3 FEB CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Stardust 1.0, recently in news, is a/an
a) Launch vehicle becoming the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel
b) Recently traced cosmic dust in the space by a NASA satellite
c) Constellation of large satellites to be launched by SpaceX
d) None of the above

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Recently, Stardust 1.0 was launched from a former military base in Maine, US, becoming the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel.

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban)

1. It will be implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
2. Providing coverage of sewage or septage management in 500 AMRUT cities is one of the focus areas under the mission. 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 :-
Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban):
Salient features of Mission:
• Implementing ministry: MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS, Government of
India.
• Total outlay: Proposed for JJM(U) is ₹2,87,000 crore which includes ₹10,000 crore for continuing financial support to AMRUT Mission.
• Central funding:
o 50% for cities with less than 1 lakh population, one third for cities with 1 lakh to 10 lakh population and 25% for cities with million plus population.
o 100% for Union Territories.
o 90% for North Eastern and Hill States.
• Promoting Public private partnership: It has been mandated for cities having millions plus population to take up PPP projects worth minimum of 10 percent of their total project fund allocation.
• Monitoring: Through a technology-based platform on which beneficiary response will be monitored along with progress and output-outcome.
o Funding from the Government for projects will be in three tranches of 20:40:40.
o Third instalment onwards will be released based on outcomes achieved and credible exclusion will be exercised while funding.
• Pey Jal Survekshan: Will be conducted in cities to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies with respect to quantity and quality of water through a challenge process.

Focus areas under the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban):
• To provide universal coverage of water supply to all households through functional taps in all statutory towns in accordance with SDG Goal- 6.
• Providing coverage of sewage or septage management in 500 AMRUT cities.
• Rejuvenation of water bodies: To augment sustainable fresh water supply and creating green spaces and sponge cities to reduce floods and enhance amenity value through an Urban Aquifer Management plan.
• Will promote circular economy of water: Through development of the city water balance plan for each city focusing on recycling or reuse of treated sewage.
• Reform agenda: With focus on strengthening urban local bodies and water security of the cities. Targets to be achieved under the reform agenda –
o Reducing non-revenue water to below 20%.
o Recycling of treated used water to meet at least 20% of total city water demand and 40% for industrial water demand at State level.
o Raising funds through issuance of municipal bonds.

Q3. Consider the following with respect to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual
Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013

1. The act provides for Vigilance Committees at District and Sub division level.
2. The monitoring committees provided under the act are headed by the Chief Minister at state level and Prime Minister at centre. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
The monitoring committees provided under the act are headed by the Chief Minister at state level and the Minister of Social Justice and Employment at centre.

Q4. Consider the following statements with regard to Ramsar Convention 1. It is an intergovernmental treaty under the UN Environment Programme.

2. Designation of a wetland as a Ramsar site signifies strict conservation of wetland and in turn no ecological services can be reaped out of the wetland.
3. The United Kingdom has the most number of Ramsar sites, whereas Bolivia has the largest area under protection.
4. In India, Maharashtra doesn’t have a Ramsar site.
   Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? a) 2 and 4 only
   b) 3 Only
   c) 3 and 4 only
   d) 1 and 3 only

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
• Statement 1 is incorrect because although it is an Intergovernmental treaty, it doesn’t fall under UNEP.
• Statement 2 is incorrect on the basis that at the core of Ramsar’s philosophy lies the concept of wise use. It doesn’t put a blanket ban on usage of wetlands. It calls for maintenance of ecological character.
• Statement 3 is correct. The UK has 170 Ramsar sites in total, whereas Bolivia has the largest area under protection.
• Statement 4 is incorrect, as there was no Ramsar site from Maharashtra earlier. But with the recent inclusion of Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird sanctuary, it has one Ramsar site officially.

Q5. Consider the following statements about the National Investment Fund (NIF):

1. The money with the NIF is permanent in nature
2. NIF does not provide any returns to the Government.
   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 :-
Statement 2 is incorrect.
The National Investment Fund (NIF)
• It was set up in November, 2005 for channelizing the proceeds from disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises.
• The money with the NIF is permanent in nature and NIF is professionally managed to provide returns to the Government, without depleting its value.

Q6. Consider the following statements in context of India-Sri Lanka relations:

1. Sri Lanka is a member of regional grouping BIMSTEC.
2. Recently, India voted in favour of Sri Lanka at the US-sponsored UNHRC resolution to investigate alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
   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 :-
• Sri Lanka is a member of regional groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC in which India plays a leading role. Statement 1 is correct.
• India voted against Sri Lanka in 2009, 2012 and 2013 at the US-sponsored UNHRC resolution to investigate alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Q7. With reference to the ‘Chauri Chaura’ incident, consider the following statements:

1. The Chauri Chaura incident took place on 4 February 1922.
2. Chauri Chaura is located in Bihar.
   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 will inaugurate the Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations at Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on 4th February 2021.
• The day marks 100 years of the ‘Chauri Chaura’ incident, a landmark event in the country’s fight for independence.
• The Chauri Chaura incident took place on 4 February 1922 at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Province (modern Uttar Pradesh) in British India.
• In this, a large group of protesters participating in the Non-cooperation movement, clashed with police who opened fire. In retaliation the demonstrators attacked and set fire to a police station, killing all of its occupants.
• The incident led to the death of three civilians and 22 policemen.
• Mahatma Gandhi, who was strictly against violence, halted the non-co-operation movement on the national level on 12 February 1922, as a direct result of this incident.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q8. With reference to KRITAGYA, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to promote innovation in agriculture and allied sectors in the country.
2. It is an initiative of NITI Aayog.
   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 :-
Union Minister of Agriculture informed Lok Sabha about AGRI INDIA HACKATHON.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has started organising KRITAGYA- a National level hackathon in the month of August, 2020 to promote innovation in agriculture and allied sectors in the country.
• Advantages of organising Agri-Hackathon are to give opportunity to the students along with faculties, innovators for showcasing their innovative approaches & technologies in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has also put in place an Institutional mechanism through Research Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agriculture Universities (AUs) to address the problems being faced by the farming sector.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
Q9. “The excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India, excluding repayment of the debt, over total receipts into the Fund (excluding the debt receipts) during a financial year.”
Which of the following does the above refer to?
a) Revenue Deficit
b) Effective Revenue Deficit
c) Budget Deficit
d) Fiscal Deficit

Solution : d)
Explanation :- Fiscal Deficit:
• The government describes fiscal deficit of India as “the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India, excluding repayment of the debt, over total receipts into the Fund (excluding the debt receipts) during a financial year”.
• In simple words, it is a shortfall in a government’s income compared with its spending. • The government that has a fiscal deficit is spending beyond its means.
• It is calculated as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or simply as total money spent in excess of income.
• In either case, the income figure includes only taxes and other revenues and excludes money borrowed to make up the shortfall.
Formula for it:
• Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).

Q10. Consider the following statements

1. Nano bodies are antibody fragments that are so simple that they can be produced by bacteria or yeast, which is less expensive.
2. Nano bodies have two variable domains, called VH and VL, which offer each other stability and binding specificity.
   Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b)
Explanation :- Nano bodies:
• Nano bodies are antibody fragments that are so simple that they can be produced by bacteria or yeast, which is less expensive.
• These are antibodies with a single variable domain located on a heavy chain, also known as VHH antibodies.
• These are often seen as an alternative to conventional antibodies, and have significant differences in both production and use that influence their suitability.
Difference in Structure and Domains:
• Conventional antibodies have two variable domains, called VH and VL, which offer each other stability and binding specificity.
• Nanobodies have VHH domains and lack VL domains, but are still highly stable. Lacking the VL domain also means nanobodies have a hydrophilic (having a tendency to dissolve in a water) side.
• Hydrophilic side means they do not have issues with solubility and aggregation otherwise associated with conventional antibodies.
• Nanobody production follows many of the same protocols as used in traditional antibody production. However, it also has distinct advantages not available with traditional antibodies, such as improved screening, improved isolation techniques, and no animal sacrifice.

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