22 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Which of the following statements with regard to the phenomenon ‘Conjunction’, recently in the news is incorrect?
a) It is the name given to any event where planets or asteroids appear to be very close together in the sky when viewed from the Earth.
b) It is unique to Saturn and Jupiter.
c) Astronomers use the word “great” for the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn because of the size of the planets.
d) None of the above

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
About the Great Conjunction:
• Not unique to Saturn and Jupiter: It is the name given to any event where planets or asteroids appear to be very close together in the sky when viewed from the Earth.
• Why called ‘great’: Astronomers use the word “great” for the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn because of the size of the planets.
• Happens once in about 20 years: Because of the time each of the planets take to orbit around the Sun.
o Jupiter takes roughly 12 years to complete one orbit around the Sun and Saturn takes 30 years.
o Saturn has a larger orbit and moves more slowly because it is not as strongly influenced by the Sun’s gravitational force as planets that are closer to the Sun.
• What makes the conjunction rare this year?:
o Jupiter overtaking Saturn: While Jupiter and Saturn have been moving along on their orbits all throughout this year, on December 21, Jupiter will take over Saturn as it orbits around the Sun.
o Rare alignment: This year’s event is rare because the planets will come the closest to each other in nearly four centuries.
 Further, this year, the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter will occur at night, which has not happened in over 800 years. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the Forward Bloc

1. All India Forward Bloc, led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, was a left wing nationalist political party in India which emerged as a faction outside the Indian National Congress in 1939.
2. The prime objective of the Forward Bloc was to bring all radical elements outside the Congress party to spread the meaning of complete independence of India with adherence to the application of principles of equality and social justice. 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 :-
Formation of Forward Bloc:
• All India Forward Bloc, led by Netaji, was a left wing nationalist political party in India which emerged as a faction within the INC in 1939.
• The prime objective of the Forward Bloc was to bring all radical elements of the Congress party to spread the meaning of complete independence of India with adherence to the application of principles of equality and social justice. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Winter Solstice, December 21, is the day when the South Pole is most tilted away from the Sun.
2. It is at latitudes higher than 66.5° (in either direction) that days of constant darkness or light occur.
   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 :-
Winter Solstice, December 21, is the day when the North Pole is most tilted away from the Sun.
• Seasonal variations: The tilt is also responsible for the different seasons on Earth. The side facing the Sun experiences day, which changes to night as Earth continues to spin on its axis.
• On the Equator, day and night are equal.
• The closer one moves towards the poles, the more extreme the variation.
• During summer in either hemisphere, that pole is tilted towards the Sun and the polar region receives 24 hours of daylight for months.
o Likewise, during winter, the region is in total darkness for months.
Latitude factor:
• The Earth’s tilt defines latitudes are also key to determining when a Solstice occurs. Latitudes are a measure of a location’s distance from the Equator.
• At latitudes of 23.5°, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, north and south of the Equator, are located.
• At 66.5° (or 90° minus 23.5°) are the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, to the north and south.
• It is at latitudes higher than 66.5° (in either direction) that days of constant darkness or light occur. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q4. Which of the following are part of e-governance initiatives in India?

1. Digital India
2. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems
3. National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) Select the correct code:
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : d) Explanation :-
e-Governance is basically associated with carrying out the functions and achieving the results of governance through the utilization of ICT (Information and Communications Technology). Digital India: This programme has been envisaged by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY). The vision of Digital India aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
• The Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems, abbreviated to CCTNS, is a project under Indian government for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-Governance.
National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP)
• A Project for Computerization of Land Records (CLR) was launched in 1988-89 with the intention to remove the inherent flaws in the manual system of maintenance and updation of Land Records.
• In 1997-98, the scheme was extended to tehsils to start distribution of Records of Rights to landowners on demand.
• The focus of the entire operation has always been to employ state of the art information technology (IT) to galvanize and transform the existing land records system of the country. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q5. With reference to the India- Vietnam Virtual Summit, consider the following statements:

1. A ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ document was adopted during the Summit, to guide the future development of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. Implementation of the High Speed Guard Boat (HSGB) Manufacturing Project for Vietnam Border Guard Command under the US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by Government of India to Vietnam was also announced.
   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 Narendra Modi held a Virtual Summit with H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam.
• A ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ document was adopted during the Summit, to guide the future development of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Both leaders also welcomed the signing of a Plan of Action for period 2021-2023 for further implementation of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to implement the Joint Vision.
Announcements made:

1. Implementation of the High Speed Guard Boat (HSGB) Manufacturing Project for Vietnam Border Guard Command under the US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by Government of India to Vietnam;
2. Completion and handing over of seven Development Projects with Indian ‘Grant-in-Aid’ Assistance of US$ 1.5 million for the benefit of local community in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province.
3. Enhancing the number of annual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) from currently five to ten commencing FY 2021-2022.
4. Three new Development Partnership projects in heritage conservation in Vietnam (F-block of Temple at My Son; Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Quang Nam province; and Nhan Cham Tower in Phu Yen province).
5. Launch of bilateral project for preparing an Encyclopaedia on India – Vietnam Civilizational and Cultural Relations.
   Hence both statements are correct.

Q6. With reference to the Shigellosis, or shigella infection, consider the following statements:

1. It is a contagious intestinal infection caused by a genus of bacteria known as shigella.
2. The infection is known to spread person-to-person when the bacteria is swallowed accidentally
   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 :-
Health officials in Kozhikode district of Kerala kicked in preventive measures last week after six cases of shigella infection and nearly two dozen suspected cases were detected.
• Shigellosis, or shigella infection, is a contagious intestinal infection caused by a genus of bacteria known as shigella.
• The bacteria is one of the prime pathogens responsible for causing diarrhoea, fluctuating between moderate and severe symptoms, especially in children in African and South Asian regions.
• The bacteria, after entering the body through ingestion, attacks the epithelial lining of the colon resulting in inflammation of the cells and subsequently the destruction of the cells in severe cases.
• The common symptoms are diarrhoea (often bloody and painful), stomach pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.
• The infection is known to spread person-to-person when the bacteria is swallowed accidentally. Spread through contaminated food and water is the most common form of transmission across the world.
• Prevention: It’s important to wash hands with soap especially after dealing with a child’s diaper and before preparing/eating food.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q7. With reference to the High Level Committee to commemorate the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, consider the following statements:

1. The High Level Committee will be headed by the Prime Minister.
2. This High Level Committee will decide on the activities for a one year long commemoration starting 23rd January, 2021.
   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 Government has decided to constitute a High Level Committee to commemorate the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• This High Level Committee will decide on the activities for a one year long commemoration starting 23rd January, 2021.
• The High Level Committee will be headed by the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah. The members will include experts, historians, authors, family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as eminent persons associated with Azad Hind Fauj/INA. Initiatives in the Past:
• In the recent past, Government of India has taken several steps towards conserving the heritage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• A museum has been set up on Netaji at Red Fort, New Delhi, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 23.01.2019.
• In 2015, Government of India decided to declassify the files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and make them accessible to public.
• In 2018, the Prime Minister renamed 3 islands in Andaman and Nicobar. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep; the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep; and the Havelock Island as SwarajDweep.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q8. With reference to the Status of Leopards report, consider the following statements:

1. The highest concentration of the leopard in India is estimated to be in Kerala.
2. There are 12,852 leopards in India as of 2018 as compared to the previous estimate of 7910 conducted 2014, an increase of 60% in 4 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 : b)
Explanation :-
Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar released the Status of Leopards report.
• The leopard population has been estimated using camera trapping method.
• There are 12,852 leopards in India as of 2018 as compared to the previous estimate of 7910 conducted 2014, an increase of 60% in 4 years.
• The highest concentration of the leopard in India is estimated to be in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).
• Recent meta-analyses of leopard status and distribution suggest 48–67% range loss for the species in Africa and 83–87% in Asia.
• In India, leopards have experienced a possibly human-induced 75-90% population decline in the last ~120-200 years.
• In Indian subcontinent poaching, habitat loss, depletion of natural prey and conflict are major threats to leopard populations. All these have resulted in changing the species status from ‘Near Threatened’ to ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• As for region-wise distribution, the highest number of 8,071 leopards were found in central India and eastern ghats. In the northeast hills, there are just 141 leopards.
• The leopard was estimated across forested habitats in tiger range areas of the country but other leopard occupied areas such as non-forested habitats, higher elevations in the Himalayas, arid landscapes and majority of North East landscape were not sampled.
• Therefore, the population estimation should be considered as minimum number of leopards in each of the landscapes. Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q9. With reference to the “JSA II: Catch the Rain” Awareness Generation Campaign, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched by NITI Aayog.
2. It covers 623 districts across the nation from December 2020 to March 2021. 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 :-
National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the “JSA II: Catch the Rain” Awareness Generation Campaign.
• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan will undertake the campaign covering 623 districts across the nation from December 2020 to March 2021.
• NWM has launched a campaign Catch the rain” with tag line “catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” in order to nudge all stake-holders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) to store rain water as rains falling in the four/five months of monsoon are the only source of water for most parts of the country.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q10. With reference to the Legion of Merit award, consider the following statements:

1. US President Donald Trump presented the prestigious Legion of Merit award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
2. It is given only to the Head of State or Government.
   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 :-
US President Donald Trump presented the prestigious Legion of Merit award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Mr Modi was presented with the highest degree Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit which is given only to the Head of State or Government.
• Mr Modi was given the award in recognition of his steadfast leadership and vision that has accelerated India’s emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges.
• The US President also presented the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The awards were received by their respective ambassadors in Washington DC.
• Hence both statements are correct.

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