CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 & 4 JAN (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the region of Gibraltar

1. Gibraltar, an overseas territory of Spain is a small portion of land on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
2. The territory, which is connected to Spain by a small strip of land and surrounded by sea on three sides, serves as the only opening from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea.
   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 :- Gibraltar:
• Gibraltar is a small portion of land (an area of just 6.8 sq km and a population of around 34,000 people) on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula that Britain controls but Spain claims as its own.
• Strategic location: The territory, which is connected to Spain by a small strip of land and surrounded by sea on three sides, serves as the only opening from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea.
o As it is a key location on the shortest sea route between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, Gibraltar has been the subject of intense dispute between Spain and Britain for centuries.
• Status of Gibraltar since 1973: When Britain joined the EU in 1973, Gibraltar was a “crown colony”, but was reclassified as a British Overseas Territory in 2002.
o In two referendums, one in 1967 and the other in 2002, people of Gibraltar overwhelmingly voted to remain a British territory.
• Governance: The territory is self-governing in all aspects, except for defence and foreign policy, which are managed by London, and Gibraltarians have British citizenship.
o The territory’s economy depends on an open border with Spain, which sends over 15,000 workers and 200 trucks there daily.
• The 2016 Brexit referendum: 96 percent of the vote in Gibraltar were in favour of remaining in the EU.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Artificial trans-fat is created during hydrogenation.
2. Trans fat is not found naturally in meat and dairy.
   Which of the above statements is/are not correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
What are Trans Fats?
• Trans fats are a form of unsaturated fat associated with a number of negative health effects.
• Artificial trans fat is created during hydrogenation, which converts liquid vegetable oils into semi-solid partially hydrogenated oil.
• Trans fat can also be found naturally in meat and dairy.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG #5), seeks to grant property rights and tenure security of agricultural land to women.
2. Most of the women cultivators in India are excluded from the definition of farmers. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
• According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2011), empowering women through land and ownership rights has the potential of raising total agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5 to 4 per cent and can reduce hunger across the world by 12-17 per cent.
• The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG #5. a.1), seeks to grant property rights and tenure security of agricultural land to women.
• Women are mostly left without any title of land in their names and are excluded from the definition of farmers.
o The government labels them as ‘cultivators’ or ‘agricultural labourers’ but not ‘farmers’.
o Without any recognition, women are systematically excluded from all the benefits of government schemes.
• Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q4. With reference to the draft Model Standing Orders for the Manufacturing Sector, Mining Sector and Service Sector, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of “Work from home” has been formalized in the Model Standing Orders for Service Sector.
2. Rail Travel Facility has been extended to the workers in the mining sector. 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 :-
Pursuant to section 29 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Central Government has published the draft Model Standing Orders for the Manufacturing Sector, Mining Sector and Service Sector in the official gazette. Keeping in view the needs of the services sector, a separate Model Standing Orders for Services Sector has been prepared first time.
The salient features of these Model Standing Orders are as follows:
• The model standing orders adopted in respect of an industrial establishment shall also be applicable to all other industrial units of the industrial establishment irrespective of location.
• Uniformity has been maintained in all the three Model Standing Orders while providing some flexibility considering the sector-specific requirements.
• All the three Model Standing Orders encourage employer for use of information technology in dissemination of information to the workers through electronic mode.
• To provide safeguard to IT industry, “Involvement in unauthorized access of any IT system, computer network of the employer/ customer/client” has been prescribed as a misconduct.
• The concept of “Work from home” has been formalized in the Model Standing Orders for Service Sector.
• “Habitual” with respect to indiscipline has been defined if the worker found guilty of any misconduct three or more times in preceding twelve months.
• The Model Standing Orders for Services Sector inter alia provides that in case of IT Sector, the working hour shall be as per agreement or conditions of appointment between employer and workers.
• Rail Travel Facility has been extended to the workers in the mining sector. Presently, it is being availed by the workers in coal mines only.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q5. With reference to the ethanol distillation capacity, consider the following statements:

1. Union Cabinet has recently approved modified scheme to enhance ethanol distillation capacity in the country.
2. Government has fixed a target of 10% blending of fuel grade ethanol with petrol by 2022, 15% blending by 2026 & 20% blending by 2030. 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 :-
Union Cabinet has approved modified scheme to enhance ethanol distillation capacity in the country.
• This will increase income of farmers as other feed stocks such as cereals (rice, wheat, barley, corn & sorghum), sugarcane and sugar beet to be used for production of ethanol
• For benefiting a large population of farmers, Government is encouraging distilleries to produce ethanol from maize & rice available with FCI.
• India is well on the path of achieving a 10% blending target by 2022. This will help increase the income of our farmers and enhance their livelihoods
• Government has fixed a target of 10% blending of fuel grade ethanol with petrol by 2022, 15% blending by 2026 & 20% blending by 2030. Government also planning to prepone achievement of 20% blending target by year 2025 • Hence both statements are correct.

Q6. With reference to the Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), consider the following statements:

1. It has the ability to detect random quantum events and convert those into a stream of binary digits.
2. It was developed by CSIR.
   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 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory for Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT), a DRDO facility based in Mumbai, has developed a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) which has the ability to detect random quantum events and convert those into a stream of binary digits. • The Laboratory has developed a fibre-optic branch path based QRNG.
• Branch path based QRNG is based on the principle that if a single photon is incident on a balanced beam splitter, it will take either of the beam-splitter output paths randomly.
• As the path chosen by photon is random, the randomness is translated to sequence of bits. Significance:
• With this development India enters the club of countries who have the technology to achieve the generation of random numbers based on the Quantum Phenomenon.
• Random numbers have essential roles in various fields ranging from quantum communication, cryptography applications like key generation, key wrapping, authentication along with scientific simulations, lotteries and fundamental physics experiments.
• The generation of perfect randomness is generally considered impossible with classical methodologies.
• Quantum mechanics has the inherent potential of providing true random numbers and thus has become the preferred option for scientific applications requiring randomness.
• DYSL-QT is one of the five YSLs (Young Scientist Laboratories) of the DRDO which are working on five different technologies.
• The other facilities are Artificial Intelligence (DYSL-AI) Bengaluru, Cognitive Technologies (DYSL-CT) Chennai, Asymmetric Technologies (DYSL-AT) Kolkata, Smart Materials (DYSL-SM) Hyderabad.
• These five facilities were dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January this year.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q7. With reference to the Kochi – Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline, consider the following statements:

1. The 450 km long pipeline has been built by GAIL (India) Ltd.
2. Laying of the pipeline was done through a special technique called Horizontal Directional Drilling method.
   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 will dedicate the Kochi – Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation on 5th January 2021.
• The 450 km long pipeline has been built by GAIL (India) Ltd.
• It has transportation capacity of 12 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per day.
• It will carry natural gas from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification Terminal at Kochi (Kerala) to Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka), while passing through Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
• Laying of the pipeline was an engineering challenge as the route of the pipeline necessitated it to cross water bodies at more than 100 locations. This was done through a special technique called Horizontal Directional Drilling method. Significance:
• The event marks an important milestone towards the creation of ‘One Nation One Gas Grid’.
• The pipeline will supply environment friendly and affordable fuel in the form of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to households and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the transportation sector.
• It will also supply Natural Gas to commercial and industrial units across the districts along the pipeline. Consumption of cleaner fuel will help in improving air quality by curbing air pollution.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q8. Which of the following is the Nation’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19?
a) ZyCoV-D
b) Covishield
c) Covaxin
d) Sputnik V

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
The Nation’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, ZyCoV-D, by M/s Zydus Cadila has been approved by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for conduct of the Phase III clinical trials.
• The candidate has been supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) under the aegis of BIRAC and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
• Zydus Cadila completed Phase-I/II clinical trials of this DNA Vaccine candidate, in India, in more than 1,000 participants and interim data indicated that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic when three doses were administered intradermally.
• Based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee, which reviewed the interim data, the DCGI has accorded permission for conducting Phase-III clinical trial in 26,000 Indian participants.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q9. Gibraltar is located at the southern tip of which of the following Peninsula? a) Iberian Peninsula
b) Scandinavian Peninsula
c) Balkan Peninsula
d) None of the above

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Hours before the Brexit transition period ended on New Year’s Eve, Spain announced it had struck a deal with the UK to maintain free movement to and from Gibraltar. Officially remaining a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar will now be part of the Schengen zone and follow EU rules, thus ensuring that a hard border does not separate it from the rest of Europe.
• Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar is self-governing, with some responsibilities, such as defence and foreign relations, remaining with the British government.
• In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured Gibraltar from Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession. The territory was ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
• It remains strategically important, with half the world’s seaborne trade passing through the strait. It is also an important Tourist and cargo ship refuelling centre. Geography:
• It is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Gibraltar’s territory covers 6.7 square kilometres and shares a 1.2-kilometre land border with Spain. It shares a maritime border with Morocco.
• Gibraltar’s terrain consists of the 426-metre-high Rock of Gibraltar made of Jurassic limestone, and the narrow coastal lowland surrounding it.
• Gibraltar is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and has “No Contact With The Atlantic Ocean”.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. With reference to the tampon tax, consider the following statements:

1. The UK began 2021 by abolishing a 5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on women’s sanitary products, often referred to as the “tampon tax”.
2. Scotland, which is a part of the UK, made history in November 2020 by becoming the first country in the world to make period products free of cost to those who need them. 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 UK began 2021 by abolishing a 5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on women’s sanitary products, often referred to as the “tampon tax” and which many activists had described as sexist.
• It now joins the list of countries which have already eliminated this tax, which includes India, Australia and Canada.
• The measure is part of a wider UK government effort called ‘End Period Poverty’.
• Scotland, which is a part of the UK, made history in November 2020 by becoming the first country in the world to make period products free of cost to those who need them.
• Until December 31, the UK was a part of the EU, where period products such as sanitary napkins and tampons are classified as non-essential, and member states are required to levy a 5 per cent tax on them.
• Now that the UK is out of the 27-member bloc, it is not bound by its directives, under which sanitary products had been subjected to five different VAT rates since 1973– with the lowest 5 per cent slab being applicable since 2001.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q11. Consider the following statements:

1. The Karnataka government has allowed all shops and commercial establishments to operate round the clock all days of the week for the next three years under provisions of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act (1961).
2. The rules permits only shops and commercial establishments employing ten or more persons to operate 24×7.
   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 Karnataka government has allowed all shops and commercial establishments to operate round the clock all days of the week for the next three years under provisions of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act (1961).
• The revision of rules by the Labour Department is expected to help businesses recover from financial difficulties they faced during the coronavirus-induced lockdown which led to a decline in economic activity.
• The rules permits only shops and commercial establishments employing ten or more persons to operate 24×7. The period of this extension of timings will be in force till January 2, 2024.
• While the permitted time allowed for each employee to work in a week is fixed at 48 hours per week (eight hours a day), employers can ask them to work overtime.
• However, the period of work including overtime should not exceed 10 hours a day.
• The employees are also entitled to get overtime wages, which the employer is directed to credit to their savings bank account as prescribed under the Payments of Wages Act (1963).
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q12. Which of the following is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh?
a) Pong Dam
b) Tehri Dam
c) Kallanai Dam
d) Indira Sagar Dam

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
More than 1,400 migratory birds were found dead recently due to an unexplained cause in the Pong Dam area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh.
• The Pong Dam is also known as the Beas Dam.
• It is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh.
• The lake created by the dam, Maharana Pratap Sagar, is a renowned bird sanctuary.
• The purpose of the dam is water storage for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
• Wildlife authorities have sent samples taken from the carcass of the birds for testing at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal to ascertain the cause of death. • Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q13. With reference to the National Metrology Conclave, consider the following statements:

1. National Metrology Conclave 2021 is being organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi.
2. The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond.
   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 will deliver the inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave on January 4, 2021 through video conferencing.
• National Metrology Conclave 2021 is being organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi which is entering into its 75th year of inception. The theme of the conclave is Metrology for the Inclusive Growth of the Nation.
• He will also dedicate National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya to the nation and lay the foundation stone of the National Environmental Standards Laboratory.
• The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond.
• Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya is supporting testing and calibration of laboratories for quality assurance, at par with international standards.
• The National Environmental Standards Laboratory will aid self-reliance in the certification of ambient air and industrial emission monitoring equipment.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q14. With reference to the Trans fats, consider the following statements:

1. They are a form of unsaturated fat.
2. They come only in artificial forms.
   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 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022 from the current permissible limit of 5% through an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations.
• The FSSAI notified the amendment on December 29, more than a year after it issued a draft on the subject for consultation with stakeholders.
• The revised regulation applies to edible refined oils, vanaspati (partially hydrogenated oils), margarine, bakery shortenings and other mediums of cooking such as vegetable fat spreads and mixed fat spreads.
• It was in 2011 that India first passed a regulation that set a TFA limit of 10% in oils and fats, which was further reduced to 5% in 2015.
• Trans fats, or trans-fatty acids, are a form of unsaturated fat. They come in both natural and artificial forms.
• Transfats are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and death from coronary heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases, along with diabetes, are proving fatal for COVID-19 patients.
• According to the World Health Organization, approximately 5.4 lakh deaths take place each year globally because of the intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids.
• The WHO has also called for the global elimination of transfats by 2023.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q15. With reference to the banana grit, consider the following statements:

1. It was developed by CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) at Pappanamcode in Kerala.
2. The concept was introduced to utilise the presence of resistant starch in bananas, which is reported to improve gut health.
3. Changalikodan Nendran Banana got Geographical indication registration from the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Scientists at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) at Pappanamcode in Kerala have come up with a new product, banana grit or granules, developed from raw Nendran bananas.
• The product resembles to ‘rava’ and broken wheat. Billed as an ideal ingredient for a healthy diet, banana grit can be used for making a wide range of dishes, according to the NIIST.
• The granules can be used for making upma, or it can be mixed with banana powder for porridge, with milk or coconut milk for use as a health drink.
• The concept was introduced to utilise the presence of resistant starch in bananas, which is reported to improve gut health.
• Hence, the dishes prepared with banana grit and its by-product, banana powder, incline to the new focus on gut health, which the scientific community is widely discussing now to maintain health and well-being.
• Changalikodan Nendran Banana or famously known as Changalikodan is a banana variety originated and cultivated in Chengazhikodu village of Thrissur District in Kerala
• Changalikodan, now are cultivated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river. Changalikodan got Geographical indication registration from the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai.
• Generally consumed ripe, Nendran banana also finds use in typical Kerala dishes such as avial and thoran.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

---