Current Affairs Quiz 16 and 17 August

Current Affairs MCQs [ 16th and 17th August 2017 ] PIB TheHindu IndianExpress & Other leading newspapers

Sumant Kumar, B.Tech NIT Allahabad sumant.magadh@gmail.com

CCEA approves procedure and mechanism for Strategic Disinvestment The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by A. Prime Minister B. Defence Minister C. Finance Minister

Consider the following statements regarding Disinvestment and Strategic Disinvestment A. In Strategic disinvestment, significant

proportion of a Public Sector Unit’s (PSU) share and the management control goes to a private sector which is considered as strategic partner.

D. Finance Secretary Ans A

B. In ordinary disinvestment, management of PSU is retained with Government.

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 Ans D

Department of Investment and public Asset Management (DIPAM) o DIPAM is the nodal agency of MoF mandated to

advise the Union Government in the matters of financial restructuring of PSUs and also for attracting investment through capital markets.

o It will also deal with all matters relating to sale of Union Government’s equity in PSUs through private placement or offer for sale or any other mode in the erstwhile Central PSUs.

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 Ans C

Revised mechanism for strategic disinvestment o Setting up an Alternative Mechanism (AM):

• It will decide on the matters relating to terms and conditions of the sale from the stage of inviting of Express of Interests (Eols) till inviting of financial bid.

• It will consist of the Finance Minister, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Minister of Administrative Department.

o Empowering the Core Group of Secretaries (CGD): It will enable CGD to take policy decisions with regard to procedural issues and consider deviations as necessary from time to time for effective implementation of decisions of CCEA.

Malpelo plate: New tectonic microplate discovered off the coast of Ecuador Consider the following statements regarding Malpelo Plate o It is a newly found tectonic mircoplate off Ecuador’s

coast in the eastern Pacific Ocean. o It has been named Malpelo plate, after a Colombian

island and an oceanic ridge it contains. o Malpelo microplate is located west of the Galapagos

Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements regarding Malpelo Plate o Microplates are tectonic plates with an

area less than 1 million km2. o It is wedged in-between the Nazca,

Cocos, and Caribbean minor plates. 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 Ans D

Ans D

Consider the following statements regarding Tectonic Plate o A tectonic plate is essentially a part-crust, part-mantle that is pushed around by the

convecting currents of superheated rock (magma) beneath them. o There are total eight major tectonic plates (with an area greater than 20 million

km2), ten minor tectonic plates (area between 1 and 20 million km2). o Interactions at the edges of moving plates account for most earthquakes and

volcanic eruptions on the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D UPSC Questions : Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because [2012 - I] 1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface 2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere 3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only

Consider the following States [2015-I] 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Himachal Pradesh 3. Mizoram In which of the above States do 'Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' occur? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3 92. (c) • Since the atmosphere is warmed from the ground up,

and since the air is at its most dense near the surface of the earth, the air near the surface is going to be able to retain much more heat than the air at higher elevations due to the increased amounts of air molecules;

• higher elevations have fewer air molecules and consequently can't retain as much heat.

• The earth is NOT heated from direct sunlight.

• Now, here's where it all comes together. Since the atmosphere is warmed from the ground up, and since the air is at its most dense near the surface of the earth, the air near the surface is going to be able to retain much more heat than the air at higher elevations due to the increased amounts of air molecules; higher elevations have fewer air molecules and consequently can't retain as much heat.

191. (c) Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Island and on the eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats in such states as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.

India to host steering committee meeting of TAPI gas pipeline Consider the following statements regarding Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline o TAPI gas pipeline project is a proposed trans-country

natural gas pipeline developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

o The pipeline will transport natural gas from energy rich Caspian Sea (Galkynysh gasfields: fourth largest in the world) in Turkmenistan to India through Afghanistan into Pakistan.

o It connects energy rich Central Asia with energy starved South Asia.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D

India's gain : • India will extract from it between 15-25%

of its natural gas needs

• improving India’s energy security.

• New opportunities to the development of gas and engineering industries.

• will foster regional connectivity between the countries involved => regional integration.

• energy at competitive pricing

• proximity and abundance of Turkmenistan’s reserves

• This project also gives India an opportunity to secure its interest in Central Asia.

• TAPI’s success will also ensure that India, Pakistan and Afghanistan find ways of cooperating on other issues as well.

Consider the following matches of rivers with their origin source. • Narmada: Maikal Hills • Chambal: Singar Chouri peak • Tapi : Satpura range

Select the correct answer using the codes below. a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution: d)

• Amarkantak (MP) is the place from where the Narmada River originates.

• It rises from the Maikal ranges at the height of 1057 m above MSL.

• It mainly flows in the central India.

• Chambal River originates from the Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of the Vindhyan escarpment.

• Tapi : The river rises in the eastern Satpura Range of southern Madhya Pradesh state, and flows westward, draining Madhya Pradesh’s Nimar region, Maharashtra’s Kandesh and east Vidarbha regions in the northwest corner of the Deccan Plateau and south Gujarat, before emptying into the Gulf of Cambay of the Arabian Sea.

Cabinet approves raising Rs. 9020 crore for Long Term Irrigation Fund Consider the following statements regarding Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) • The funds will be raised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

through the issuance of Bonds at 6% per annum as per requirement. • The LTIF will be for the implementation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) works

of 99 ongoing prioritised irrigation projects along with their command area development (CAD) works under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

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 Ans C Issue : • Large number of major and medium irrigation projects taken up under the AIBP were languishing

mainly due to inadequate provision of funds.

• To cater to the large fund requirement and ensure completion of these projects, the Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech 2016-17, had announced creation of dedicated LTIF in NABARD with an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore for funding identified ongoing projects under PMKSY (AIBP and CAD).

Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) • PMKSY has been formulated amalgamating ongoing

schemes viz. AIBP, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).

Objectives of PMKSY • (Achieve convergence of investments in

irrigation at the field level, • Expand cultivable area under assured

irrigation (har khet ko pani),

• It is implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development.

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 Ans C

• Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop),

• Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water,

• Enhance recharge of aquifers and • Introduce sustainable water

conservation practices. Consider the following statements regarding NABARD • It is an apex development bank in India. • Private players holds the majority stake in it. • It is Headquartered in Mumbai(Maharashtra) • It was established in 1982 on the

recommendations of Shivaraman Committee to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only Ans (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

The RBI holds the majority stake in it. Mandate: 1. Facilitate credit flow

for promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts.

2. Support all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated and sustainable rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas.

Consider the following statements regarding National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017 : 1. The Bill transfers share capital held by

the RBI valued at Rs 20 crore to the Union Government.

2. It allows NABARD to provide financial assistance to banks if they provide loans to the MSMEs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only

Currently RBI holds 0.4% of the paid-up capital of NABARD and the remaining 99.6% is held by the Union government and this causes conflict in the RBI’s role as banking regulator and shareholder in NABARD.

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans C

Cabinet clears stalled North Koel Reservoir Project in Bihar Consider the following statements regarding North Koel River • North Koel river is a tributary of Sone River. • North Koel River rises on Ranchi plateau in Jharkhand. • It joins the Sone River (only right bank tributary of Ganga River) a few miles north-west of

Haidarnagar. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D Betla National Park is located in 1. Bihar 2. Jharkhand 3. UP 4. MP

Ans B It is located in Chota Nagpur Plateau of Palamu District(JH)

Consider the following statements regarding North Koel River • Its principal tributaries are the Auranga and the Amanat. • It meanders through the northern part of Betla National

Park. 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 Ans C

Union Government inks Global Environment Facility Grant Agreement with World Bank The Union Government has inked US $24.64 million Grant Agreement from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the World Bank for Ecosystem Service Improvement Project. Consider the following statements regarding Global Environment Facility 1. It is an independently operating financial

organization 2. It was setup as a fund under World Bank in 1991 3. In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, the GEF was

restructured and moved out of the World Bank system to become a permanent, separate institution.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only

• Since 1994, however, the World Bank has served as the Trustee of the GEF Trust Fund and provided administrative services.

• Support actions to combat major environmental issues such as • climate change,

• loss of biodiversity,

• polluted international waters, • land degradation and desertification, and

• persistent organic pollutants, as well as stimulate green growth.

(d) 1, 2 and 3Ans D GEF serves as financial mechanism for : • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) • UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) • Minamata Convention on Mercury • All of the above

Ans F Consider the following statements regarding Ecosystem Service Improvement Project • The project will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh through Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) under the National Green India Mission (GIM).

• The objective of the Project is to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Community Organisations and Departments of Forestry to enhance forest ecosystem services and improve the livelihoods of forest dependent communities in Central Indian Highlands.

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 Ans D Consider the following statements regarding Global Environment Facility (GEF) 1. GEF is a multilateral financial

mechanism

Projects under it address six designated focal areas: 1. biodiversity, 2. international waters,

2. It provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities.

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 Ans D

3. climate change, 4. ozone depletion, 5. land degradation and 6. Persistent Organic

Pollutants.

Consider the following statements regarding National Mission for Green India (GIM) • GIM is one of the eight key Missions outlined under

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). • It aims at protecting, enhancing and restoring

India’s decreasing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of mitigation and adaptation measures. [Forest Cover??]

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 Ans D

• The mission acknowledges the influence forests on environmental amelioration through climate change mitigation, water security, food security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest-dependent communities. It hinges on decentralized participatory approach by involving grass root level communities and organizations in decision making, planning, implementation and monitoring.

National Solar Mission: The NAPCC aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other uses with the ultimate objective of making solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. The plan includes: • Specific goals for increasing use of solar thermal technologies in urban areas, industry, and

commercial establishments; • A goal of increasing production of photovoltaics to 1000 MW/year; and • A goal of deploying at least 1000 MW of solar thermal power generation.

Other objectives include the establishment of a solar research center, increased international collaboration on technology development, strengthening of domestic manufacturing capacity, and increased government funding and international support.

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Current initiatives are expected to yield savings of 10,000 MW by 2012. Building on the Energy Conservation Act 2001, the plan recommends: • Mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-consuming industries, with a

system for companies to trade energy-savings certificates; • Energy incentives, including reduced taxes on energy-efficient appliances; and

• Financing for public-private partnerships to reduce energy consumption through demand-side management programs in the municipal, buildings and agricultural sectors.

National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: To promote energy efficiency as a core component of urban planning, the plan calls for: • Extending the existing Energy Conservation Building Code; • A greater emphasis on urban waste management and recycling, including power production from

waste; • Strengthening the enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards and using pricing measures

to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles; and • Incentives for the use of public transportation.

National Water Mission: With water scarcity projected to worsen as a result of climate change, the plan sets a goal of a 20% improvement in water use efficiency through pricing and other measures. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem: The plan aims to conserve biodiversity, forest cover, and other ecological values in the Himalayan region, where glaciers that are a major source of India’s water supply are projected to recede as a result of global warming. National Mission for a “Green India”: Goals include the Afforestation of 6 million hectares of degraded forest lands and expanding forest cover from 23% to 33% of India’s territory. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: The plan aims to support climate adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-resilient crops, expansion of weather insurance mechanisms, and agricultural practices. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change: To gain a better understanding of climate science, impacts and challenges, the plan envisions a new Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modelling, and increased international collaboration. It also encourages private sector initiatives to develop adaptation and mitigation technologies through venture capital funds. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Sweden on IPRs Intellectual Property (IPRs) The "Special 301" Report, recently in the news, is related to: (a) measures to deal with terrorism by UN members. (b) measures to deal with Climate Change by UN members. (c) human rights violation issue in Srilanka (d) Intellectual Property Rights issue between India and USA. Ans D

It is a report prepared by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to review the global status of IPR protection and enforcement. In this report, India has been categorised as "Priority watch list". It means India does not provide significant IPR protection to the.

US designates Hizbul Mujahideen as Foreign Terrorist Organisation Consider the following statements regarding Hizbul Mujahideen • It is a Pakistan based Kashmiri terrorist outfit • It was started in 1989 by Muhammad Ahsan Dar as Kashmiri separatist group and holds pro-Pakistan

ideology. • Its current commander is a Sayeed Salahudeen who is based in Rawalpindi and Pakistan-occupied

Kashmir (PoK). • It has been already designated a terrorist organisation by India and European Union.

Select the correct answer using code given below. (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ans D The United States has named Pakistan based Kashmiri terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen as a “Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO)”. What does it means? • Such designations expose and isolate terrorist groups and individuals, and deny them access to the

US financial system.

• It also assists the law enforcement activities of US agencies and other governments.

• It blocks all of Hizbul Mujahideen’s property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction.

• It also prohibits US citizens from engaging in any transactions with the group.

• It purpose is to deny Hizbul Mujahideen the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks.

Melbourne tops in 2017 EIU Liveability index

Global Liveability Report compiled by 1. the Economist

Intelligence Unit (EIU) 2. World Bank 3. IMF 4. Transparency

International Ans A

The Global Corruption Barometer is published by a) Transparency International b) OECD c) World Bank d) Oxfam Solution: a) Both Global Corruption Barometer and the Corruption Perceptions Index are published by Transparency International, an NGO based in Berlin.

According to the 2017 Global Liveability Report compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Australian city Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world. The EIU Liveability index scores 140 major cities of the world on the scale ranging from 0 (least liveable city) to 100 (most liveable city) based on healthcare, education, stability, culture, environment and infrastructure parameters. No Indian city was ranked in the top ten or bottom ten.

NPPA caps prices of orthopaedic knee implants With reference to the Essential Medicines in India, consider the following statements: 1. It is a dynamic list of medicines

based on priority health care needs of the population.

2. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare determines their ceiling prices.

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 Ans A

• In India National List of Essential Medicines decides the essential medicines.

• It is a dynamic list and is reviewed every 3 years to include or exclude drugs as relevant to the newest medical innovations and aligned to the current market competition.

• The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Union Ministry of Chemical and Fertiliser decides the ceiling prices of essential medicines under The Drug (Prices Control) Order.

Consider the following statements regarding National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) • NPPA is an independent body under Department of Pharmaceuticals under the

Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. • Its functions are to fix/revise the controlled bulk drugs prices and formulations,

enforce prices and availability of the medicines under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995/2013

• It recover amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the controlled drugs from the consumers and monitor the prices of decontrolled drugs in order to keep them at reasonable levels.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D Consider the following statements regarding Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 1. It came into force in May 2013 2. It was notified by Department of

Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

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 Ans C

Consider the following statements regarding Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 1. It empowers NPPA to regulate prices of 348 essential

drugs. 2. As per the order, all strengths and dosages specified in

the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) will be under price control.

3. As stipulated under DPCO 2013, drug price regulator NPPA fixes the ceiling price of essential medicines of schedule-I.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans D

Consider the following statements regarding National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) • It was formed in 29 Aug 1997 • NPPA is an attached office under Department of Chemical and Petrochemical,

under Ministry of Chemicals, Fertilisers and Pharmaceuticals. • Its motto is "Affordable medicine for all"

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3Ans D NPPA is an attached office under Department of Chemical and Petrochemical, under Ministry of Chemicals, Fertilisers and Pharmaceuticals.(and not under Health Department)