Test: Weekly Current Affairs: June 8th to 14th - UPSC MCQ

• Statement 1 is correct. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, led to the creation of Telangana.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The demand for a separate Andhra state for Telugu-speaking individuals arose to preserve and promote their language and culture, not primarily for administrative efficiency.
• Statement 3 is correct. Potti Sreeramulu's death led to intense protests, resulting in the formation of India's first linguistic state, Andhra.

• Statement 1 is correct. The NOTA option was introduced following a Supreme Court directive in 2013.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. NOTA votes are counted as 'invalid votes' and do not alter election outcomes.
• Statement 3 is correct. The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) advocated for voter secrecy.

• Statement 1 is correct. The Special Category Status (SCS) was introduced in 1969.
• Statement 2 is correct. The 14th Finance Commission reserved SCS for Northeastern and three hill states.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Andhra Pradesh does not currently hold Special Category Status.

• Statement 1 is correct. The RRTS aims to reduce air pollution and encourage public transport use.
• Statement 2 is correct. The RRTS project includes the Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat, and Delhi-Alwar corridors.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The Gravity Model posits that interaction between places is influenced by population and distance, not that settlements develop around central locations (which is Central Place Theory).

• Statement 1 is correct. The HCES is conducted every 5 years by the NSO.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Milk and Milk Products expenditure is highest in northern states like Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Statement 3 is correct. Non-food expenditure has shown an increasing trend over the years.

• Statement-I is correct. The demand for SCS for Andhra Pradesh is based on its geographical and socio-economic disadvantages.
• Statement-II is correct. The 14th Finance Commission reserved SCS for Northeastern and three hill states.
• Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I as SCS is not solely about geographical and socio-economic disadvantages but also about political considerations and recommendations from Finance Commissions.

Statement-I is correct. The formation of Andhra State in 1953 marked India's first linguistic state.
Statement-II is incorrect. The JVP Committee recommended against reorganizing states based solely on language lines to avoid administrative challenges.

• Statement-I is correct. The RRTS project is a rail-based semi-high-speed transit system for the NCR region.
• Statement-II is correct. The Central Place Theory explains the development of urban settlements around key central locations.
• Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I as the development of RRTS corridors is not solely explained by Central Place Theory but also by transportation needs and planning.

Statement-I is correct. NOTA votes in Indian elections are counted as 'invalid votes' and do not alter the election outcomes.
Statement-II is correct. The Supreme Court mandated the introduction of NOTA in 2013 to empower voters.
Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I as NOTA being 'invalid votes' is a procedural detail and not the reason for its introduction.

Statement-I is correct. The HCES provides data for calculating Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE).
Statement-II is correct. The HCES covers the entire Indian Union, excluding a few inaccessible villages.
Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I as the coverage of the survey does not directly explain the calculation of MPCE, which is based on the data collected.

• Pair 1 is incorrect. The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over sessions in the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.
• Pair 2 is correct. The Deputy Speaker assumes the role in the absence of the Speaker.
• Pair 3 is incorrect. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is the Vice President of India, not elected by Lok Sabha.
• Pair 4 is correct. A member from the panel of Chairmen presides in the absence of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

• Pair 1 is correct. The Lok Sabha was established by the Constitution of India.
• Pair 2 is correct. The National Health Authority (NHA) was established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Pair 3 is incorrect. Inter-Parliamentary Relations are led by the Speaker but are not an institution established by them.
• Pair 4 is correct. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) were established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

• Pair 1 is correct. The NHCX is implemented by the IRDAI.
• Pair 2 is correct. The Smart Cities Mission is under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Pair 3 is correct. The Bharatmala Project is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Pair 4 is incorrect. PM-eBus Sewa is under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, not the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

• Pair 1 is correct. The Global Gender Gap Report is published by the World Economic Forum.
• Pair 2 is correct. The State of Ocean Report is published by UNESCO.
• Pair 3 is correct. The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Pair 4 is correct. The National Infrastructure Pipeline is managed by NITI Aayog.

• Pair 1 is correct. The National Health Claim Exchange aims to centralize health insurance claims.
• Pair 2 is correct. The Regional Rapid Transit System aims to improve urban transportation in the NCR.
• Pair 3 is correct. The Gati Shakti Terminal policy aims to enhance logistics infrastructure.
• Pair 4 is incorrect. Proportional Representation is related to electoral systems, not local governance.

Both statements are correct. The Speaker adjourns meetings in the absence of quorum and ensures order and decorum during the proceedings. However, ensuring order and decorum is not the reason for adjourning meetings due to lack of quorum.

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct, and Reason (R) correctly explains why SCS was introduced—to provide states with higher financial assistance to address geographical and socio-economic disadvantages.

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct, and Reason (R) correctly explains why the NHCX aims to simplify cashless claims—because it was launched by the NHA and IRDAI to centralize and streamline the process.

Assertion (A) is correct. Bihar is seeking Special Category Status to address its significant socio-economic challenges.
Reason (R) is incorrect. Granting Special Category Status does not automatically lead to higher industrial development. It provides higher financial assistance and other benefits, but industrial development depends on several other factors, including policy measures and investment climate.

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 highlights that the largest gender disparities persist in Political Empowerment and Economic Participation & Opportunity, and these disparities are due to factors such as increased caregiving responsibilities on women and lower representation in leadership roles.

Federalism is a system of government that combines a central or “federal” government with regional governments within a single political framework, distributing powers between them. In India, the Constitution outlines the structure of governance, delineating the relationship between the federal government and state governments. Legislative, administrative, and executive powers are divided between the Union government and the states through the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.

• S1: Correct. The velocity of money increases when the frequency of transactions rises because it means that money is changing hands more frequently within a given period.
• S2: Correct. A high velocity of money usually indicates a high level of economic activity since money is being spent rapidly on goods and services, suggesting a robust and active economy.
• S3: Correct. If the velocity of money decreases, it suggests that people prefer to hold onto their money rather than spend it, which can indicate economic uncertainty or lower confidence in economic conditions.

• The Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 reveals that Indian households, both rural and urban, spent the most on processed food.
• The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) released the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), which collects data on household consumption of goods and services. Since 1950, NSSO, headed by the Director General, has conducted large-scale nationwide surveys on socio-economic subjects and the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI). It operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The Central Information Commission is established at the central level to oversee the implementation of the RTI Act, 2005. It is an independent body that inquires into complaints and appeals related to the non-implementation of the Act. The Commission ensures that the citizens’ right to information is protected and provides redressal for issues arising from the denial of information.

• The Global Plastics Treaty, initiated in 2021, is a pivotal international effort aimed at combating plastic pollution on a global scale. Established during the fifth UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, the treaty has progressed through various meetings worldwide, including Dakar, Senegal; Uruguay; Paris, France; Nairobi, Kenya; and Canada, with the final meeting set for South Korea.
• It aims to reduce plastic pollution by setting legally binding targets for all member countries. The goal is to create a unified international approach to tackle plastic waste.
• While the treaty does address single-use plastics, it is not limited to this aspect alone. The treaty encompasses broader measures, including plastic waste management and the promotion of circular economy practices.