17 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)
Q1. Which of the following country has recently decided to ban the burkha or face veil? [Delhi edition Page – 13]
a) Nepal
b) India
c) Bangladesh
d) Sri Lanka
Solution: (d) Explanation:
Sri Lanka will soon ban the burkha or face veil, a Cabinet Minister said, as he announced the Rajapaksa administration’s latest policy decision impacting the minority Muslim community.
• The authorities would henceforth use the Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) law — that human rights defenders have termed “draconian” — to deal with religious extremism, with wide-ranging powers to detain suspects for up to two years, to “deradicalise” them.
• According to the minister, the burkha affects their national security as it is a symbol of their religious extremism. This dress came into Sri Lanka only recently.
• While the Minister had signed documents outlawing the burkha, the move awaits Cabinet approval. Over 1,000 madrasas would be shut.
• Following the Islamic State-inspired Easter terror bombings in Sri Lanka in April 2019, attributed to a local Islamist radical network, the government temporarily banned the face veil using emergency laws.
• The announcement on the burkha ban comes after a year-long controversy over the government’s policy of mandatory cremation of COVID-19 victims, based on unsubstantiated claims that the bodies would contaminate ground water.
• The government reversed its decision recently, amid persistent calls for burial rights from Muslims, who make up about 10% of the 21-million population, as well as international bodies including the U.N.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.
Q2. With reference to a report on Global air pollution by IQ Air, consider the following statements: [Delhi edition Page – 1]
- Delhi remained the most polluted capital city in the world.
- India is the third most polluted country in 2020, unlike in 2019, when its air was the fifth most noxious.
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:
A report on Global air pollution was released from IQ Air, a Swiss air quality technology company specialising in protection against airborne pollutants, and developing air quality monitoring and air cleaning products.
• Delhi remained the most polluted capital city in the world but India, on the whole, had improved its average annual PM2.5 (particulate matter) levels in 2020 than in 2019,
• India is the third most polluted country in 2020, unlike in 2019, when its air was the fifth most noxious.
• Bangladesh and Pakistan were the countries in 2020 with worse average PM2.5 levels than India.
• China ranked 11th in the latest report, a deterioration from the 14th in the previous edition of the report.
• When ranked by cities, Hotan in China was the most polluted, with an average concentration of 110.2 μg/m³, followed by Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh at 106. Of the 15 most polluted cities, 13 were in India.
• In the 2020 report, 106 countries were evaluated. The pollution levels are weighted averages, meaning that the population of a country influences the pollution values reported.
• In 2020, 84% of all monitored countries observed air quality improvements.
• However, of the 106 monitored countries, only 24 met the World Health Organization annual guidelines for PM 2.5.
• Hence both statements are correct.
Q3. Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam located in: [Delhi edition
Page – 8]
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Karnataka
Solution: (b) Explanation:
The Supreme Court said the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary will be “personally responsible” and “appropriate action” will be taken on failure to give information on the ‘rule curve’ for the Mullaperiyar dam to the Supreme Courtappointed Supervisory Committee.
• The ‘rule curve’ in a dam decides the fluctuating storage levels in a reservoir.
• The gate opening schedule of a dam is based on the ‘rule curve’.
• It is part of the “core safety” mechanism in a dam.
• Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam built at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers.
• The dam is located in Kerala but is operated and maintained by the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
• It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick and also reached in an agreement to divert water eastwards to the Madras Presidency area (present-day Tamil Nadu).
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
Q4. With reference to the Census, consider the following statements:
[Delhi edition Page – 9]
- The previous Census was conducted in 2011 and the NPR, which has a database of 119 crore residents, was last updated in 2015.
- NPR database had been created by collecting family-wise data and it can be strengthened by linking Aadhaar to each member.
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 provisional data for the latest Census and National Population Register (NPR) will be available before the Lok Sabha election in 2024, according to information provided by the Union Home Ministry to a parliamentary committee.
• The previous Census was conducted in 2011 and the NPR, which has a database of 119 crore residents, was last updated in 2015.
• The first phase of Census House-listing and Housing Census that was to be conducted along with the NPR from April 1, 2020, was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provisional Census results will be released in the financial year 202324 and the primary Census abstracts (PCA) will provide village-level data on important indicators.
• A mobile application has been developed for collecting the Census details and NPR and residents can also self-enumerate. The mobile app through which Census will be conducted will be available in 16 languages.
Aadhaar
• NPR database had been created by collecting family-wise data and it can be strengthened by linking Aadhaar to each member.
• “Consolidated details of a family” are not available through Aadhaar and based on it “a family structure” cannot be created without visiting each household and collecting information such as relationship among family members.
• Hence both statements are correct.
Q5. With reference to the development finance institution (DFI), consider the following statements: [Delhi edition Page – 9]
- The Union Cabinet has recently cleared a Bill to set up a government-owned development finance institution (DFI) with initial paid-up capital of Rs 20,000 crore.
- The DFI will be fully government-owned initially and the promoter’s stake will be brought down to 26 per cent in the next few years.
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 Cabinet has cleared a Bill to set up a government-owned development finance institution (DFI) with initial paid-up capital of Rs 20,000 crore.
• By setting it up, Government can leverage around Rs 3 trillion from the markets in a few years to provide long-term funds to infrastructure projects as well as for development needs of the country.
• Besides, the government will give Rs 5,000 crore as grant to the institution. The grant has been provided as tax-saving bonds.
• The amount will provide for the hedging cost if the DFI borrows from multilateral or bilateral institutions and it will subsidise the guarantee fee.
• The DFI will be fully government-owned initially and the promoter’s stake will be brought down to 26 per cent in the next few years. At all times, the government will continue to hold 26 per cent in the entity.
• The government will provide a 10-year tax exemption to funds invested in the DFI to attract long-term players such as insurance and pension funds.
• Hence both statements are correct.
Q6. With reference to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, consider the following statements: [Delhi edition Page – 9]
- Currently, abortion requires the opinion of one doctor if it is done within 20 weeks of conception, and two doctors if it is done between 20 and 24 weeks.
- According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for a pregnancy to be terminated after 24 weeks in case of substantial foetal abnormalities, the opinion of the State-level medical board is essential.
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:
The Rajya Sabha passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 that increases the time period within which an abortion may be carried out. The Bill was passed in March last year in the Lok Sabha.
• Currently, abortion requires the opinion of one doctor if it is done within 12 weeks of conception, and two doctors if it is done between 12 and 20 weeks.
• The Bill allows abortion to be done on the advice of one doctor up to 20 weeks, and two doctors in the case of certain categories of women, between 20 and 24 weeks.
• For a pregnancy to be terminated after 24 weeks in case of substantial foetal abnormalities, the opinion of the State-level medical board is essential.
• Opposition MPs said the Bill still did not give women the freedom to decide, since they would need a nod from a medical board in the case of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks.
• The original Bill was framed in 1971.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Q7. World Energy Transitions Outlook report, recently seen in news, released by: [Delhi edition Page – 9]
a) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
b) World Economic Forum
c) World Bank
d) None of the above
Solution: (a) Explanation:
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released the World Energy Transitions Outlook report.
• Previewed at the virtual Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, which began on March 16, 2021, the report proposes energy transition solutions for the narrow pathway available to contain the rise of temperature to 1.5 degree Celsius.
• The COVID-19 crisis offers an unexpected opportunity for countries to decouple their economies from fossil fuels and accelerate the shift to renewable energy sources,
• It estimated that by 2050, 90% of total electricity needs would be supplied by renewables, followed by 6% from natural gas and the remaining from nuclear.
• The agency has identified 30 innovations for the integration of wind and solar PV in power systems.
• The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation mandated to facilitate cooperation and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy.
• It was founded in 2009 and its statute entered into force in 2010.
• The agency is headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
• IRENA is an official United Nations observer.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
Q8. With reference to Immune Thrombocytopenia, 2020, consider the following statements: [Delhi edition Page – 10]
- Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets.
- In ITP, an abnormal immune reaction leads to destruction of the individual‟s own platelets.
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:
Immune Thrombocytopenia
• Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets.
• Platelets are specialized blood cells that maintain the integrity of our blood vessel walls and help prevent and stop bleeding by accelerating clotting.
• As the platelet count falls, the risk of developing bleeding symptoms increases.
• In ITP, an abnormal immune reaction leads to destruction of the individual‟s own platelets.
• It is estimated that around 42,000 patients are diagnosed with ITP in India every year.
• Less than 10% of patients have access to the treatment, which is required to maintain adequate platelet counts for a longer duration.
Q9. Which of the following is described as engine of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution? [Delhi edition Page – 6]
a) Cybercrime
b) Social Media
c) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
d) Internet
Solution: (c)
Q10. “India needs to bring CNG under the GST regime” recommended in report of? [Delhi edition Page – 14]
a) NITI Aayog
b) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
c) World Economic Forum
d) Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India
Solution: (d) Explanation:
India needs to bring CNG under the GST regime and tackle challenges such as high vehicle cost and limited boot space for the growth of the natural gas vehicle market, according to a report by Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India.
Opportunity to promote NGVs
• The report on „natural gas vehicle (NGV) market‟ stated that the CNG vehicle market has seen compounded annual growth rate of 7% to 33.76 lakh units in March 2020 from March 2016, mainly driven by passenger vehicles (cars and taxis).
• The demand for such vehicles, however, is concentrated in Maharashtra (30%), Gujarat (29%), Delhi (23%), Uttar Pradesh (9%), and Haryana (5%).
• India has large domestic reserves of natural gas as compared to crude oil.
• India has explored about 5 trillion cubic metres of recoverable reserves, of which less than 0.5% is used as fuel in the current CNG fleet.
• High vehicle volume and favourable conditions in the Indian automotive market presented an opportunity to promote NGVs.