27 & 28 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements
Assertion (A): The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as s/he thinks fit.
Reason (R): Article 174 of the Indian constitution puts the responsibility on the Governor to ensure that the House is summoned at least once every six months.
Choose the correct answer 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 :-
• Article 174: The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as s/he thinks fit.
• The provision puts the responsibility on the Governor to ensure that the House is summoned at least once every six months. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements about the inner line permit:

1. An ILP is issued by the state government concerned.
2. The system is in force today in North-eastern states Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
   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 :-

Inner Line Permit system(ILP)
It is a document that allows an Indian citizen to visit or stay in a state that
About is protected under the ILP system.
• The concept of ILP comes from the British Indian era.
• Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of outsiders in designated areas.
• This system was to protect the Crown’s own commercial interests by preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these
Background regions.
• In 1950, the Indian government replaced “British subjects” with “Citizen of India”.
o This was to address local concerns about protecting the interests of the indigenous people from outsiders belonging to other Indian states.
The system is in force today in Northeastern states Arunachal Pradesh,
Applicability
Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Current No Indian citizen can visit any of these states unless he or she belongs to that Provisions state, nor can he or she overstay beyond the period specified in the ILP.
• An ILP is issued by the state government concerned. Process of • ILP can be obtained after applying either online or physically.
issuing ILP • It states the dates of travel and also specifies the particular areas in the state which the ILP holder can travel to. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) is a centrally sponsored scheme.
2. The Jal Jivan Mission aims to provide access to water supply to all urban households by 2024.
   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 :-

Jal Jeevan Mission
Objective
• It was approved in August, 2019.
• To provide access to water supply to all rural households by 2024.
• To provide functional household tap connection to every household with service level at the rate of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd).
Background
• With the launch of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme, the Centre sought to provide assistance to the States for rural water supply in 1972.
• It was rechristened as National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009, a centrally sponsored scheme.
• Under NRDWP, it was mandated to enable all households to have access to and use safe and adequate drinking water.
o It was proposed to achieve the goal by 2030, coinciding with the SDG goals. o But currently, it has been planned to achieve the goal by 2024 through Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
About the mission
• Government of India has restructured and subsumed the ongoing National Rural Drinking Water Programme(NRDWP) into Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household i.e., Har Ghar Nal Se Jal (HGNSJ) by 2024.
• The following kinds of works/ schemes are proposed to be taken up under JJM:
o In-village water supply (PWS) infrastructure for tap water connection to every household;
o Reliable drinking water source development/ augmentation of existing sources;
o Transfer of water (multi-village scheme; where quantity & quality issues are there in the local water sources);
o Technological intervention for treatment to make water potable (where water quality is an issue, but quantity is sufficient);
o Retrofitting of completed and ongoing piped water supply schemes to provide FHTC and raise the service level;
o Grey water management;
o Capacity building of various stakeholders and support activities to facilitate the implementation.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water.
• Key components: the mission will include information, education and communication as key components.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q4. With reference to the Governor of a state, consider the following statements:

1. According to Article 174 of the Constitution “The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit”.
2. Governor has the responsibility of ensuring that the House is summoned at least once in every year.
   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 :-
Kerala Governor has turned down a request by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to summon a special sitting of the Assembly to debate the new three central farm laws. This raises questions on the role of a Governor and the contours of the powers he or she has under the Constitution.
• According to Article 174 of the Constitution “The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit”.
• The provision also puts on the Governor the responsibility of ensuring that the House is summoned at least once every six months.
• Although it is the Governor’s prerogative to summon the House, according to Article 163, the Governor is required to act on the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet.
• So when the Governor summons the House under Article 174, this is not of his or her own will but on the aid and advice of the Cabinet.
• There are a few instances where the Governor can summon the House despite the refusal of the Chief Minister who heads the Cabinet.
• When the Chief Minister appears to have lost the majority and the legislative members of the House propose a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister, then the Governor can decide on his or her own on summoning the House.
• But the actions of the Governor, when using his discretionary powers can be challenged in court.
• A number of rulings by the Supreme Court has settled the position that the Governor cannot refuse the request of a Cabinet that enjoys majority in the House unless it is patently unconstitutional.
• Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q5. With reference to the giant Antarctic iceberg A68a, consider the following statements:

1. The US National Ice Center (USNIC) USNIC is responsible for naming icebergs, which are named according to the Antarctic quadrant in which they are spotted.
2. Iceberg A68a is approaching South Georgia, an island in the southern Pacific Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI). 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 :-
The giant Antarctic iceberg A68a has become a cause for concern for South Georgia Island.
• The giant iceberg A68, the biggest block of free-floating ice from Antarctica with an area of about 5,800 sq. km, has been drifting in the Atlantic Ocean since 2017.
• This year, due to an ocean current, the iceberg was propelled into the South Atlantic Ocean and since then it has been drifting towards the remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, which is a British Overseas Territory (BOT).
• This has prompted fears about the impact the iceberg could have on the island’s abundant wildlife
• Icebergs travel with ocean currents and either get caught up in shallow waters or ground themselves.
• Recently, US National Ice Center (USNIC) confirmed that two new icebergs calved from A68a and were large enough to be named and tracked. They are called A68E and A68F.
• South Georgia is an island in the southern Atlantic Ocean that is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI). The main settlement is Grytviken.
• The US National Ice Center (USNIC) (USNIC is responsible for naming icebergs, which are named according to the Antarctic quadrant in which they are spotted) • Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q6. Which of the following country plans to have the first nuclear reactor on the moon by the end of 2026?
a) U.K
b) Russia
c) China
d) U.S.A

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
USA’s plan to have the first nuclear reactor on the moon by the end of 2026 — for which the US Department of Energy in collaboration with Nasa intends to solicit industry design proposals in early 2021 — got an impetus with a recent White House directive.
• On December 16, outgoing President Donald Trump, issued the “National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion”.
• Under it, he asked Nasa to “initiate fission surface power project for lunar surface demonstration by 2027 with scalability to a power range of 40 kilowatt-electric and higher to support a sustained lunar presence and exploration of Mars”.
• NASA aims to establish a flight hardware system that is ready for integrating with the lunar lander by 2026-end. The fission power system — as the nuclear reactor is called — will benefit future robotic and human exploration missions to the moon as well as Mars.
• The availability of safe, efficient, and readily available power is critical to these missions and a fission surface power system meets those requirements.
• The fission surface power system will be fully manufactured and assembled on earth and integrated on a lander as a payload.
• The system — consisting of four major subsystems including a nuclear reactor, an electric power conversion unit, heat rejection array, and power management and distribution subsystem — will be designed to operate for up to 10 years.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q7. Umba village, recently seen in news, is located in:
a) Ladakh
b) Kerala
c) Punjab
d) Sikkim

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Five Mohallas in Umba village in Ladakh received electricity connection recently. Umba village had no electricity till now.
• The village which is 60 KM away from district headquarter Kargil, is situated in toughest terrain at 13,000 thousand feet height and remains cut off for five months during winters.
• Under the guidance of Kargil Renewable Energy Development Authority (KREDA), the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) in partnership with the CSR project of Royal Enfield has installed a 17.5kW Solar Electricity system in Umba.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q8. With reference to the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory, consider the following statements:

1. Indian Railways’ PSU, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) commissioned Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur, Maharashtra with production of the first coach shell.
2. This factory has been designed with an initial capacity of manufacturing 250 MEMU / EMU / LHB / trainset type advanced coaches per annum.
   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 :-
Indian Railways’ PSU, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) commissioned Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur, Maharashtra with production of the first coach shell.
• Marathwada Rail Coach Factory is going to contribute in overall development of this region of Maharashtra.
• This factory has been designed with an initial capacity of manufacturing 250 MEMU / EMU / LHB / trainset type advanced coaches per annum.
• A 5 km long rail connectivity has been provided for movement of coaches from the factory to a new electronically interlocked Harangul railway station, which earlier used to be only a halt station.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q9. Monpa Handmade Paper is an integral part of local custom and culture in which of the following state?
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Goa
d) Gujarat

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
The 1000-year old heritage art – the Monpa Handmade Paper of Arunachal Pradesh – which was driven to the extinction, has come to life once again, with the committed efforts of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
• The art of making Monpa handmade paper originated over 1000 years ago. Gradually the art became an integral part of local custom and culture in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Once produced in every household in Tawang, this handmade paper was a major source of livelihood for the locals.
• The fine-textured handmade paper, which is called Mon Shugu in the local dialect, is integral to the vibrant culture of the local tribes in Tawang.
• The paper has great historic and religious significance as it is the paper used for writing Buddhist scriptures and hymns in monasteries.
• The Monpa handmade paper, will be made from the bark of a local tree called Shugu Sheng, which has medicinal values too.
• However, the handmade paper industry almost disappeared in the last 100 years; prompting KVIC to plan revival of this ancient art. KVIC recently commissioned a Monpa handmade paper making unit in Tawang which aims at reviving the art.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. With reference to the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT, consider the following statements:

1. The scheme will provide a financial cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family for in-patient care and surgical procedures.
2. Treatment is limited to government and private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir only. 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 :-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to extend coverage to all residents of Jammu & Kashmir.
• The scheme will provide a financial cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family for in-patient care and surgical procedures.
• Getting free treatment of up to 5 lakh rupees under this scheme would improve the ease of living. Right now about 6 lakh families of the state are getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. All 21 lakh families will get the same benefit after the SEHAT scheme.
• Another benefit of this scheme would be that treatment is not limited to government and private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir only. Rather, treatment can be availed from thousands of hospitals empanelled under this scheme in the country. Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q11. Thoubal Multipurpose Project is in:
a) Manipur
b) Sikkim
c) Assam
d) West Bengal

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched several development projects in Manipur.
• He inaugurated the e-office and Thoubal Multipurpose Project (Thoubal Dam) in Imphal through virtual mode which will irrigate 35,104 hectares.
• He also laid the foundation stone of projects, including the Churachandpur Medical College, IT-SEZ at Mantripukhri, Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi and the Integrated Command and Control Center at Imphal.
• Shri Shah said earlier projects were abandoned after performing ground-breaking ceremonies and work is now being done under the leadership of Modi ji, to inaugurate all projects whose foundation stones were laid by previous governments.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q12. What is ‘BBX11’, recently seen in news?
a) A gene that facilitates in the greening of plants
b) NASA’s first full-fledged human mission
c) A special human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types
d) It is a commercialised rice variety that is resistant to arsenic

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) have identified a gene that facilitates in the greening of plants by playing a crucial role in regulating the levels of protochlorophyllide — an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the green pigment chlorophyll.
• IISER scientists have identified the gene ‘BBX11’ and their study was recently published in the prestigious British journal New Phytologist.
• The synthesis of chlorophyll in plants is a lengthy, multi-step process. When a seedling emerges from under the soil it must quickly synthesise chlorophyll to start supporting its own growth.
• In order to facilitate quick synthesis of chlorophyll, plants make a precursor of chlorophyll called ‘protochlorophyllide’ in the dark, which glows red when blue light is shone on the plant.
• As soon as the plant comes out into the light from under the soil, light-dependent enzymes convert protochlorophyllide to chlorophyll.
• Using genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques, the duo found a mechanism where two proteins oppositely regulate the ‘BBX11’ gene to maintain optimum levels of ‘BBX11’.
• The amount of protochlorophyllide synthesised needed to be proportional to the number of enzymes available to convert them to chlorophyll.
• If there is excess of free protochlorophyllide, then exposure to light converts it into molecules that cause ‘photobleaching’.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q13. With reference to the Tau Bootes, consider the following statements:

1. It is an F-type main-sequence star approximately 51 light-years away in the constellation of Bootes.
2. It is a binary star system, with the secondary star being a red dwarf. 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 :-
An international team of scientists has collected the first possible radio signal from a planet beyond our solar system, emanating from an exoplanet system about 51 light-years away.
• Using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a radio telescope in the Netherlands, the researchers uncovered emission bursts from the Tau Bootes star-system hosting a so-called hot Jupiter, a gaseous giant planet that is very close to its own sun.
• Tau Bootes is an F-type main-sequence star approximately 51 light-years away in the constellation of Bootes. It is a binary star system, with the secondary star being a red dwarf.
• If confirmed through follow-up observations, this radio detection opens up a new window on exoplanets and provides a novel way to examine alien worlds that are tens of light-years away.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q14. V Ramgopal Rao committee, recently seen in news, is related to:
a) reservation in student admissions and faculty recruitment in IITs
b) formulate policies regarding small scale industries
c) address investment management and security analysis
d) study the financial condition of the Regional Rural Banks

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
A government committee recently reiterated a longstanding demand of the IITs — exemption from implementing reservation in faculty positions.
• The Ministry of Education in April 2020 had appointed a committee for suggesting measures for effective implementation of reservation in student admissions and faculty recruitment in
IITs.
• This committee, headed by IIT-Delhi V Ramgopal Rao, submitted its report in June 2020, the contents of which were recently reported in the media. Recommendations:
• Instead of implementing quotas in faculty positions, the 23 IITs should be exempted from reservations altogether under the CEI Act, 2019.
• Rather than specific quotas, diversity issues should be addressed through outreach campaigns and targeted faculty recruitment.
• IITs should be added to the list of “Institutions of Excellence” mentioned in the Schedule to the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act 2019.
• Section 4 of the Act exempts “institutions of excellence, research institutions, institutions of national and strategic importance” mentioned in the Schedule and minority institutions from providing reservation.
Current status of reservation in faculty recruitment at the IITs
• The 23 IITs reserve posts while recruiting faculty at the entry-level of Assistant Professor. There is no SC/ST/OBC quota for recruiting at senior faculty posts such as Associate Professor and Professor.
• And even at the entry-level, if the IITs cannot find suitable SC, ST and OBC candidates, they can de-reserve these posts after a year.
• In humanities and management courses, quotas are offered at all three levels. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q15. With reference to the India International Science Festival (IISF-2020), consider the following statements:

1. IISF is an annual event organised jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha).
2. This year’s theme for IISF was ‘Science for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Global Welfare’. 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 6th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF-2020) concluded with the valedictory address by the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
• IISF is an annual event organised jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha).
• The first and second IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai, the fourth in Lucknow, and the fifth IISF was held in Kolkata.
• IISF is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad. IISF-2020:
• IISF-2020 was held from 22nd to 25th December, 2020 at virtual platform. This year’s theme for IISF was ‘Science for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Global Welfare’.
• IISF 2020 is being organized jointly by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).
• The nodal institution for science festival this year is CSIR-National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi.
• Hence both statements are correct.

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