1. Consider the following statements regarding the debt-payment record of the central government of India.
- Fiscal deficit has never crossed 10% of GDP for India.
- India has never defaulted on its forex debt obligation.
- The Government of India borrows more from foreign entities than domestic entities.
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3
c) 3 only
d) 1 and 2
Ans: d
Exp: The correct answer is (d) 1 and 2.
The first statement is correct. Fiscal deficit, which is the difference between the government's total spending and its total revenue, has never crossed 10% of GDP for India. However, it has come close to this limit in certain years, such as during the global financial crisis in 2008-09 and Covid-19 pandemic.
The second statement is also correct. India has never defaulted on its forex debt obligation. In fact, India has a good track record of meeting its external debt obligations on time, which has helped to maintain investor confidence in the country.
The third statement is incorrect. The Government of India borrows more from domestic entities than foreign entities. While India does borrow from foreign sources, such as multilateral agencies and sovereign bonds, the majority of its debt is sourced domestically through instruments such as government bonds and treasury bills.
2. What are the reasons for the failure of global banks like Credit Suisse in recent times:
- Poor compliance with regulatory norms.
- Exposure to risky investments.
- Substandard managerial practices.
Choose the correct statements from the code given below:
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d
Exp: Switzerland's largest bank, UBS, agreed on Sunday to buy its beleaguered and long-time rival Credit Suisse for about $3.2 billion.
Risky Investments: Credit Suisse made large bets on risky investments, including exposure to the collapse of Archegos Capital Management and Greensill Capital, which led to significant losses.
Poor Risk Management: The bank's risk management systems were inadequate to identify and address potential risks associated with these investments. The bank also failed to monitor its clients' activities effectively, leading to its involvement in the aforementioned scandals.
Compliance Issues: Credit Suisse faced several compliance issues related to money laundering and tax evasion, which resulted in hefty fines and regulatory sanctions.
Management Issues: The bank has faced leadership challenges, including frequent changes in top management, which have impacted the bank's strategic direction and operations.
Cultural Issues: There have been reports of a toxic work culture at Credit Suisse, including allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, which have contributed to high turnover rates and damaged the bank's reputation.
All these factors have contributed to the failure of Credit Suisse.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
- NEP 2020 aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035.
- NEP 2020 recommends the introduction of a four-year undergraduate program with multiple exit options.
- NEP 2020 proposes the establishment of a National Testing Agency (NTA) for conducting entrance examinations for admission to higher education institutions.
- NEP 2020 recommends the introduction of a new regulatory body called the Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2 and 3
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: a
Exp: The correct answer is a) 1, 2 and 3.
Statement 1 is correct. The NEP 2020 aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035. This is to be achieved by increasing access to higher education, improving the quality of education, and promoting research and innovation.
Statement 2 is correct. The NEP 2020 recommends the introduction of a four-year undergraduate program with multiple exit options. Students who complete one or two years of the program will be awarded a certificate or diploma, respectively, and those who complete three years will be awarded a degree.
Statement 3 is correct. The NEP 2020 proposes the establishment of a National Testing Agency (NTA) for conducting entrance examinations for admission to higher education institutions. The NTA will be responsible for conducting common entrance examinations for universities and colleges across the country.
Statement 4 is incorrect. The NEP 2020 recommends the establishment of a new regulatory body called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), not the Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC).
4. Consider the following statements regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative:
- The Parties to this Initiative are the Republic of Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine as proposed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
- The purpose of this Initiative is to facilitate the safe navigation for the export of only Wheat from the Ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny (“the Ukrainian ports”).
- The Parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels and other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this Initiative.
Which of the above statements are correct:
a) 1 and 2
b) 1 and 3
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: b
Exp: The correct answer is b) 1 and 3.
Statement 1 is correct. The Parties to this Initiative are the Republic of Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine as proposed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The purpose of this Initiative is to facilitate the safe navigation for the export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia from the Ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny (“the Ukrainian ports”).
Statement 3 is correct. All activities in Ukrainian territorial waters will be under authority and responsibility of Ukraine. The Parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels and other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this Initiative. Should demining be required, a minesweeper of another country, agreed by all Parties, shall sweep the approaches to the Ukrainian ports, as necessary.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Pellet-Beam Propulsion System:
Pellet-Beam Propulsion System is a new propulsion technology for space-crafts that uses lasers to shoot small pellets of fuel into a chamber where they are ignited, creating a thrust that propels the spacecraft.
The Pellet-Beam Propulsion System is more efficient than traditional rocket engines because it can provide a much higher specific impulse, which is the amount of thrust generated per unit of fuel consumed.
The Pellet-Beam Propulsion System has already been used in a number of space missions, including the Voyager probes and the Mars rovers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3
c) 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: a
Exp: Statement 1: True. Pellet-Beam Propulsion System is a new propulsion technology for space-crafts that uses lasers to shoot small pellets of fuel into a chamber where they are ignited, creating a thrust that propels the spacecraft.
Statement 2: True. The Pellet-Beam Propulsion System is more efficient than traditional rocket engines because it can provide a much higher specific impulse, which is the amount of thrust generated per unit of fuel consumed.
Statement 3: False. The Pellet-Beam Propulsion System has not yet been used in any space mission, including the Voyager probes and the Mars rovers.
6. Find the Value of X in given series 53, 53, 40, 40, 27, 27, X.
a) 13
b) 14
c) 27
d) 53
Ans: b
Exp: In this series, each number is repeated, then 13 is subtracted to arrive at the next number. So Answer is 14.
7. A Shopkeeper has a sale of Rs. 6435, Rs. 6927, Rs. 6855, Rs. 7230 and Rs. 6562 for 5 consecutive months. How much sale must he have in the sixth month so that he gets an average sale of Rs. 6500?
a) 4891
b) 4991
c) 5491
d) 5991
Ans: b
Exp: Total sale for 5 months = Rs. (6435 + 6927 + 6855 + 7230 + 6562) = Rs. 34009.
Required sale = Rs. [ (6500 x 6) - 34009 ]
= Rs. (39000 - 34009)
= Rs. 4991.
Cover the entire CSAT syllabus in 70 hours.
Previous Post