24 JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Higher interest rates lead to lesser demand for
money. - Interest rate is decided by the Central
Government.
Which of the statements given above
is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: b)
Explanation:
When interest rates go up, people become less
interested in holding money since holding money
amounts to holding less of interest-earning
deposits, and thus less interest received. Therefore,
at higher interest rates, money demanded comes
down. Hence statement 1 is correct.
The policy rate is the key lending rate of the central
bank in a country. It is a monetary policy
instrument under the control of the Central Bank.
In India, it is decided by the Reserve Bank of
India. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Q2. “Uniform Minimum Corporate Tax” have been
frequently seen in news is related to
a) G-7
b) OECD
c) European Union
d) ASEAN
Solution: a)
Explanation:
Advanced economies making up the G7 grouping
have reached a “historic” deal on taxing
multinational companies. Finance ministers
meeting in London agreed to counter tax avoidance
through measures to make companies pay in the
countries where they do business. They also agreed
in principle to ratify a global minimum corporate
tax rate to counter the possibility of countries
undercutting each other to attract investments.
The deal announced Saturday involving the US, the
UK, Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Japan, is
likely to be put before a G20 meeting in July.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding
vultures1. One of the main reasons for Vulture deaths is
diclofenac drugs found in cattle carcasses.
- The Vulture Action Plan 2006 banned the
veterinary use of diclofenac. - All the species of Vulture are listed as
critically endangered in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 3 only
Solution: d)
Explanation:
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched
the Vulture Action Plan 2020-25 for the
conservation of vultures in the country.
Vulture numbers saw a decline as much as
90% in some species in India since the
1990s in one of the most drastic declines
in bird populations in the world.
Reasons for Death of Vultures
The major reason behind the vulture
population getting nearly wiped out was
the drug Diclofenac. It was found in
the carcass of cattle on which the vultures
feed. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Just 0.4-0.7% of animal carcasses
contaminated with diclofenac was
sufficient to decimate 99% of vulture
populations.
The MoEFCC released the Action Plan for
Vulture Conservation 2006 with the Drugs
Controller General of India (DCGI) banning
the veterinary use of diclofenac in the same
year. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Himalayan Griffon and Bearded Vulture are
listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red
List. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
The number of red-headed vultures, also
critically-endangered now, declined by
91% while the Egyptian vultures by 80%.
Q4. Consider the following statements:
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission
has launched the Honey Mission initiative to
increase honey production and farmers’
income. - The Sweet Revolution is associated with
beekeeping and associated activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: c)
Explanation:
Both statements are correct.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission
(KVIC) has distributed more than one lakh bee-
boxes among farmers and unemployed youths
across the country in less than two years under its
‘Honey Mission’ initiative to increase honey
production and farmers’ income.
Under the Honey Mission, KVIC provides
awareness, training and ‘Bee Boxes’ along with Bee
Colonies to the farmers.
The mission was launched in August 2017 in line
with the ‘Sweet Revolution’.
The ‘Sweet Revolution’ was launched in 2016 to
promote beekeeping and associated activities.
Q5. With reference to Sedition Law, consider the
following statements-
- Though it was drafted in 1837, it was
included in Indian Penal Code later in 1870.
- It was used for the first time against Lala
Lajpat Rai. - It was repealed in 2019.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 only
d) 1 and 3
Solution: c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct.
Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century
England when lawmakers believed that only
good opinions of the government should
survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to
the government and monarchy.
The law was originally drafted in 1837 by
Thomas Macaulay, the British historian-
politician, but was inexplicably omitted when
the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted in
1860.
Section 124A was inserted in 1870 by an
amendment introduced by Sir James Stephen
when it felt the need for a specific section to
deal with the offence.
It was one of the many draconian laws
enacted to stifle any voices of dissent at that
time.
Statements 2 and 3 are not correct.
Q6. Consider the following-
- MPLADS is a central sector scheme.
- An elected MP can contribute MPLADS funds
outside his/her constituency. - MP’s have to recommend at least 15% of
MPLADS Fund for Scheduled Tribes and 7.5%
of Scheduled Caste.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 3 only
Solution: a)
Explanation:
The MPLADS is a Central Sector Scheme fully
funded by the Government of India. The annual
MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is
INR 5 crore. Statement 1 is correct.
An elected MP can contribute MPLADS funds
outside that State/UT or their constituency or
both.
The limit for such allocation is up to a maximum
of INR 25 lakh in a financial year.
• Development of areas inhabited by Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes
o MPs have to recommend at least 15% of MPLADS
funds for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste
population and 7.5% for areas inhabited by S.T.
population, every year. Statement 3 is not
correct.
o In case of insufficient tribal population in the area
of Lok Sabha Member, they may recommend this
amount for the creation of community assets in
tribal areas outside of their constituency but within
their State of election. Statement 2 is correct.
o In case a State does not have S.T. inhabited
areas, this amount may be utilized in S.C.
inhabited areas and vice-versa.
Q7. Which of the following countries are part of
China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
- Djibouti
- Pakistan
- Tajikistan
- Maldives
- Montenegro
- India
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
b) 2, 3, 4 and 6 only
c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
d) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
Solution: c)
Explanation:
In 2014, Montenegro signed an agreement to
take out a $944 million loan from China’s
Exim Bank for the construction of a motorway
that would link the port of Bar to the border
with Serbia,
Several other countries such as Laos,
Kyrgyzstan, Maldives etc. are presently facing
debt distress owing a sizable portion of the
debt to China. This has raised concerns
regarding use of debt trap diplomacy.
In 2018, a report by the Center for Global
Development highlighted eight Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) recipient countries at a high
risk of debt distress due to BRI loans. These
countries included Djibouti, Laos, the
Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
They are highly prone to the mounting debt-
to-GDP ratios beyond 50 percent,and around
40 percent of their external debt owed to
China.
Q8. Consider the following statements about UN
Women:
- In 2010, the United Nations Economic and
Social Council created UN Women. - It is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality
and the empowerment of women.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
b) 2, 3, 4 and 6 only
c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
d) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
Solution: c)
Explanation:
In 2014, Montenegro signed an agreement to
take out a $944 million loan from China’s
Exim Bank for the construction of a motorway
that would link the port of Bar to the border
with Serbia,
Several other countries such as Laos,
Kyrgyzstan, Maldives etc. are presently facing
debt distress owing a sizable portion of the
debt to China. This has raised concerns
regarding use of debt trap diplomacy.
In 2018, a report by the Center for Global
Development highlighted eight Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) recipient countries at a high
risk of debt distress due to BRI loans. These
countries included Djibouti, Laos, the
Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
They are highly prone to the mounting debt-
to-GDP ratios beyond 50 percent,and around
40 percent of their external debt owed to
China.
Q8. Consider the following statements about UN
Women:
- In 2010, the United Nations Economic and
Social Council created UN Women. - It is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality
and the empowerment of women.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect.
UN Women
It is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality
and the empowerment of women. Gender
inequality is pervasive, with women lacking
access to decent employment and facing
gender wage gaps.
In 2010, the United Nations General
Assembly created UN Women, the United
Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women.
Q9. Which of the following are examples of
Feminist technology (femtech) in use?
- Connecting women to informal job
opportunities - Women safety apps
- Video games
- Dating apps
Select the correct answer from the code below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution: a)
Explanation:
Feminist technology (femtech) is an approach to
technology and innovation that is inclusive,
informed and responsive to the entire community
with all its diversity.
Most technologies that are available to the
layperson are created by men, for men, and do not
necessarily meet everyone’s requirements.
Feminist technologies are ones that are formed
from feminist social relations, but varied
definitions and layers of feminism complicate the
definition. Deborah Johnson proposes four
candidates for feminist technologies:
Technologies that are good for women
Technologies that constitute gender-equitable
social relations
Technologies that favor women
Technologies that constitute social relations
that are more equitable than those that were
constituted by a prior technology or than
those that prevail in the wider society
Q10. EQUALS was in the news recently. It is an
initiative by
a) IMF
b) World Bank
c) UN Women
d) UNESCO
Solution: c)
Explanation:
The Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the
Digital Age (EQUALS) is a multi-stakeholder
initiative implemented by ITU and UN Women to
promote awareness; build political commitment,
leveraging knowledge, efforts, and resources for the
greatest possible impact to achieve digital gender
equality at both the global and national levels. It
aims at creating an unstoppable global movement
where women and girls are equal participants in
the technology revolution.
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