-
Home
-
UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: January 24, 2025
UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: January 24, 2025
1. Which of the following statements about Zero Coupon Bonds are correct?
- These are non-tradable, non-transferable financial instruments.
- They are sold by the central government but redeemed at a value depending upon inflation.
- The value of these bonds is inversely related to interest rates.
Select the correct option:
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Zero-coupon bonds are financial instruments that do not pay periodic interest.
- Instead, they are sold at a discount and redeemed at their full face value upon maturity.
- These bonds offer simplified interest management as no periodic payments are required, making them attractive to investors seeking fixed returns over a specific period. However, they come with risks, including the lack of periodic interest payments.
- The value of these bonds is inversely related to interest rates, and the longer the bond’s duration, the more sensitive it is to interest rate changes.
2. Regarding the Competition Commission of India (CCI), consider the following statements:
- It is an executive body that aims to establish a strong competitive environment.
- Appeals against the orders of the CCI lie with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
Select the correct option:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established by the Government of India to enforce the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.
- In 2017, the government replaced the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) for hearing appeals against the orders of the CCI, in line with the provisions of the Act.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the Gaganyaan mission:
- The mission will have one unmanned flights and two human spaceflight.
- The Orbital Module will carry three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
- The mission will circle Earth at low-earth orbit for 5-7 days.
- PSLV will launch Gaganyaan due to its payload capability.
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- The Gaganyaan mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), consists of three flights: two unmanned and one human spaceflight.
- The Gaganyaan system module, known as the Orbital Module, will carry three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
- The mission will orbit Earth at a low-earth orbit, 300-400 km above the surface, for 5-7 days.
- The GSLV Mk III, also called LVM-3, a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, will be used for the Gaganyaan launch due to its sufficient payload capacity.
4. Arrange the following Ramsar sites from North to South:
- Surinsar and Mansar Lakes
- Asan Wetland
- Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nanda Lake
Select the correct options:
[A] 1-2-3-4
[B] 2-1-4-3
[C] 1-2-4-3
[D] 4-3-2-1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1-2-3-4]
Notes:- Surinsar and Mansar Lakes are located in Jammu and Kashmir, which is in the northernmost part of India.
- Asan Wetland is in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, which is slightly south of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gujarat, which is further south of Uttarakhand.
- Nanda Lake is in Goa, which is the southernmost among the given options.
5. Consider the following spacecraft:
- Mariner 4
- Pioneer 10
- Venera 7
- Voyager 2
- Luna 9
Which of the above is / are associated with Venus?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 3]
Notes:
Venera 7 was the first spacecraft to successfully land on Venus and transmit data back to Earth. The other spacecraft listed are associated with Mars (Mariner 4), Jupiter (Pioneer 10), Uranus and Neptune (Voyager 2), and the Moon (Luna 9).
Originally written on
January 24, 2025
and last modified on
September 24, 2025.
