February 05, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

February 05, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

1. What is the primary objective of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES)?

a) To measure the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India
b) To assess household consumption patterns, living standards, and expenditure trends
c) To track foreign investment in India
d) To monitor employment trends across states

Answer: b) To assess household consumption patterns, living standards, and expenditure trends

2. Which state recorded the lowest urban-rural MPCE gap according to the HCES 2023-24?

a) Odisha
b) Kerala
c) Jharkhand
d) Punjab

Answer: b) Kerala

3. What percentage of Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) is spent on food in rural areas as per the HCES 2023-24?

a) 40%
b) 47%
c) 50%
d) 60%

Answer: b) 47%

4. What does a declining Gini Coefficient indicate in the HCES report?

a) Increasing income inequality
b) Decreasing income inequality
c) No change in income distribution
d) Higher rural-urban consumption gap

Answer: b) Decreasing income inequality

5. What is the primary cause of glacier meltdown in Arunachal Pradesh’s eastern Himalayas?

a) Volcanic activity
b) Increased deforestation
c) Rising global temperatures and carbon emissions
d) Mining activities

Answer: c) Rising global temperatures and carbon emissions

6. Which of the following is a major consequence of glacial retreat?

a) Formation of new forests
b) Increase in glacial accumulation
c) Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
d) Expansion of desert regions

Answer: c) Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

7. How does black carbon contribute to glacier melting?

a) Increases snowfall accumulation
b) Enhances glacier reflectivity, preventing melting
c) Reduces glacier reflectivity, increasing heat absorption
d) Strengthens ice formation by trapping cold air

Answer: c) Reduces glacier reflectivity, increasing heat absorption

8. Why is glacier meltdown a critical concern for India?

a) It leads to an increase in coastal erosion
b) It disrupts river systems and impacts water security
c) It helps in the formation of new water reservoirs
d) It accelerates agricultural productivity

Answer: b) It disrupts river systems and impacts water security

9. What is the primary role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)?

a) Conducting military operations in developing countries
b) Providing foreign aid and development assistance
c) Regulating international trade policies
d) Managing immigration policies of the U.S.

Answer: b) Providing foreign aid and development assistance

10. How has USAID contributed to India’s development?

a) By establishing military bases in India
b) By funding NGOs and supporting climate resilience projects
c) By implementing monetary policies in India
d) By regulating India’s healthcare system

Answer: b) By funding NGOs and supporting climate resilience projects

11. Which U.S. President established USAID under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961?

a) Richard Nixon
b) John F. Kennedy
c) Franklin D. Roosevelt
d) Barack Obama

Answer: b) John F. Kennedy

12. What is the primary goal of a beggar-thy-neighbour policy?

a) Strengthening global trade cooperation
b) Increasing domestic economic benefits at the expense of other nations
c) Promoting free-market policies worldwide
d) Reducing trade barriers and encouraging imports

Answer: b) Increasing domestic economic benefits at the expense of other nations

13. Which of the following is NOT a feature of a beggar-thy-neighbour policy?

a) Imposing high tariffs and quotas
b) Encouraging unrestricted global trade
c) Deliberate currency devaluation to boost exports
d) Implementing protectionist trade policies

Answer: b) Encouraging unrestricted global trade

14. How did beggar-thy-neighbour policies contribute to the Great Depression?

a) By encouraging international trade cooperation
b) By triggering retaliatory tariffs and reducing global trade
c) By increasing consumer purchasing power worldwide
d) By eliminating economic barriers between nations

Answer: b) By triggering retaliatory tariffs and reducing global trade

15. From which historical structure was the State Emblem of India adopted?

a) Konark Sun Temple
b) Sanchi Stupa
c) Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka
d) Ajanta Caves

Answer: c) Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka

16. What does the horse on the State Emblem of India symbolize?

a) Buddha’s enlightenment
b) The zodiac sign Taurus
c) Kanthaka, the horse Buddha rode while renouncing princely life
d) Queen Maya’s dream of a white elephant entering her womb

Answer: c) Kanthaka, the horse Buddha rode while renouncing princely life

17. Under which law is the unauthorized use of the State Emblem of India prohibited?

a) Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
b) State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005
c) Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950
d) National Symbols Protection Act, 2010

Answer: b) State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005

18. How much has India contributed to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2025?

a) USD 50 million
b) USD 37.64 million
c) USD 25.75 million
d) USD 42.30 million

Answer: b) USD 37.64 million

19. Which UN agencies receive funding from the UN Regular Budget?

a) World Bank and IMF
b) World Food Programme and UNICEF
c) WHO and WTO
d) International Monetary Fund and UNDP

Answer: b) World Food Programme and UNICEF

20. What does it mean for a country to be on the “honour roll” of the UN Regular Budget?

a) A country has veto power in the UN
b) A country has paid its assessed contribution fully and on time
c) A country has the highest voting rights in the UN General Assembly
d) A country is exempted from future financial contributions

Answer: b) A country has paid its assessed contribution fully and on time