JAN 2020 MCQs based on Current affairs -...

JAN 2020 CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS

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JAN – 2020 MCQs based

on Current affairs

NammaKPSC and Bangalore IAS Academy Hebbal & Vijayanagar, Bangalore

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1. Which of the following statements are

true?

1. The Preamble is based on the Objective

Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the

Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946.

2. The original Preamble, adopted by the

Constituent Assembly in 1949, declared India

a “Sovereign Democratic Republic”.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2. The National Anthem was first sung at ?

(a) 1919 Amritsar Session of Congress

(b) 1911 Culcutta Session of Congress

(c) 1931 Karachi Session of Congress

(d) 1934 Bombay Session of Congress


true?

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is

a Market Linked Tribal Entrepreneurship

Development Program.

The scheme will be implemented by TRIFED.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS)

is a scheme for model residential school for

Indian tribal (ST, Scheduled Tribes) across

India.

2. EMRSs are set up in States/UTs with grants

under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of

India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

5. Snow EX Programme is associated with

(a) NASA

(b) ISRO

(c) ESA

(d) None of the above


true?

1. Under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana , each

MP was required to identify one gram

panchayat of his or her choice for developing

it as an Adarsh Gram (Model Village) every

year.

2. The basic unit for development is ‘Gram

Panchayat’.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

7. MANI Mobile App is launched by

(a) SEBI

(b) RBI

(c) State Bank of India

(d) SIDBI


true?

The Indian History Congress(IHC) is the largest

association of professional historians in South

Asia.

It was founded in 1947.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2





true?

1. Merchant Discount Rate is a fee charged

from a merchant by a bank for accepting

payments from customers through credit and

debit cards in their establishments.

2. MDR compensates the card issuing bank,

the lender which puts the PoS terminal and

payment gateways such as Mastercard or Visa

for their services.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

10. He was born in Uttar Pradesh. He formed

the Praja Socialist Party in 1952. He is

popularly known as Lok Nayak. Identify the

person.

(a) JP Narayan

(b) Minoo Masani

(c) Ram Manohar Lohia



true?

1. e-BCAS Project is a training module project

launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

2. It facilitates external stakeholders to access

Biometric enabled Centralised Access Control

System (CACS) for training in digital platforms.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

12. The Treaty of Sugauli is associated with

border dispute with

(a) Nepal

(b) Bhutan

(c) Pakistan

(d) Afghanistan


true?

Standing Committee on Economic Statistics is

chaired by Prime Minister.

Aim of the committee is to improve quality of

data amid criticism of the government over

political interference.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an

organisation under the Ministry of

Environment & Forests.

2. According to the State of Forest Report, the

definition of forest cover includes all lands

more than 1 hectare in area with a tree

canopy of more than 10 per cent, irrespective

of land use, ownership, and legal status

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

15. M-STriPES is associated with

(a) Tiger Conservation

(b) Elephant Conservation

(c) Gangetic Dolphin Conservation

(d) Hippo Conservation


true?

1. Through Calcutta Corporation act 1899

Lord Curzon reduced the number of elected

legislatures to deprive Indians from self-

governance

2. He instituted a Police Commission in 1902

under the chairmanship of Sir Andrew Frazer.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2




17. FAME 2 scheme is associated with

(a) Electric mobility

(b) NBFCs

(c) e-Mandis

(d) Infrastructure Pipeline


true?

The ability to see without eyes is known as

extraocular vision.

Red brittle star, which are relatives of starfish,

can see even though it does not have eyes.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. The Khadi and Village Industries

Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body

2. It is an apex organization under the

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village

industries within India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

20. Cyber Safe Women’ initiative is initiated

by

(a) Maharashtra

(b) Kerala

(c) Goa

(d) Tamil Nadu


true?

1. The mugger crocodile, also called the

Indian crocodile is found throughout the

Indian subcontinent.

2. It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

22. Project NETRA is associated with

(a) Eye Donation

(b) Space Debris

(c) 5 G Technology

(d) Tb eradication


true?

Smog towers are structures designed to work

as large-scale air purifiers.

The tower will focus on reducing particulate

matter load.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is an

irregular oscillation of sea-surface

temperatures in which the western Indian

Ocean becomes alternately warmer (positive

phase) and then colder (negative phase) than

the eastern part of the ocean.

2. A negative phase of IOD sees greater-than-

average sea-surface temperatures and

greater precipitation in the western Indian

Ocean region.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2




25. Miyawaki method is associated with

(a) Traditional Medicine

(b) Forestry

(c) Aqua Culture

(d) Water purification


true?

1. Lysosomal storage diseases are a group of

about 50 rare inherited metabolic disorders

that result from defects in lysosomal function.

2. Lysosomes are sacs of enzymes within cells

that digest large molecules and pass the

fragments on to other parts of the cell for

recycling.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

27. Washington Consensus is associated with

(a) Economy

(b) Ecology

(c) Migration

(d) Bio Technology


true?

1. Yangtze is the Asia’s longest river.

2. Chinese paddlefish is native to the Yangtze

river.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. Saltwater Crocodile is the largest of all

living reptiles.

2. It listed as critically endangered by IUCN.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

30. Which of the following structure is known

as Taj of Deccan?

(a) Gol Gumbaz

(b) Ibrahim Roza

(c) Bibi Ka Maqbara

(d) Gagan Mahal


true?

1. Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that

convert chemical energy from the reactants

directly into electricity and heat.

2. The device consists of an electrolyte layer

in contact with a porous anode and cathode

on either side.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

32. Mechi River originates at

(a) Nepal

(b) Bhutan

(c) China

(d) Myanmar


true?

India Meteorological Department was

established in 1875.

It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth

Sciences of the Government of India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2





true?

1. BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry

of Power, Government of India.

2. It assists in developing policies and

strategies with the primary objective of

reducing the energy intensity of the Indian

economy.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

35. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located at?

(a) Goa

(b) Karnataka

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Gujarat


true?

1. Goldilocks zone is the area around a star

where it is not too hot and not too cold for

liquid water to exist on the surface of

surrounding planets.

2. Earth is in the Sun’s Goldilocks zone.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

37. Patola Saree belongs to

(a) Gujarat

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Tamil Nadu

(d) Karnataka


true?

1. Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan

Yojana is a voluntary and contribution based

central sector scheme.

2. The scheme is based on self-declaration as

no documents are required except bank

account and Aadhaar Card.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. The Agricultural and Processed Food

Products Export Development Authority

(APEDA) was established by the Government

of India under the Agricultural and Processed

Food Products Export Development Authority

Act 1985.

2. APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce

and Industries, promotes export of

agricultural and processed food products

from India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

40. Operation Sankalp is associated with?

(a) Biotechnology

(b) Intellectual Property rights

(c) Maritime Security

(d) Cyber Crimes

41. Which of the following statements are true?

1. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

(www.cybercrime.gov.in) is a citizen-centric

initiative that will enable citizens to report cyber

crimes online through the portal.

2. All the cyber crime related complaints will be

accessed by the concerned law enforcement

agencies in the States and Union Territories for

taking action as per law.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2




42. Green Credit Scheme is associated with

(a) Energy Efficiency Monitoring

(b) Compensatory Afforestation

(c) Carbon Trading system

(d) Agricultural Loans


true?

Curative petition procedures are mentioned

in the constitution.

30 days is time limit for filing Curative

petition.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. Manilal Doctor was a member of the Indian

Home Rule Society in London.

2. He founded ‘The Hindustani’ newspaper in

Mauritius, which had the motto “Liberty of

Individuals! Fraternity of Men!!! Equality of

Race!!!”

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

45. These animals were first brought to the

Australian continent in the late 19th century

from India when Australia’s massive interior

region was first being discovered. The animals

also have a massive carbon footprint, each

animal emitting methane equivalent to one

tonne of carbon ¬dioxide a year. Identify the

animal.

(a) Camel

(b) Koala

(c) Dingo

(d) Rhinoceros


true?

1. MILAN 2020 is the Naval Exercise between

Indian and South Africa.

2. Dharma Guardian 2019 is the military

exercise between Indian and Bhutanese

Army.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

47. Dampa tiger reserve is located at?

(a) Gujarat

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Mizoram

(d) Karnataka





true?

Section 144 CrPC, a law retained from the

colonial era, empowers a district magistrate, a

sub-divisional magistrate or any other

executive magistrate specially empowered by

the state government in this behalf to issue

orders to prevent and address urgent cases of

apprehended danger or nuisance.

The magistrate has to pass a written order

which may be directed against a particular

individual, or to persons residing in a

particular place or area, or to the public

generally when frequenting or visiting a

particular place or area.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. State Energy Efficiency Index is published

by The Ministry of Power and New &

Renewable Energy.

2. It is developed by Bureau of Energy

Efficiency (BEE) in association with Alliance

for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

50. ‘Jiwamrita’, ‘Bijamrita’, ‘Mulching’ and

‘Waaphasa’, terminologies are associated

with?

(a) Integrated organic farming

(b) Zero budget natural farming

(c) Sedentary Cropping

(d) Dry Farming


true?

1. Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air

pollution control devices that can be used to

remove some particulates and/or gases from

industrial exhaust streams.

2. The International Maritime Organization’s

(IMO) adopted the International Convention

for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(MARPOL) Annex VI in 2008 that regulates the

prevention of air pollution from ships and

prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone-

depleting substances such as Sulphur oxides

and nitrous oxides.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

52. Access to the Internet is a fundamental

right under

(a) Article 14

(b) Article 19

(c) Article 20

(d) Article 32


true?

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural

Heritage is a government organisation

registered under the Societies Registration

Act, 1860.

The United Nations awarded INTACH a special

consultative status with United Nations

Economic and Social Council.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2





true?

1. Much of the focus of conservation efforts

in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four'

species, rhino, elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque

and Asiatic water buffalo.

2. Kaziranga is home to nine of the 14 species

of primates found in the Indian subcontinent.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

55. Levels and Trends in Child Mortality’

report is published by

(a) WHO

(b) United Nations

(c) Amnesty International

(d) UNICEF


true?

1. Blockchains are a new data structure that is

secure, cryptography-based, and distributed

across a network.

2. The technology supports cryptocurrencies

such as Bitcoin, and the transfer of any data

or digital asset.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

57. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an

(a) ASEAN initiative

(b) World Bank collaboration

(c) OECD Initiative

(d) UNCTAD funded initiative


true?

Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) is a

critical part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration

and Licensing Policy.

Under the OALP, once an explorer selects

areas after evaluating the National Data

Repository (NDR) and submits the EoI, it is to

be put up for competitive bidding and the

entity offering the maximum share of oil and

gas to the government is awarded the block.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. The Ku and C bands are part of a spectrum

of frequencies.

2. They are used in satellite communications.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

60. Article 131 is associated with?

(a) Supreme Court Jurisdictions

(b) Writ Jurisdiction of high courts

(c) Tribunals and Acts

(d) Local body Election





true?

1. Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan was

undertaken by Ministry of Jal Shakti

2. It is a cleanliness-cum-awareness drive in

50 identified Cities.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

62. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a

standard criterion for

(a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood

(b) Computing oxygen levels in forest

ecosystems

(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude

regions


true?

Conference of Central and State Statistical

Organizations (COCSSO)is a Conference

organized by MoSPI, Government of India

biannually.

COCSSO is a major national forum for

coordination between the Central and State

Statistical Agencies with the objectives of

putting in coordinated efforts for making

available reliable and timely statistics to

planners and policy makers.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. National Education Day celebrated every

year in India on November 11 to

commemorate the birth anniversary of

MaulanaAbul Kalam Azad.

2. MaulanaAbul Kalam Azad was an Indian

scholar and independence activist who served

as the first Minister of Education of

independent India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

65. Pulicat Lake is located at ?

(a) Kerala Only

(b) Kerala and Tamil Nadu

(c) Tamil Nadu only



true?

1. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’

Rights (PPV&FR) Act is an unique Indian

legislation to protect Farmers’ Rights and

breeder’s rights.

2. PPV&FR Act is fully compliant to the

International Seed Treaty.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

67. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is

organized by

(a) United Nations Environmental Programme

(b) G20 group of countries

(c) European Union

(d) UNDP

68. Which of the following statements are true?

In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States

only.

Western Ghats are spread over five States only.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2





true?

1. A credit rating agency is a company that

assigns credit ratings, which rate a debtor's

ability to pay back debt by making timely

principal and interest payments and the

likelihood of default.

2. An agency may rate the creditworthiness of

issuers of debt obligations, of debt

instruments, and in some cases, of the

servicers of the underlying debt, but not of

individual consumers.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

70. In the context of Indian history, the

principle of “Dyarchy (diarchy)” refers to

(a) Division of the central legislature into two

houses

(b) Introduction of double government i.e.,

Central and State governments

(c) Having two sets of rulers; one in London

and another in Delhi

(d) Division of the subjects delegated to the

provinces into two categories.

71. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change

Alliance’, which of the following statements

is/are correct? (UPSC 2017)

1. It is an initiative of the European Union.

2. It provides technical and financial support

to targeted developing countries to integrate

climate change into their development

policies and budgets.

3. It provides technical and financial support

to targeted developing countries to integrate

climate change into their development

policies and budgets.

Select the correct answer using the code

given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

72. Which one of the following was a very

important seaport in the Kakatiya

kingdom?(UPSC 2017)

(a) Kakinada

(b) Motupalli

(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)

(d) Nelluru

73. With reference to the religious history of

India, consider the following statements

(UPSC 2017)

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects

of Jainism.

2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of

phenomena were not wholly momentary, but

existed forever in a latent form.

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

74. Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of

the following countries? (UPSC 2017)

1. Jordan

2. Iraq

3. Lebanon

4. Syria


given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only




75. With reference to ‘National Investment

and Infrastructure Fund’, which of the

following statements is/are correct? (UPSC

2017)

1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.

2. It has a corpus of Rs. 4, 00,000 crore at

present.


given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. South Asia Co-operative Environment

Programme (SACEP) is an inter-governmental

organization, established in 1982 by the

governments of South Asia.

2. India is an observer state and not a

member.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

77. Which of the following is not a short lived

climate pollutant

(a) Black Carbon

(b) Methane

(c) Tropospheric ozone



true?

The G20 is an international forum that brings

together the world's 20 leading industrialised

and emerging economies.

The group accounts for 85% of world GDP and

two-thirds of its population.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State

Assembly, the winning candidate must get at

least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be

declared elected.

2. According to the provisions laid down in

the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the

Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and

the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

80. Brown Blotched Bengal Tree Frog is found

at

(a) West Bengal

(b) Andaman

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Telengana


true?

1. Hyperloop transportation system is a

transportation system where a pod-like

vehicle is propelled through a near-vacuum

tube connecting cities at speeds matching

that of an aircraft.

2. In hyperloop transportation, custom-

designed capsules or pods are expected to zip

smoothly through continuous steel tubes

which are held at partial vacuum.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2




82. Which one of the following pairs of islands

is separated from each other by the ‘Ten

Degree Channel’?

(a) Andaman and Nicobar

(b) Nicobar and Sumatra

(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep

(d) Sumatra and Java


true?

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of

India (DFCCIL) is a corporation run by the

Ministry of Railways (India)

DFCC has been registered as a company

under the Companies Act 1956.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


true?

1. Irrawaddy dolphins are classified as

‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of

Threatened Species.

2. It is found only in the Irrawaddy River.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

85. If a wetland of international importance is

brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what

does it imply?

(a) Changes in ecological character have

occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur

in the wetland as a result of human

interference.

(b) The country in which the wetland is

located should enact a law to prohibit any

human activity within five kilo metres from

the edge of the wetland

(c) The survival of the wetland depends on

the cultural practices and traditions of certain

communities living in its vicinity and therefore

the cultural diversity therein should not be

destroyed

(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage

Site’


true?

1. National Career Service is an initiative of

the Department of Personnel and Training,

Government of India.

2. National Career Service has been launched

in a Mission Mode to improve the

employment opportunities to uneducated

youth of the country.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

87. If you want to see gharials in their natural

habitat, which one of the following is the best

place to visit?

(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves

(b) Chambal River

(c) Pulicat Lake

(d) Deepor Beel

88. Which of the following practices can help

in water conservation in agriculture?

Reduced or zero tillage of the land

Applying gypsum before irrigating the field

Allowing crop residue to remain in the field

(a) 1 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1,2 and 3




89. Caspian sea borders with

(a) Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Russia, Georgia,

Uzbekistan

(b) Russia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran

and Azerbaijan

(c) Kyrgyzstan, Iran and Azerbaijan and

Georgia

(d) Russia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran

and Uzbekistan

90. What is the application of Somatic Cell CJ

Nuclear Transfer Technology?

(a) Production of biolarvicides

(b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics

(c) Reproductive cloning of animals

(d) Production of organisms free of diseases


true?

1. The PMRPY Scheme aims to incentivise

employers for employment generation by the

Government paying the full employers' EPS

contribution of 12% , for the new employees,

for the first three years of their employment.

2. The scheme is being implemented by the

Ministry of Finance.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

92. Green Climate Fund is associated with

(a) UNFCCC

(b) Ramsar Convention

(c) WEF

(d) CITES

93. Cleaner Air Better Life Initiative is

launched by

(a) Niti Ayog

(b) MoEFCC

(c) Pollution Control Board

(d) NGT

94. Which of the following statement/s is/are

true.

Biodigester Bio-toilets are an innovative

technology, developed by the DRDE, under

DRDO.

DRDO’s bio-toilet is based on anaerobic

biodegradation of organic waste by unique

microbial consortium and works at a wide

temperature range.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

95. Shram Suvidha Portal is launched by

(a) Ministry of Finance

(b) Ministry of Women and Child

Development

(c) Ministry of Labour & Employment

(d) Ministry of MSME


true?

1. Trade Receivables Discounting System or

TReDS is an initiative undertaken by Ministry

of MSME.

2. It aims to safeguard the interest of micro,

small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

97. Kala-azar is caused by

(a) Leishmania donovani

(b) Giardia duodenalis

(c) Taenia solium

(d) Diphyllobothrium latum

98. Bhoomi Rashi portal is launched by

(a) Niti Ayog

(b) MoEFCC

(c) MORTH

(d) NGT




99. Which of the following statement/s is/are

true.

Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan is a

holistic scheme of development for higher

education in India initiated in 2013 by the

Ministry of Human Resource Development

The centrally sponsored scheme aims at

providing strategic funding to higher

educational institutions throughout the

country.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

100. PARIVESH Portal is launched by

(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change

(b) Ministry of Women and Child

Development

(c) Ministry of Labour & Employment

(d) Ministry of MSME


true?

1. Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and

Development of Agro-Processing Clusters

(SAMPADA) under the Ministry of Food

Processing Industries (MOFPI) is a central

sector scheme.

2. It is a comprehensive package aiming to

create modern infrastructure with efficient

supply chain management from farm gate to

retail outlet.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

102. National Assessment and Accreditation

Council is founded by

(a) UGC

(b) NITI Ayog

(c) DoPT



true?

1. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is a

government-run health insurance programme

for the Indian poor.

2. The scheme aims to provide health

insurance coverage to the unrecognised

sector workers belonging to the BPL category

and their family members.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

104. Which of the following statement/s

is/are true.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons

with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social

Justice & Empowerment has conceptualised

the “Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya

Bharat Abhiyan)” as a nation-wide flagship

campaign for achieving universal accessibility

that will enable persons with disabilities to

gain access for equal opportunity and live

independently and participate fully in all

aspects of life in an inclusive society.

The campaign targets at enhancing the

accessibility of built environment, transport

system and Information & communication

eco-System.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

105. The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness

Index is launched by

(a) WEF

(b) WB

(c) IMF

(d) UNDP





true?

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 aims at

enhancing the livelihood security of people in

rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of

wage employment in a financial year to a

rural household whose adult members (at

least 18 years of age) volunteer to do

unskilled work.

2. Ministry of Rural Development (MRD),

Government of India in association with state

governments, monitors the implementation

of the scheme.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

112. Global Talent Competitive Index is

launched by

(a) INSEAD

(b) Amity International

(c) WEF



true?

1. Vakataka Dynasty originated in the central

Deccan in the mid-3rd century CE and its

empire is believed to have extended from

Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the

Tungabhadra in the south and from the

Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal

in the east.

2. The Vakataka rulers followed the Shaiva

sect of Hinduism.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


is/are true.

India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is

aimed at building a world-class underground

laboratory with a rock cover to conduct basic

research on the neutrino.

The INO will study atmospheric neutrinos

only. Solar neutrinos have much lower energy

than the detector can detect.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

115. Oslo Peace Accords is related to

(a) Iran – US nuclear deal

(b) Israel – Palestine issue

(c) China - Taiwan deal

(d) India – Afghanistan deal


true?

1. Pro-Active Governance And Timely

Implementation ( PRAGATI) was launched in

2015.

2. It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal

platform that is aimed at addressing common

person’s grievances.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

117. GATI Portal is launched by

(a) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

(b) Ministry of External Affairs

(c) Ministry of MSMEs

(d) Ministry of Tourism





true?

1. Locusts are a collection of certain species of

short-horned grasshoppers that have a

swarming phase.

2. Adult locust swarms can fly up to 150 km a

day with the wind and adult insects can

consume roughly their own weight in fresh

food per day.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


is/are true.

G-77, established in 1964 by 77 developing

countries in Geneva.

India is not a member of the G77.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

120. Similipal National Park is located at

(a) Odisha

(b) West Bengal

(c) Tamil Nadu

(d) Karnataka


true?

1. Dhanush Gun System is the first long-range

artillery gun to be produced in India.

2. It is equipped with inertial navigation-

based sighting system, auto-laying facility,

onboard ballistic computation and an

advanced day and night direct firing system.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

122. Queen Prabhavatigupta belongs to

(a) Mourya Dynasty

(b) Gupta Dynasty

(c) Vakataka Dynasty

(d) Kushana Dynasty


true?

1. The Bru or Reang are a community

indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in

Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam.

2. In Tripura, they are recognised as a

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


is/are true.

The Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland

salt lake.

It is located at Rajasthan.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

125. Sahana disease is caused by

(a) Bacteria

(b) Virus

(c) Fungi

(d) Protozoa


true?

1. GNP (Gross Domestic Product) is a measure

of national income produced in a particular

country.

2. GDP (Gross National Product) takes into

account net income receipts from abroad.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2




127. The World Happiness Report is published

by

(a) United Nations Development Programme

(b) United Nations Sustainable Development

Solutions Network

(c) United Nations Trusteeship Council



true?

1. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and

Systems (CCTNS) aims at creating a

comprehensive and integrated system for

enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of

policing at the Police Station level.

2. CCTNS is a Mission Mode Project (MMP)

under the National e-Governance Plan of

Govt. of India.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


is/are true.

Nagoba Jatara is a tribal festival held in

Telangana.

The Gusadi Dance performance by dancers

from the Baduga tribe is a major special

attraction of the event.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

130. The Vishnuprayag and Srinagar hydro-

electric projects are built on

(a) Kabini

(b) Alakananda

(c) Bhagirathi

(d) Kosi


FEBRUARY 2020 CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS

©www.mentors4ias.com in Association with Bangalore IAS Academy 19

ANSWERS 1.Ans: c

Justification:

The Preamble is based on the Objective Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the

Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946.

The Resolution was adopted on January 22, 1947.

The original Preamble, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, declared India a

“Sovereign Democratic Republic”.

By the 42nd Amendment of 1976, enacted during the Emergency, the words “Socialist” and

“Secular” were inserted; the Preamble now reads “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic

Republic”.

2.Ans: b

Justification:

In December 27, 1911, the National Anthem was first sung at the Calcutta session of the

Congress.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ is the first stanza of the Bengali hymn ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata’, written

by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

3.Ans: c

Justification:

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is a Market Linked Tribal Entrepreneurship

Development Program.

It will form clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies.

It has been launched with participation from all the 27 States from the Country.

The scheme will be implemented by TRIFED.

4.Ans: c

Justification:

Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a scheme for model residential school for

Indian tribal (ST, Scheduled Tribes) across India.

It is one of the flagship intervention of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India

and was introduced in the year 1997-98, to ensure tribal students get access to quality

education in the remote tribal areas.

EMRSs are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.

http://www.mentors4ias.com/



As per the budget 2018-

19, every block with

more than 50% ST

population and at least

20,000 tribal persons,

will have an Eklavya

Model Residential School

by the year 2022.

5.Answer: a

Justification:

For a better

understanding of how

much water is contained

in each winter’s snowfall

and how much will be

available when it melts

in the spring, NASA has

launched a seasonal

campaign as part of a

five-year programme

called SnowEx, initiated

in 2016-17.

While the geographical

focus of SnowEx is North

America, NASA’s overall

target is optimal

strategies for mapping

global snow water equivalent (SWE) with remote sensing and models leading to a Decadal

Survey “Earth System Explorer” mission.

6.Ans: c

Justification:

Under the SAGY, each MP was required to identify one gram panchayat of his or her choice

for developing it as an Adarsh Gram (Model Village) every year.

Under the Yojana, MPs are responsible for developing the socio-economic and physical

infrastructure of three villages each by 2019, and a total of eight villages each by 2024. The

first Adarsh Gram (Model Village) was to be developed by 2016, and two more by 2019.

The basic unit for development is ‘Gram Panchayat’.




7.Ans: b

Justification:

The Reserve Bank of India has launched 'MANI' mobile app to help the visually challenged

identify the denomination of currency notes.

8.Ans: a

Justification:

Founded in 1935, the Indian History Congress(IHC) is the largest association of professional

historians in South Asia.

It has about 35000 members of which over 2000 delegates participate in its session every

year.

It has been holding its sessions very regularly from its inception and publishing its

proceedings every year since 1935.

Its main objective is to promote secular and scientific writing of history.

9.Ans: c

Justification:

It is a fee charged from a merchant by a bank for accepting payments from customers

through credit and debit cards in their establishments.

MDR compensates the card issuing bank, the lender which puts the PoS terminal and

payment gateways such as Mastercard or Visa for their services.

MDR charges are usually shared in pre-agreed proportion between the bank and a merchant

and is expressed in percentage of transaction amount.

10.Answer: a

Justification:

Jai Prakash Narayan was born on 11th October,1902 in Uttar Pradesh. He was an Indian

political leader and theorist. He is popularly known as Lok Nayak.

Narayan was educated at universities in the United States, where he became a Marxist.

Upon his return to India in 1929, he joined the Indian National Congress (Congress Party).

In 1932 he was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment for his participation in the Civil

Disobedience Movement against British rule in India. Upon release he took a leading part in

the formation of the Congress Socialist Party, a left-wing group within the Congress Party,

He formed the Praja Socialist Party in 1952.

11.Ans: c

Justification:




It is a training module project launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

It facilitates external stakeholders to access Biometric enabled Centralised Access Control

System (CACS) for training in digital platforms.

All 29 Aviation Security Training Institutes have been registered as User Entities for this

project.

It envisaged to achieve a “paperless office” under e-Governance initiative.

12.Ans: a

Justification:

The Treaty of Sugauli signed by the Kingdom of Nepal and British India (after Anglo-

Nepalese War) in 1816 located the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary with India. The

discrepancy in locating the source of the river led to boundary disputes between India and

Nepal, with each country producing maps supporting their own claims.

13.Ans: b

Justification:

The statistics ministry has constituted a 28 member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCES)

chaired by former Chief Statistician Pronab Sen.

It is to improve quality of data amid criticism of the government over political interference.

The first meeting of the SCES is scheduled on January 6, 2020.

The committee is set up in the backdrop of controversy over revision of GDP numbers and

withholding employment data by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).

Earlier, Ministry of Statistics had decided not to release the Consumer Expenditure Survey

results of 2017-18 citing data quality issues.

14.Ans: c

Justification:

Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an organisation under the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

Its principal mandate is to conduct survey and assessment of forest resources in the

country.

The Forest Survey of India organize the training programmes to state sponsored forest

personnel.

FSI releases State of Forest Report biennially based on satellite imageries.

According to the State of Forest Report, the definition of forest cover includes all lands more

than 1 hectare in area with a tree canopy of more than 10 per cent, irrespective of land use,

ownership, and legal status

15.Answer: a

Justification:




The M-STriPES (Monitoring System for Tigers-Intenstive Protection & Ecological Status)

patrolling app is deployed and used in every Tiger Reserve. This system improved the

efficiency of Tiger conservation.

16.Ans: c

Justification:

To set the educational system in order, he instituted in 1902, a Universities Commission to

go into the entire question of university education in the country. On the basis of the

findings and recommendations of the Commission, Curzon brought in the Indian Universities

Act of 1904, which brought all the universities in India under the control of the government.

The Agriculture Research Institute in Pusa (Bihar – Bengal Presidency) was established.

He made efforts for police reforms, eliminating the corruption and to promote the

economic development. He provided a revival to conservatism in India by refurbishing the

main features of Lord Mayo’s policies.

He instituted a Police Commission in 1902 under the chairmanship of Sir Andrew Frazer.

Curzon accepted all the recommendations and implemented them. He set up training

schools for both the officers and the constables and introduced provincial police service.

During Curzon regime, the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) was established which

covered roughly the areas of upper course of River Indus.

Imperial cadet corps was set up which became an instrument for Indianisation of army

later.

17.Ans: a

Justification:

FAME 2 scheme aims to boost electric mobility and increase the number of electric vehicles

in commercial fleets.

Target: The outlay of ₹10,000 crore has been made for three years till 2022 for FAME 2

scheme.

The government will offer the incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and four-

wheelers to be used for commercial purposes.

18.Ans: c

Justification:

The ability to see without eyes is known as extraocular vision. Previous researchers have

defined it as the ability to resolve scenes without discrete eyes.

Researchers have shown that red brittle star, which are relatives of starfish, can see even

though it does not have eyes. The red brittle star (Ophiocoma wendtii), which lives in the

coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea, becomes only the second creature, after a sea urchin

species, known to have this ability (barring freak cases in other species).




19.Ans: c

Justification:

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed by the

Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, 'Khadi and Village Industries Commission

Act of 1956'.

It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with

regard to khadi and village industries within India.

It seeks to - "plan, promote, facilitate, organize and assist in the establishment and

development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other

agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary

20.Answer: a

Justification:

The Maharashtra government has launched a ‘cyber safe women’ campaign across the

state, on the birth anniversary of Indian social reformer, Savitribai Phule.

The cyber safe women initiative aims to spread awareness regarding the atrocities

committed against women and children as well as the laws regarding cybercrime.

It will educate women about how the web is used by anti-social elements to commit various

types of crimes.

21.Ans: c

Justification:

The mugger crocodile, also called the Indian crocodile, or marsh crocodile, is found

throughout the Indian subcontinent.

It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.

The mugger is mainly a freshwater species, and found in lakes, rivers and marshes.

22.Ans: b

Justification:

Indian Space Research Organisation has inked a pact with Indian Institute of Astrophysics

(IIA) to pave the way for collaboration in establishing optical telescope facilities under

Project ‘NETRA’ for tracking space objects.

23.Ans: c

Justification:

Smog towers are structures designed to work as large-scale air purifiers. They are usually

fitted with multiple layers of air filters, which clean the air of pollutants as it passes through

them. After the cleaning, the tower releases clean air.




The filters installed in the tower will use carbon nanofibres as a major component and will

be fitted along its peripheries. The tower will focus on reducing particulate matter load.

24.Ans: a

Justification:

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), also known as the Indian Niño, is an irregular oscillation of

sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer

(positive phase) and then colder (negative phase) than the eastern part of the ocean.

The IOD involves an aperiodic oscillation of sea-surface temperatures (SST), between

"positive", "neutral" and "negative" phases.

A positive phase sees greater-than-average sea-surface temperatures and greater

precipitation in the western Indian Ocean region,[dubious – discuss] with a corresponding

cooling of waters in the eastern Indian Ocean—which tends to cause droughts in adjacent

land areas of Indonesia and Australia. The negative phase of the IOD brings about the

opposite conditions, with warmer water and greater precipitation in the eastern Indian

Ocean, and cooler and drier conditions in the west.

25.Answer: b

Justification:

The Miyawaki method of afforestation is to come up on the government office premises,

residential complexes, school premises, and puramboke land in Kerala.

The Miyawaki method, developed by a Japanese botanist after whom it is named, involves

planting saplings in small areas, causing them to “fight” for resources and grow nearly 10

times quicker.

It originated in Japan, and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world, including

our Chennai. It has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards

into mini-forests.

26.Ans: c

Justification:

Lysosomal storage diseases are a group of about 50 rare inherited metabolic disorders that

result from defects in lysosomal function.

Lysosomes are sacs of enzymes within cells that digest large molecules and pass the

fragments on to other parts of the cell for recycling.

This process requires several critical enzymes. If one of these enzymes is defective, because

of a mutation, the large molecules accumulate within the cell, eventually killing it.

27.Ans: a

Justification:




Washington Consensus: The Washington Consensus is a set of 10 economic policy

prescriptions by Washington, D.C.-based institutions such as the International Monetary

Fund (IMF), World Bank and United States Department of the Treasury.

It constitutes the "standard" reform package promoted for crisis-stricken developing

countries.

The prescriptions encompassed policies in such areas as macroeconomic stabilization,

economic opening with respect to both trade and investment, and expansion of market

forces within the domestic economy.

28.Ans: c

Justification:

Chinese paddlefish found in the Yangtze declared extinct

It is native to the Yangtze, Asia’s longest river.

It is one of the world’s largest species of freshwater species.

It has been declared extinct by Chinese scientists. The last confirmed sighting of the fish was

in 2003.

29.Ans: a

Justification:

Saltwater Crocodile:

It is the largest of all living reptiles. It listed as least concern by IUCN. It is found throughout

the east coast of India.

30.Answer: c

Justification:

It is a tomb located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

It was commissioned in 1660 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the memory of his first

and chief wife Dilras Banu Begum.

The structure, known as the ‘Taj of the Deccan’ because of its striking resemblance to the

Taj Mahal.

31.Ans: c

Justification:

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from the reactants

directly into electricity and heat.

The device consists of an electrolyte layer in contact with a porous anode and cathode on

either side.

In a standard fuel cell, gaseous fuels are fed continuously to the anode (negative electrode),

while an oxidant (oxygen from the air) is fed continuously to the cathode (positive




electrode). Electrochemical reactions take place at the electrodes to produce an electric

current.

32.Ans: a

Justification:

The Mechi originates in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal. It flows through Nepal, forms the

boundary between India and Nepal and then flows through the Indian state of Bihar to join

the Mahananda in Kishanganj district.

33.Ans: c

Justification:

IMD was established in 1875.

It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.

It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting

and seismology

34.Ans: c

Justification:

BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the

energy intensity of the Indian economy.

BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations

to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions

assigned to it under the energy conservation act.

35.Answer: a

Justification:

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in North Goa District, Sanguem taluka near the town of

Valpoi. Owing to the presence of Bengal Tigers, it can be declared as a tiger reserve under

Project Tiger.

It has been declared an International Bird Area because of the presence of the Nilgiri wood-

pigeon, Malabar parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, Grey-headed Bulbul, Rufous babbler,

White-bellied blue-flycatcher and Crimson-backed sunbird.

36.Ans: c

Justification:

A habitable zone, also called the “Goldilocks zone”, is the area around a star where it is not

too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on the surface of surrounding planets.




Obviously, our Earth is in the Sun’s Goldilocks zone.

If Earth were where the dwarf planet Pluto is, all its water would freeze; on the other hand,

if Earth were where Mercury is, all its water would boil off.

37.Ans: a

Justification:

Patola, the trademark Saree of Gujarat, is considered to be very costly and worn only by the

Royals or the Aristocrat.

Reason being the raw material silk yarn is purchased from Karnataka or West Bengal, where

silk processing units are situated, thus increasing the cost of the fabric manifolds.

It can take six months to one year to make one sari due to the long process of dying each

strand separately before weaving them together.

Patola was woven in Surat, Ahmedabad and Patan.

38.Ans: c

Justification:

Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana is a voluntary and contribution based

central sector scheme.

The government launched the scheme, entailing monthly minimum assured pension of

₹3,000 for the entry age group of 18-40 years after attaining the age of 60 years, with effect

from July 22, 2019.

Under the scheme, the government makes matching contribution in the subscribers’

account.

The scheme is based on self-declaration as no documents are required except bank account

and Aadhaar Card.

39.Ans: c

Justification:

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was

established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products

Export Development Authority Act 1985.

The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).

APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, promotes export of agricultural and

processed food products from India.

40.Answer: c

Justification:

In the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region, post attacks on

merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman in Jun 19, Indian Navy had commenced Maritime




Security Operations, code named Op SANKALP, in the Gulf Region to ensure safe passage of

Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

41.Ans: c

Justification:

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) is a citizen-centric initiative

that will enable citizens to report cyber crimes online through the portal.

All the cyber crime related complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement

agencies in the States and Union Territories for taking action as per law.

This portal was launched on pilot basis on 30th August, 2019 and it enables filing of all cyber

crimes with specific focus on crimes against women, children, particularly child

pornography, child sex abuse material, online content pertaining to rapes/gang rapes, etc.

This portal also focuses on specific crimes like financial crime and social media related

crimes like stalking, cyber bullying, etc.

42.Ans: b

Justification:

The proposed ‘Green Credit Scheme’, as it is called, allows agencies — they could be private

companies, village forest communities — to identify land and begin growing plantations.

After three years, they would be eligible to be considered as compensatory forest land if

they met the Forest Department’s criteria.

An industry needing forest land could then approach the agency and pay it for parcels of

such forested land, and this would then be transferred to the Forest Department and be

recorded as forest land.

43.Ans: d

Justification:

The concept of Curative petition was evolved by the Supreme Court of India in the matter of

Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra and Anr. (2002) Judgement.

The question was whether an aggrieved person is entitled to any relief against the final

judgement/order of the Supreme Court, after dismissal of a review petition.

No time limit is given for filing Curative petition. It is guaranteed under Article 137 of

Constitution of India i.e. powers of the Supreme Court to review of its own judgements and

orders.

44.Ans: c

Justification:




Born in 1881 in Vadodara, Doctor studied law in Bombay before travelling to Britain in 1905

for further studies.

He became a member of the Indian Home Rule Society in London, and wrote in the monthly

‘Indian Sociologist’.

In 1906, Doctor met Gandhi, who at the time was in London to meet imperial authorities on

behalf of South Africa’s Indian origin people.

During the meeting, Gandhi asked Doctor to move to Mauritius to assist the Indian

community there in their struggle for equal rights. Doctor arrived in Mauritius the following

year.

He founded ‘The Hindustani’ newspaper in Mauritius, which had the motto “Liberty of

Individuals! Fraternity of Men!!! Equality of Race!!!”

Doctor also helped establish the Arya Samaj in Mauritius. He returned to India in 1911.

45.Answer: a

Justification:

Camels in Australia, which number over 10 lakh today, were first brought to the continent in

the late 19th century from India when Australia’s massive interior region was first being

discovered.

Over 20,000 were imported from India between the 1840s and the 1900s.

The animals also have a massive carbon footprint, each camel emitting methane equivalent

to one tonne of carbon ¬dioxide a year.

46.Ans: d

Justification:

The second edition of bilateral annual military exercise Dharma Guardian - 2019 between

Indian and Japanese Army commenced at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School

(CIJWS) Vairengte, Mizoram.

MILAN stands for Multilateral Naval Exercise.

It is a multilateral naval exercise aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly

foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime

domain.

Of the 41 navies invited, confirmations from over 30 navies have been received towards

their participation in MILAN 2020.

47.Ans: c

Justification:

Dampa Tiger Reserve or Dampha Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve of western Mizoram, India

48.Ans: c




Justification:

Section 144 CrPC, a law retained from the colonial era, empowers a district magistrate, a

sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive magistrate specially empowered by the

state government in this behalf to issue orders to prevent and address urgent cases of

apprehended danger or nuisance.

The magistrate has to pass a written order which may be directed against a particular

individual, or to persons residing in a particular place or area, or to the public generally

when frequenting or visiting a particular place or area.

In emergency cases, the magistrate can pass these orders without prior notice to the

individual against whom the order is directed.

49.Ans: c

Justification:

The Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy has released the ‘State Energy

Efficiency Index 2019’.

The first such Index, the “State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index 2018”, was launched

on August 1, 2018.

The index tracks the progress of Energy Efficiency (EE) initiatives in 36 states and union

territories based on 97 significant indicators.

It is developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in association with Alliance for an

Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).

50.Answer: b

Justification:

Four wheels of ZBNF to be implemented in practically:

The “four wheels” of ZBNF are ‘Jiwamrita’, ‘Bijamrita’, ‘Mulching’ and ‘Waaphasa’, says

Palekar, a Padma Shri awardee.

Jiwamritais a fermented mixture of cow dung and urine (of desi breeds), jaggery, pulses

flour, water and soil from the farm bund. This isn’t a fertiliser, but just a source of some 500

crore micro-organisms that can convert all the necessary “non-available” nutrients into

“available” form.

Bijamritais a mix of desi cow dung and urine, water, bund soil and lime that is used as a seed

treatment solution prior to sowing.

Mulching, or covering the plants with a layer of dried straw or fallen leaves, is meant to

conserve soil moisture and keep the temperature around the roots at 25-32 degrees Celsius,

which allows the microorganisms to do their job.

Waaphasa, or providing water to maintain the required moisture-air balance, also achieves

the same objective.




51.Ans: c

Justification:

Scrubber systems are a

diverse group of air

pollution control devices

that can be used to

remove some

particulates and/or

gases from industrial

exhaust streams.

The International

Maritime Organization’s

(IMO) adopted the

International

Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution

from Ships (MARPOL)

Annex VI in 2008 that

regulates the prevention of air pollution from ships and prohibits deliberate emissions of

ozone-depleting substances such as Sulphur oxides and nitrous oxides.

Following the adoption, exhaust scrubbers have become one of the most preferred ways of

reducing Sulphur exhaust as they ‘scrub’ pollutants out of emissions.

52.Ans: b

Justification:

Recently In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court said that access to the Internet is a

fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution, and asked the Jammu and Kashmir

administration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs in the Union Territory.

53.Ans: b

Justification:

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage is a non-profit charitable organisation

registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. In 2007, the United Nations awarded

INTACH a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council

54.Ans: b

Justification:

Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species,

rhino, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.




The 2018 census had yielded 2,413 rhinos and approximately 1,100 elephants. The tiger

census of 2014 said Kaziranga had an estimated 103 tigers, the third highest population of

the striped cat in India after Jim Corbett National Park (215) in Uttarakhand and Bandipur

National Park (120) in Karnataka.

Kaziranga is also home to nine of the 14 species of primates found in the Indian

subcontinent.

55.Answer: b

Justification:

India is among the few countries in the world where, in 2018, the mortality under-5 years of

girls, exceeded that of boys, according to the ‘Levels and Trends in Child Mortality’ report by

the United Nations (UN) inter-agency group for child mortality.

56.Ans: c

Justification:

Blockchains are a new data structure that is secure, cryptography-based, and distributed

across a network.

The technology supports cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and the transfer of any data or

digital asset.

Spearheaded by Bitcoin, blockchains achieve consensus among distributed nodes, allowing

the transfer of digital goods without the need for centralized authorisation of transactions.

57.Ans: b

Justification:

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is a partnership among governments, multilateral

development banks, private sector investors, and financiers by world bank.

58.Ans: c

Justification:

What is Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)?

A critical part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy. Provides uniform

licences for exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons, enabling contractors

to explore conventional as well as unconventional oil and gas resources.

Under the OALP, once an explorer selects areas after evaluating the National Data

Repository (NDR) and submits the EoI, it is to be put up for competitive bidding and the

entity offering the maximum share of oil and gas to the government is awarded the block.

59.Ans: c

Justification:




GSAT-30 uses two satellite frequencies:

It gives the Indian mainland and islands coverage in the Ku band, and extended coverage in

a wider area stretching from Australia to Europe in the lower-frequency C-band.

The Ku and C bands are part of a spectrum of frequencies, ranging from 1 to 40 gigahertz,

that are used in satellite communications.

60.Answer: a

Justification:

Under article 131Supreme Court has three kinds of jurisdictions: original, appellate and

advisory.

Under its advisory jurisdiction, the President has the power to seek an opinion from the

apex court under Article 143 of the Constitution.

Under its appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts.

In its extraordinary original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court has exclusive power to

adjudicate upon disputes involving elections of the President and the Vice President, those

that involve states and the Centre, and cases involving the violation of fundamental rights.

For a dispute to qualify as a dispute under Article 131, it has to necessarily be between

states and the Centre, and must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence of a

legal right of the state or the Centre depends.

The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is a partnership among governments,

multilateral development banks, private sector investors, and financiers by world

bank.

61.Ans: d

Justification:

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is undertaking a mass

cleanliness-cum-awareness drive in 50 identified beaches under the “Swachh – Nirmal Tat

Abhiyaan.

62.Ans: c

Justification:

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD, also called biological oxygen demand) is the amount of

dissolved oxygen needed (i.e., demanded) by aerobic biological organisms to break down

organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time

period

It is often used as a surrogate of the degree of organic pollution of water.

63.Ans: b

Justification:




Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (COCSSO)is a Conference organized

by MoSPI, Government of India every year.

The 27th COCSSO was inaugurated at Kolkata, West Bengal.

COCSSO is a major national forum for coordination between the Central and State Statistical

Agencies with the objectives of putting in coordinated efforts for making available reliable

and timely statistics to planners and policy makers.

64.Ans: c

Justification:

National Education Day celebrated every year in India on November 11 to commemorate

the birth anniversary of MaulanaAbul Kalam Azad.

From 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development had decided to celebrate

November 11 as National Education Day.

MaulanaAbul Kalam Azad was an Indian scholar and independence activist who served as

the first Minister of Education of independent India.

65.Answer: d

Justification:

Pulicat Lake formerly Palaverkaadu Eri is the second largest brackish water lake or lagoon in

India, after Chilika Lake. It straddles the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states

with over 96% of it in Andhra Pradesh and 4% in Tamil Nadusituated on the Coromandal

Coast in South India.

66.Ans: c

Justification:

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act is an unique Indian

legislation to protect Farmers’ Rights and breeder’s rights.

Under this acta farmer is entitled to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm

produce including seed of a variety protected under the PPV&FR Act, 2001 except brand

name.

PPV&FR Act is fully compliant to the International Seed Treaty.

Under the provisions of PPV&FR Act, 138 farmers/farming communities have been awarded

with Plant Genome Saviour Awards.

67.Ans: a

Justification:

It is Organised by United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP)

Six participant countries — Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United

States




Objective: To Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants.Focuses on methane, black carbon and

hydrofluorocarbons

68.Ans: d

Justification:

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the section of the Himalayas within India, spanning the

northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal

Pradesh, as well as the hill regions of two eastern states, Assam and West Bengal

Western ghats is a chain of mountains running parallel to India's western coast,

approximately 30-50 km inland, the Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat

69.Ans: c

Justification:

A credit rating agency is a company that assigns credit ratings, which rate a debtor's ability

to pay back debt by making timely principal and interest payments and the likelihood of

default.

An agency may rate the creditworthiness of issuers of debt obligations, of debt instruments,

and in some cases, of the servicers of the underlying debt, but not of individual consumers.

The debt instruments rated by CRAs include government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal

bonds, preferred stock, and collateralized securities, such as mortgage-backed securities

and collateralized debt obligations.

70.Answer: d

Justification:

Dyarchy. Dyarchy, also spelled diarchy, system of double government introduced by the

Government of India Act (1919) for the provinces of British India. ... The principle of dyarchy

was a division of the executive branch of each provincial government into authoritarian and

popularly responsible sections.

71.Ans:a

The GCCA was established by the European Union (EU) in 2007 to strengthen dialogue and

cooperation with developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and

small island developing States (SIDS).

By fostering effective dialogue and cooperation on climate change, the Alliance helps to

ensure that poor developing countries most vulnerable to climate change increase their

capacities to adapt to the effects of climate change, in support of the achievement of the

Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).




The Alliance also helps such countries to participate in the global climate change mitigation

efforts.

72.Ans:b

The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty whose capital was Orugallu, now known as

Warangal . It was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanate.

It is situated at present day Andhra Pradesh. Marcopolo’s travelogue and mottipalli

inscription by king Ganapathy has reference about the port and the kingdom.

73.Ans:b

Sarvastivada is an early school of Buddhism that held to 'the existence of all dharmas in the

past, present and future, the 'three times'.

The Abhidharma Kosa-bhaṣya, a later text, states: He who affirms the existence of the

dharmas of the three time periods [past, present and future] is held to be a Sarvastivadin”

74.Ans:c

https://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/medsea.htm

75.Ans:d

It is formulated by Government of India to maximize economic impact mainly through

infrastructure development in commercially viable projects, both green field and brown

field, including stalled projects

Its Proposed corpus40,000 crore The initial authorized corpus of NIIF would be Rs. 20,000

crore, which may be raised from time to time, as decided by Ministry of Finance.

Government can provide upto 20000 crore per annum into these funds.

76.Ans: a

Justification:

SACEP is an inter-governmental organization, established in 1982 by the governments of

South Asia.

The objective is to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of the

environment in the region

The member countries are Afghanistan , Bangladesh , Bhutan , India , Maldives , Nepal ,

Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

It also acts as the Secretariat for the South Asian Seas Programme, which comes under the

purview of UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme.

77.Ans: d

http://www.mentors4ias.com/https://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/medsea.htm



Justification:

The main short-lived climate pollutants are black carbon, methane and tropospheric ozone,

which are the most important contributors to the human enhancement of the global

greenhouse effect after CO2. ... Other short-lived climate pollutants include some

hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs

78.Ans: c

Justification:

The G20 is an international forum that brings together the world's 20 leading industrialised

and emerging economies.

The group accounts for 85% of world GDP and two-thirds of its population.

Much of the important business takes place on the sidelines and in informal

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