14 JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with issues related with
   the Supreme Court.
2. Under its appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court enforces fundamental
   rights.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial court and the final court of
appeal under the Constitution of India, the highest constitutional court, with
the power of judicial review.
• India has a single and unified judicial system with three tier
structure, i.e. Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate Courts.
Constitutional provisions:
• The Indian constitution under Article 124(1) states that there shall be a
Supreme Court of India constituting of a Chief Justice of India (CJI) and,
until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven
other Judges.
• Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation,
independence, jurisdiction, powers and procedures of the Supreme Court. 1
is correct.
Jurisdiction:
• Its jurisdiction is generally classified into original, appellate and advisory.
• As the highest court in India, the Supreme Court’s judgments are binding on
all other courts in the country.
• It serves both as the final court of appeals and final interpreter of the
Constitution.

• Under its original jurisdiction, the Court enforces fundamental rights,
hears federal disputes and can transfer cases. 2 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Prime Minister constitutes Standing Committees of the Cabinet
2. Cabinet Committees are mentioned in the Article 77(3) of the Constitution.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: a)
Explanation:
The Prime Minister constitutes Standing Committees of the Cabinet and sets out
the specific functions assigned to them. 1 is correct.
Cabinet Committees are not mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Rules of
Business provide for their establishment. 2 is incorrect.
The executive in India works under the Government of India Transaction of
Business Rules, 1961.
Article 77 (3): The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction
of the business of the Government of India , and for the allocation among Ministers
of the said business”.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. The Karman Line is defined as the altitude of 100 kilometres above Earth’s
   mean sea level.
2. There is no international law defining the edge of space.
   Which of the above statements 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
• The Karman line is an attempt to define a boundary between Earth’s
atmosphere and outer space.
• The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) defines Karman Line as the
altitude of 100 kilometres above Earth’s mean sea level.
• However, other organizations do not use this definition. There is no
international law defining the edge of space, and therefore the limit of
national airspace.

Q4. “Tardigrades” have been frequently seen in news is-
a) Robot Soldiers made by China

b) New Missile System designed by Russia
c) New Plant species found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
d) Microorganism shaped like Water Bear

Solution: d)
Explanation:
Tardigrade
• The Tardigrade, also known as water bear, is among the toughest and most
resilient creatures on Earth.
• The Tardigrade can only be seen under a microscope.
• Half a millimeter long, it is essentially a water-dweller but also inhabits land
and, a 2008 study found, can survive in the cold vacuum of outer space.
• It derives its name from the fact that it looks like an eight-legged bear, with
a mouth that can project out like a tongue.
• Its body has four segments supported by four pairs of clawed legs.
• A tardigrade typically eats fluids, using its claws and mouth to tear open
plant and animal cells, so that it can suck nutrients out of them.
• It is also known to feast on bacteria and, in some cases, to kill and eat other
tardigrades. Although they are famed for their resilience, they are
destructible too.

• Should a human being swallow a tardigrade with her food, her stomach acid
will cause the flesh of the tardigrade to disintegrate.

Q5. “Uniform Minimum Corporate Tax” have been frequently seen in news is

related to-
a) G-7

b) OECD
c) European Union
d) ASEAN

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Option (a) is the correct answer.
Advanced economies making up the G7 grouping have reached a “historic” deal on
taxing multinational companies. Finance ministers meeting in London agreed to
counter tax avoidance through measures to make companies pay in the countries
where they do business. They also agreed in principle to ratify a global minimum
corporate tax rate to counter the possibility of countries undercutting each other
to attract investments. The deal announced Saturday involving the US, the UK,
Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Japan, is likely to be put before a G20 meeting
in July.

Q6. With reference to the Northeast monsoon, consider the following statements:

1. About 75 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall is received from the
   Northeast monsoon between June and September.
2. While La Niña conditions enhance the rainfall associated with the Southwest
   monsoon; it has a negative impact on rainfall associated with the Northeast
   monsoon.
   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

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Solution: b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct.
The Northeast monsoon has remained subdued last year. Rainfall over the
Southern peninsular region has been deficient so far. The reason is a prevalent La
Niña condition
India receives rainfall during two seasons. About 75 per cent of the country’s
annual rainfall is received from the Southwest monsoon between June and
September.
The Northeast monsoon, on the other hand, occurs during October to December,
and is a comparatively small-scale monsoon, which is confined to the Southern
peninsula.
Also called the winter monsoon, the rainfall associated with the Northeast monsoon
is important for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, coastal Andhra
Pradesh, Kerala, north interior Karnataka, Mahe and Lakshadweep.
How is La Niña linked with the Northeast monsoon?
While La Niña conditions enhance the rainfall associated with the Southwest
monsoon, it has a negative impact on rainfall associated with the Northeast
monsoon.
during La Niña years, the synoptic systems — low pressure or cyclones — formed
in the Bay of Bengal remain significantly to the north of their normal position.
Besides, instead of moving westwards, these systems recurve. As they lie to the
north of their normal position, not much rainfall occurs over southern regions like
Tamil Nadu.

Q7. With reference to Electoral Bonds, consider the following statements-

1. These bonds are redeemable in the designated account of Registered Political

party.

2. The Bonds can be purchased by Citizens of India only.
3. Parties which have secured more than 2% of votes in general election are
   eligible to receive Electoral Bonds.
   Which of the statements above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 and 3 only

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c) 3 only
d) 1 and 2 only

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Statements 2 and 3 are not correct.
Electoral Bond
• Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political
parties.
• The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs.
10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore without any maximum limit.
• State Bank of India is authorized to issue and encash these bonds, which
are valid for fifteen days from the date of issuance.
• These bonds are redeemable in the designated account of a registered
political party.
• The bonds are available for purchase by any person (who is a citizen of
India or incorporated or established in India) for a period of ten days each
in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the
Central Government.
• A person being an individual can buy bonds, either singly or jointly with
other individuals.
• Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond
o Conditions for Electoral Bonds: Only parties registered under
the RPA,1951 could receive donations through electoral bonds, and
they also should not have secured less than 1% of the votes polled in
the previous elections.
o To Take on the Menace of Black Money in Politics: Only white
money is involved in the Bonds as the amounts are paid only
through cheque or demand draft.
▪ KYC norms are also followed.
o Election Commission of India’s Support: ECI was not opposed to the
bonds but was only concerned about the aspect of anonymity.
It also urged the court not to stay the bonds and said the scheme is one step
forward compared to the old system of cash funding, which was unaccountable.

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Q8. Which of the reforms are brought by Introducing GST?

1. Create unified market
2. Streamline Taxation
3. Discourage Tax Evasion

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 1 and 3 only

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

Solution: d)
Explanation:
Advantages of GST
• Create a unified common market: Will help to create a unified common
national market for India. It will also give a boost to foreign investment and
“Make in India” campaign.
• Streamline Taxation: Through harmonization of laws, procedures and rates
of tax between Centre and States and across States.
• Increase tax Compliance: Improved environment for compliance as all
returns are to be filed online, input credits to be verified online, encouraging
more paper trail of transactions at each level of supply chain;
• Discourage Tax evasion: Uniform SGST and IGST rates will reduce the
incentive for evasion by eliminating rate arbitrage between neighbouring
States and that between intra and inter-state sales.

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding ‘National Automotive Testing and
Research and development Infrastructure Project (NATRIP)’:

1. NATRIP is the initiative in the automotive sector which comprises
   representatives from the Government of India and State Governments.
2. It is a flagship project of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
   Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only

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c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: b)
Explanation:
• National Automotive Testing and Research and development (R&D)
Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) is the largest and most significant initiative
in the automotive sector which comprises representatives from
the Government of India, a number of State Governments and Indian
Automotive Industry. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is a flagship project of the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public
Enterprises. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• NATRIP aims to create a state of the art testing, validation and R&D
infrastructure in the country.

Q10. Consider the following statements-

1. Anti-Dumping duty is proposed by Director General of Foreign Trade.
2. To impose or not, the decision of levying anti-dumping duty is taken by
   Ministry of Finance.
   Which of the statements are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct.
It is proposed by the Director General of Trade Remedies.
India has imposed anti-dumping duty on the Chinese antibacterial drug
Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride to guard the domestic industry against cheap imports
from the neighbouring country.
The duty was imposed following a recommendation by the commerce ministry’s
investigation arm, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

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While DGTR recommends the duty, the finance ministry takes the final call to
impose the same.
Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride is used to treat different types of bacterial infections,
including skin infections, bone and joint infections, respiratory or sinus infections,
urinary tract infections, and certain types of diarrhoea. It acts as an anti-infective
agent and an antibacterial drug.
In international trade parlance, dumping happens when a country exports an item
at a price lower than the price of the product in its domestic market.