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10 AUGUST CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

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10 AUGUST CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
consider the following statements:

  1. It is a body of the United Nations for assessing the science related to climate
    change.
  2. It does not conduct its own research.
  3. It allocates funds out of the Green Climate Fund to the member countries of the
    United Nations to fight climate change.
    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: a)
    Explanation:
    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations
    body for assessing the science related to climate change. 1 is correct.
    Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United
    Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the objective of the IPCC is to provide
    governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop
    climate policies. IPCC reports are also a key input into international climate change
    negotiations.
    Through its assessments, the IPCC identifies the strength of scientific agreement
    in different areas and indicates where further research is needed. The IPCC does
    not conduct its own research. 2 is correct.
    3 is incorrect. IPCC has no role in the allocation of funds.
    Q2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a statutory organisation for
    pollution control in India, was constituted under
    a) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
    b) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
    c) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
    d) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
    Solution: a)
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    Explanation:
    The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was
    constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of
    Pollution) Act, 1974.
    • Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air
    (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
    • It is a technical arm of the Central Government for environmental research,
    monitoring, regulation and enforcement in the country.
    • It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the
    Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment
    (Protection) Act, 1986.
    • Principal Functions of the CPCB:
    o To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the
    States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution
    To improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the
    country.
    Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to the National
    Action Plan on Climate change (NAPCC)?
  4. It has been launched by the Indian government to fulfill its Nationally
    Determined Contributions made under the Paris Agreement.
  5. There are 8 missions under it.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: b)
    Explanation:
    The National Action Plan on Climate change was formally launched on June 30th,
  6. The NAPCC identifies measures that promote development objectives while
    also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively. The Paris
    Agreement was adopted in 2015 and came into force in 2016. 1 is incorrect.
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    There are eight “National Missions” which form the core of the National action plan.
    They focus on promoting understanding of climate change, adaptation and
    mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation. 2 is correct.
    The eight missions are:
  7. National Solar Mission
  8. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
  9. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
  10. National Water Mission
  11. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
  12. National Mission for a Green India
  13. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
  14. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
    Q4. Which of the following is/are impacts or outcomes of Swadeshi Movement?
  15. Morley-Minto Reforms
  16. Rise of Extreme Nationalism
  17. Revival of Indian Cottage Industry
  18. Setup of National Council of Education
  19. Setup of Banaras Hindu University
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below
    a) 1,2,3 and 4 only
    b) 2,3, 4 and 5 only
    c) 3 and 5 only
    d) All of the above
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    Swadeshi Movement
    • The movement had its roots in the anti-partition movement which was started
    to oppose Lord Curzon’s decision of dividing the province of Bengal.
    • In August 1905, at Calcutta Townhall, a massive meeting was held and the
    formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made.
    • Impact of Swadeshi Movement
    • Decline in Imports – It resulted in significant decline in the foreign imports
    during 1905-1908.
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    • Growth of Extremism – Movement resulted in growth of extreme nationalism
    amongst youth which took to violence and wanted to bring an instant end to
    British dominance.
    • Morley-Minto Reforms – It forced British dispensation to offer some
    concessions to Indians in forms of Morley-Minto reforms in 1909.
    • Establishment of Swadeshi Institutions – In August 1906, the National
    Council of Education was set up to organise the national education system.
    • A Bengal Institute of Technology was set up for technical education.
    • Growth in Swadeshi Industries – It led to establishments of swadeshi textile
    mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies,
    shops, etc., also revived the Indian Cottage Industry.
    Banaras Hindu University
    • It was established jointly in 1916 by the Maharaja of Darbhanga, Maharaja of
    Banaras Prabhu Narayan Singh, Madan Mohan Malaviya, British Theosophist
    and Home Rule League founder Annie Besant.
    Q5. Consider the following statements with respective to PM-DAKSH Yojana
  20. Under the scheme skill development training programmes are provided only
    for marginalized persons of SC (Scheduled Caste), Denotified tribes.
  21. It is implemented by National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development
    Corporation (NSFDC) and few other corporations under Ministry of Skill
    Development and Entrepreneurship.
    Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: b)
    Explanation:
    PM-DAKSH Yojana
    • Under this, eligible target groups are provided with the skill development
    training programmes.
    • Marginalized persons of SC (Scheduled Caste), OBC (Other Backward Classes),
    Economically Backward Classes, Denotified tribes, Sanitation workers
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    including waste pickers, manual scavengers, transgender and other similar
    categories are eligible under the scheme.
    • It is implemented by the three Corporations under the Ministry of Skill
    Development and Entrepreneurship.
  22. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC),
  23. National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC),
  24. National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
    Q6. Which of the following statement(s) is/ are correct with respect to Mineral
    surveys in India
  25. Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the nodal agency to formulate mineral
    exploration programmes.
  26. GSI publishes the National Mineral Inventory (NMI) of mineral resources once
    in five years.
  27. The extraction of minerals depends on the grant of the mineral concessions by
    respective State government.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 1 and 3 only
    c) 2 and 3 only
    d) All of the above
    Solution: b)
    Explanation:
    Mineral surveys in India
    • GSI carries out mapping and systematic exploration for various mineral
    commodities based on the mineral potential following the guidelines
    • United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and Mineral Evidence and
    Mineral Content Rules (MEMC-2015) with an aim to augmenting mineral
    resource.
    • Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) an attached office of Ministry of Mines collects
    the exploration data from various agencies.
    • Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) publishes the National Mineral Inventory (NMI)
    of mineral resources once in five years.
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    • Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act,
    2015, for major minerals, the mineral concession can be allotted through
    auctioning.
    • The power to grant these mineral concessions vests in the State Governments.
    • The extraction of minerals depends on the grant of the mineral concessions by
    the State Government and the utilisation of minerals depends on economic
    viability of the minerals.
    Q7. With reference to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC),
    consider the following statements:
  28. It is the Atlantic branch of the ocean conveyor belt or Thermohaline circulation
    (THC), and distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins.
  29. It carries warm surface waters from the tropics towards the Northern
    Hemisphere, where it cools and sinks.
  30. Gulf Stream is a part of the AMOC.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 1 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    A study published in Nature Climate Change notes that the Atlantic Meridional
    Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is losing its stability. According to the IPCC’s
    Report (AR6) released on August 9, it is very likely that AMOC will decline over the
    21st century.
    • The AMOC is a large system of ocean currents. It is the Atlantic branch of
    the ocean conveyor belt or Thermohaline circulation (THC), and distributes
    heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins.
    • AMOC carries warm surface waters from the tropics towards the Northern
    Hemisphere, where it cools and sinks. It then returns to the tropics and then
    to the South Atlantic as a bottom current. From there it is distributed to all
    ocean basins via the Antarctic circumpolar current.
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    • The findings support the assessment that the AMOC decline is not just a
    fluctuation or a linear response to increasing temperatures but likely means
    the approaching of a critical threshold beyond which the circulation system
    could collapse.
    • Gulf Stream, a part of the AMOC, is a warm current responsible for mild
    climate at the Eastern coast of North America as well as Europe. Without a
    proper AMOC and Gulf Stream, Europe will be very cold.
    • Modelling studies have shown that an AMOC shutdown would cool the
    northern hemisphere and decrease rainfall over Europe. It can also have an
    effect on the El Nino.
    • Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.
    Q8. With reference to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill,
    2021, consider the following statements:
  31. The Bill adds the Abor tribe to the list of identified STs in Arunachal Pradesh.
  32. The Constitution empowers the President to specify the Scheduled Tribes (STs)
    in various states and union territories.
    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:
    Parliament has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment)
    Bill, 2021 with the Lok Sabha clearing it. The Rajya Sabha has already approved
    it.
    • The Bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. The
    Constitution empowers the President to specify the Scheduled Tribes (STs)
    in various states and union territories. Further, it permits Parliament to
    modify this list of notified STs.
    • The Bill removes the Abor tribe from the list of identified STs in Arunachal
    Pradesh.
    • Further, it replaces certain STs with other tribes in the list
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    o Khampti is replaced with Tai Khamti,
    o Mishmi, Idu, and Taroan are replaced with Mishmi-Kaman (Miju
    Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi), and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi),
    o Momba is replaced with Monpa, Memba, Sartang, and Sajolang (Miji)
    o Any Naga Tribes is replaced with Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, and Wancho.
    Hence only statement 2 is correct.
    Q9. With reference to the Euboea or Evia, consider the following statements:
  33. It is the second-largest Greek island in area and population, after Crete.
  34. It is separated from Boeotia in mainland Greece by the narrow Euripus Strait.
    Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Wildfires are continuing to rip through the Greek island of Evia with strong winds
    driving flames towards villages. Greece is experiencing its most severe heatwave in
    30 years in which temperatures have spiked to 45C.
    • Euboea or Evia is the second-largest Greek island in area and population,
    after Crete.
    • It is separated from Boeotia in mainland Greece by the narrow Euripus
    Strait.
    • Euboea was believed to have originally formed part of the mainland, and to
    have been separated from it by an earthquake. This is fairly probable,
    because it lies in the neighbourhood of a fault line.
    • Hence both statements are correct.
    Q10. With reference to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
    Sixth Assessment Report, “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis”,
    consider the following statements:
  35. The warming of the ocean would lead to a rise in sea levels, leading to frequent
    and severe coastal flooding in low-level areas.
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  36. The planet is irrevocably headed towards warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius over
    pre-industrial times in the next decade.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    The Indian Ocean is warming at a higher rate than other oceans, said the latest
    report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released.
    • The authors of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, “Climate Change 2021:
    The Physical Science Basis”, said the warming of the ocean would lead to a
    rise in sea levels, leading to frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-level
    areas.
    • The planet was irrevocably headed towards warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius
    over pre-industrial times in the next two decades.
    • The report recommended that countries strive to achieve net zero emissions
    — no additional greenhouse gases are emitted — by 2050.
    • The Fifth Assessment Report was released in 2014.
    Indian scenario
    • India will witness increased heatwaves and flooding, which will be the
    irreversible effects of climate change. The current overall global warming
    trends are likely to lead to an increase in annual mean precipitation over
    India, with more severe rain expected over southern India in the coming
    decades.
    • With a 7,517-km coastline, India would face significant threats from the
    rising seas.
    The 3,000-plus-page report said warming is already accelerating sea level rise and
    worsening extremes such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms.