Daily Quiz 20 March 2025

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The release of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2024 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called attention to the question of household finances and consumption loans.
• Statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct: While 64% of loans taken on by super-prime borrowers are for asset creation, nearly half of the loans taken on by sub-prime borrowers are for consumption purposes.
• Households earning less than five lakh have largely taken on unsecured loans, such as credit card debt, for consumption purposes while richer households largely take on debt for purposes of purchasing housing.
• Amongst forms of debt, personal and credit card debt have shown a gradual increase in delinquencies in September 2024 relative to September 2023, indicating greater stress for lower-income households.

The RBI outlines the dangers emanating from financial stress for lower-income households. Around half of all borrowers with credit card debt or personal loans also have housing or vehicle loans. A default in any category leads to all loans of the same borrower being classified as non-performing loans for the lending institution. Thus, if a borrower defaults on credit card debt or a personal loan, the housing loan will also be classified as a non-performing asset. Rising stresses in unsecured loans can spell weaknesses for higher-value loans as well. The RBI is keen to assert that the loan make-up is gradually shifting towards more prime borrowers, with sub-prime borrowers reducing. This may be the case, but the overhang of consumer debt implies that macroeconomic problems might arise.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Option C is correct: Polygraph, also called a lie-detector test, is generally used during interrogation by police. The instrument works by recording physiological functions such as blood pressure, heartbeat, respiration and perspiration.
• A pneumograph tube is fastened around the person’s chest and a blood-pressure-pulse cuff is strapped around the arm. The psychogalvanic skin reflex, an electro-dermal response, and the flow of current between different parts of the body are also measured. Sensitive electrodes are used to pick up the impulses, which are recorded on a moving graph paper. The parameters are recorded when a suspect answers questions put to them by an operator. The data is then used as the basis for deciding whether the person is lying.
• When a person lies, the graph deviates from the ‘normal’ shape in one or more of the body functions. Such changes were believed to occur due to the emotional response to telling a lie.
• There is consensus among scientists today that polygraphs are ineffective, unreliable, and easily overcome.

The modern polygraph was first constructed in 1921 by John Larson, a medical student at the University of California, along with a police officer. His instrument was capable of continuously recording blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. While the device has been in use since 1924, it has not been accepted as proof of truth-telling in courtrooms.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Court is participating in a global fight to end impunity, and through international criminal justice, the Court aims to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes and to help prevent these crimes from happening again.

The Court cannot reach these goals alone. As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national Courts. Governed by an international treaty called the Rome Statute, the ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Option B is correct: On World Hypertension Day, celebrated on May 17, 2023, the Government of India unveiled the “75/25” initiative which aims to provide standardized care to 75 million individuals living with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct: To enhance last-mile connectivity in remote and hilly regions, the Government of India, in the 2022 Budget, announced the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• Statement 3 is correct: Implemented by the National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), the initiative aims to develop over 250 ropeway projects covering 1,200 km within five years, providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional road transport.

Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the programme mandates at least 50% indigenous components in ropeway construction. With minimal environmental impact, ropeways offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and reliable transport solution for India’s challenging terrains.