11. Which Department of the Finance Ministry prepares the Economic Survey?
[A] Department of Economic Affairs
[B] Department of Financial Services
[C] Department of Expenditure
[D] Department of Revenue
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Department of Economic Affairs]
Notes:
The Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) prepares the Economic Survey.
The Chief Economic Adviser released the Economic Survey for the current financial year (2022-23). The survey is always presented a day before the presentation of the Union Budgets. Economic Survey is a detailed report of state of national economy in the financial year.
12. Which state/UT launched a ‘Real-time source apportionment supersite’ to tackle pollution?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Maharashtra
[C] West Bengal
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the real-time source apportionment ‘supersite’. It is a joint venture of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur and TERI.
The supersite will share details of sources of pollution on an hourly basis as well as forecast for the next three days. The mobile van will go to a particular place and the data collected will be analysed at the supersite.
13. As per the Economic Survey, what is the budgeted expenditure on healthcare, as a percentage of GDP in FY23?
[A] 2.5 %
[B] 2.1 %
[C] 1.9 %
[D] 1.5 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2.1 %]
Notes:
As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central and state governments’ budgeted expenditure on healthcare touched 2.1 % of GDP in FY23 and 2.2% in FY22.
In FY21, the figure was only 1.6% in FY21. The Survey said that the share of expenditure on health in total expenditure on social services has risen from 21% in FY19 to 26 % in FY23 (BE). Out of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure has declined from 64.2% in FY14 to 48.2% in FY19.
14. ‘1932 Khatiyan Bill’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Indian state/ UT?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Assam
[C] Telangana
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais sent the ‘1932 Khatiyan Bill’ back to the Hemant Soren government for reconsideration.
The Governor described it to be violative of Article 16 of the Constitution and court rulings. The state government had passed the ‘Jharkhand definition of local persons and for extending the consequential, social, cultural and other benefits to such local persons Bill, 2022’.
15. Which Union Ministry issued orders to block over 100 betting and loan-lending Chinese apps?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Electronics and IT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
The Centre has initiated the process to block 138 betting and 94 loan-lending Chinese apps on an emergency basis.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued blocking orders based on emergency request by the Nodal officer of Ministry of Home Affairs. The move was taken after confirming that these apps contain material that is prejudicial to sovereignty of India under Section 69 of IT Act.
16. Which country’s Chief Justice is the chief guest of the 73rd foundation day of the Supreme Court of India?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Singapore
[C] USA
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Singapore]
Notes:
Singapore Chief Justice Sunadresh Menon attends as chief guest of the 73rd foundation day of the Supreme Court of India.
The Singapore chief justice delivered a lecture on the “Role of judiciary in a changing world” as this year’s event was aired on social media platforms. On January 28, 1950, two days after India became the Sovereign Democratic Republic, the Supreme Court of India was established.
17. Which institution regulates the limits of shares or voting rights in a banking company?
[A] SEBI
[B] RBI
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India issued Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies) Directions.
As per the directions, permission to acquire shares or voting rights in a banking company for non-promoter will be limited to 10 % in case of individuals, non-financial institutions, and financial institutions connected with large industrial houses. The limit is 15 % in case of financial institutions, PSUs and government. RBI recently allowed DSP Investment Managers to hike its stake in DCB Bank to 9.99 per cent.
18. What is the agricultural credit target for the current fiscal year 2023-24, as per the Union budget?
[A] Rs 15 lakh core
[B] Rs 20 lakh crore
[C] Rs 25 lakh core
[D] Rs 30 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 20 lakh crore]
Notes:
As per the Union budget 2023-24, the government proposed to increase the agricultural credit target to ₹20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.
The target has been increased from Rs 18 lakh crore, with an increase of 11.11% year on year. An Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs. The agriculture sector has been growing at an average annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent in the last six years.
19. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Skill Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Minority Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Skill Development]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by National Skill Development Corporation.
The Union Budget 2023 aims to give a push to job creation through proposals such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and setting up of 30 Skill India international centres to encourage expansion in businesses and industry.
20. What is the fixed interest rate of the ‘Mahila Samman Bachat Patra’ announced recently?
[A] 6.5%
[B] 7.0%
[C] 7.5%
[D] 8.0%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [7.5%]
Notes:
In the Union Budget 2023, Finance Minister announced Mahila Samman Bachat Patra, a one-time new small savings scheme, for a two-year period up to March 2025.
This initiative will avail a deposit facility for a woman up to Rs 2 lakh for two-year period at a fixed interest rate of 7.5% with partial withdrawal option. Maximum deposit limit of Senior Citizens’ Saving Scheme was increased from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh.