frequently in news for practising Jhum cultivation.
7. India’s largest solar power park is under construction in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
NTPC Ltd. is on course to implementing the country's largest 1 GW solar park at Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Phase-I of the project has been completed by Tata Solar (100 MW), Sterling and Wilson (50 MW), BHEL (50MW) and Lanco (50 MW) and is generating power upto 250 MW. The balance 750 MW is expected to be completed over the course next fiscal by year 2018.
8. The terms “Walopi” and “Chemvist” which were recently in news, are associated with Indian:
[A] Shipping Industry
[B] Railways
[C] Pharmaceutical Industry
[D] Space Programme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Railways]
Notes:
“Walopi” (Warning Loco Pilots) and “Chemvist” (Check My Vigilance State) are the two technologies, which have been patented by IIT-Kharagpur Professor Aurobinda Routray and his team in the Electrical Engineering department. These technologies will now be developed for Indian Railways. A globally conducted survey reveals that driver drowsiness is a major problem identified as a cause of accidents. To curb the menace in India, the research team of IIT Kharagpur has developed the two technologies. Both the technologies are based on what is globally called PERCLOS (percentage of eyelid closure over the pupil over time), and reflects slow eyelid closures (“droops”) rather than blinks. “Chemvist” uses Electrooculography (EOG) signals, which essentially give the voltage difference between the cornea and retina of the eye. Drivers will have to wear a specially-designed headband to play a “video game” on a screen. The headband will detect if the driver is fatigued or will be alert for the next few hours. “Walopi” on the other hand, checks the on-board level of alertness. It uses a camera with face-detection technology, which assesses if the driver is falling asleep.
9. Which of the following State Governments has recently announced to establish Ghodazari wildlife sanctuary?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Maharashtra government has approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as a new wildlife sanctuary in the state. The sanctuary, in the North East of Tadoba, will include 159 sq km of Brahmapuri forest.
10. As per India State of Forest Report 2017, which of the following is the correct order of forest types in India in terms of their area?
[A] Tropical Dry Deciduous> Subtropical Dry Evergreen> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen
[B] Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Dry Deciduous> Subtropical Dry Evergreen> Subtropical Pine
[C] Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen> Himalayan Moist Temperate
[D] Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Dry-Evergreen> Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Wet-Evergreen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen> Himalayan Moist Temperate]
Notes:
As per the Indian State Forest Report 2017, the correct order is Tropical Dry Deciduous (279506 sq km), Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest (144747 sq km), Tropical Semi Evergreen (98039 sq km), Himalayan Moist Temperate (29216 sq km) and Tropical Wet–Evergreen (20872 sq km).
