UPSC Prelims 2018
Current Affairs Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 4 solved UPSC Prelims 2018 Current Affairs questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements
- It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
- It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 2 and 3 only
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship skill development scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It aims to provide industry-relevant skill training, improve employability, and certify skills according to national standards.
❌ Statement I – Incorrect: PMKVY is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), not the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
✅ Statement II – Correct: PMKVY provides training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy, along with technical skills to improve employability.
✅ Statement III – Correct: One of PMKVY's key objectives is to align the skills of the unregulated workforce with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), ensuring standardized skill certification.
As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements
- Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
- Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 per cent belong to OBCs.
- In Kerala, a little over 60 per cent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1 and 3 only
The NSSO 70th Round (Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households, 2013) provides detailed information on the social and economic conditions of agricultural households in India. Statements I and III match the survey findings, while Statement II overstates the share of OBC agricultural households.
✅ Statement I – Correct: Rajasthan had the highest share of agricultural households (78.4%) among rural households, according to the NSSO 70th Round survey.
❌ Statement II – Incorrect: OBC agricultural households accounted for about 45%, not over 60%, of the total agricultural households in India.
✅ Statement III – Correct: In Kerala, over 60% of agricultural households reported that their main source of income was non-agricultural activities, unlike most other states.
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India?
- Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
- Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
- Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 3 only
Digital India, launched in 2015, aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Its focus is on providing digital infrastructure, digital governance, and digital literacy—not creating Indian internet companies or attracting multinational data centres.
❌ Statement I – Incorrect: Creating India's own internet companies like China is not an objective of the Digital India Programme.
❌ Statement II – Incorrect: The original Digital India Plan does not include a policy to encourage multinational companies to establish Big Data centres in India. This relates to later data localization and data centre policies, not Digital India.
✅ Statement III – Correct: A major objective of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and provide Wi-Fi in schools, public places, and tourist centres under initiatives like Broadband Highways and the Public Internet Access Programme.
📝 Short Notes: Digital India Programme
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch | 1 July 2015 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| Vision | Transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy |
| Three Vision Areas | Digital Infrastructure, Governance & Services on Demand, Digital Empowerment of Citizens |
| Key Pillars | Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access, e-Governance, e-Kranti, Information for All, Digital Literacy |
| Village Connectivity | Expansion of broadband and internet connectivity to Gram Panchayats through BharatNet |
| Public Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi in schools, public places, railway stations, and tourist centres |
| Major Initiatives | DigiLocker, UMANG, e-Hospital, BHIM, Digital Payments, Common Service Centres (CSCs) |
Key Fact:
Digital India is built around three core goals—digital infrastructure, digital services, and digital empowerment, rather than promoting specific private internet companies.
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With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
- The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately 67% of India's population, not just BPL families. The Act mandates that the eldest woman aged 18 years or above in a household be designated as the head for ration card issuance. However, pregnant and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration of 600 calories (not 1600) per day along with a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000.
✅ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The NFSA covers about 67% of the population (75% rural and 50% urban), identified through SECC methodology, not just BPL families. Beneficiaries include both Priority Households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Section 3(5) of the NFSA mandates that the eldest woman in the household aged 18 years or above shall be the head of the household for issuing ration cards, ensuring women's empowerment in food security.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Under Section 4 of the NFSA, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration of 600 calories per day (not 1600) during pregnancy and six months after childbirth, along with a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000.
📝 Short Notes: National Food Security Act, 2013
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Up to 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population (approximately 67% overall) |
| Foodgrain Allocation | Priority Households: 5 kg per person per month; AAY: 35 kg per household per month |
| Prices | Rice: Rs 3/kg, Wheat: Rs 2/kg, Coarse grains: Rs 1/kg |
| Maternity Entitlements | 600 calories take-home ration + Rs 6,000 maternity benefit for 6 months |
| Household Head | Eldest woman aged 18 years or above |
| Grievance Redressal | District and State level mechanisms; State Food Commissions |
UPSC Prelims 2018 - Current Affairs Chapter-wise Distribution
Government Schemes & Initiatives
2 Qs (50%)Social Issues
1 Qs (25%)Personalities in News
1 Qs (25%)UPSC Prelims 2018 - Current Affairs Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Current Affairs questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2018?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Current Affairs in UPSC Prelims 2018?
- Government Schemes & Initiatives: 2 questions (50%)
- Social Issues: 1 questions (25%)
- Personalities in News: 1 questions (25%)