03 JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS

Q1. Consider the following statements in context of volcanism:

1. Volcanic magma is heavier than solid rock.
2. Taal is the Philippines’ active volcano.
   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:
 Mechanism of the volcanism:
o An eruption takes place when magma (a thick flowing substance),
formed when the earth’s mantle melts, rises to the surface.
o Because magma is lighter than solid rock, it is able to rise through
vents and fissures on the surface of the earth. After it has erupted,
it is called lava. 1 is incorrect.

Taal is one of the world’s smallest active volcanoes. Taal is the Philippines’ second
most active volcano. 2 is correct.
 Location: The active volcano is at the centre of the 230 sq km Lake Taal,
formed by prehistoric eruptions.
 Taal is a “complex volcano”, which means it doesn’t have one vent or cone
but several eruption points that have changed over time

Q2. Consider the following statements about Lowering Emissions by Accelerating
Forest Finance (LEAF):

1. It incentivises developing countries to capture extensive deforestation and
   provide livelihood opportunities to forest-dependent populations.
2. It is a collective of the United States, United Kingdom and Norway
   governments.
   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:
Both statements are correct.
About LEAF
 It is a collective of the United States, United Kingdom and Norway
governments.
 LEAF is supported by transnational corporations (TNCs) like Unilever plc,

Amazon.com, Inc, Nestle, Airbnb, Inc as well as Emergent, a US-based non-
profit.

 The LEAF coalition initiative is a step towards concretising the aims and
objectives of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation (REDD+) mechanism.
 Financial support: It incentivises developing countries to capture extensive
deforestation and provide livelihood opportunities to forest-dependent
populations.
o A country willing to participate would need to fulfil certain
predetermined conditions laid down by the Coalition.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. REDD+ was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on
   Climate Change (UNFCCC).
2. It monetises the value of carbon locked up in the oceans.
   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:
About REDD+

 REDD+ was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 It monetised the value of carbon locked up in the tropical forests of most
developing countries, thereby propelling these countries to help mitigate
climate change. Statement 2 is incorrect.
 It creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering
incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested
lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

 Developing countries would receive results-based payments for results-
based actions.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Black Buck:

1. The animal is native to Bangladesh and Nepal.
2. It has been declared as the State Animal of Punjab and Haryana.
3. It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: b)
Explanation:
The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), or the Indian Antelope, is a species of
antelope native to India and Nepal. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
It is widespread in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and
other areas throughout peninsular India.
It is considered as the epitome of grassland.
It is considered to be the fastest animal in the world next to Cheetah.
It has been declared as the State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra
Pradesh. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Cultural Importance: It is a symbol of purity for Hinduism as its skin and horns
are regarded as a sacred object. For Buddhism, it is a symbol of good luck.
It is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. hence, statement 3 is not
correct.

Q5. With reference to Bureau of Indian Standards, consider the following
statements:

1. It is a statutory body.
2. It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
3. It is the National Standards Body of India.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 3 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Bureau of Indian Standards
 It has been established for the harmonious development of the activities of
standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
 It was established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 which came
into effect in December 1986. It works under the aegis of the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Hence, statement 1 is
correct and statement 2 is not correct.
 A new Bureau of Indian standard (BIS) Act 2016 has been brought into force
with effect from October 2017.
 The Act establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National
Standards Body of India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Q6. Which of the following countries are not members of ASEAN?

1. China
2. Indonesia
3. Japan
4. Bangladesh
5. India
6. Malaysia
7. Philippines
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   a) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
   b) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
   c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
   d) 5, 6 and 7 only

Solution: a)
Explanation:
China, India, Japan and Bangladesh are not members of ASEAN. Hence, option
A is correct.
 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which
was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions
among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states.
 The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.
Member Nations
 Indonesia
 Malaysia
 Philippines
 Singapore
 Thailand
 Brunei
 Vietnam
 Laos
 Myanmar

Q7. With reference to GDP (Gross Domestic Product), consider the following
statements:

1. It is the total value of a country’s annual output of goods and services which
   gives the economic output from the producer’s side.
2. In January 2015, the government moved to a new base year of 2011-12 from
   the earlier base year of 2004-05 for national accounts.
3. NSO is the central statistical agency of the Government mandated under the
   Statistical Services Act, 1980.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 2 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: c)
Explanation:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
It is a measure of economic activity in a country. It is the total value of a country’s
annual output of goods and services. It gives the economic output from the
consumers’ side.
GDP = Private consumption + Gross investment + Government investment +
Government spending + (exports-imports)
Background of India’s GDP
In January 2015, the government moved to a new base year of 2011-12 from the
earlier base year of 2004-05 for national accounts. The base year of national
accounts had been revised earlier in 2010 January.
The National Statistical Office
NSO is the central statistical agency of the Government mandated under the
Statistical Services Act, 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
It is responsible for the development of arrangements for providing statistical
information services to meet the needs of the Government and other users for
information on which to base policy, planning, monitoring and management
decisions.
The services include collecting, compiling, and disseminating official statistical
information.
All business operations in NSO are done in compliance with international
standards, procedures.

Q8. With reference to Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital
Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, consider the following statements:

1. Based on the number of users, the social media intermediary will be tagged
   as Significant Intermediary.
2. Only those intermediaries should enable traceability, which comes under
   Significant Social Media Intermediary.
3. There will be no collection or storage of data to enforce traceability on social
   media.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 1 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 2 and 3 only

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Traceability would force private companies to collect and store who-said-what
and who-shared-what for billions of messages sent each day. This will require
platforms to collect more data than they need, solely for the purpose of turning it
over to law enforcement agencies.
New Guidelines for Social Media/Intermediaries:
 Categories of Social Media Intermediaries:
o Based on the number of users, on the social media platform
intermediaries have been divided in two groups:
 Social media intermediaries.
 Significant social media intermediaries.
 Due Diligence to be Followed by Intermediaries:
o In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour
provision will not apply to them.
o The safe harbour provisions have been defined under Section 79 of
the IT Act, and protect social media intermediaries by giving them

immunity from legal prosecution for any content posted on their
platforms.

 Grievance Redressal Mechanism is Mandatory:
o Intermediaries shall appoint a Grievance Officer to deal with
complaints and share the name and contact details of such officers.
o Grievance Officer shall acknowledge the complaint within twenty four
hours and resolve it within fifteen days from its receipt.

 Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users:
o Intermediaries shall remove or disable access within 24 hours of
receipt of complaints of contents that exposes the private areas of
individuals, show such individuals in full or partial nudity or in sexual
act or is in the nature of impersonation including morphed images etc.
o Such a complaint can be filed either by the individual or by any
other person on his/her behalf.

Q9. Which of the following statements are correct about the Jnanpith Award?

1. The Jnanpith award is the highest literary award in India and can only be
   conferred annually upon an Indian citizen.
2. English along with other languages mentioned in Indian Constitution (8th
   Schedule) is considered for the Award.
3. The prize carries a cash award of Rs. 11 lakhs, a citation, and a bronze
   replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati), the goddess of learning.
4. It is sponsored by the cultural organization Bharatiya Jnanpith.

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 2, 3 and 4 only

b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution: d)
Explanation:
All statements are correct.
Jnanpith Award

 The Jnanpith award is the highest literary award in India and can only be
conferred annually upon an Indian citizen.
 English along with other languages mentioned in Indian Constitution (8th
Schedule) is considered for the Award.
 The prize carries a cash award of Rs. 11 lakhs, a citation, and a bronze
replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati), the goddess of learning.
 It is sponsored by the cultural organization Bharatiya Jnanpith.

Q10. Lithium Triangle has been frequently seen in the news. It is comprised of-
a) Argentina, Bolivia, Chile

b) Afghanistan, China and Mongolia
c) Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan
d) India, Myanmar and Thailand

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Lithium Triangle
 Lithium Triangle is an intersection of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, known for
high quality salt flats.
 Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Salar de Atacama in Chile and Salar de Arizaro
in Argentina contains over 45%of known global lithium reserves.
 Beneath Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat lies the world’s greatest
lithium deposits.
 Bolivia, one of South America’s poorest countries, envisions development by
harvesting lithium on an industrial scale from underground saltwater brines.
 It can be mined from rock or processed from brine.
 Lithium dissolved in underground saline aquifers called “brine”, pumped to
surface by wells and then allowed to evaporate in vast knee-deep ponds.