29,30 Nov & 01 Dec CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, consider the following statements:

1. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being observed on 29 November.
2. Palestine is recognized officially as the State of Palestine by the United Nations and other entities.
   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: c)
Explanation:
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being observed on 29 November.
• In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine.
• Palestine is recognized officially as the State of Palestine by the United Nations and other entities.
• It is a de jure sovereign state in Western Asia claiming the West Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan) and Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and Egypt) with Jerusalem as the designated capital, although its administrative center is currently located in Ramallah.
• The entirety of territory claimed by the State of Palestine has been occupied since 1948, first by Egypt and Jordan and then by Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q2. With reference to the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), consider the following statements:

1. It was established in November 2014 and based in Mumbai.
2. It is jointly operated by the Navy and Coast Guard.
   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) Explanation:
Speaking on the 12th anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that “the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Police have prepared a three-tier security cover in the coastal areas of the country”.
• IMAC, based in Gurgaon, was established in November 2014.
• It is jointly operated by the Navy and Coast Guard.
• It is the nodal centre for maritime security information collation and dissemination. It is the cornerstone of the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network for monitoring maritime traffic in India’s area of interest.
• IMAC’s task is to facilitate exchange of maritime security information among various national stakeholders, and generate a common operational picture.
• IMAC tracks only non-military or commercial ships, known as white shipping.
• Military ships, or grey hull ships, are tracked by the Directorate of Naval Operations, as this is on a classified network.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q3. With reference to the cold wave conditions, consider the following statements:

1. A cold wave is declared when there’s a significant drop in minimum or night time temperature.
2. The IMD’s criteria for a cold wave in the plains is that the minimum temperature should be 10 degrees or lower and the departure from normal minimum temperature 4.5 degrees or less for two consecutive days.
   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: c)
Explanation:
Delhi and other parts of north India are bracing for near cold wave conditions.
• A cold wave is declared when there’s a significant drop in minimum or night time temperature.
• The IMD’s criteria for a cold wave in the plains is that the minimum temperature should be 10 degrees or lower and the departure from normal minimum temperature 4.5 degrees or less for two consecutive days.
• One of the main reasons is snowfall in high altitude areas north of Delhi, including places in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
• Cold winds blowing from these areas lower temperature across northwest India every winter, including Delhi.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q4. With reference to the Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA), consider the following statements:

1. It is a “not–for–profit” Section-8 Public Private Partnership (PPP) company.
2. It is promoted jointly by the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 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: c) Explanation:
At celebration of the 9th Foundation Day of GITA, Union Minister of Science & Technology underlined how Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) served as a catalyst for nurturing innovation and industrial R&D.
• Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) is a “not–for–profit” Section-8 Public Private Partnership (PPP) company.
• It is promoted jointly by the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• The Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry had, in 2010, recommended incorporation of a Government’s arm’s length entity under PPP mode to professionally manage the Government’s funds for providing flexibility to industry for undertaking R&D along with global partners.
• The GITA platform encourages industrial investments in innovative technology solutions by o Mapping technology gaps,
o Undertaking expert evaluation of technologies available across the globe, o Facilitating techno–strategic collaborative partnerships appropriate for Indian economy, o Connecting industrial and institutional partners for synergistic matchmaking and o Providing soft funding for technology development / acquisition / deployment. • Hence both statements are correct.

Q5. Yarlung zangbo river in India is known as:
a) Siang
b) Teesta
c) Son
d) Ganga

Solution: a) Explanation:
China will build a “super” dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet, in a move that could have a far-reaching impact on northeast India’s water security.
• Originating in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), the trans-border Yarlung Zangbo flows into Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang and then to Assam as Brahmaputra before flowing into Bangladesh.
• The dam could come up in the Medog county of TAR, which is close to Arunachal Pradesh.
• China has already built several smaller dams on the Yarlung Zangbo river.
• The new dam’s ability to generate hydropower could be three times that of central China’s Three Gorges Dam, which has the largest installed hydropower capacity in the world. • Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q6. What is Kaavan, recently seen in news?
a) Dubbed as the “world’s loneliest elephant”
b) Exoplanet
c) Minisatellite launched by China
d) None of the above

Solution: a) Explanation:
Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the “world’s loneliest elephant” embarked on a mammoth move from Pakistan to retirement in a Cambodian sanctuary.
• Kaavan is dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant” after languishing alone for years in a Pakistani zoo.
• The plight of the male Asian elephant, who’s been alone since the death of his partner Saheli in 2012, has captured worldwide attention.
• The loss of his mate Saheli in 2012 took a toll on Kaavan’s mental health. Elephants are social animals that thrive on the company of other elephants.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q7. With reference to Mission COVID Suraksha, consider the following statements:

1. The Government of India (GOI) has announced the third stimulus package of Rs. 900 Crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha- The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission.
2. This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines.
   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: c) Explanation:
The Government of India (GOI) has announced the third stimulus package of Rs. 900 Crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha- The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission.
• This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines.
• The COVID-19 Vaccine development Mission with end-to-end focus from preclinical development through clinical development and manufacturing and regulatory facilitation for deployment, would consolidate all available and funded resources towards an accelerated product development.
• Led by Department of Biotechnology and implemented by a dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC),the existing activities under National Bio Pharma Mission (NBM) and Ind-CEPI Mission will provide complementary strengths to this Mission.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q8. With reference to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme is a flagship program of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.
2. Under the Scheme, the Department of Sports shall identify athletes who are potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
   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) Explanation:
8 Track and Field Athletes were included in the core group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme at the 50th MOC meeting held on November 26.
• The Target Olympic Podium Scheme is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.
• The Scheme looks to add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win Olympic medals in 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
• Under the Scheme, the Department of Sports shall identify athletes who are potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
• The idea of the Scheme is to also keep an eye in the future and fund a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles Games in 2028.
• The Mission Olympic Cell is a dedicated body created to assist the athletes who are selected under the TOP Scheme. The MOC is under the Chairmanship of the Director General, Sports Authority (DG, SAI).
Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q9. With reference to the SCO online International exhibition, consider the following statements:

1. It is developed and curated by National Museum, New Delhi, in active collaboration with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries.
2. The exhibition deploys state of the art technologies like 3D scanning, webGL platform, virtual space utilization, innovative curation and narration methodology etc. 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: c)
Explanation:
Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India & Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020, launched the first ever SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage, during the 19th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (SCO CHG), held in New Delhi, in video-conference format.
• This SCO online International exhibition, first ever of its kind, is developed and curated by National Museum, New Delhi, in active collaboration with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries.
• The exhibition deploys state of the art technologies like 3D scanning, webGL platform, virtual space utilization, innovative curation and narration methodology etc.
• Buddhist philosophy and art of Central Asia connects Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries to each other.
• The visitors can explore the Indian Buddhist treasures from the Gandhara and Mathura Schools, Nalanda, Amaravati, Sarnath etc. in a 3D virtual format. • Hence both statements are correct.

Q10. Ziro Valley, often mentioned in news, is located in:
a) Sikkim
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Jammu & Kashmir

Solution: b) Explanation:
The kiwis that grow wild in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley are the only certified organic fruit of their kind in the country.
• Arunachal is first in the country to obtain Organic Certification for Kiwi under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER).
• The organic certification was provided by the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER), a scheme for the northeastern states by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare under the Central government.
• Kiwis of Ziro Valley — located in Lower Subansiri district — were certified as organic following a standard three-year-process.
• An agricultural practice/product is considered organic when there are no chemical fertilisers or pesticides involved in its cultivation process.
• Such certifications in India can be obtained after strict scientific assessment done by the regulatory body, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q11. With reference to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), consider the following statements:

1. It is the world’s second largest inter-governmental organisation after the UN, with a membership of 57 states.
2. Russia, Thailand, and a couple of other small countries have Observer status.
   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: c) Explanation:
India hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for making factually incorrect and unwarranted references to Jammu and Kashmir.
• The 47th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on November 27-29 at Niamey, Niger, had made a reference to India over its policies on J&K.
• The OIC — formerly Organisation of the Islamic Conference — is the world’s second largest inter-governmental organisation after the UN, with a membership of 57 states.
• The OIC’s stated objective is “to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world”.
• OIC has reserved membership for Muslim-majority countries. Russia, Thailand, and a couple of other small countries have Observer status.
• At the 45th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Summit in 2018, Bangladesh, the host, suggested that India, where more than 10% of the world’s Muslims live, should be given Observer status, but Pakistan opposed the proposal.
• In 1969, India was dis-invited from the Conference of Islamic Countries in Rabat, Morocco at Pakistan’s behest.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q12. With reference to Zebrafish, consider the following statements:

1. It is a tiny freshwater fish barely 2-3 cm long can efficiently regenerate its damaged heart within a short time period.
2. Zebrafish is found only in the tropical regions.
   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: a) Explanation:
Scientists at Pune-based Agharkar Research Institute have used the Zebrafish as a research model and identified genes that can promote heart regeneration. Scientists have sought to decode the heart regeneration processes using this animal model.
• Zebrafish – a tiny freshwater fish barely 2-3 cm long can efficiently regenerate its damaged heart within a short time period.
• Zebrafish is found in the tropical and subtropical regions. The fish is native to South Asia’s Indo-Gangetic plains, where they are mostly found in the paddy fields and even in stagnant water and streams.
• It is a popular aquarium fish, frequently sold under the trade name Danio.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q13. With reference to the Annapurna idol, consider the following statements:

1. It was stolen from a temple of Varanasi and smuggled out of the country around 100 years ago somewhere around 1913.
2. The 18th-century idol, carved in the Benares style, is part of the University of Regina, Canada’s collection at the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
   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: c) Explanation:
In the November 29 episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that an ancient idol of the goddess Annapurna, stolen from India about a century ago, is being brought back from Canada.
• This idol was stolen from a temple of Varanasi and smuggled out of the country around 100 years ago somewhere around 1913.
• Annapurna, also spelt Annapoorna, is the goddess of food. The 18th-century idol, carved in the Benares style, is part of the University of Regina, Canada’s collection at the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
• A few weeks ago, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel handed over 13th-century bronze idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and goddess Sita, which were repatriated from the UK recently, to the Tamil Nadu government.
• Between 2014 and 2020, the government has been able to retrieve 40 antiquities from various countries; between 1976 and 2014, as per ASI records, 13 antique pieces had been repatriated to India.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q14. With reference to the C32-LH2 tank, consider the following statements:

1. It is a developmental cryogenic propellant tank of aluminium alloy designed for improving the payload capability of GSLV MK-III launching vehicle of ISRO.
2. The tank designed by HAL can load 5755 kg propellant fuel in the 89 cubic meter volume. 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: c)
Explanation:
The public sector aerospace manufacturing company, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered the biggest cryogenic propellant tank C32-LH2 to the Indian Space Research Organisation in Bengaluru.
• The C32-LH2 tank is a developmental cryogenic propellant tank of aluminium alloy designed for improving the payload capability of GSLV MK-III launching vehicle of ISRO.
• The tank designed by HAL can load 5755 kg propellant fuel in the 89 cubic meter volume. Even earlier HAL had partnered with ISRO to supply satellite structures for the PSLV, GSLV Mark II and III launch vehicles.
• Cryogenic fuels are fuels that require storage at extremely low temperatures in order to maintain them in a liquid state.
• These fuels are used in machinery that operates in space because ordinary fuel cannot be used there due to the very low temperatures often encountered in space, and due to absence of an environment that supports combustion.
• Cryogenic fuels most often constitute liquefied gases such as liquid hydrogen.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q15. With reference to the “superinfections”, consider the following statements:

1. Pneumococcal infections are the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a leading global cause of death.
2. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden have now identified influenza-induced changes in the lower airways that affect the growth of pneumococci in the lungs. 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: c) Explanation:
Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have described findings leading to so-called “superinfections”. It can also contribute to research on Covid-19.
• Influenza is caused by a virus, but the most common cause of death is secondary bacterial pneumonia rather than the influenza virus per se.
• Pneumococcal infections are the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a leading global cause of death.
• A prior influenza virus infection sensitizes for pneumococcal infections, but mechanisms behind this increase susceptibility are not fully understood.
• Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now identified influenza-induced changes in the lower airways that affect the growth of pneumococci in the lungs. Findings:
• The researchers found that different nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, leak from the blood. This creates an environment in the lungs that favours growth of the bacteria.
• The bacteria adapt to the inflammatory environment by increasing the production of an enzyme called HtrA. The presence of HtrA weakens the immune system and promotes bacterial growth in the influenza-infected airways.
• Hence both statements are correct.

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