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Current Affairs MCQs for Practice – 02 March 2022

Question-1

The first round of Ukraine-Russia talks were held in which country?

a) Ukraine

b) Russia

c) Poland

d) Belarus

Ans-d

Explanation-

The first round of Ukraine-Russia talks held at the Belarusian border concluded with no immediate agreements.

Question-2

Consider the following statements regarding the Vacuum Bomb:

1. It sucks the oxygen from the surrounding, producing a blast wave for a longer duration than conventional explosives.

2. It works on the principle of nuclear fusion, where the Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the bomb reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere.

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

Ans : a

Explanation-

Russia used a Vacuum bomb during the invasion, claims Ukraine.

Vacuum Bomb

A vacuum bomb, sucks in oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion, producing the effect of a small nuclear weapon.
It typically produces a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than that of a conventional explosive.
It is capable of vaporizing human bodies and is known as the father of all bombs.
It is the world's most powerful non-nuclear bomb and has a blast equivalent to more than 44 tons of TNT.
The destructive weapon is dropped from a jet and detonates mid-air.
Other names: Aerosol Bomb, Fuel-air explosive, Thermobaric.

Question-3

Consider the following statements regarding the Geneva Convention:

1. The Geneva convention comprises treaties and protocols for ethical treatment in war.

2. The fourth convention protects civilians, including those in occupied territory.

3. The conventions are mandatorily applied even to non-members during the time of the war.

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

Ans : a

Explanation-

Microsoft says cyberattacks targeting Ukraine 'raise serious concerns' under Geneva Convention.

Geneva Convention

The Geneva Conventions comprise of three protocols and four additional treaties that set the standards for ethical treatment in war.
The Geneva Convention originated in 1864 but was given a major overhaul in 1949.
It has been ratified by 196 states, including all UN member states, both UN observers the Holy See and the State of Palestine, as well as the Cook Islands.
The First Geneva Convention protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during the war.
The Second Geneva Convention protects wounded, sick, and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during the war.
The Third Geneva Convention applies to prisoners of war.
The Fourth Geneva Convention protects civilians, including those in occupied territory.
The Conventions apply to a signatory nation even if the opposing nation is not a signatory, but only if the opposing nation accepts and applies the provisions of the Conventions.

Question-4

Consider the following statements regarding the Pandemic Treaty:

1. It is an intergovernmental treaty signed between the members of the European Union and the African Union.

2. It covers aspects like data sharing and genome sequencing of emerging viruses and the distribution of vaccines and drugs.

3. The treaty contains a provision to ban the wildlife markets in the European and African Unions.

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

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans : c

Explanation-

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep cracks in global health systems, and members of the World Health Organization are now working towards being better prepared for any similar disasters in the future.

Pandemic Treaty

In December 2021, the World Health Assembly agreed to start a global process to draft the pandemic treaty.
The Health Assembly adopted a decision titled “The World Together” at its second special session since it was founded in 1948.
Under the decision, the health organization established an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB).
The body drafted and negotiated the contents of the pandemic treaty in compliance with Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.
The pandemic treaty is expected to cover aspects like data sharing and genome sequencing of emerging viruses and equitable distribution of vaccines and drugs and related research throughout the world.
The European Union (EU) also wants a ban on wildlife markets to be included in the treaty.
A widely-accepted theory points out that the novel coronavirus may have jumped from animals to humans in a wildlife market of China.
While the EU wants the treaty to be legally binding, the U.S., Brazil, and India have expressed reservations about the same.
The legal nature of the treaty is yet to be defined.

Article 19

It gives the World Health Assembly the authority to adopt conventions or agreements on matters of health.
A two-thirds majority is needed to adopt such conventions or agreements.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was set up under Article 19 and it came into force in 2005.

Question-5

Who is the new chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the first-ever woman to head the capital markets regulator?

a) Kalpana Morparia

b) Madhabi Puri Buch

c) Chanda Kochhar

d) Arundhati Bhattacharya

Ans- b

Explanation-

Former banker Madhabi Puri Buch has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) — the first-ever woman to head the capital markets regulator.

Question-6

With reference to the Facility for Low Carbon Technology Deployment (FLCTD) Project, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in 2020.

2. It aims to identify innovative energy efficiency and low carbon technology solutions that address the existing technology gaps in Indian industrial and commercial sectors.

3. It is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

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

Ans- b

Explanation-

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), commemorated its 20th Foundation Day by organising the National Innovation Conclave on Low Carbon Technologies. On this occasion, a compendium of the FLCTD Accelerator was released.

Facility for Low Carbon Technology Deployment (FLCTD) Project was launched in 2016 with an objective to identify innovative energy efficiency and low carbon technology solutions that address the existing technology gaps in Indian industrial and commercial sectors.
FLCTD project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
FLCTD has identified six priority technology verticals for ‘Innovation Challenge’. FLCTD project have already developed 18 new techniques and of which 12 have been commercialised.
Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Question-7

‘Sagar Parikrama’, recently seen in news, is an initiative of which of the following Union Ministry?

a) Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

b) Ministry of Agriculture

c) Ministry of Rural Development

d) None of the above

Ans- a

Explanation-

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will inaugurate the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ on 5th Feb 2022.

The Parikrama, starting from Mandvi at Shyamiji Krishna Varma Memorial, Gujarat, as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’, is an endeavour to know the problems of Coastal Fisher folk.
It will be organised in other districts of Gujarat and other State/UTs in subsequent phases.
The Parikrama shall be accompanied by the State Fisheries officials, Fishermen representatives, Fish-Farmers entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and Scientists from across the nation.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Question-8

With reference to the Arogya Vanam, consider the following statements:

1. It has been developed in the shape of a human sitting in the Yoga Mudra.

2. It consists of around 215 herbs and plants used for therapeutic purposes in Ayurveda.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 & 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans- c

Explanation-

The President of India Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated on March 1, 2022 a newly developed Arogya Vanam at the President’s Estate in the presence of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

Spread in 6.6 acres, the Arogya Vanam has been developed in the shape of a human sitting in the Yoga Mudra. It consists of around 215 herbs and plants used for therapeutic purposes in Ayurveda.
Some of the other features of this Vanam are water fountains, Yoga platform, water channel, lotus pond and a view point.
The concept of Arogya Vanam has been conceived with the aim of publicising the importance of Ayurvedic plants and their effects on human body. This Vanam will be now open for public viewing.
Hence both statements are correct.

Question-9

Kharkiv, often mentioned in news, is located in:

a) Russia

b) Ukraine

c) Poland

d) Germany

Ans- b

Explanation-

India’s evacuation exercise faces a challenge after the death of an Indian student during shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city which has been attacked by Russia.

The death also complicates New Delhi’s diplomatic hand — it had been projecting itself as a neutral actor, refusing to take sides.
Suddenly, the safety and security of around 8,000 Indian nationals still there has become an issue of urgent concern.

Kharkiv

Kharkiv, also known as Kharkov, is the second-largest city and municipality in Ukraine.
Located in the northeast of the country, it is the largest city of the historic Slobozhanshchyna region.
Kharkiv is located at the banks of the Kharkiv, Lopan, and Udy rivers, where they flow into the Seversky Donets watershed in the north-eastern region of Ukraine.
Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Question-10

Minimum Assured Return Scheme (MARS), recently seen in news, is an initiative of:

a) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)

b) HDFC Bank

c) SEBI

d) None of the above

Ans- a

Explanation-

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), which operates the National Pension System (NPS), is preparing to launch a guaranteed return scheme, Minimum Assured Return Scheme (MARS), which will provide savers and people from the salaried class an option for their investments.

The regulator has appointed EY Actuarial Services LLP as a consultant to help design the proposed MARS under the NPS. This will be the first scheme from the pension regulator that will offer a guaranteed return to investors.
The PFRDA wants to launch the scheme before the end of the current calendar year.
The actual returns will depend on the market conditions. Any shortfall will be made good by the sponsor, and the surplus will be credited to the subscribers’ account.
Two options are likely to be on offer.
Under the fixed guarantee option, the guaranteed return is fixed along the accumulation phase.
Under the floating guarantee option, the guaranteed rate of return is not fixed along the savings phase. The floating guarantee depends on the development of the 1-year interest rate until retirement.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.