1. Prologue
  2. Economy
  3. Mrunal’s New Course on Economy for Prelims-2020
  4. International Relations
  5. Defense
  6. Persons in news
  7. Awards
  8. Books and movies
  9. Sports

Prologue

  • Time Limit: 30 minutes. 2 Marks for correct answer; -0.66 marks for wrong answers.
  • Mitron, my [T25] series contains 25 Mock MCQ sets primarily aimed at UPSC IAS/IPS Civil Service exam aspirants.
  • I usually don’t give direct answer below the MCQs but indirect hints. Because, then you’ve read the MCQ again & apply logical reasoning skills. This will improve your mental faculties compared to a scenario where direct answers are spoon-fed. having said that, if you want to learn some background theory and the correct answer, you may visit my playlist at Unacademy.
  • This 36th set contains questions from Current Affairs from 2019 August to October season.
  • धीरे धीरे करते हुए, so far I’ve done 36 sets x 25 questions each = 900 ORIGINAL MCQs और पता भी नहीं चला!
  • Given the fact that UPSC Prelims even asks contemporary topics even from 2-3 years preceding the exam, so you should go through all of them available at Mrunal.org/Prelims

Economy

Q. In 2019-Sept, France announced it will not support Libra’s approval in Europe. What is Libra?

  1. It is an antibiotic which is misused by farmers for the growth of vegetables.
  2. It is a genetically modified variety of Linseed.
  3. It is an online game similar to PUBG and Fortnight which is causing game addition and violent behavior among youth.
  4. It is a cryptocurrency proposed by Facebook.

HINT: Mark Zuckerberg did not like this announcement made by French government, not one bit.

Kandangi sarees GI Status India

Q. In 2019-August, Dindigul locks were given ‘GI tag’ Find out the correct statement(s) about them:

  1. Dindigul locks are made in Tamilnadu.
  2. Proliferation of thieves in Dindigul region is the primary reason for the growth of this industry.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT:   The abundance of iron in this region is said to be the main reason for growth of Dindigul locks in Tamilandu’s Dindigul region. Besides, If proliferation of thieves and thugs was primary reason for location of an industry,  then all of them would be based in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar.

Q. In 2019-August, GI status was given to ‘Kandangi sarees’ Find out the correct statement(s) about them:

  1. Kandangi sarees are made in Karnataka.
  2. Finest cotton from Egypt is the primary material used in this saree.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Kandangi sarees are made in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu from high quality cotton from Coimbatore.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the new norms for FDI in coal mining and digital media notified in 2019-September:

  1. 100% FDI is allowed for mining and sale of coal under the automatic route.
  2. 100% FDI is allowed in digital media sector under automatic route.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT:   100 per cent FDI under automatic route in coal mining and sale of coal. 26 per cent FDI limit in digital news media.

Q. In 2019, Government of India added new terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commision of India. Which of the following is not among them ?

  1. separate allocation of the fund for defence
  2. separate allocation of the fund for internal security
  3. separate allocation of the fund for development of Laddakh and Kashmir

Answer Codes:

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 1 and 3
  4. All of them

HINT:   In 2019-July-Aug, Government Amended the terms of reference for the 15th finance commission to include funds for defence and internal security. Nothing specific with regard to development of Ladakh and Kashmir yet.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the Task Force set up for direct tax code-

  1. It is headed by CBDT chairman PC Modi.
  2. It has recommended for decrease in tax slab from four to three.
  3. It has recommended for Corporate tax to be cut gradually to 25% for all.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT:  

Q. In 2019-Aug, Government announced merger of 10 public sector banks. Find correct  statement(s) regarding this:

  1. Allahabad Bank will be merged with Punjab National Bank.
  2. Headquarter of Allahabad Bank is located in Allahabad.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank (HQ: Kolkata) to be merged.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the payment banks and small finance banks-

  1. Payment banks provide lending facility while small finance bank can’t.
  2. Payment banks can issue debit and credit cards.
  3. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has announced desire to convert into a Small Finance Bank (SFB).

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: Payment Banks cannot give loans that’s why IPPB wants to convert into SFB. By drawing an inference from this one statement we can eliminate other wrong statements.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana-

  1. Ministry of Rural development is the nodal ministry for implementation of this scheme.
  2. Just like PM Kisan Yojana, all farmers are eligible to join this scheme.
  3. Once the person farmer dies, his/her spouse is eligible for the same amount of pension.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 3
  4. None of the above

HINT:

  • Min. of Agriculture is the nodal ministry. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will be the Pension Fund Manager.
  • It is voluntary and contributory for small and marginal farmers in entry age group of 18 to 40 years and whose cultivable land is 2 hectares or less.
  • Beneficiaries on attaining the age of 60 years will get monthly fixed pension of Rs. 3000.
  • After the death of the farmer, spouse will get Rs. 1500 per month as family pension. And when spouse dies, the children will not get ‘premium / savings’ back unlike the conventional pension schemes. So, if both husband and wife died on the age of 61, LIC gets to keep all the money. यानी कि पब्लिक को बेवकूफ बनाने वाली योजना है

Mrunal’s New Course on Economy for Prelims-2020

BTW, speaking of economy, I’m pleased to announce the launch of my new batch on Economy for Prelims-2020. Weekly LIVE classes spanning across four months in time slots convinient to both working professionals and college going students, combined with Unacademy’s subscription model that unlocks all full length courses on all subjects with weekly test series.

Link for Registration: Click Me, and HINT:Use PROMOCODE “mrunal.org” to avail further 10% discount.

Unacademy Plus Live classes

Use PROMOCODE “mrunal.org” to avail further 10% discount.

Feature Delhi “Full Fledged” Classes Delhi “Subject Module Classes” Unacademy Plus platform subscription model:
All subjects are taught under one roof? Yes, but each subject faculty may not be great. No Yes, and you can pick and choose educator for individual subject. Even optional subjects are covered!
Candidate can pick and choose the faculty of his liking? No Yes Yes
Fees ₹ 1.50 lakh plus Depends on No.of Subjects Enrolled e.g 3-4 subjects:

~₹ 36,000 to 45,000/-

LESS THAN ₹ 3,000/- per month**. No fees for individual subject or individual educator.

Use PROMOCODE “mrunal.org” to avail further 10% discount.
Additional Cost of Food, Room Rent at Delhi Yes Yes Not Applicable

International Relations: ICJ, G7, G20 etc

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Q. In 2019-Oct President Judge Abduylqawi Yusuf told the UN General Assembly, “Pakistan violated its obligations under the Vienna Convention.” Find correct statement(s) related to this matter

  1. President Judge Abduylqawi Yusuf is the head of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
  2. Judge has made the statement in context of Pakistan’s inaction against the global terrorists who are hiding in Pakistan and wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT:

  • The International Court of Justice (ICJ, a UN body, also known as ‘World Court’) deals with disputes between countries whereras  International Criminal Court (ICC, not UN body) deals with genocide criminials and mass murderes.
  • While both located in  The Hague, Netherland but India is not a party to ICC.
  • 1963’s Vienna Convention on Consular Relations required that after arresting an Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan should have provided him access to Indian consulate for legal help. But since Pakistan is a ******** country, they didn’t do it, and lost the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  • In the mindless Telugu action movies (and their even more mindless remakes by Salman Khan), sometimes hero is simultaneously occupying two posts as both the CM as well as the IPS disregarding the constitutional norms related to ‘office of profit’. But in real life it cannot happen that same judge can be the president of ICJ and ICC at the SAME TIME. 

Q. Find correct statements about the election non permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) scheduled in 2020-June.

  1. India has applied for this position.
  2. Pakistan has opposed India’s nomination
  3. China has opposed India’s nomination

Answer Codes:

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 1 and 3
  4. All of them

HINT: Elections for the five non-permanent members of the 15-nation Council for the 2021-22 term will be held around June 2020.  All the 55 UN member nations from Asia-Pacific region have unanimously endorses India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat. If India gets elected it will have a term of 2 years. After independence, India has held this post seven times. The latest was 2011-12. पाकिस्तान ने टांग नहीं अड़ाई, आश्चर्य की बात है

Q. Find correct the statement(s) about bilateral defence agreements involving India that have been making news in 2019:

  1. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) will facilitate exchange of geospatial information between India and Russia for military use.
  2. CISMOA Agreement will allow the US to supply India with its proprietary encrypted communications equipment and systems.
  3. General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) US government and US defence companies will share classified information with Indian private defence manufacturers.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 3
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 1 and 2
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT:   All three statements could have been correct IF first statement had the word USA instead of Russia.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding Financial Action Task Force(FATF)  and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

  1. FATF was established during the G7 Summit in Paris  to combat the growing problem of money laundering and terror financing.
  2. Its Secretariat is in Paris.
  3. Iran, North Korea and Pakistan are in its GREY LIST as of 2019.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 3
  2. Only 1 and 2
  3. Only 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: Iran and North Korea are in the blacklist. Pakistan is greylist as of 2019. Eliminate accordingly.

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the ‘G7’ Summit which was held in 2019 August:

  1. Indian is not a member of the G7 group.
  2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended this summit.
  3. G7’s headquarters in Washington.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 3
  3. Only 2 and 3
  4. All of the above

HINT:  

  • The G7 or ‘Group of Seven’ are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • G7-2019 summit in Biarritz, France. Next will be held in USA
  • The host country typically gets to invite dignitaries from outside the G7 to attend the Summit. E.g. Modi was invited as a special guest by the French president in 2019.
  • The G7 does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters. The decisions taken by leaders during annual Summits are non-binding.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) and find out the correct statement(s) regarding Osaka declaration announced in 2019-June:

  1. It was initiated in the G-20 summit at Osaka, Japan.
  2. This declaration was signed by all G-20 members.
  3. It relates to removal and reduction of marine debris.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Only 1 and 2
  4. All of three

HINT:   India, South Africa, Egypt and Indonesia stayed away from this declaration on free flow of data.

Q. India refused to the Osaka declaration on free flow of data across borders because:

  1. It requires India to adopt 5G by 1st January 2020 which is technically not feasible for India.
  2. It requires India to eliminate taxes imposed on MNC data companies.
  3. It requires India to remove its data localization norms.
  4. All of the above

HINT:   Reserve Bank of India had issued guidelines in 2018, stating that all the data of the Indian customers related to the payment systems must be stored locally in a system only in India, to prevent is misuse / hacking in foreign servers. But, if we sign Osaka declaration, we’ll have to remove such data localization norms.

Defense

Q. In 2019-Oct, Indian army inducted Spike missile. Find out the correct statement(s) about it:

  1. It’s also known as ‘Tank killer’ missile.
  2. India will import it from the USA.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: We’ll be using this Israeli missile, Until DRDO develops man-portable anti-tank missile indigenously. अभी हमारी औकात नहीं है कि इतनी जोरदार मिसाइल भारत में बना सके.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding operation “Sunshine 2” and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

  1. It was a joint operation of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar armies.
  2. It was aimed primarily at combating the Rohingya refugees’ illegal cross border movements.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: India and Myanmar armies conducted

  • ‘Operation Sunshine-1’ in 2019-February to destroy Arakenese rebel camps who are fighting against Myanmar.
  • ‘Operation Sunshine-2’ in 2019-May-June to destroy NSCN-K, NDFB, ULFA(I), KLO and NEFT rebel camps who’re fighting against India.

Q. Consider the following statement(s) regarding operation “Sankalp” and find out the correct statement(s) from the given options:

  1. Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in South East Asia.
  2. This operation was assisted by Vietnam to reduce the dominance of China in South China sea.
  3. In this operation INS Chennai and INS Sunayna have been deployed.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 3
  2. Only 1 and 2
  3. Only 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Go by elimination.

Persons in news

Note: These are less useful in IAS prelims but more useful in Non-IAS Prelims

Awards

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the Ramon Magsaysay Award:

  1. It is regarded as the Asia’s Nobel Prize.
  2. Mother Teresa was the first Indian recipient of this award.
  3. NDTV journalist Barkha Dutt has been selected for this award in 2019

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1
  3. Only 2 and 3
  4. Only 1 and 3

HINT:

  • Vinoba Bhave was the first indian. It is also given to organizations.
  • 2019: NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar won it.

Q. In August 2019, Bharat Ratna award was conferred to the following people:

  1. Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee
  2. Political activist Dindayal Upadhyay (posthumously)
  3. Renowned Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously)

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Both 1 and 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT: Third badshaah was Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously). वैसे तो आसान प्रश्न है लेकिन कुछ लोग इतना भी तैयार करके नहीं जाते.

Books and movies

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the 66th National Film award which were announced in 2019 August:

  1. Uri-The Surgical Strike received the best feature film award.
  2. 2019 was the first time a new category called ‘Award for Most Film Friendly State’ was instituted.
  3. Uttarakhand has won  ‘Award for Most Film Friendly State’

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 2 and 3
  3. Both 1 and 3
  4. 1 and 2 and 3 all

HINT:

The Gujarati film Hellaro was declared as the best feature film. Interesting, it was not even released in the cinemas when it was awarded this prize. कुछ तो गड़बड़ है, दया!

Q. In 2019, noted British-Indian journalist Anita Anand released a book called ‘The Patient Assassin’. It is based on

  1. Life of Nathuram Godse
  2. Udham Singh
  3. The Killers of Indira Gandhi
  4. The Killers of Rajiv Gandhi

HINT: Udham Singh who assassinated Sir Michael O’Dwyer to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He was hanged in Britain.

Sports

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the P.V. Sindhu-

  1. She became the 1st Indian to win a gold in Badminton World Championships in 2019.
  2. She has also won an Olympic silver in 2016 Rio Games.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: 2019’s Badminton World Championships was held in Basel, Switzerland. Both statements are correct for fast revision

Q. Find out the correct statement(s) regarding the Ashes series-

  1. It is a test match played between West Indies and Australia.
  2. 2019’s match was held in Australia.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 2
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Test Match between  England and Australia. 2019 is held at London.
Visit Mrunal.org/prelims for Previous Rounds of [T25] Mock MCQ Question / Answers.