February 01, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

February 01, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

1. What is the theme of the Union Budget 2025-26?

A) Viksit Bharat
B) Atmanirbhar Bharat
C) Sabka Vikas
D) Make in India

Answer: C) Sabka Vikas

2. What is the estimated total government expenditure for FY 2025-26 as per the Union Budget?

A) ₹47.16 lakh crore
B) ₹50.65 lakh crore
C) ₹52.30 lakh crore
D) ₹55.10 lakh crore

Answer: B) ₹50.65 lakh crore

3. Under the Fiscal Consolidation plan, what is the targeted fiscal deficit for FY 2025-26?

A) 5.2% of GDP
B) 4.8% of GDP
C) 4.4% of GDP
D) 3.9% of GDP

Answer: C) 4.4% of GDP

4. Which of the following schemes is introduced in the budget to support agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency in pulses?

A) PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi
B) Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
C) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
D) National Food Security Mission

Answer: B) Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

5. Under the MSME sector, how many customized credit cards will be issued for micro enterprises in the first year?

A) 5 lakh
B) 7.5 lakh
C) 10 lakh
D) 15 lakh

Answer: C) 10 lakh

6. What is the revised tax-free income limit under the new tax regime for salaried taxpayers?

A) ₹10 lakh
B) ₹12 lakh
C) ₹12.75 lakh
D) ₹15 lakh

Answer: B) ₹12 lakh

7. Which new scheme has been launched to support first-time entrepreneurs from SC, ST, and women categories?

A) PM-MUDRA Yojana
B) New Entrepreneur Scheme
C) Startup India Initiative
D) Skill India Mission

Answer: B) New Entrepreneur Scheme

8. Which initiative has been introduced in the budget to promote exports by MSMEs?

A) BharatTradeNet (BTN)
B) One District One Product (ODOP)
C) National Logistics Policy
D) Export Credit Guarantee Scheme

Answer: A) BharatTradeNet (BTN)

9. What is the new limit for tax deduction at source (TDS) on rent as per the budget proposals?

A) ₹2.4 lakh
B) ₹3.6 lakh
C) ₹5 lakh
D) ₹6 lakh

Answer: D) ₹6 lakh

10. What amount has been allocated for private-sector-driven R&D and innovation in the Union Budget 2025-26?

A) ₹10,000 crore
B) ₹15,000 crore
C) ₹20,000 crore
D) ₹25,000 crore

Answer: C) ₹20,000 crore

11. What is the estimated average tiger population in India as per the 2022 estimation?

A) 3,167
B) 3,682
C) 3,925
D) 2,967

Answer: B) 3,682

12. Which of the following is a key factor behind India’s tiger population recovery?

A) Complete ban on human entry into all forests
B) A mix of land-sharing and land-sparing conservation strategies
C) Relocation of all forest-dwelling communities
D) Hunting of other predator species to reduce competition

Answer: B) A mix of land-sharing and land-sparing conservation strategies

13. Which legislation provides legal protection to tigers in India?

A) Environmental Protection Act, 1986
B) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
C) Indian Forest Act, 1927
D) Biodiversity Act, 2002

Answer: B) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

14. What is one of the major challenges affecting tiger conservation in India?

A) Decline in the number of prey species due to hunting by tigers
B) Increase in the population of herbivores in tiger habitats
C) Unoccupied potential tiger habitat due to habitat loss and political instability
D) Excessive tourism in all tiger reserves leading to tiger population decline

Answer: C) Unoccupied potential tiger habitat due to habitat loss and political instability

15. What is the primary reason behind the recent hike in ethanol procurement prices by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)?

A) To increase crude oil imports
B) To ensure adequate ethanol supply for blending targets
C) To reduce the production of ethanol from sugarcane
D) To encourage ethanol imports from foreign countries

Answer: B) To ensure adequate ethanol supply for blending targets

16. What is the target ethanol blending percentage set by the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26?

A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%

Answer: C) 20%

17. Which of the following statements about ethanol is correct?

A) Ethanol is produced only from petrochemical processes
B) Ethanol blending increases crude oil dependency
C) Ethanol is a biofuel obtained from sugarcane, corn, and biomass
D) Ethanol blending reduces vehicle efficiency and increases emissions

Answer: C) Ethanol is a biofuel obtained from sugarcane, corn, and biomass

18. What is the primary function of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)?

A) To replace an FIR in all financial crime cases
B) To formally record a complaint regarding a money laundering case
C) To directly impose penalties on financial institutions
D) To act as a final judgment in economic crime cases

Answer: B) To formally record a complaint regarding a money laundering case

19. Which of the following statements about ECIR is correct?

A) ECIR is mentioned in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
B) ECIR is an internal document for the ED and not equivalent to an FIR
C) ECIR must always be provided to the accused before arrest
D) ECIR is filed only for cases related to foreign exchange violations

Answer: B) ECIR is an internal document for the ED and not equivalent to an FIR

20. What is the main role of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)?

A) To regulate stock markets in India
B) To enforce economic laws, including FEMA and PMLA
C) To manage monetary policy and interest rates
D) To regulate cooperative banks and their financial transactions

Answer: B) To enforce economic laws, including FEMA and PMLA