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Current Affairs MCQs [ 3 and 4 October 2017 ] PIB TheHindu IndianExpress & Other leading newspapers

Sumant Kumar, B.Tech NIT Allahabad sumant.magadh@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/SumantKM/

Which country in the Horn of Africa is land-locked? a) Eritrea b) Djibouti c) South Sudan d) Ethiopia Solution: D South Sudan too is a land-locked country. But it isn’t a country that constitutes the Horn of Africa

China’s first foreign military base has come up at a) Djibouti b) Somalia c) Maldives d) Pakistan Solution: a China : "the support base at Djibouti will be used for peacekeeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and West Asia." • The US, Japan and France also have military bases

in Djibouti.

• Like in so many areas, China’s strategic advances in the Horn have helped put Djibouti back on India’s political radar. President Kovind will be India’s first president or prime minister to visit Djibouti.

Why Djibouti 1. It is a tiny country at the

Horn of Africa 2. It sits near a busy shipping

route. 3. It is also seen as a stable

country in an otherwise volatile region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D

In discovering the molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm in living organisms – the internal biological clock, this year’s Nobel laureates in Physiology/Medicine had studied a particular gene belonging to which one of the following organisms? a) Rats b) Fruit flies c) Mimosa plant (Touch-me-not) d) Humans Solution: b. The trio’s ( Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young) breakthroughs were on fruit flies, but their findings explain how the molecular clock works to keep time in all animals.

According to the concept of the “Keynesian multiplier”, a) Market forces help efficiently allocate resources, raising the productivity of an economy b) Greater savings rate translates into greater economic activity c) Any form of government spending increases employment and prosperity d) None of the above Solution: C The Keynesian multiplier showed that any government spending brought about cycles of spending that increased employment and prosperity regardless of the form of the spending.

In the Indian system, the source of Individual Rights is a) The Constitution b) The courts of law c) The Parliament d) The President Solution: a

The concept of ‘equality before law’ is an element of the concept of ‘Rule of Law’, propounded by A.V. Dicey, the British jurist. This concept has the following three elements or aspects: 1. Absence of arbitrary power 2. Equality before the law, that is, equal subjection

of all citizens (rich or poor, high or low, official or non-official) to the ordinary law of the land administered by the ordinary law courts.

3. The primacy of the rights of the individual. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D

1. Absence of arbitrary power, that is, no man can be punished except for a breach of law.

2. Equality before the law, that is, equal subjection of all citizens (rich or poor, high or low, official or non-official) to the ordinary law of the land administered by the ordinary law courts.

3. The primacy of the rights of the individual, that is, the constitution is the result of the rights of the individual as defined and enforced by the courts of law rather than the constitution being the source of the individual rights. The first and the second elements are applicable to the Indian System and not the third one. In the Indian System, the constitution is the source of the individual rights.

After a prolonged decline, in 2016 the number of chronically undernourished people in the world is estimated to have increased from 2015. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Much of the recent increase in food insecurity can be traced to climate-related shocks exacerbated by economic slowdowns 2. There has been a decrease in the prevalence of undernourishment in the Indian population over

• After a prolonged decline, world hunger appears to be on the rise again. The estimated number of undernourished people increased to 815 million in 2016, up from 777 million in 2015. • Much of the recent increase in food insecurity can be traced to the greater number of conflicts, often exacerbated by climate-related shocks. Even in some

the past decade Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Solution: b.

peaceful settings, food security has deteriorated as economic slowdowns challenge access to food for the poor. • Multiple forms of malnutrition coexist, with countries experiencing simultaneously high rates of child undernutrition, anaemia among women, and adult obesity.

She is a globally recognised researcher on tuberculosis and HIV, and has earlier served as Coordinator of the WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. She was recently appointed as one of two deputy directors general at the World Health Organisation. She is? a) Soumya Swaminathan b) Royana Singh c) Rukmini Devi Arundale d) Kusum Shastri Solution: a. Additional Information: “The team represents 14 countries, including all WHO regions, and is more than 60% women, reflecting my deep-held belief that we need top talent, gender equity and a geographically diverse set of perspectives to fulfil our mission to keep the world safe,” said Dr Tedros, Director-

The LIGO-India project is being led by a) Indian Institute of Science b) Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics c) Indian Space Research Organisation d) Geological Survey of India Solution: b

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave (GW) Observatory (LIGO) project operates three gravitational-wave (GW) detectors. Two are at Hanford in the state of Washington, north-western USA, and one is at Livingston in Louisiana, south-eastern USA. The proposed LIGO-India project aims to move one Advanced LIGO detector from Hanford to India. LIGO-India project is envisaged as an international collaboration between the LIGO project and three lead institutions in the IndIGO (Indian Initiative in GW Observations) consortium: Institute of

Funding for the LIGO-India facilities will come from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), with DAE acting as the lead agency.

Plasma Research (IPR) Gandhinagar, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune and Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore. Among the three, IUCAA will be leading. Other Indian Universities will also participate in the project.

With reference to gravitational waves, consider the following statements: 1. It was predicted by Albert Einstein on

the basis of his theory of general relativity. 2. Gravitational waves are ripples in the

curvature of space-time which propagate as waves.

3. Recently, the first direct evidence existence of these waves came from Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory.

Which of the statements given is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D

• In physics, gravitational waves are ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagate as waves, travelling outward from the source.

• Predicted in 1916 by Albert Einstein on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves theoretically transport energy as gravitational radiation.

• LIGO is a large-scale physics experiment aiming to directly detect gravitational waves.

• The research, by the LIGO collaboration recently announced the first detection of gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space and time produced by violent events like collisions of black holes.

Which of the following Indian state(s) share(s) border with Bangladesh? 1. Meghalaya 2. Sikkim 3. Manipur 4. Tripura

Select the correct answer using the codes given below. 1. 3 and 4 only 2. 2, 3 and 4 only 3. 1 and 4 only 4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Manipur and Sikkim do not share a border with Bangladesh. The names of Indian states that share a border with Bangladesh are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal.

Consider the following statements: 1) Gravitational waves are ripples curvature of spacetime which propagate as waves, travelling outward from source at the speed of light. 2) Strongest sources of gravitational waves are among produced by catastrophic events such as colliding black holes. Which of the above statement(s) is/are true? 1. Only 1 2. Only 2 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C Gravitational waves were first predicted in 1916 by Albert Einstein on basis of his Theory of General Relativity. They were detected for by US LIGO laboratory in 2015. Since then three more examples have been detected

‘India’s Million Death Study’ is most appropriately associated with which one of the following issues? a) Female foeticide b) Vaccine-preventable deaths c) Tobacco-use deaths d) Death of children aged under five Solution: d.

India has avoided about 1 million (10 lakh) deaths of children under age five since 2005, owing to the significant reductions in mortality from pneumonia, diarrhoea, neonatal infections and birth asphyxia/trauma, measles and tetanus" : The Lancet journal. The ‘India’s Million Death Study’, implemented by the Registrar General of India, is the first study to directly quantify changes in cause-specific child deaths in India, nationally and sub-nationally, from 2000-15 among randomly selected homes.

Which of the following is the cause behind the occurrence of Aurora? 1. The effect is caused by the

interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere.

Aurora • It is a natural electrical phenomenon characterized

by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, especially near the northern or southern magnetic pole.

2. It is caused by two meteors colliding with each other.

3. It is an optical illusion, which happens because of the swift polar winds.

4. It happens due to gravitational waves.

• The effect is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere.

• In northern and southern regions, it is respectively called Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

With reference to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) s used by the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: 1. The EVMs use based on one-

time programmable (OTP) technology.

2. They have been embedded with the AADHAR number database. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans A

The ECI-EVMs use some of the most sophisticated technological features like one-time programmable (OTP) microcontrollers, dynamic coding of key codes, date and time stamping of each and every key press, advanced encryption technology and EVM-tracking software to handle EVM logistics, among others to make the machine 100% tamper proof. Since software is based on OTP, the program cannot be altered, re-written or Re-read. Currently, AADHAAR data based is not linked with the data of the Election Commission of India. Therefore, EVMs cannot recognize a voter by his AADHAAR number. The Election Commission wants to link AADHAAR details of persons to the voter electoral database again and has petitioned the Supreme Court to allow it. The Election Commission had filed an application with the Supreme Court on July 4, 2017, for the same. The matter is still pending before the Supreme Court.

Which of the following statement is incorrect about flexi fares scheme? 1. Under this scheme, first 10% of the

seat is booked at the regular fare and thereafter, the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of the seats booked.

2. Under this scheme, government is providing free of tax ticket, if a person is booking more than 3 seats in non-festive seasons.

3. This scheme has been launched only for premium trains

4. Scheme is not applicable for 1st class AC and executive class

Ans B

Flexi fare scheme • Came into effect on September 2016

• under this scheme, first 10% of the seat is booked at the regular fare. Thereafter, the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of the seats booked.

• it is applicable to all premium trains (Rajdhani, shatabdi and durunto express)

• the scheme is not applicable for 1st class AC and executive class.

Consider the following statements: 1. India has signed the 1951

Convention of the UNHCR (the United Nation’s Refugee Agency).

2. Some Rohingya have been found guilty of killing Hindus and Buddhists in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? 1. 1 Only 2. 2 Only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans B

India has neither signed the 1951 Convention of the UNHCR (the United Nation’s Refugee Agency) nor its 1967 protocol, and so it is not bound to take refugees. Statement 2 is correct. India’s stance on Rohingya: • Government in the Supreme Court is defending its

decision to deport Rohingya refugees.

• Intelligence agencies say Rohingya are a threat because some amongst them are terrorists and/or criminals.

• The Home Ministry says they are illegal immigrants, and many say that we must put security above concern for refugees.

Consider the following statements: 1. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is all set to

enhance the competitiveness of the almost five crore Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that account for 35% of employment and 60% of industrial output.

2. GST treats sales and services as the same. So, there is no additional tax burden for MSMEs that operate on the sales and services model of business. Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

1. Only 1 2. Only 2 3. Neither 1 nor 2 4. Both 1 and 2

Ans B GST is all set to enhance the competitiveness of the almost five crore Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that account for 25% of employment, 40% of industrial output and 45% of exports of the country.

Consider the following statements: 1. SEBI introduced Graded Surveillance Measure to keep a

tab on securities that witness an abnormal price fall that is not commensurate with financial health and fundamentals of the company.

2. The underlying principle behind the graded surveillance framework is to alert and protect investors trading in a security, which is seeing abnormal price movements.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true? 1. Only 1 2. Only 2 3. Neither 1 nor 2 4. Both 1 and 2

Ans B SEBI introduced Graded Surveillance Measure to keep a tab on securities that witness an abnormal price rise that is not commensurate with financial health and fundamentals of the company such as earnings, book value, and price to earnings ratio among others.

A fruit fly known as ‘Drosophila melanogaster’ recently appeared in the news in the context of

1. Farming of hydroponic fruits 2. Zika virus vaccine 3. Biological warfare (BW) 4. Nobel Prize in Physiology

Ans Drosophila melanogaster is a fruit fly recently in the news related to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Rosbash, Hall and Michael W Young were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm (the internal clock that keeps organisms in sync with day/night cycles). They used the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) in their work.

With reference to the project ‘SECURE Himalaya’, recently in news, which of the following statement is/are correct? • The project was jointly launched by the Union Environment Ministry and the United

Nations Development Programme(UNDP). • The components of the project include the protection of snow leopard and other

endangered species and their habitats. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

• 1 only • 2 only • Both 1 and 2 • Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C The project was jointly launched by the Union Environment Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) Protection of snow leopard and other endangered species and their habitat is one of the key components of the project. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------