18 FEB CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Assertion (A): Hydrogen fuel must be transformed into electricity by a device called a fuel cell stack before it can be used to power a car or truck.
Reason (R): Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not a source of energy.
Choose the correct option using the codes given below
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

Solution : a) Explanation :- Fuel cell:
• Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not a source of energy.
• Hydrogen fuel must be transformed into electricity by a device called a fuel cell stack before it can be used to power a car or truck.
• A fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy using oxidising agents through an oxidation-reduction reaction.
• Hydrogen fuel cell cars have a near zero carbon footprint and they are about two to three times as efficient as burning petrol.

Q2. Consider the following nations

1. Seychelles
2. Tanzania
3. India
4. Mauritius
   Arrange the above nations from North to South, based on their latitudinal location
   a) 3-1-2-4
   b) 3-2-4-1
   c) 3-4-1-2
   d) 1-2-3-4

Solution : a)
Explanation :-

Q3. Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius. Consider the following statements with respect to the CECPA

1. It is an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries.
2. The India-Mauritius CECPA will be the first trade Agreement to be signed by India with a country in Africa. 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 :-
• Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius.
• The India-Mauritius CECPA will be the first trade Agreement to be signed by India with a country in Africa.
The salient features of India-Mauritius CECPA:
• An institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries.
• A limited agreement which will cover Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Dispute Settlement, Movement of Natural Persons, Telecom, Financial services, Customs Procedures and Cooperation in other Areas.
• An Automatic Trigger Safeguard Mechanism (ATSM) for a limited number of highly sensitive products within two years of the Signing of the Agreement.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)

1. It is an intergovernmental organisation of more than 20 nations.
2. Its vision is to create a toxic-free world without incineration, according to its website.
   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 : b)
Explanation :-
• GAIA is a non-profits body.
• Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) is an alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-profits and individuals whose vision is to create a toxic-free world without incineration, according to its website.
• GAIA found that zero-waste programmes and policies have the potential to create good, environment-friendly jobs and help reduce pollution and improve community health.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Law relating to social media intermediaries fall within the domain of Parliament and the Central government.
2. Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India states that, all citizens shall have the absolute right to freedom of speech and expression.
   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 Information Technology Act, 2000
• It’s the first law in India managing cybercrime and electronic commerce.
• The main purpose for passing the bill was to stay a watch on all the activities happening on the net.
• The Act provides a legal framework for electronic governance by giving recognition to electronic records and digital signatures. It also defines cyber crimes and prescribes penalties for them.
• The Act directed the formation of a Controller of Certifying Authorities to control the issuance of digital signatures.
• It also established a Cyber Appellate Tribunal to resolve disputes arising from this new law.
Freedom Of Speech And Expression
• Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India states that, all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.
• The exercise of this right is, however, subject to reasonable restrictions certainly purposes being imposed under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India. Statement 2 is incorrect.

Q6. Consider the following statements about the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015:

1. A child below 18 years has to be treated as a juvenile/child for all purposes.
2. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is not a statutory body.
   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 Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• It has come into force from January 15, 2016 and repeals the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, defines the legal framework in which juveniles (below 18 years old in India) can appear before a judge.
• As per the prevailing law, a child below 18 years has to be treated as a juvenile/child for all purposes.
• One exception to this: If a child has committed a ‘heinous offence’, the child (if between the age of 16-18 years), can be tried as an adult and taken out of the protective umbrella of the juvenile justice system
• It mandates setting up Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committeesin every district. Both must have at least one woman member each.
• Also, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)was granted the status of a statutory body to enable it to perform its function more effectively.
• All Child Care Institutions, whether run by State Government or by voluntary or non-governmental organisations are to be mandatorily registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act.
• The Act included several new offences committed against children (like, illegal adoptions, use of child by militant groups, offences against disabled children, etc) which are not adequately covered under any other law.

Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. In a fuel cell, Hydrogen is the source of energy.
2. A fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy using oxidising agents through an oxidation-reduction reaction.
   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 : d) Explanation :- Fuel cell:
• Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not a source of energy.
• Hydrogen fuel must be transformed into electricity by a device called a fuel cell stack before it can be used to power a car or truck.
• A fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy using oxidising agents through an oxidation-reduction reaction.
• Hydrogen fuel cell cars have a near zero carbon footprint and they are about two to three times as efficient as burning petrol.

Q8. Consider the following statements about Juvenile Justice Act, 2015:

1. The Child Welfare committee is the final authority for exercising the powers and discharge duties in relation to children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act.
2. The committee consists of a Chairperson and four other members, of whom at least one shall be a woman and another, an expert on matters concerning children.
   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 :-
Child Welfare committee is the final authority for exercising the powers and discharge duties in relation to child in need of care and protection under the Act.
• The committee consists of a Chairperson and four other members, of whom at least one shall be a woman and another, an expert on matters concerning children.
• Also, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)was granted the status of a statutory body to enable it to perform its function more effectively.
• All Child Care Institutions, whether run by State Government or by voluntary or non-governmental organisations are to be mandatorily registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act.

Q9. With reference to the Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) power transmission project, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Voltage Source Convertor (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project.
2. It has India’s first HVDC link featuring state-of-the-art VSC technology. 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 will inaugurate the 320 KV Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) power transmission project.
• It is a Voltage Source Convertor (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project and has India’s first HVDC link featuring state-of-the-art VSC technology.
• Built at a cost of Rs 5070 crores, it will facilitate transfer of 2000 MW power from the western region and help meet the growth in load for the people of Kerala.
• This VSC based system features integration of HVDC XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cable with overhead lines which saves right-of-way as well as has 35-40% less land footprint compared to conventional HVDC system.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q10. With reference to the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in 2005.
2. The aim of providing basic civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, urban transport, parks as to improve the quality of life for all especially the poor and the disadvantaged.
   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 :-
Prime Minister will inaugurate the 75 MLD (million litres per day) Water Treatment Plant at Aruvikkara in Kerala.
• It is being built under the AMRUT Mission.
• It will boost supply of drinking water to people of Thiruvananthapuram and help avoid disruption of drinking water supply to the city in the event of maintenance work in the existing treatment plants in Aruvikkara.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched in 2015 with the aim of providing basic civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, urban transport, parks as to improve the quality of life for all especially the poor and the disadvantaged.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.