12 NOV CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)
Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to Hunar Haat 1. The Ministry of Union Minority Affairs organizes “Hunar Haat” under its USTAAD scheme 2. It has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
- 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution : c)
Explanation :- About ‘Hunar Haat’ · The Ministry of Union Minority Affairs organizes “Hunar Haat” under its USTAAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme. · It has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products. · Besides handicrafts, it displays the diversity of India’s varied cuisine too. · It provides a market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country. · Hunar Haat plays an important role in national and international branding of the heritage of master artisans in India. · It has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts, and other people associated with them in the last 5 years.
Q2. Consider the following statements with reference to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 1. The Act, first enacted in 1976, was amended in the year 2010 2. The Act is applicable to all associations, groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who intend to receive foreign donations. 3. As per the FCRA, members of legislatures, political parties, government officials, judges, and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
- 1 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 2 and 3 only d) All of the above
Solution : d)
Explanation :- Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) · It regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country. · The Act, first enacted in 1976, was amended in the year 2010, when a slew of new measures was taken by the Union Home Ministry to regulate foreign donations. It was again amended on September 2020. · Applicability: o The Act is applicable to all associations, groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who intend to receive foreign donations. · Prohibited members: As per the FCRA, members of legislatures, political parties, government officials, judges, and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution
Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to the Crew-1 Mission, recently in news 1. It is NASA’s mission to lift off a crew of four people to the International Space Station (ISS) from SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. 2. Crew-1 will be the first operational flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the ISS. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
- 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution : c)
Explanation :- About the Crew-1 mission: · Part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program: Whose objective is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo and crew can be easily transported to and from the ISS, enabling greater scientific research. · To be launched by: Crew-1 will be the first operational flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the ISS. · Objective: Crew-1 team will join members of Expedition 64 and conduct microgravity studies and deliver new science hardware and experiments that they will carry with them to space aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the World Health Organisation(WHO) 1. WHO is the first global health organization established in 1948 by replacing many regional and national health bodies. 2. The International Health Regulations (IHR), first adopted by the World Health Assembly, are a legally binding instrument of international law that aims for international collaboration to prevent international spread of disease. Which of the above statement/s is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution : d)
Explanation :- World Health Organisation (WHO): · WHO is the first global health organization established in 1948 by replacing many regional and national health bodies. · The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. o The International Health Regulations (IHR), first adopted by the World Health Assembly (in 1969 and revised in 2005), are a legally binding instrument of international law that aims for international collaboration to prevent international spread of disease. · It is part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Group. · It has 194-member countries, and its secretariat is in Geneva, Switzerland. · It has the authority of directing and coordinating matters related to international health. · The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of WHO, attended by delegations from all member states. · The Executive Board of WHO implements the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly.
Q5. Sarna Dharam is in the news. It belongs to
a) Madhya Pradesh b) Chhattisgarh c) Jharkhand d) Sikkim
Solution : c)
Explanation :- The Sarna dharam · The Sarna dharam of tribals worshipped nature, forests, mountains. · It is the idea of recognising a unique religious identity of tribals to the special laws and provisions in the country. · Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups. Eight groups belong to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. · While many tribal groups follow Hindu religion, some have converted to Christianity.
Q6. Which of the following word has been selected as the word of the year by Collins Dictionary?
- Lockdown b) Selfie c) Locust d) None of the above
Solution : a)
Explanation :- Collins Dictionary has declared “lockdown” as the word of the year, given the rise in the usage of the term in a pandemic-ridden world. · It has defined lockdown as “a security measure in which those inside a building or area are required to remain confined in it for a time” and “the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces”. · While the word gained traction with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has certainly not been the first instance that the world has faced a lockdown. · Lockdown 2020: The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on March 11 set into motion global restrictions on movement, congregations and travel. China, where the SARS-CoV2 virus first made its appearance, was the first country to enforce lockdown and quarantine measures as early as January. · The Collins English Dictionary is a printed and online dictionary of English. It is published by HarperCollins in Glasgow. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
Q7. With reference to Operation Greens Scheme -TOP to TOTAL, consider the following statements: 1. Under Operation Greens Scheme TOP to TOTAL, 50% transportation subsidy is now made available for air transportation for 41 notified fruits and vegetables from North-Eastern and Himalayan States to any place in India. 2. The transportation subsidy was earlier extended under Operation Greens Scheme for Kisan Rail Scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution : c)
Explanation :- Under Operation Greens Scheme TOP to TOTAL, 50% transportation subsidy is now made available for air transportation for 41 notified fruits and vegetables from North-Eastern and Himalayan States to any place in India. · Airlines will provide the transport subsidy directly to the supplier/consignor/consignee/ agent by way of charging only 50% of the actual contracted freight charges and will claim the balance 50% from MoFPI as subsidy. · The scheme was approved and the amended Scheme Guidelines were notified on 02.11.2020. · In relaxation of other conditions for Operation Greens – TOP to TOTAL Scheme for transportation through Airlines from eligible airports, all consignment of notified fruits and vegetables irrespective of quantity and price would be eligible for 50% freight subsidy. · The transportation subsidy was earlier extended under Operation Greens Scheme for Kisan Rail Scheme with effect from 12.10.2020. Railways charge only 50% of freight charges on the notified fruits and vegetables. · All the airports in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim (Bagdogra), and Tripura from North-East, and Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh among the Hilly States. · Hence both statements are correct.
Q8. With reference to “the Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure” (Viability Gap Funding Scheme), consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance introduced “the Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure” (Viability Gap Funding Scheme) in 2006.. The projects eligible under Sub scheme–1 should have at least 50% Operational Cost recovery. 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 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Continuation and Revamping of the Scheme for Financial Support to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme till 2024-25 with a total outlay of Rs. 8,100 crore. · The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance introduced “the Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure” (Viability Gap Funding Scheme) in 2006. · The revamped Scheme is mainly related to introduction of following two sub-schemes for mainstreaming private participation in social infrastructure: Sub scheme–1: · This would cater to Social Sectors such as Waste Water Treatment, Water Supply, Solid Waste Management, Health and Education sectors etc. · The projects eligible under this category should have at least 100% Operational Cost recovery. · The Central Government will provide maximum of 30% of Total Project Cost (TPC) of the project as VGF and State Government/Sponsoring Central Ministry/Statutory Entity may provide additional support up to 30% of TPC. Sub scheme–2: · This Sub scheme will support demonstration/pilot social sectors projects. The projects may be from Health and Education sectors where there is at least 50% Operational Cost recovery. · In such projects, the Central Government and the State Governments together will provide up to 80% of capital expenditure and upto 50% of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) costs for the first five years. · Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
Q9. With reference to the Ayurveda Day, consider the following statements: 1. Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) will be set up at Jamnagar and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur on 5th Ayurveda Day. 2. The Ayurveda Day is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti. This year it falls on 13th November 2020. 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 :- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur on 5th Ayurveda Day (i.e) 13th November, 2020. · Dedication to the nation of ITRA, Jamnagar as an Institution of National Importance and NIA, Jaipur as an Institution Deemed to be University is a historic step not just in the modernization of Ayurveda Education. · This will provide them the autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses as per emerging national and international demand and excel in modern research to generate more and more evidences. · The Ayurveda Day is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti. This year it falls on 13th November 2020. · Hence both statements are correct.
Q10. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was the longest-serving Prime Minister of which of the following country?
- Qatar b) Oman c) Saudi Arabia d) Bahrain
Solution : d)
Explanation :- Bahrain’s longest-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has died. He was 84. · Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa (1935 – 2020) was a Bahraini royal and politician who had served as the Prime Minister of Bahrain from 19 January 1970 until his death on 11 November of 2020, having taken office over a year before Bahrain’s independence on 15 August 1971. · He was the longest-serving Prime Minister of any government in the world. · The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since 1783. · Bahrain is a sovereign state in the Persian Gulf. The island nation is situated between the Qatari peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia to which it is connected by the 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway. · Bahrain, a staunch ally of neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United States, is also the home base of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. · Hence, option (d) is the correct answer. ************