60 Objective Questions on National Current affairs Part-1 (Civil Service Examination)

1. Consider the table given below providing some details of the results of the election to the Karnataka State Legislature Assembly held in December, 1994:

Political Party Popular Votes	Percentage, of Seats obtained	Number of secured
JantaDal	36	116
Congress	31	35
BJP	20.4	40

In terms of electoral analysis, the voter-seat distortion is to be explained as the result of the adoption of the: [1995]

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(a) hare system

(b) cumulative vote system

(d) plural vote system

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2. To prevent recurrence of scams in Indian Capital Market, the Government of India has assigned regulatory powers to: [1995]

(a) SEBI (b) RBI

3. In the field of space technology-India has demonstrated during 1994, her capability to: [1995]

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(a) design advance intercontinental ballistic missile warning systems

(b) build satellites

(d) launch geo-stationary satellites

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4. Which one of the following satellites is to be launched from India in 1996? [1996]

(a) 1RS-P2 (b) IRS-P3

5. Which one of the following is a modern tank? [1996]

(a) Bhim (b) Akash

6. The Dinesh Goswami Committee recommended: [1997]

(a) The constitution of state level election commission

(b) List system of election to the Lok Sabha

(d) A ban on the candidature of independent candidates of the parliamentary elections

7. The average rate of domestic savings (gross) for the Indian economy is currently estimated to be in the range of:

[1997]

(a) 15 to 20 percent (b) 20 to 25 percent

8. One of the important agreements reached in the 1996 Ministrial Conference of WTO refers to: [1997]

(a) Commerce in Information Technology

(b) Multilateral Agreement on Investment

(d) Exchange of technical personal?

9. Which of the following Parties were not a part of the United Front Which was in power during ’96-97′? [1998]

1. Bahujana Samaj Party 2. Haryana Vikas Party

3. Samata Party 4. Asam Gana Parishad

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Codes:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and4 (b) 1, 2 and 3

10. The damage to the Spektr Module of the Russian Space Station Mir was due to: [1998]

(a) Oollision with a Soyuz cargo ship

(b) faulty material design of the Spektr Module

(d) collision with an asteroid

11. Which one of the following was the venue for the preliminary talks between the Sri Lankan Government and representatives of Tamil United Liberation Front and other militant groups? [1998]

(a) New Delhi (b) Colombo

12. Match List I (Books) with List II (Authors) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists-.[2000]

List-I (Books) – List-II (Authors)

A. My Music My Life – 1. Laxman Gaikwad

B. Adha Gaon – 2. Rahi Masoom

C. Radha – 3. Raza Ramakanta

D. The Pilferer – 4. Rath Ravi Shankar

Codes:

(a) A-3;B-2;C-4;D-1

(b) A-4; B-2;C-3; D-1

(d) A-3; B-1; C-4; D-2

14. The new GDP series released by the CSO in February, 1999 is with reference to base price of [2000]

(a) 1991-92 (b) 1992-93

15. The Standing Committee of State Finance Ministers recommended in January, 2000 uniform rates across the states in respect of: [2000]

(a) value-added tax

(b) sales tax

(d) agricultural income tax

16. The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana which came into operation from 1-12-1997 aims to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or underemployed poor but does not include: [2000]

(a) Nehru Rozgar Yojana

(b) Urban Basic Services Programme

(d) Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana

17. Consider the following statements: [2000]

The Ministerial Meeting of WTO held in December 1999 was unsuccessful because in attempted to link trade with:

1. labour related issues

2. environment related issues

3. terrorism related issues

4. debt related issues

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 (b) 1 and 2

18. The upper part of the given graph is a hypothetical movement in the BSE Sensex over a few months and the lower part is the fluctuation in the average value of automobile shares in the same period (actual values not given).

Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from the graphs? [2000]

(a) The automobile share market has been as unstable as BSE Sensex in that period

(b) There has been a major political change in June/July

(d) None of these

19. The Union Budget 2000 awarded a Tax Holiday for the North- Eastern Region to promote industrialisation for: [2001]

(a) 5 years (b) 7 years

20. Who amongst the following was the Chairman of I.S.R.0. when INSAT-3B was launched? [2001]

(a) Anil Kakodkar (b) Abdul Kalam

21. The theme of Indian Science Congress 2001 was: [2001]

(a) “Food nutrition and environmental security”

(b) “Arrest declining interest in pure sciences”

(d) “Make India I.T. superpower”

22. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2001]

List I (Person) – List II (Distinguished as)

A. Santosh Yadav – 1. T.V. host

B. Oprah Winfrey – 2. Journalist

C. Oscar Wilde – 3. Mountaineer

D. P. Sainath – 4. Dramatist and Author Codes:

(a) A-3; B-1; C-4;D-2

(b) A-1; B-3; C-2; D-4

(d) A-1; B-3; C-4;D-2

23. Consider the following statements: [2002]

The objectives of the National Renewal Fund set up in February 1992 were:

1. To give training and counselling for workers affected by retrenchment or VRS

2. Redeployment of workers

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) Both 1 and 2

24. With reference to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), consider the following statements: [2002]

1. The new WPI series with base 1993-94 = 100 became effective from April 1998

2. In the new WPI series, the weight for primary articles has gone down by 10 percentage points

3. The weight for electricity has increased in the new WPI series

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3

25. Among the following major stock exchanges of India, the exchange which recorded highest turnover during the year 2000-01 is: [2002]

(a) Bombay Stock Exchange

(b) Calcutta Stock Exchange

(d) National Stock Exchange

26. India has the maximum volume of foreign trade with: [2002]

(a) USA (b) Japan

27. India’s external debt increased from US $ 91,158 million as at the end of March 2000 to US $ 100,225 million as at the end of March 2001 due to increase in: [2002]

(a) multilateral and bilateral debt

(b) rupee debt

(d) borrowings from International Monetary Fund

28. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following activities: [2003]

1. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

2. Manufacturing

3. Trade, Hotels, Transport and Communication

4. Financing, Insurance, Real Estate and Business services

The decreasing order of the contribution of these sectors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at factor cost at constant prices (2000-01) is:

(a) 3,1,2,4 (b) 1,3,4,2

29. Among the following commodities imported by India during the year 2000-01, which one was the highest in terms of rupee value? [2003]

(a) Edible oil

(b) Fertilzers

(d) Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones

30. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. The maximum limit of shareholding of Indian promoters in private sector banks in India is 49 percent of the paid up capital

2. Foreign Direct Investment upto 49 percent from all sources is permitted in private sector banks in India under the automatic route

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

31. Assertion (A): The new EX1M policy is liberal, market- oriented and favours global trade.

Reason (R): GATT has played a significant role in the liberalisation of the economy. [2003]

(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

32. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of about 60%

2. The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of about 28% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002.

Which of these statements is/are not correct?

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

33. With reference to Government of India’s decision regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the year 2001-02 consider the following statements: [2003]

1. Out of the 100% FDI allowed by India in the tea sector the foreign firm would have to disinvest 33% of the equity in favour of an Indian partner within four years

2. Regarding the FDI in print media in India, the single largest Indian shareholders should have a holding higher than 26%

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

34. The Government holding in BPCL is: [2003]

(a) more than 70%

(b) between 60% and 70%

(d) less than 50%

35. Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India? [2003]

(a) The Foreign Exchange Regulating Act (FERA) was replaced by Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in the year 2001

(b) FERA was given a sunset clause of one year till 3 1st May, 2002 to enable Enforcement Directorate to complete the investigation of pending issues

(d) As per the new dispensation, Enforcement Directorate can arrest and prosecute the people for the violation of foreign exchange rule

36. Consider the following statements: [2003]

1. India’s Import of crude and petroleum products during the year 2001-02 accounted for about 27% of India’s total imports

2. During the year 2001 -02, India’s exports had increased by 10% as compared to the previous year

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

37. Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2004]

(a) Under the Targeted Public Distribution System, the families Below Poverty Line are provided 50 kg of food grains per month per family at subsidised price

(b) Under Annapurna Scheme, indigent senior citizens of 65 years of age or above eligible for National Old Age Pension but not getting pension can get 10 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost

(c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has scheme in which indigent people living in welfare institutions like orphanages are given 15 kg of food grains per person per month at BPL rates

(d) Ministry of Human Resource Development gives financial support to Mid-day Meal Scheme for the benefit of class 1 to V students in Government or Government aided Schools

38. Which one of the following was the largest IT software and services exporter in India during the year 2002-03? [2004]

(a) Birlasoft

(b) Infosys Technologies

(d) Wipro Technologies

39. Consider the following statements: [2004]

1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002

2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India

3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage – II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

40. Assertion (A): For the first time, India had no trade deficit in the year 2002-03.

Reason (R): For the first time, India’s exports crossed worth $ 50 billion in the year 2002-03. [2004]

(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

41. Which one of the following is the correct decreasing sequence in terms of the value (in rupees) of the minerals produced in India in the year 2002-03? [2004]

(a) Metallic minerals-Fuel minerals-Non-metallic minerals

(b) Fuel minerals-Metallic minerals-Non metallic minerals

(d) Fuel minerals-Non-metallic minerals-Metallic minerals

42. Consider the following statements: [2005]

1. Global Trust Bank has been amalgamated with the Punjab National bank.

2. The second report of the Kelkar Committee dealing with direct and indirect taxes has maintained its original recommendation including the abolition of exemptions relating to housing loans.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

43. Match List I (Name of the Lady) with List II (Achievement) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002]

List-I (Nameof the Lady) – List-II (Achievement)

A. ChinnaPillai – 1. Tinner of Neerja Bhanot Award

B. KaveriThakur – 2. Recipient of Stree Shakti Puraskar

C. MiraNair – 3. Became the fastest swimmer in Asia at the

D. Yasoda Ekambaram – age of 16 years

4. Recipient of the Golden

Lion at Venice film festival

Codes:

(a) A-3; B-2;C-1; D-4 (b) A-2; B-3;C-4; D-1

44. In the year 2001, the Prime Minister announced a five year excise duty holiday for industries in: [2002]

(a) cyclone prone coastal Andhra Pradesh

(b) border states of North-East

(d) recently formed states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

45. In the year 2000, Germany approved a $ 32 million credit to India: [2002]

(a) to promote primary education in select states

(b) for Tehri dam project

(d) for oceanographic research

46. Match List I (Commission) with List II (Matter of Enquiry) and select the correct answer using the codes, given below the lists: [2002]

List I (Commission) – List II (Matter of Enquiry)

A. Wadhwa Commission – 1. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi

B. Liberhan Commission – 2. Killing of Graham Staines

C. Sri Krishna – 3. Demolition of a religious structure at Ayodhya

D. Jain Commission – 4. Riots in Mumbai in 1993

Codes:

(a) A-3; B-2;C-4; D-1

(b) A-2; B-3;C-4; D-1

(d) A-2; B-3;C-1; D-4

47. Consider the following statements: [2002] The Draft Electricity Bill, 2001 seeks to replace:

1. Indian Electricity Act, 1910

2. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948

3. Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998

4. State Electricity Board

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) 2,3 and 4

48. Who is the author of the book ‘New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy? [2003]

(a) A.B.Vajpayee (b) Jaswant Singh

49. Who among the following was selected for the 2001 Dada Saheb Phalke Award? [2003]

(a) Dev Anand (b) Lata Mangeshkar

50. In the year 2002, the President of India presented the national award for excellence in public administration and management science to: [2003]

(a) Kumar Manglam Birla (b) N.R. Narayana Murthy

51. Sandeep Pandey, the winner of Raman Magsaysay Award, is mainly an activist in: [2003]

(a) prevention of child marriages

(b) promotion of communal harmony

(d) education and livelihood projects for Dalits

52. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer: [2003]

List-I (High Officials) – List-II (Organisation)

A. C.P. Jain – 1. Indian Airlines

B. S. Ramadorai – 2. NTPC

C. Sunil Arora – 3. TCS

D. Vivek Paul – 4. Wipro Technologies

Codes:

(a) A-4; B-1;C-3; D-2

(b) A-4; B-3;C-1;D-2

(d) A-2; B-1;C-3; D-4

53. In December 2002, the Prime Minister of India signed: ‘Delhi Declaration’ with the: [2003]

(a) President of Indonesia

(b) President of Russia

(d) Prime Minister of Laos

54. The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2002 was awarded to: [2003]

(a) John Hume (b) Nelson Mandela

55. What was the reason for 5 lakh people of Hong Kong to make a demonstration around the middle of 2003? [2004]

(a) They were demanding tax relief

(b) They were against the Hong Kong Governments plan to impose an internal security law

(d) They were demanding more direct elections in Hong Kong.

56. The Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Shanta Sinha is known as: [2004]

(a) a compaigner for urban sanitation

(b) an anti-child labour activist

(d) an activist for the welfare of poor rural women

57. Which of the following institutes have been recognised as the Institutes of National Importance (by an Act of Parliament)? [2004]

1. Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai

2. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali

3. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Services and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram

4. Lakshmibaf National Institute of Physical Education Gwalior

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 3 and 4

58. In the well-known Lawn Tennis doubles team; Max Mirnyi – the partner of Mahesh Bhupati, comes from which of the following countries? [2004]

(a) Italy (b) Sweden

59. INS Trishul acquired by the Indian Navy in 2003 has been built by: [2004]

(a) Israel (b) USA

60. INSAT-3E, India’s communication satellite, was launched in 2003 from: [2004]

(a) French Guiana (b) Seychelles

61. Match List I (Person) with List II (Position) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2004]

List-I – List-II

A. AnilKokodar – 1. Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff

B. Raman Puri – 2. Chairman, 17th Law Commission

C. M. Jagannatha Rao – 3. Chairman, ISRO

D. G. Madhavan Nair – 4. Chairman Atomic Energy

Codes:

(a) A-3; B-1;C-2; D-4

(b) A-4; B-2;C-1; D-3

(d) A-4; B-1;C-2; D-3

Answers:

1. (c)

2. (a) Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been assigned regulatory powers to prevent recurrence of scams in Indians capital market by government of India.

3. (d) The launching of SROS-2 on 4 May, 1994 and IR.S.P-2 on 15th October 1994, showed that India is capable to launch geo-stationary satellites.

4. (b) IRS – P3 is the satellite is to be launched by PSLVD – 3 launching vechile in 1996.

5. (c) Arjuna is the modern tank produced by Defence Research and Development, Organisation (DRDO)

6. (c) Dinesh Goswami Report was on election reform. One of its recommendation was government funding of parliament election, to save the voters from being lured by pomp and show of the candidate.

7. (b) not relevant data

8. (a) 1996 ministerial conference of WTO took place at Singapore.

9. (b) Bahujan Samaj party is not associated with any front whereas Samta Party and Haryana Vikas Party are the member of B.J.P. led front called National Democratic Alliance.

10. (c) Due to collision with soyuz cargo ship, the spectre module of the Russian space station Mir was damaged.

11. (c) The priliminary talks between the Sri Lankan government liberation front and other militant group was held at Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan.

12. (b) “My Music my Life” is written by famous sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar “Adha Goon” is written by Rahi Masoom Raza. “Radha” is a novel of Ramakanta Rath and “The Pilferer” is written by Laxman Geaiekwad.

14. (c) Earlier it was 1980-1981.

15. (b) A sales tax is a consumption tax charged at the point of purchase for certain goods and services.

16. (d) Two sub schemes of SJSRY are Urban self employment programme and Urban wage employment programme. Three schemes NRY, UBSP, PMIUPEP were merged in this programme.

17. (b)The ministerial meeting of WTO was held in Seattle (US) in 1999.

18. (b)

19. (d) The Union Budget 2000 awarded a Tax Holiday for the North-Eastern Region to promote industrialization for 10 years.

20. (c) K. Kasturirangan was the chairman of I.S.R.O when INSAT-38 was launched.

21. (a) The 88th Indian Science Congress was organised on 3-7 January 2001. The focus theme of this Congress was “Food nutrition and environment security”. Next i.e. 89th Indian Science Congress will be held in January 2002 in Lucknow.

22. (a)

23. (b) The Concept of the National renewal Fund was announced by the Government as a part of the New Industrial Policy, 1991. The Government formal established the National Renewal Fund (NRF) by a Government of India resolution on 3rd February, 1992.

During the period 1992-93 to 1998-99, assistance from the NRF has been provided for implementation of voluntary retirement scheme in Central Public Sector Undertakings and counselling/redeployment scheme for workers rationalised from the organised sector.

24. (b) The new WPI series with base 1993-94 = 100 became effective from April 2000. In the new WPI series, the weight for primary articles has gone down by 10 percentage points from 32 -22%. The weight for electricity has increased in the new WPI series from 11- 14%.

25. (a) 26. (a)

27. (a) 28. (c)

29 (d) Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones comprises approx 8.3% of the total imports

30. (d) FDI in private sector banks is raised to 74% under the automatic route including investment by FIIs.

31. (b)

32. (a) The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of 26% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002.

33. (c) FDI in print media is 26% but there is a proposal to increase it up to 49%.

34. (b) The government presently holds 66.20% stake in BPCL.

35. (c) FERA was replaced by FEMA on 1 June, 2000. FERA was given a sunset clause of two year till 31^st may 2002.

36. (a)

37. (a) Under the TPDS, Government of India increased the allocation to BPL families from 10 kg to 20 kg of food grains per family per month at 50% of the economic cost and allocation to APL families at economic cost w.e.f. 1.4.2000.

38. (c) Infosys technologies is second.

39. (a) An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage – 11 Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2005.

40. (d) 41. (b)

42. (b) Global Trust Bank Ltd has been amalgamated with the Oriental Bank of Commerce. The merger took place on 14th August, 2004.

43. (b) Chinna Pillai is the recipient of Stree Rama Award, Kaveri Thakur became the fastest swimmer in Asia at the age of 16 years, Mira Nair, an eminent film maker, got the Golden Lion Award at Venice film festival and Yasoda Ekambaram is the recipient of Nirja Bhanot Award.

44. (c) In the year 2001, the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced a five year excise duty holiday for industries in earthquake ravaged Kutch district in Gujrat.

45. (d) In the year 2001, Germany approved $ 32 million credit to India for oceanographic research.

46. (b) Wadhwa Commission was appointed for killing of Graham Staines, Liberhan Commission for Demolition of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, Sri Krishna Commission appointed for riots in Mumbai and Jain Commission for assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

47. (a) The draft electricity bill 2001 will not replace State Electricity Board. Rest three statements are correct.

48. (a) “New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy” is written by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

49. (d) Dada Saheb Phalke award was given to Yash Chopra for 2001, for his eminent contribution to the film industry.

50. (b) The chairman of Infosys Mr. N.R. Narayan Murthy was awarded National Lai Bahadur Shastri Award for excellence in public adminsitration and management science for the year 2001. He got this award on 1st October 2002 from the hand of president Abdul Kalam.

51. (d) Sandeep Pandey, who won the Roman Magsaysay Award is mainly an activist in education and livelihood projects for Dalits.

52. (c) C.P. Jain is in NTPC, S. Ramodorai is in Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), Sunil Arora is in Indian Airlines and Vivek Paul is in Wipro Technologies.

53. (b) Prime Minister of India signed “Delhi Declaration” with the president of Russia. By this India got many military weapons and technologies from Russia.

54. (c) Norodom Sihanouk got the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2002 while Sadako Ogata got Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2001.

55. (b) Nearly 5 lakh people of Hong kong demonstrated around the middle of 2003 against the Hong kong Government plan to impose an internal security law.

56. (b) The Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Shanta Sinha is an anti-child labour activist who had done considerable work to rescue child labour from hazardous industries.

57. (a) Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Eesearch, Mohali and Sree Chirta Tirunal Institute for Medical Services and Technology, Thiruvanantpuram are institutes of national importance.

58. (c) Mahesh Bhupati’s partner Max Mirnyi is from Belarus.

59. (c) INS Trishul acquired by Indian Navy in 2003 has been built by Russia.

60. (a) 1NSAT-3E, India’s communication statellite was launched in 2003 from French Guina.

61. (d)Anil Kokadar is the chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Raman Puri is the chief of Integrated Defence Staff; M. Jagannath Rao is the chairman of 17th Law Commission and G. Madhavavan Nair is the chairman of I.S.R.O.