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15 JAN CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

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15 JAN CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements about office of the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in India

  1. DGFT organisation is an attached office of the Ministry of External Affairs and is headed by Director General of Foreign Trade.
  2. Right from its inception the objective of the organisation is to increase exports and hence assigned the role of facilitator. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
    a) 1 Only
    b) 2 Only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Directorate General of Foreign Trade(DGFT):
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) organisation is an attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is headed by Director General of Foreign Trade.
• Right from its inception till 1991, when liberalization in the economic policies of the Government took place, this organization has been essentially involved in the regulation and promotion of foreign trade through regulation.
• Keeping in line with liberalization and globalization and the overall objective of increasing exports, DGFT has since been assigned the role of “facilitator”. The shift was from prohibition and control of imports/exports to promotion and facilitation of exports/imports, keeping in view the interests of the country.
• DGFT is the main governing body in matters related to Exim Policy.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

  1. ILO is the only tripartite United Nations agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
  2. After the demise of the League of Nations, the ILO became the first specialized agency associated with the UN. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
    a) 1 Only
    b) 2 Only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
International Labour Organisation (ILO):
• ILO is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
• It was created in 1919 by the Versailles Peace Treaty ending World War I.
• After the demise of the League of Nations, the ILO became the first specialized agency associated with the UN. Its secretariat is in Geneva, Switzerland.
• In 1988, the international labour conference adopted the “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work”, which aims to eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labour, abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.
• It publishes the Global Wage report.
• India is a founder member of the ILO: In 2017 India has ratified two key ILO global conventions- Convention 138 and Convention 182.
o Convention 138 calls for the minimum age for employment to be not less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling. In India, it is 14 years according to the Right to Education Act.
o Convention 182 penalises and prohibits the worst form of child labour.
• Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

  1. The main objective of the Skill India programme is to provide adequate training in market-relevant skills to over 40 crore youth by 2022.
  2. The scheme is coordinated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
    a) 1 Only
    b) 2 Only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
The third phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 3.0) will be launched tomorrow in 600 districts across all states of India.
• The main objective of the Skill India programme is to provide adequate training in market-relevant skills to over 40 crore youth by 2022. 1 is correct.
• It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). 2 is incorrect.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

  1. The National Policy on Biofuels-2018 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of bio-diesel in diesel.
  2. It allows production of ethanol from damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice etc.
    which are unfit for human consumption.
    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 :-
The National Policy on Biofuels-2018
• It envisages an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of bio-diesel in diesel by 2030.
o Now it has been proposed to prepone the 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2025.
• It allows production of ethanol from damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice etc. which are unfit for human consumption.
• The policy also allows conversion of surplus quantities of food grains to ethanol, based on the approval of the National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
• Use of damaged foodgrains and surplus foodgrains for production of ethanol will increase its availability for Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
• Benefits: Annual foreign exchange impact of about Rs. 5070 crore and carbon emission reduced to the extent of 29.94 lakh tonnes.
• Under the EBP programme, ethanol blending in petrol is being undertaken by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q5. Consider the following statements.

  1. Fungi cannot be used in the bioremediation of radioactively polluted sites.
  2. Fungi can act as bio-fertilizers by actively competing for nutrients and space with pathogenic microorganisms.
    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 : b)
Explanation :-
• In agriculture, fungi are useful if they actively compete for nutrients and space with pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria or other fungi. For example, certain fungi may be used to eliminate or suppress the growth of harmful plant pathogens, such as insects, mites, weeds, nematodes.
• Fungi have been shown to bio mineralize uranium oxides, suggesting they may have application in the bioremediation of radioactively polluted sites.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding Antarctic Treaty.

  1. Antarctic Treaty regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica.
  2. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude.
  3. The treaty establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent.
  4. Antarctica is earth’s only continent without a native human population.
    Which of the above statements is/are correct?
    a) 1, 2 and 3 only
    b) 2, 3 and 4 only
    c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
    d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
• The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth’s only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. The treaty entered into force in 1961.
• The treaty sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent. The treaty was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War. Since September 2004, the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquarters has been located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Aurora or Northern lights often seen.

  1. Auroras are the glowing lights at high latitude.
  2. Auroras can be normally observed in stratosphere.
  3. Change in the atmospheric temperature cause Auroras.
    Which of the above statement is/are correct?
    a) 1 and 3 only
    b) 1 only
    c) 2 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
• An aurora, sometimes referred to as polar lights, northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights (aurora australis), is a natural light display in the Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in the high latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).
• Auroras are produced when the magnetosphere is sufficiently disturbed by the solar wind. It usually occur in upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere) due to Earth’s magnetic field.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q8. With reference to the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCSUDAN), consider the following statements:

  1. The airline Aviation Connectivity & Infrastructure Developers Pvt. Ltd (Air Taxi) was awarded the Hisar – Chandigarh – Hisar route under the UDAN 4 bidding process.
  2. Hisar airport is a public licensed airport in Punjab that is suitable for 18 seat type aircraft. 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 :-
Hisar Airport was inaugurated under RCS-UDAN.
• First flight to the newly constructed Hisar airport in Haryana from Chandigarh was flagged off under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) of the Government of India.
• The flagging off marks the operationalization of 54th airport under the UDAN scheme. To date, 307 routes and 54 airports including 5 heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme.
• Belonging to the Government of Haryana, Hisar airport is a public licensed airport that is suitable for 18 seat type aircraft.
• The airline Aviation Connectivity & Infrastructure Developers Pvt. Ltd (Air Taxi) was awarded the Hisar – Chandigarh – Hisar route under the UDAN 4 bidding process. The airline has become the first startup airline of the country to assist the nation with Air Taxi services.
• The Inauguration Marks Commencement of Country’s First Air Taxi Services from Chandigarh to Hisar.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q9. With reference to the Asmi, consider the following statements:

  1. It has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army.
  2. The Machine Pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre. 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’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army.
• The weapon is named “Asmi” meaning “Pride”, “Self-Respect” & “Hard Work”.
• Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon.
• The Machine Pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre.
• The weapon has huge potential in Armed forces as personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers/dispatch riders, radio/radar operators, Closed Quarter Battle, counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations etc.
• This is also likely to find huge employability with the central and state police organizations as well as VIP protection duties and Policing.
• The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under rupees 50000 each and has potential for exports.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q10. With reference to the National Innovation Portal (NIP), consider the following statements:

  1. It was developed by National Innovation Foundation (NIF)
  2. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. 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 Union Minister for Science & Technology dedicated an Innovation Portal, developed by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India to the nation.
• The National Innovation Portal (NIP) is currently home to about 1.15 lakh innovations scouted from common people of the country, covering Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary and Human Health.
• In terms of domain areas, presently the innovations cover Energy, mechanical, automobile, electrical, electronics, household, chemical, civil, textiles, Farm / cultivation practice, storage practice, plant variety, plant protection, poultry, livestock management, nutraceuticals etc.
• Innovation Portal is a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and an excellent resource for students, entrepreneurs, MSME’s, Technology Business Incubators (TBI’s) and common people engaged in a variety of occupations.
• National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q11. With reference to the forests fire in Himachal Pradesh, consider the following statements:

  1. Forest fires are a recurrent annual phenomenon in the Himachal Pradesh, and most commonly occur in Chir Pine forests.
  2. In the summer season, forest fires occur frequently in the low and middle hills of the state. 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 :-
Himachal Pradesh frequently witnesses forest fires during dry weather conditions. This month, a forest fire which started near Kullu raged for several days before being brought under control.
• Except for periods of precipitation in monsoon and winter, the forests remain vulnerable to wildfires. Forest fires are a recurrent annual phenomenon in the state, and most commonly occur in Chir Pine forests.
• In the summer season, forest fires occur frequently in the low and middle hills of the state, where forests of Chir Pine are common.
• During the post-monsoon season and in winters, forest fires are also reported in higher areas, including parts of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts, where they usually occur in grasslands.
• Natural causes such as lightning or rubbing of dry bamboos with each other can sometimes result in fires, but forest officials maintain that almost all forest fires can be attributed to human factors.
• When the grass is dry, even a small spark, such as someone dropping a burning matchstick, torchwood or a bidi/cigarette, can cause a massive fire. A spark can also be produced when dry pine needles or leaves fall on an electric pole.
• Also, when people burn their fields to clear them of stubble, dry grass or undergrowth, the fire sometimes spreads to the adjoining forest.
• Hence both statements are correct.