CURRENT AFFAIRS
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
14
Nov & 15 Nov 2022- Current Affairs MCQs for Practice
Question-1
In India, who is classified as
being below the poverty line?
a) Spending less than ₹30 a day in
urban areas and under ₹27 a day in rural areas
b) Spending less than ₹32 a day in
urban areas and under ₹27 a day in rural areas
c) Spending less than ₹32 a day in
urban areas and under ₹24 a day in rural areas
d)
Spending
less than ₹35 a day in urban areas and under ₹25 a day in rural areas
Ans- b
Explanation-
In India, more than 30 crore
citizens have been classified as being below the poverty line (spending less
than ₹32 a day in urban areas and under ₹27 a day in rural areas).
Question-2
What is the name of India’s
first privately developed rocket?
a)
Nambi
b)
Prarambh
c)
Vikram-S
d)
Aryabhata-S
Answer: c
Explanation-
Inclement weather conditions have put off the sub-orbital
launch of India’s first privately developed rocket – Vikram-S – to November 18,
the Hyderabad-based space start-up Skyroot Aerospace said on Sunday.
Question3
The Commission for
Scientific and Technical Terminology, which has the mandate to evolve technical
terminology in all Indian languages, will soon launch a website which will
invite suggestions for the translation of words that are recent additions to
the English language and are used widely in the country. What is the name of
the site?
a)
Shabd Shala
b)
Shabd Samudaya
c)
Shabd Samaja
d)
Shabd Kosha
Answer : a
Explanation-
The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology
(CSTT), which has the mandate to evolve technical terminology in all Indian
languages, will soon launch Shabd Shala, a website which will invite
suggestions for translation of words that are recent additions to the English
language and are used widely in the country.
Question 4
Which State is set
to be the first one in the country to offer the MBBS course transliterated in
Hindi, meaning the text of the course will be in the English language written
in the Devanagiri script rather than actually being translated into Hindi?
a)
Uttar Pradesh
b)
Bihar
c)
Madhya Pradesh
d)
Haryana
Answer : c
Explanation-
Madhya Pradesh is the first state in India to have issued
these books and the first to offer the programme.
Question 5
While the summit of
G-20 country leaders is happening in Indonesia this year, which country is
hosting it in 2023?
a)
France
b)
Japan
c)
Brazil
d)
India
Answer : d
Explanation-
The G-20 forum of the world’s largest economies will be
steered by emerging economies for the near future: Indonesia this year, India
in 2023 and Brazil in 2024.
Question 6
What does UNCLOS
stand for in the context of international law?
a)
United Nations convention on Land Occupation and Secession
b)
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
c)
United Nations Convention on Labour Organisations and Statutes
d)
United Nations Conference on Land and Offshore security
Answer : b
Explanation-
Universally recognised principles of international law,
including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
and the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International
Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Question 7
Which of the following strategies are
proposed by India in its recently released Long Term Low Emission Development
Strategy (LT-LEDS)?
1.
Expand the nuclear power capacity by three fold in the next
decade.
2.
Become an international hub for producing green hydrogen.
3.
Increase the proportion of ethanol in petrol.
4.
Increase the rate of soil carbon sequestration.
Choose the correct answer.
a) 1, 3 and 4 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer : b
Explanation-
Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS)
- India released its LT-LEDS
document at the COP27 climate conference.
- The document outlines the
actions India proposes to take towards low carbon development.
- It document takes stock of
the existing policies and speaks about what the government would like to
do, under each of the following heads:
- Electricity;
Transportation; Adaptation in urban design, energy and material
efficiency in buildings and sustainable urbanization; Decoupling of
growth and emissions in industry; Carbon dioxide removal and related
engineering solutions; Increasing forest cover and vegetation; and
Economic and financial aspects of low carbon transition.
- Under Article 4.19 of the
Paris Agreement, an international climate agreement that was signed in
2015 to which India is a signatory, all countries are to “strive to
formulate” long term low emission strategies.
- The LT-LEDS released flows
out of that agreement.
- The LT-LEDS articulates
India’s vision and action plan for achieving its NDC goals.
- The strategy focuses
primarily on:
- Expand the nuclear power
capacity by three fold in the next decade.
- Become an international
hub for producing green hydrogen.
- Increase the proportion
of ethanol in petrol.
Question 8
onsider the following statements with
respect to the East Asia Summit (EAS):
1.
It is an initiative of the ASEAN and refers to the annual meeting
of Heads of States/Governments of the member countries.
2.
Members of the EAS include both ASEAN and Non-ASEAN countries.
3.
This year is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : d
Explanation-
East Asia Summit (EAS)
- The EAS is an ASEAN
initiative and refers to the annual Meeting of Heads of States/Governments
of these countries, where they are able to discuss common concerns and
interests.
- It began in 2005, with
their first meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Members of the EAS include
both ASEAN and Non-ASEAN countries.
- 10 ASEAN countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Apart from the ASEAN
member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the
Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia.
- The United States and the
Russian Federation joined at the 6th East Asia Summit in 2011.
- Its creation was based on
the idea of enhancing cooperation among East Asian countries and those in
the neighbouring regions.
- Six priority areas of
cooperation were identified – environment and energy, education, finance,
global health issues and pandemic diseases, natural disaster management,
and ASEAN Connectivity.
- This year marks the 30th
anniversary of ASEAN-India relations and is being celebrated as the
ASEAN-India Friendship Year.
Question 9
Consider the following statements
with respect to the Global Shield Plan:
1.
It was launched by the G7 group of countries to provide
pre-arranged insurance and disaster protection funding after events such as
floods, droughts and hurricanes.
2.
To avail the funding it is mandatory for countries to pay an
insurance amount beforehand.
3.
Only countries that are placed under the least developed category
can avail the fund.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 3 only
Answer : a
Explanation-
Global Shield Plan
- It was launched at the
COP27 by the G7 group of countries.
- It aims to provide funding
to countries suffering climate disasters.
- The initiative is
coordinated by Group of 7 president Germany and the V20 group of
climate-vulnerable countries.
- The V20 members represent
a broad cross-section of countries in terms of size, geographical
location, poverty and economic development.
- A number of them even
count as fragile states in a high alert situation (Afghanistan, Tanzania)
and others with alert (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, Timor
Leste).
- Global Shield Plan aims to
rapidly provide pre-arranged insurance and disaster protection funding
after events such as floods, droughts and hurricanes hit.
- It is backed by 170
million euros ($175.17 million) in funding from Germany and 40 million
euros from other donors including Denmark and Ireland.
- In the next few months it
will develop support to be deployed in countries including Pakistan,
Ghana, Fiji and Senegal when events occur.
- Countries need not insure
to avail the funding.
Question 10
Consider the following statements
with respect to the Automatic Identification System (AIS):
1.
They are designed to provide position, identification and other
information about a ship to another ship and to coastal authorities
automatically.
2.
In India, AIS is monitored by the Indian Navy under the Ministry
of Defence.
3.
AIS is mandatory for all vessels above 20 metres in India.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
a) 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 only
d) 1 and 3 only
Answer : a
Explanation-
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
- Automatic identification
systems (AIS) transponders are designed to be capable of providing
position, identification and other information about the ship to other
ships and to coastal authorities automatically.
- In India AIS is monitored
by the Director General of Lighthouses and Lights, the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways.
- An Automatic
Identification System (AIS) was made compulsory for all vessels above 20
metres after the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
- However, for vessels under
20 metres, the process has been delayed for several reasons.
- Verification and
monitoring of a large number of fishing vessels in India has been greatly
eased by the creation of the online ReALCraft (Registration and Licensing
of Fishing Craft).
Question 11
Consider the following statements
with respect to ‘In our LiFEtime Campaign’:
1.
It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment Forest and
Climate Change and United Nations Development Programme.
2.
It aims to encourage youth between the ages of 18 to 23 years to
become message bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
3.
Both Indian and Foreign youths can participate in the campaign.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : d
Explanation-
In our LiFEtime Campaign
- The Ministry of
Environment Forest and Climate Change and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), jointly launched the “In Our LiFEtime” campaign at a
side event of the COP 27 in Egypt
- The campaign aims to
encourage youth between the ages of 18 to 23 years to become
message-bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
- The campaign gives a
global call for ideas from youth across the world who are passionate about
living environment conscious lives.
- The youth can submit their
climate actions that contribute to lifestyles for the environment, which
are sustainable and scalable, and serve as good practices that can be
shared globally.
- LiFE – The concept of LiFE was introduced by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP 26 in Glasgow.
- LiFe envisions a circular
economy, which is cultivated by mindful choices. It aims to develop a
global network of individuals by nurturing “Pro Planet People” (P3).
- India has included LiFE in
its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to take climate-oriented actions.
Question 12
Consider the following statements
with respect to the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP):
1.
It is an initiative of the International Work Group for Indigenous
Affairs (IWGIA).
2.
The platform helps in preventing the illegal actions against the
indigenous people across the world.
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
Answer : d
Explanation-
Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP)
- The LCIPP was established
in 2015 by the Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the UNFCCC.
- The Local Communities and
Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) is an open and inclusive space and
brings together people and their knowledge systems to build a climate
resilient world for all.
- In accordance with the
Paris Agreement climate change is a common concern of humankind.
- When taking action to
address climate change, the respective obligations on, inter alia, the
rights of indigenous peoples and local communities should be respected,
promoted and considered.
- The COP has recognized the
need to strengthen knowledge, technologies, practices and efforts of local
communities and indigenous peoples related to addressing and responding to
climate change.
- In this context, the LCIPP
was established, for the exchange of experiences and sharing of best
practices on mitigation and adaptation in a holistic and integrated
manner.
- The platform has been
established to strengthen the knowledge, technologies, practices, and
efforts of local communities and indigenous peoples related to addressing
and responding to climate change.
Question 13
Consider the following statements
with respect to Isolated Proton Auroras (IPA):
1.
They occur when protons precipitating from the magnetosphere
interact with electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves.
2.
Both polar auroras and IPAs are responsible for depletion of the
ozone layer.
3.
IPAs can also occur at lower latitudes than the polar auroras.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : b
Explanation-
Isolated Proton Auroras (IPAs)
- They occur when the sun
belches out a barrage of fast-moving particles, which zip through space,
crash into Earth's magnetosphere and surf into the lower levels of the
atmosphere on magnetic field lines.
- Magnetosphere is the
region around Earth dominated by the planet's magnetic field.
- They appear at sub-auroral
latitudes, generated by energetic protons precipitating from the
magnetosphere through interaction with electromagnetic ion cyclotron
(EMIC) waves.
- In the mesosphere, these
extra-terrestrial particles charge up local gas molecules, creating
potentially hazardous compounds called nitrogen oxides and hydrogen
oxides.
- Mesosphere is a high
later of the atmosphere that extends from 50 to 85kms over Earth.
- These aurora generated
oxides can eat away at ozone, a pale blue gas that occurs naturally in
Earth's atmosphere.
- A single IPA in 2015
caused 400kms wide hole in the upper ozone layer.
- The hole only appeared in
Earth’s mesosphere and did not extend to the much more important ozone
layer in the stratosphere, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet
(UV) radiation.
- However, the ozone
depletion in the mesosphere could alter climate patterns in the lower
layers of the atmosphere and the even the Earth’s surface.
- Unlike the auroras that
cause the famous northern lights and their southern counterparts, isolated
proton auroras are far smaller and fainter, appearing as isolated spots of
green light rather than great bands of colour looping through the sky.
- These fainter auroras also
occur at lower latitudes than the northern and southern lights, which
appear above the North and South Poles.
- Polar auroras do not cause
ozone depletion.
Question 14
Consider the following statements
with respect to Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA):
1.
It is an initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
2.
It aims to finance the decommissioning of coal and accelerate
clean energy deployment in developing countries.
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
Answer : b
Explanation-
Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA)
- The US government will
build this programme with the Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller Foundation
and has urged other public and private sector players to join in.
- It aims to finance the
decommissioning of coal and accelerate clean energy deployment in developing
countries.
- The aim is to operate it
till 2030 and then possibly extend to 2035.
- The concept of the ETA
focuses on scaling up and de-risking private investment in accelerating
the clean energy transition in developing countries.
Question 15
Consider the following statements
regarding the US’ Currency Monitoring List:
1.
The list reviews the policies and monitors the currency practices
of the US’ trading partners.
2.
When on the US' Currency Monitoring List, a country is considered
a currency manipulator.
3.
India was recently added to the US’ Currency Monitoring List.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : a
Explanation-
US’ Currency Monitoring List
- The list closely monitors
the currency practices and policies of some of the US’ major trade
partners.
- The economies that meet
the following criteria in the 2015 Act are placed on the list.
- Under this legislation,
the Treasury Department has to assess the macroeconomic and exchange rate
policies of the US’ trading partners for three specific criteria:
- A significant bilateral
trade surplus with the United States is a goods and services trade
surplus that is at least $15 billion
- A material current
account surplus is one that is at least 3% of GDP, or a surplus for which
Treasury estimates there is a material current account “gap” using
Treasury’s Global Exchange Rate Assessment Framework (GERAF).
- Persistent, one-sided
intervention occurs when net purchases of foreign currency are conducted
repeatedly, in at least 8 out of 12 months, and these net purchases total
at least 2% of an economy’s GDP over a 12-month period.
- When on the US' Currency
Monitoring List, a country is considered a currency manipulator.
- Along with India, Italy,
Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam have also been removed from the list.
- Countries currently in the
list – China, Japan, Korea,
Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Question 16
Consider the following statements
with respect to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution:
1.
It contains a list of both central and state laws which cannot be
challenged in courts.
2.
Though a law which violates the basic structure of the Indian
Constitution, if placed in the 9th Schedule cannot be challenged in the court.
3.
The Schedule became a part of the Constitution in 1951, when it
was amended for the first time.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : b
Explanation-
Ninth Schedule of the Constitution
- It contains a list of
central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts.
- Currently, 284 such laws
are shielded from judicial review.
- Most of the laws protected
under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues.
- The Schedule became a part
of the Constitution in 1951, when the document was amended for the first
time.
- It was created by the new
Article 31B, which along with 31A was brought in by the government to
protect laws related to agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari
system.
- The First Amendment added
13 laws to the Schedule. Subsequent amendments in 1955, 1964, 1971, 1974,
1975, 1976, 1984, 1990, 1994, and 1999 have taken the number of protected
laws to 284.
- While the Ninth Schedule
provides the law with a safe harbour from judicial review, the protection
is not blanket.
- When the Tamil Nadu law
was challenged in 2007 (I R Coelho v State of Tamil Nadu), the Supreme
Court ruled in a unanimous nine-judge verdict that while laws placed under
Ninth Schedule.
- It stated that laws cannot
be challenged on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights, but they
can be challenged on the ground of violating the basic structure of the
Constitution.
- The court clarified that
the laws cannot escape the basic structure test if inserted into the Ninth
Schedule after 1973.
- It was in 1973 that the
basic structure test evolved in the Kesavananda Bharati case as the
ultimate test to examine the constitutional validity of laws.
Source- The Hindu Newspaper / PIB/ The Indian Express/DTE
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