Current Affairs Quiz 28 December 2024 MCQ
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In our daily current affairs quiz, we strive to cover a variety of sources, including Vision IAS Daily Current Affairs, PIB, and newspapers such as the Indian Express, The Hindu, and The Economic Times.
Topics covered in today’s Current Affairs Quiz
| National Park | Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2023-24) | Treasury bills |
| Parker Solar Probe | Rakhigarhi | Depreciation of Indian Rupee |
| PM CARES Fund | Equatorial Axis | Western Disturbances |
| SVAMITVA Scheme |
Q1. Identify the National Park that is not located in Madhya Pradesh.
(A). Madhav National Park
(B). Panna National Park
(C). Bandhwagarh National Park
(D). Tadoba National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Context: Fifteen tigers will be translocated from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The tigers will come from Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha, and Pench tiger reserves.
Tadoba National Park is located in Maharashtra.
Q2. As per the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2023-24), which state has the highest Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE)?
(A). Sikkim
(B). Maharashtra
(C). Karnataka
(D). Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently released the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, which covers the whole of India.
About HCES
- It is conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under MoSPI.
- It is the second survey conducted from August 2023 to July 2024, the first from 2022-23.
- HCES collects information on household consumption and expenditure on goods and services.
Important Findings of the Survey
| Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) | Rural – ₹ 4,125, Urban – ₹ 6996 |
| States with highest MPCE | Sikkim |
| States with the lowest MPCE | Chhattisgarh |
| Declining Urban-Rural Gap in MPCE | 71% (2022-23) to 70% (2023-24) |
| Inequality among classes | Bottom 5% rural MPCE ₹ 1,677 & Top 5% – ₹ 10,137 |
| Consumption pattern | Non-food expenditure (NFE) 1. Rural – 53% 2. Urban – 60% 3. Rent – 7% of NFE |
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Treasury bills (T-bills):
(1). They are short-term debt instruments with less than a year of maturity.
(2). The Central and State governments can issue T-bills.
(3). Cash Management Bills with less than 91 days maturities are also part of T-bills.
(4). They are issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value.
How many of the above statements given above are correct?
(A). Only one
(B). Only two
(C). Only three
(D). All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context: In 2025, the Government of India will borrow ₹ 3.94 lakh crore via Treasury bills (T-bills).
What are T-bills?
- They are a money market and short-term debt instruments issued by the Central Government through RBI on the e-Kuber platform.
- They have a maturity of less than a year and are issued in three tenors: 91 days, 182 days, and 364 days. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- T-bills are issued at a discount rate and redeemed at face value. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
- They are also called zero-coupon securities and pay no interest.
- Only the Central Government can issue T-bills, not the State Government. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
What are Cash Management Bills (CBMs)?
- They are short-term instruments introduced by the Government of India in 2010 to address temporary mismatches. They have a maturity of fewer than 91 days.
- CBMs are not part of T-Bills. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Parker Solar Probe:
(1). It is a NASA mission launched in 2018 to study the Sun’s corona.
(2). It is the closest man-made object to the Sun.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Context: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe recently performed solar flight at the perihelion point.
About Parker Solar Probe
- It is a NASA mission launched on August 12, 2018, with the primary objective of studying the Sun’s other atmosphere, i.e. corona. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- It holds the record for the fastest human-made object travelling at 700,000 km per hour.
- In December 2024, it became the closest human-made object to the Sun, coming 3.83 million miles to the Sun. Hence, statement 2 is also correct.
- Its scientific goals are to understand the Sun’s corona and how the solar winds are accelerated.
- It utilises gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus to gradually reduce its orbital distance to the Sun.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Rakhigarhi:
(1). It is considered the largest known Harappan site located in Rajasthan.
(2). The site provides evidence of advanced water management techniques.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context: During an ongoing excavation, ancient water management techniques from 5,000 years ago were discovered at the Harappan site of Rakhigarhii. A dried riverbed of the Chautand River was also discovered.
About Rakhigarhi
- It is the largest known Harappan site in the Hisar district of Haryana, India, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
- Numerous burial sites have been uncovered, with skeletal remains accompanied by burial goods.
- Harappan Civilization water management practices include elaborate drainage, small bunds, dockyards, channels and reservoirs, tanks and wells, etc.
Q6. What could be the possible reasons for the depreciation of the Indian Rupee:
(1). US Federal Reserve’s aggressive tightening of monetary policy.
(2). Widening trade deficit.
(3). Higher remittance value.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 & 2 only
(B). 2 & 3 only
(C). 1 & 3 only
(D). 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, the Indian Rupee’s exchange rate has breached the 85 mark against the US dollar.
What are the key factors responsible for the depreciation of the Indian Rupee?
- Capital outflows from Indian markets due to aggressive monetary tightening by the US Federal Reserve. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- Widening trade deficit due to higher crude oil imports. Hence, statement 2 is also correct.
- Higher inflation in the Indian market, etc.
- Higher remittances actually appreciate the Indian Rupee, not depreciate. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
| Positive impacts of ₹ depreciation | Negative impacts of ₹ depreciation |
| 1. Boost exports due to Indian goods becoming more competitive in international markets. 2. Higher remittance as NRIs send more money back home. | 1. Imports become expensive. 2. Increase the cost of foreign debt. 3. Inflation pressure. |
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the PM CARES Fund:
(1). It is a Public Charitable Trust under the Registration Act 1908.
(2). Donations under the fund are eligible for 100% tax exemption.
(3). It is not subject to scrutiny under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 & 2 only
(B). 2 & 3 only
(C). 1 & 3 only
(D). 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Context: According to the latest audited accounts, PM CARES Fund received Rs 912 crore in 2022-23.
What is the PM CARES Fund?
- PM CARES Funds stands for Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund.
- Public Charitable Trust was formed under the Registration Act of 1908 to assist during emergencies or calamities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- It does not receive any government budget allocations.
- PM is the ex-officio Chairperson; other members are the Defence Minister, Home Minister, and Finance Minister.
- Donations to the PM CARE Fund qualify for 100% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act and are counted as CSR expenditures under the Companies Act 2013. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- It is not a fund of the Government of India, so it is not subjected to Right to Information (RTI) scrutiny. Hence, statement 3 is also correct.
Q8. Identify the country through which the equator passes.
(A). Sudan
(B). Somalia
(C). Namibia
(D). Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context: The United Nations Security Council recently authorised a new Somalia peacekeeping mission.
Q9. With reference to Western Disturbances, consider the following statements:
(1). They are extra-tropical cyclonic systems originating in the Mediterranean region.
(2). Western Disturbances primarily bring rainfall and snowfall to India’s northern and northwestern regions during the winter.
(3). They contribute to agricultural productivity by providing much-needed moisture to the Rabi crops in India.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 & 2 only
(B). 2 & 3 only
(C). 1 & 3 only
(D). 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, Western Disturbances brought snow to parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
What are Western Disturbances?
- They are extratropical cyclones originating in the Mediterranean Sea as low-pressure systems and are driven by westerly winds in the upper atmosphere (Jet Stream).
- They are most prominent in the winter and bring rain to northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent.
- Impact of Western Disturbances
- Bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the northwest plain (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Western UP) and snowfall in the Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand).
- They cause a drop in daytime temperature due to cloud cover and precipitation.
- They contribute to agricultural productivity by providing much-needed moisture to the Rabi crops in India.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding the SVAMITVA Scheme:
(1). It is a Central Sector Scheme to provide property ownership in rural areas.
(2). It is under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Context: The Prime Minister recently distributed over 50 lakh property cards to rural inhabitants under the SVAMITVA Scheme.
What is the SVAMITVA Scheme?
- SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
- It is a Centre-Sector Scheme launched under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Hence, statement 1 is correct, and statement 2 is incorrect.
- It aims to issue legal ownership cards (Property cards) to rural inhabitants through the latest surveying drone technology.
- Drones have been used to survey around 92% of targeted villages, and 2.2 crore property cards have been prepared.
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