Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 2nd February 2025 - Bank Exams MCQ

The government has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for FY26, down from the previous year’s target of 4.8%. This reduction reflects a commitment to fiscal discipline and a strategic unwinding of the fiscal stimulus provided during the pandemic. Maintaining a lower fiscal deficit is essential for ensuring macroeconomic stability and can help build investor confidence, potentially leading to increased investments in the economy.

The budget introduces enhanced tax benefits for self-occupied properties, allowing individuals to claim deductions on two houses. This initiative is expected to stimulate the real estate sector by increasing demand for housing, thereby supporting related industries such as construction and home furnishings. These tax incentives aim to encourage individuals to invest in real estate, which can contribute to overall economic growth.

A potential risk of the personal income tax reforms, which aim to reduce the tax burden on middle-class individuals, is that taxpayers may choose to prioritize savings over increased consumption. While the intention is to boost disposable income and stimulate spending in sectors like retail, if individuals decide to save their additional income instead, it could undermine the expected positive impact on economic growth. This scenario highlights the complexity of consumer behavior and its implications for fiscal policy.

The government aims to transition to a debt-targeting framework by FY27, with plans to reduce central government debt to between 49% and 51% of GDP by FY31. This strategy is designed to establish a sustainable fiscal environment, ensuring that government debt remains manageable and does not crowd out private investment. By setting clear debt targets, the government signals its commitment to fiscal responsibility, which is crucial for long-term economic stability and growth.

The targeted fiscal deficit for the fiscal year 2025-26 is set at 4.4% of GDP. This target reflects the government's commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline while simultaneously supporting economic growth. An important aspect of fiscal management is to ensure that the deficit does not exceed sustainable levels, which helps in maintaining investor confidence and financial stability. Interestingly, fiscal deficit targets are a crucial part of economic policy, as they guide government spending and borrowing decisions.

The inland mangrove in Guneri village has been officially designated as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) of Gujarat, highlighting its ecological importance. This designation aims to protect and promote the rich biodiversity of the area, which is one of the last remaining inland mangrove ecosystems in India. Interestingly, this site is one of only eight known locations of inland mangroves worldwide, emphasizing its rarity and significance in global biodiversity conservation efforts.

South Georgia Island is indeed part of the British overseas territory and is characterized by a sub-Antarctic climate, which means it experiences cold, wet, and windy conditions year-round. The island is largely barren and lacks permanent human inhabitants, contributing to its ecological significance as a wildlife haven. An interesting fact about South Georgia is that it is home to millions of seabirds and various seal species, making it a crucial area for biodiversity in the Southern Ocean.

Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, located in Tamil Nadu, has recently been designated as a Ramsar site. This sanctuary is part of a unique wetland ecosystem near the Gulf of Mannar and serves as a critical breeding ground for various waterfowl species, particularly along the Central Asian flyway. This highlights the importance of such wetlands in supporting biodiversity and ecological balance. An interesting fact about Ramsar sites is that they are recognized internationally for their ecological significance, providing essential habitats for numerous species and playing a vital role in water management and conservation efforts.

The Indian government has announced that it will adopt the debt-GDP ratio as the primary fiscal anchor beginning in the financial year 2026-27. This shift is intended to ensure fiscal sustainability and improve the management of public finances. The debt-GDP ratio is a crucial indicator as it measures a country's national debt relative to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), providing insights into fiscal health and borrowing trends. An interesting fact is that many countries use this ratio to assess their economic stability and to make informed policy decisions regarding public spending and investment.

The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme aims to provide digital Indian language textbooks to students, promoting accessibility to educational resources in their native languages. This initiative is particularly significant as it seeks to enhance learning experiences for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, thereby supporting inclusivity in education. An interesting fact is that this initiative complements other educational reforms like the ASMITA initiative, which focuses on integrating Indian languages into the education system by developing a vast number of books over a specified period.