1. Prologue
  2. Economy Questions for UPSC Prelims
  3. Mrunal’s Economy course for UPSC-2020
  4. Polity MCQs for UPSC Prelims
  5. History and Culture MCQs for UPSC Prelims
  6. Agriculture MCQs for UPSC Prelims
  7. Persons in news (PIN) MCQs for NON-IAS Exams

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, OR Youtube
  • This 37th set contains questions from Current Affairs from 2019 October-November season.
  • धीरे धीरे करते हुए, so far I’ve done 37 sets x 25 questions each = 925 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 Questions for UPSC Prelims

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the recent decision of RBI on NEFT  –

  1. RBI will start 24/7 NEFT operations from 1/4/2021.
  2. NEFT is used for fund transfers above Rs. 2 lakh.
  3. NEFT stands for National Electronic Funds Transfer.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • The Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) is meant for large-value instantaneous fund transfers while the NEFT is used for fund transfers up to Rs 2 lakh
  • At present, NEFT is available only till on working days. 24/7 NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) system will start from December 2019.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the merger process of MTNL and BSNL:

  1. MTNL stands for Mumbai Telephone Nigam Limited whereas BSNL stands for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
  2. Both MTNL and BSNL HQ are located in Mumbai.
  3. BSNL is an older body than MTNL.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL, HQ Delhi, Founded 1986) with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL, HQ Delhi, Founded 2000).

Q. What is the objective of the proposed “Elephant bonds”?

  1. It is interest free bond for foreign investors.
  2. It will provide tax incentives to Indian investors for investing in loss making PSUs.
  3. It is an avenue for people to invest their unaccounted money without fear of being prosecuted.
  4. It will provide tax incentives to Indian investors to invest in N.East development projects.

HINT:

  • Commerce Ministry’s Surjit Bhalla Committee on Trade and Policy suggested “Elephant Bonds” providing funds towards Long Term Infrastructure.
  • It is likely to be a 25-year sovereign bonds in which people declaring undisclosed income will be required to invest 50 per cent.

Q. Find out the incorrect statement/s regarding the ICEDASH and ATITHI  which were launched in 2019-November?

  1.   “ATITHI” is an App by the Ministry Of External Affairs to apply for electronic visa in a hassle free manner.
  2.  “ICEDASH” is an app by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the adventure travellers to register for traveling to glaciers in the union territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • ICEDASH : Ease of Doing Business monitoring dashboard of the Indian Customs helping public see the daily Customs clearance times of import cargo
  • ATITHI : Easy to use mobile app for international travelers to file the Customs declaration in advance
  • Both are being run by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)

Q. Who among the following has launched the Document identification number (DIN) in 2019?

  1. Central information Commission (CIC) to promote transparency.
  2. Supreme Court of India for easier monitoring of the affidavits and PILs filed across the Indian courts.
  3. CBDT and CBIC to provide authenticity to letter/summons issued by Tax officials.
  4. HRD Ministry for easier admission process in schools and colleges

HINT:

  • DIN system started by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT from 2019-Oct) and  Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Custom (CBIC from 2019-Nov)
  • all search authorisation, summons, arrest memo, inspection notices and letters will carry DIN number.
  • Taxpayer can use DIN number to check the authenticity of the letter online.
  • This will deter unscrupulous tax inspector, who previously used to send fake official letters threatening raid/re-assessment etc. as ploy to demand bribes.

Q. In 2019-Nov, Which of the following organisations launched a consultation paper titled Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE)?

  1. Financial Action Task Force
  2. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  3. OPEC
  4. ASEAN

HINT: Base-erosion related things are usually by OECD.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding RCEP–

  1. RCEP stands for Regional Commerce and Economic Partnership (RCEP)
  2. RCEP consists of ASEAN and BRICS nations.
  3. India has joined RCEP in 2019-November.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) proposed to cover:
    • 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and
    • the six countries having  free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN namely, India, Australia, China, Korea, Japan, and New Zealand.
  • Initially, India warmed up to the idea of joining this agreement, but at last minute Modi did ‘Ajit-Pawar-giri’ and refused to join RCEP ke it’ll harm local industry from cheap imports from China, New Zealand, Australia etc.

Q. Find Correct statement(s) regarding the 11th BRICS summit Which was organised in 2019 November

  1. Its theme was Economic growth for an innovative future
  2. It was held in Fortaleza, Brazil.
  3. This is the first time Brazil hosted the Summit.

 Answer Codes

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

HINT: 2014- BRICS sumit at Brazil’s Fortaleza city resulted in creation of New Development Bank (NDB), also referred to as the BRICS Bank. 2019- Brazil’s Brasília city.

Q. Which of the following correctly explains the “Interconnect Usage Charges” on telephone communication –

  1. It is the penalty paid by telecom company to TRAI for not providing good signal strength in rural areas.
  2. It is penalty levied by telecom service provider from the user for exceeding the download data limit.
  3. It is a charge paid by caller’s telecom company to the telecom company on whose network the call terminates.
  4. It is a penalty levied by TRAI on telecom companies on call dropping problem.

HINT:

  • It is the cost paid by one mobile telecom operator (e.g. JIO) to another (e.g. Airtel), when Jio customers make outgoing mobile calls to the Airtel operator’s customers.
  • IUC is redundant (not required) in 4g-VOLTE networks. But Airtel etc. want it Because many of their connections are still based on 2G network
  • TRAI decided to scrap  IUC from January 2020. But later postponed the decision.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding “India Innovation Index 2019”–

  1. Dept. of Science and Technology in collaboration of WIPO released this report.
  2. Sikkim is the most innovative state in India.
  3. Human Capital,Investment and Knowledge Workers are three dimensions used for ranking the States.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • NITI Aayog and Institute for Competitiveness prepared the India Innovation Index 2019
  • on the basis of its two dimensions – Performance and Enablers.
  • Karnataka is ranked as the most innovative state in India.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding “Swachh Sarvekshan 2019”–

  1. Cleanest district title given to Peddapalli of Telangana
  2. Cleanest city title given to Indore while cleanest Capital award given to Bhopal.
  3. NITI Aayog Conduct the survey on annual basis.

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has been conducting this annual survey since 2016.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding ‘Global Hunger index 2019’–

  1. It is jointly prepared by UNDP and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  2. India is behind Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh in hunger index.
  3. Undernourishment , Child Wasting, Child Stunting and Child mortality are key factors in this ranking. 

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Report prepared jointly by Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide and German organisation Welt Hunger Hilfe. India ranked 102 out of 117 nations in 2019. Earlier it was @95th rank in 2018.

Q. (Assertion) Nobel Prize for Economics is technically called Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences. (Reason) It is given by the central bank of Sweden.

  1. Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
  2. The Assertion and the Reason are correct but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
  3. Assertion is true but the Reason is false.
  4. Assertion is false but the Reason is true.

HINT: In 1968-69, the Central Bank of Sweden known as Sveriges Riksbank started a prize in Economic Sciences. Although not technically a Nobel Prize, the Prize in Economic Sciences is identified with the award; its winners are announced with the Nobel Prize recipients, and it is presented at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. It is conferred by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

Economy Questions for UPSC Prelims: Nobel in Economics

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding Nobel Prize for Economics in 2019

  1. It is awarded to Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer
  2. It is awarded for the research on experimental approach to achieve SDG targets by using less financial resources. 

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer were announced as the winner of Nobel Prize in Economics 2019 for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

Mrunal’s Economy course for UPSC-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 ₹ 3,400/- 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

Polity MCQs for UPSC Prelims

Q. In 2019-October, Naruhito became the new Emperor of Japan. Find incorrect statements about the constitution of Japan.

  1. The Japanese Constitution is popularly known as the ‘peace constitution’.
  2. Unlike Indian Constitution, it contains no preamble.
  3. Japanese Parliament is known as Showa.

Answer Codes

  1. Only 1
  2. Only 1 and 2
  3. Only 2 and 3
  4. None of the given statements.

HINT:

  • The Japanese Constitution of 1947 is popularly known as the ‘peace constitution’. The preamble states that “We, the Japanese people desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship”. (This is given in NCERT Class11 Political Science textbook, So it is not a randomly dropped KBC GK.)
  • Further, the American Constitution, the Japanese Constitution is a written and rigid. It cannot be amended by the Diet (Japanese Parliament) in the same easy manner as the ordinary laws are made.
  • However, Japanese Constitution is a unitary like UK, and not federal like USA.

Q. Find out the incorrect statement/s regarding “Two child norms policy of Assam”–

  1. Only candidates with two children or less will be eligible for government jobs.
  2. Only candidates with two children or less can contest panchayat polls.
  3. Assam is the first state of India to come up with such policy to control over population.

Answer Codes

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

HINT: MP, Maharashtra  and Rajasthan already have such policy for government employment. So, even if you do not know the validity of the other two statements you can arrive at the right answer via elimination.

Q. In 2019-November, Government has revoked British-born writer Aatish Taseer’s OCI card. Find correct statement(s) about Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

  1. Persons of Indian Origin from Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible to get this card.
  2. OCIs are not entitled to hold constitutional posts.
  3. OCIs are not entitled to obtain admission in NRI quota seats in Indian colleges.

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Aatish Taseer had hidden from Government that his father is of Pakistani origin. Persons of Indian Origin from Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible to apply for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). OCIs are not entitled to hold constitutional posts and employment in the Government. They are eligible to work in the private sector. OCIs enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and educational fields. (so, they could get admission in NRI-quota, Which is also confirmed by Supreme Court judgement in 2018.)

Q. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated in January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. Find incorrect statements regarding this:

  1. It is celebrated on 15th January every year
  2. In 2019 it was celebrated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  3. Since 2003 it has been organised annually every year.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
  • January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa.
  • Ministry of External Affairs decided to make the event biennial after 2015. So, 2015, then 2017, then 2019’s event in Varanasi.

Q. Find out the incorrect statement/s regarding Ram Mandir Temple judgement of Supreme Court which was delivered in 2019-Nov:

  1. This 3 member Supreme Court constitution bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Tarun Gogoi.
  2. Court directed the government to allocate alternative piece of land of area of 5 acres to the Shia Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque within the temple premise in Ayodhya.
  3. Nirmohi Akhara shall be responsible for the management of Ram Mandir.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • This was 5  member Supreme Court constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
  • 5 acre land to Sunni Waqf board.
  • Union government is required to form a trust to manage the Ram Mandir.

History and Culture MCQs for UPSC Prelims

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding Keeladi site excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which has been making news in 2019-October–

  1. This site is located at Sivagangai district of Kerala.
  2. Its’ findings hint that Sangam era is older than we had originally thought.
  3. It is part of Vaigai Valley Civilisation.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:  This site is located in Tamilnadu, near Vaigai Valley hence considered to be part of Sangam Age’s Vaigai valley civilization. Earlier we thought Sangam Era is as old as 3rd century BC. But Keeladi artifacts seem to be old as old as 6th century BC.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding Mahabalipuram, Which was visited by the president Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2019–

  1. This site is declared world heritage site by UNESCO.
  2. This site has ancient links with Buddhism and China through the maritime outreach of the Rajendra Chola’s dynasty.
  3. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots),

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Pallava Kings had built rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) in this place. The emissaries of the Pallava king had offered to form coalition with Chinese Emperor to fight back Arab and Tibetan intrusions in South Asia.

Agriculture

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the recent “Livestock census” of india

  1. Its data is published by the Ministry of Agriculture.
  2. It is conducted every 6 years.
  3. The total Livestock population has decreased in 2019 as compared to the previous census.

Answer Codes

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

HINT:

  • The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, operating under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying released 20th Livestock Census in 2019
  • It is conducted every 5 years. Last census was held in year 2014.
  • The total Livestock population is 535.78 million and has increased by 4.6% as compared to the previous census.

Persons in news

More important for the non IAS exams

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding Booker prize 2019–

  1. Margaret Atwood has won the award.
  2. It’s a the first time a black woman has won the award.
  3. Bernardine Evaristo has won the award.

Answer Codes

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

HINT: The 2019 Booker Prize was jointly won by

  • Margaret Atwood for The Testaments and
  • Bernardine Evaristo for Girl, Woman, Other.
  • Bernardine Evaristo is the first black woman to win prestigious award since its creation in 1969.
  • Booker is a literary prize which is awarded each year for the best original novel written in the English language and published in United Kingdom (UK). The prize is open to writers of any nationality.

Q. Controversial author Salman Rushdie was in the race for Booker prize 2019 for his book:

  1. Midnight’s Children
  2. The Satanic Verses
  3. Quichotte
  4. None of the above.

HINT: While he has written all three books but the first two books were published in the 80s.

Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding Nobel prize for literature–

  1. Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2018 was awarded to  Austrian author Peter Handke.
  2. Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2019 was awarded to Polish author Olga Tokarczuk.
  3. The Nobel prize of literature category was postponed in year 2018 due to a scandal. 

Answer Codes

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

HINT: Year versus authors have been interchanged in statement 1 and 2.

Visit Mrunal.org/prelims for Previous Rounds of [T25] Mock MCQ Question / Answers.