16 FEB CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Geospatial data combines which of the following information(s) about objects, events, or phenomena

1. Location information both static as well dynamic
2. Attribute information
3. Temporal information
   Choose the correct option using the codes given below a) 1 Only
   b) 3 Only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) All of the above

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
About the geo-spatial data:
• Geospatial data is data about objects, events, or phenomena that have a location on the surface of the earth. The location may be – o Static in the short-term: Like the location of a road, an earthquake event, malnutrition among children, or
o Dynamic: Like a moving vehicle or pedestrian, the spread of an infectious disease.
• Geospatial data combines location information, attribute information – the characteristics of the object, event, or phenomena concerned, and also temporal information or the time at which the location and attributes exist.
• Geo-spatial data usually involves information of public interest such as roads, localities, rail lines, water bodies, and public amenities.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the man-made emissions that contributes to air pollution in India

1. The power sector is the largest emitter of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in India.
2. Transport sector is the largest contributor in the emission of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in India.
3. Buildings (construction) is a major emitter particulate matter (PM) in India.
   Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? a) 2 Only
   b) 3 Only
   c) 1 and 2 only
   d) All of the above

Solution : d)
Explanation :-

Q3. The Trans-Himalayas Mountain Region or Tibet Himalayan Region is located to the north of the Great Himalayas which consists of

1. Karakoram
2. Ladakh
3. Zaskar
4. Kailash mountain ranges
   Choose the correct answer using the codes given below a) 1, 2 and 3 only
   b) 1 and 2 only
   c) All of the above
   d) None of the above

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
• The Trans-Himalayas Mountain Region or Tibet Himalayan Region is located to the north of the Great Himalayas which consists of Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar and Kailash mountain ranges.
• It is also called the Tibet Himalayan Region because most of the part of these ranges lies in Tibet.
• The Karakoram Range is known as the ‘backbone of high Asia’

Q4. The Uruguay Round (1986-1994) is associated with a) Setting up of IMF
b) Setting up of WTO
c) Setting up of World Economic Forum
d) All of the above

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
WTO i.e. World Trade Organization was set up under Marrakesh Treaty (1994) as a result of Uruguay Round (1986-1994).
• WTO as an organization was expected to play larger role for improved living standards, employment generation, trade expansion with increasing share for developing countries and overall sustainable development. Trade liberalization was seen as means for achieving the above-mentioned objectives.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Since the Uruguay Round, India has autonomously liberalized its Services trade regime across the board.
2. At 2013 Ministerial Conference (MC9) in Bali, an interim agreement (a peace clause) was made on “public stockholding”.
   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 :-
WTO and India
• India is a founder member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 and its successor, the WTO.
• India’s participation in an increasingly rule based system in the governance of international trade is to ensure more stability and predictability, which ultimately would lead to more trade and prosperity.
• Services exports account for 40% of India’s total exports of goods and services. The contribution of Services to India’s GDP is more than 55%.
• The sector (domestic and exports) provides employment to around 142 million people, comprising 28% of the work-force of the country.
• India’s exports are mainly in the IT and IT enabled sectors, Travel and Transport, and Financial sectors.
• The main destinations are the US (33%), the EU (15%) and other developed countries.
• India has an obvious interest in the liberalization of services trade and wants commercially meaningful access to be provided by the developed countries.
• Since the Uruguay Round, India has autonomously liberalized its Services trade regime across the board.
• Ensuring food and livelihood security is critical, particularly for a large agrarian economy like India.
• India is persistently demanding for a permanent solution on public stockholding subsidies at WTO.
• At 2013 Ministerial Conference (MC9) in Bali, an interim agreement (a peace clause) was made on “public stockholding” continuing exceptions that allow developing countries to stockpile agricultural products to protect against food shortages.
• India strongly favors extension of higher levels of protection to geographical indications for products like Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea, and Alphonso mangoes at par with that provided to wines and spirits under the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) aims to provide a payment of Rs. 6000/- per year, in three 4-monthly installments to the farmers’ families.
2. With the amendment of Indian Forest Act, 1927, Bamboo was included in the definition of trees.
   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 :-
• Central Sector Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN): The scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs. 6000/- per year, in three 4-monthly installments of Rs. 2000/- to the farmers families, subject to certain exclusions relating to higher income groups.
• A restructured National Bamboo Mission has been launched in the year 2018 to promote bamboo plantation on non forest government as well as private land and emphasis on value addition, product development and markets.With the amendment of Indian Forest Act, 1927, Bamboo has been removed from the definition of trees. Statement 2 is incorrect.

Q7. “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)” is associated with a) Desert farming
b) Terrace farming
c) Organic farming
d) None of the above

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
“Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)” has been launched for promoting organic farming.

Q8. Devendra Kula Vellalar community, recently seen in news, is majorily located in:
a) Odisha
b) Chhattisgarh
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Tamil Nadu

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has said that the reports appearing in media about delisting of Devendra Kula Vellalar community from SC soon are completely misinformed.
• The Ministry has clarified that the news is misleading and does not reflect the actual position.
• It has stated that the Cabinet has approved for categorising (7) SC communities into Devendra Kula Vellalar which would also be a part of the Scheduled Castes list of Tamil Nadu.
• Therefore, the statement that they will be delisted from SCs and would be made OBCs is completely incorrect and it may be clarified that the statement does not reflect the correct position.
• The Ministry has further clarified that a Bill for categorising (7) SC communities into Devendra Kula Vellalar under SC list to Tamil Nadu is already introduced in the Lok Sabha.
• The Pallar, who prefer to be called Mallar, is a Tamil sub-caste of Peasant found in Tamil Nadu.
• Nowadays, community members prefer to refer to themselves as Devendra Kula Velalar (DKV), a name connoting that they were created by the god Devendra.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q9. Sandes an instant messaging platform is an initiative of:
a) National Informatics Centre
b) Facebook
c) Google
d) None of the above

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
The National Informatics Centre has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes on the lines of WhatsApp.
• Like WhatsApp, the new NIC platform can be used for all kinds of communications by anyone with a mobile number or email id.
• The instant messaging app, called Sandes, has an interface similar to many other apps currently available in the market.
• Although there is no option to transfer the chat history between two platforms, the chats on government instant messaging systems (GIMS) can be backed up to a users’ email.
• GIMS, like other instant messaging apps in the market, uses a valid mobile number or email id to register the user for the first time. It also offers features such as group making, broadcast message, message forwarding and emojis.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. With reference to the Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, consider the following statements:

1. It marks the beginning of the summer season.
2. Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami is more popular in Bengal, Odisha and North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. 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 :-
Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja are being celebrated in different parts of the country.
• Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season – Basant means spring and Panchami means “the fifth day” (or Panchmi of Shukla Paksha in Magh Maas).
• The day is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja and the Hindu goddess of wisdom and knowledge, Saraswati, is worshipped on this day.
• Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami is more popular in Bengal, Odisha and North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.
• On this day, the Hindus visit temples and pray to Goddess Saraswati. Several schools begin their session on Saraswati Puja day.
• Men, women and children dress up in the vibrant yellow colour as mustard fields in northern parts of India blooms during this season. Yellow flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati and the festive yellow dishes like sweet saffron rice, kesari sheera, boondi ke ladoo, rajbhog and khichdi are prepared in homes.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.