DAILY

CURRENT AFFAIRS

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

25 & 27 Jan 2023- Current Affairs MCQs for Practice

Question-1

In which country was Dolar Popat, Indian-origin peer in the House of Lords, born?

a)   Guyana

b)   Tanzania

c)   Uganda

d)   Mauritius

Answer- c

Uganda-born Indian origin peer in the House of Lords, Dolar Popat, wrote to the director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, on Tuesday condemning the documentary as “one-sided” and asking him to stop the BBC from airing the program to “avoid exasperating [sic] the already tense situation” between British Hindus and Muslims. 

Question-2

Consider the following statements with respect to Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT):

1.    It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

2.   It hears appeals against orders passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

3.   It functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance.

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

Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)

·       Securities Appellate Tribunal is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

·       It works to hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or by an adjudicating officer under the Act.

·       It also works to exercise jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on the Tribunal by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.

·       It works under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance & has only one bench which sits at Mumbai.

·       It has the same powers as vested in a civil court & if any person feels aggrieved by SAT’s decision or order can appeal to the Supreme Court.

Question 3

Consider the following statements with respect to Hybrid Immunity:

1.    It is the immunity achieved from a vaccine that can protect against a single disease caused by different strains.

2.   The advantage from hybrid immunity arises from memory B cells (MBC).

3.   MBCs are a type of B lymphocyte that forms part of the adaptive immune system.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

a)   1 and 3 only

b)   1 and 2 only

c)   2 and 3 only

d)   1, 2 and 3

Answer : c

Hybrid Immunity

·       It is a combination of both natural immunity from an infection and the immunity provided by the vaccine.

·       The advantage from hybrid immunity arises mostly from memory B cells (MBC).

·       MBC is a type of B lymphocyte that forms part of the adaptive immune system.

·       B lymphocytes are the cells the immune system that make antibodies to invade pathogens like viruses.

·       While the bulk of antibodies after infection or vaccination decline after a short while, the memory B cells get triggered on subsequent infection or vaccination.

·       Unlike after vaccination, the memory B cells formed after natural infection are more likely to make antibodies that block immune-evading variants.

Question 4

Consider the following statements:

1.    Euthanasia refers to the practice of an individual deliberately ending their life, to get relief from an incurable condition, or suffering.

2.   In India both active and passive euthanasia is permitted.

3.   Active euthanasia can be implemented only when the affected person is having a living will.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

a)   1 and 2 only

b)   2 and 3 only

c)   1 only

d)   3 only

Answer : b

Euthanasia and Living Will

·       Euthanasia refers to the practice of an individual deliberately ending their life, oftentimes to get relief from an incurable condition, or intolerable pain and suffering.

·       Euthanasia, which can be administered only by a physician, can be either ‘active’ or ‘passive’.

·       Active euthanasia involves an active intervention to end a person’s life with substances or external force, such as administering a lethal injection.

·       Passive euthanasia refers to withdrawing life support or treatment that is essential to keep a terminally ill person alive.

·       Passive euthanasia was legalised in India by the Supreme Court in 2018, contingent upon the person having a ‘living will’.

·       Living will is a written document that specifies what actions should be taken if the person is unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.

·       In case a person does not have a living will, members of their family can make a plea before the High Court to seek permission for passive euthanasia.

·       In India only passive euthanasia is permitted.

Different countries, different laws

·       Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide for anyone who faces “unbearable suffering” that has no chance of improvement.

·       Switzerland bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician.

·       Canada had announced that euthanasia and assisted dying would be allowed for mentally ill patients by March 2023; however, the decision has been widely criticised, and the move may be delayed.

·       United States has different laws in different states. Euthanasia is allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

·       United Kingdom considers it illegal and equivalent to manslaughter.

Question 5

Consider the following statements:

1.    Sovereign Green Bonds are issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

2.   The proceeds of the bonds are utilised only for projects classified as environmentally sustainable.

3.   Sovereign Green Bonds carry lower interest rate than that for regular government borrowings.

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

Sovereign Green Bonds (SGB)

·       Green bonds are bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilised for projects classified as environmentally sustainable.

·       The RBI issues SGB in India and will be auctioning two green bonds with tenures of 5 and 10 years, worth Rs 4,000 crore each.

·       Green Bonds offer investors a platform to engage in good practices, influencing the business strategy of bond issuers.

·       They provide a means to hedge against climate change risks while achieving at least similar, if not better, returns on their investment.

·       In this way, the growth in Green Bonds and green finance also indirectly works to disincentives high carbon-emitting projects, as per the IFC.

·       In renewable energy, investments will be made in solar, wind, biomass and hydropower energy projects.

·       SGrB may carry lower interest rate than that for regular government borrowings.

·       India is set to issue its first green bond at a “Greenium”.

·       Greenium refers to the bonds with yields below prevailing market rates.

Question 6

Consider the following statements with respect to Kelp Forests:

1.    Kelps are brown algae that grow on lava deposits from volcanoes.

2.   Kelp forests are ecosystems formed by the dense growth of kelps on trees.

3.   Kelp forests in India are predominantly found in the Deccan Plateau.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

a.    1 only

b.   2 only

c.    3 only

d.   1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Kelp Forests

·       Kelp is a brown algae that grow as large coastal seaweeds in colder seas.

·       Kelps provide critical habitat and are an important food source for a wide range of coastal organisms, including many fish and invertebrates.

·       In ideal conditions, kelp can grow up to 18 inches per day, and in stark contrast to the colourful and slow-growing corals, the giant kelp canopies tower above the ocean floor.

·       Like trees in a forest, these giant algae provide food and shelter for many organisms.

·       Also like a terrestrial forest, kelp forests experience seasonal changes.

·       Storms and large weather events, like El Niño, can tear and dislodge the kelp, leaving a tattered winter forest to begin its growth again each spring.

·       Kelp forests can be seen along much of the west coast of North America. Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore.

·       They grow in dense groupings much like a forest on land.

Question 7

A ‘Green comet’ appearing close to Earth after 50,000 years. In this context, consider the following facts about comets

1.    The green comet come under the category of long-period comets that take more than 200 years to orbit the Sun.

2.   Halley’s comet has a regular 76-year journey around the Sun.

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 : c

Explanation

·       The green comet come under the category of long-period comets.

·       The long-period comets are the ones that take more than 200 years to orbit the Sun.

·       With a highly elliptical orbit, the comet will head back to the Oort cloud and make its next appearance roughly 50,000 years later.

·       But given their orbits, it’s not unique for comets to reappear close to Earth only after many, many years.

·       Halley’s comet has a regular 76-year journey around the Sun.

Question 8

Consider the following statements

1.    The judiciary of India is bound to accept the recommendations of a medical board if the pregnancy to be terminated is above 24 weeks.

2.   To terminate a pregnancy, the time limit must be of up to 20 weeks but less than 24 weeks.

3.   Given a severe foetal abnormality, the length of the pregnancy does not matter.

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

Question 9

Consider the following statements about the Exercise TROPEX

1.    This biannual exercise is conducted in the Indian Ocean Region and its adjunct water.

2.   It involves participation of all operational units of Indian Navy as well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard.

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

·       The biennial Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) is aimed at "validating and refining" the Navy's concept of "operations" as well as to test overall combat capabilities.

·       This biennial exercise has participation of all operational units of Indian Navy including ships, submarines, aircraft as well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard.

·       This exercise is being conducted in the Indian Ocean Region and its adjunct water.

·       The aim of this exercise is to test Indian navy’s warfare preparedness in an intricate multi-faceted plan set in the context of the current geo strategic environment.

·       TROPEX is conducted in many phases like coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’, Tri-Service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX, etc

Question 10

Recently, the Government of India directed YouTube to take down links sharing a documentary using the emergency provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021. In this context, consider the following statements

1.    This order was passed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

2.   The Government of India has powers to issue content takedown notices to social media intermediaries in emergency situations for which no delay is acceptable.

3.   These emergency notices can be issued if the content can impact the sovereignty, integrity, defence, or security of India.

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 : c

Explanation

·       The order was passed under the emergency provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

·       Under the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has powers to issue content takedown notices to social media intermediaries in emergency situations for which no delay is acceptable.

·       In case of emergency, the Secretary, MIB may block for public access of any information through any computer resource and…as an interim measure issue such directions as he may consider necessary to such persons, publishers or intermediary in control of such computer hosting such information without giving him an opportunity of hearing.

·       These emergency notices can be issued if the MIB believes that the content can

1.    Impact the sovereignty, integrity, defence, or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states or public order, or

2.   Prevent incitement to any cognisable offence.

Source: The Hindu/ PIB/ The Indian Express/ DTE/others