Insights Current Affairs Quiz (2016) – 36
07 February 2016
The following quiz will have 5-10 MCQs . The questions are mainly framed from The Hindu and PIB news articles.
This quiz is intended to introduce you to concepts and certain important facts relevant to UPSC IAS civil services preliminary exam 2016. It is not a test of your knowledge. If you score less, please do not mind. Read again sources provided and try to remember better.
Please try to enjoy questions, discuss the concepts and facts they try to test from you and suggest improvements.
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INSIGHTS CURRENT EVENTS QUIZ 2016
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The following Quiz is based on the Hindu, PIB and other news sources. It is a current events based quiz. Solving these questions will help retain both concepts and facts relevant to UPSC IAS civil services exam.
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Question 1 of 11
1. Question
2 pointsWhich of the following categories are applicable for funds under the Priority Sector Lending norms?
- Education
- Export Credit
- Renewable Energy
- Road Sector
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: a.
“The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has decided to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan with a proposal to include road projects under the priority sector list for lending purposes.”
Categories under Priority Sector
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/01/insights-daily-current-events-01-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: a.
“The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has decided to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan with a proposal to include road projects under the priority sector list for lending purposes.”
Categories under Priority Sector
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/01/insights-daily-current-events-01-february-2016/
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Question 2 of 11
2. Question
1 pointsIt is being said that the State Department of the United States of America (USA) is actively considering a reversal of the policy of de-hyphenation (dealing with India and Pakistan in silos). What are some of the likely outcomes if this proposal is carried through?
- India would be seen to be supporting USA policy on Afghanistan
- India-Pakistan disputes will be resolved
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: a.
The US is now considering a proposal to re-merge the office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) back with the Bureau of South and Central Asia (SCA) that handles India, the rest of the subcontinent and Central Asian republics.
Why is India opposed to being included in SRAP?
- Inclusion of India in SRAP would make the US third party in India-Pak disputes.
- It would also make India indirectly support US policy on Afghanistan.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/01/insights-daily-current-events-01-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: a.
The US is now considering a proposal to re-merge the office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) back with the Bureau of South and Central Asia (SCA) that handles India, the rest of the subcontinent and Central Asian republics.
Why is India opposed to being included in SRAP?
- Inclusion of India in SRAP would make the US third party in India-Pak disputes.
- It would also make India indirectly support US policy on Afghanistan.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/01/insights-daily-current-events-01-february-2016/
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Question 3 of 11
3. Question
1 pointsThe Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act)
Correct
Solution: b.
“Currently India’s strategy to combat declining sex ratios hinges on the PCPNDT Act (the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994), which prohibits ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex of the foetus.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/02/insights-daily-current-events-02-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“Currently India’s strategy to combat declining sex ratios hinges on the PCPNDT Act (the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994), which prohibits ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex of the foetus.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/02/insights-daily-current-events-02-february-2016/
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Question 4 of 11
4. Question
1 pointsThe Nodal Agency in India for investigation of any Zika Virus outbreak is
Correct
Solution: b.
“The Union Health Ministry of India has sounded an alert for Zika and appointed the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency for investigation of any outbreak of the viral infection in India.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/03/insights-daily-current-events-03-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“The Union Health Ministry of India has sounded an alert for Zika and appointed the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency for investigation of any outbreak of the viral infection in India.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/03/insights-daily-current-events-03-february-2016/
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Question 5 of 11
5. Question
1 pointsWith regard to two new committees set up by the Ministry of Finance – Tax Policy Council (TPC) and Tax Policy Research Unit (TPRU) – which of the following statements about them is NOT correct?
Correct
Solution: c.
Tax Policy Research Unit (TPRU) shall comprise of officers from both the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) as well as economists, statisticians, operational researchers, legal experts. The unit will be headed by an officer of the level of Chief Commissioner at functional level alternatively from CBDT and CBEC for a fixed tenure, who will directly report to Revenue Secretary.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/03/insights-daily-current-events-03-february-2016/
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Incorrect
Solution: c.
Tax Policy Research Unit (TPRU) shall comprise of officers from both the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) as well as economists, statisticians, operational researchers, legal experts. The unit will be headed by an officer of the level of Chief Commissioner at functional level alternatively from CBDT and CBEC for a fixed tenure, who will directly report to Revenue Secretary.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/03/insights-daily-current-events-03-february-2016/
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Question 6 of 11
6. Question
2 pointsWith reference to the newly-created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It was formally set up in Beijing in 2015
- China, India and Germany are the three largest shareholders
- It will invest in, among other sectors, social infrastructure
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: c.
China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders.
“Former chief secretary of Gujarat D J Pandian has been appointed vice-president and chief investment officer of the newly-created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/04/insights-daily-current-events-04-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: c.
China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders.
“Former chief secretary of Gujarat D J Pandian has been appointed vice-president and chief investment officer of the newly-created Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/04/insights-daily-current-events-04-february-2016/
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Question 7 of 11
7. Question
2 pointsIndia’s National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), which is nearing finalisation, supports the application of Compulsory Licensing (CL) across different manufacturing sectors. In this context, which of the following statements about CL is/are incorrect?
- Access to a CL permits the CL-holder to manufacture a patented product without the patent owner’s consent
- So far, India has issued only two CLs – one for the ‘Tandem Organic Solar Cell Architecture’ by NanoFlex and another for the anti-cancer medicine ‘Nexavar’ by Bayer
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: b.
So far, India has issued only one CL. In March 2012, Natco Pharma was granted a license for an anti-cancer medicine Nexavar patented by Bayer.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/05/insights-daily-current-events-05-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: b.
So far, India has issued only one CL. In March 2012, Natco Pharma was granted a license for an anti-cancer medicine Nexavar patented by Bayer.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/05/insights-daily-current-events-05-february-2016/
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Question 8 of 11
8. Question
1 pointsThe Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 is administered by the
Correct
Solution: b.
“In December 1999, the Parliament had passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry would be located at Chennai.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/06/insights-daily-current-events-06-february-2016/
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“In December 1999, the Parliament had passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry would be located at Chennai.”
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/02/06/insights-daily-current-events-06-february-2016/
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Question 9 of 11
9. Question
1 points. In the context of efforts to control/eliminate malaria from our country, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
- The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme is the nodal agency for coordination of the malaria programme
- Currently, malaria control officials are responsible for reporting their own progress
- Successive budgets over the past few years have allocated lesser funds for malaria control programmes
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: d.
Some issues plaguing the malaria control programme that are common to many other government programmes include:
- Poor data collection/monitoring/evaluation (Under-reporting, unreliable data)
- Understaffed clinics
- Controversies in procurements (in this case, procurement of mosquito nets using WB-funded money)
- Shortage of medicines
- Administrative costs overshooting costs associated with the actual prevention and control of disease (medicines, nets, insecticide sprays etc)
- Lack of political will
“Despite lower overall health spending, national spending on malaria control increased from Rs.400 crore to Rs.500 crore last year, and a new procurement policy has gone a long way towards speeding up the purchase of nets and pesticides”
Incorrect
Solution: d.
Some issues plaguing the malaria control programme that are common to many other government programmes include:
- Poor data collection/monitoring/evaluation (Under-reporting, unreliable data)
- Understaffed clinics
- Controversies in procurements (in this case, procurement of mosquito nets using WB-funded money)
- Shortage of medicines
- Administrative costs overshooting costs associated with the actual prevention and control of disease (medicines, nets, insecticide sprays etc)
- Lack of political will
“Despite lower overall health spending, national spending on malaria control increased from Rs.400 crore to Rs.500 crore last year, and a new procurement policy has gone a long way towards speeding up the purchase of nets and pesticides”
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Question 10 of 11
10. Question
1 points. To prevent diet-related chronic diseases, micronutrient deficiencies and reduce the risk of contracting Non-Communicable Diseases, the World Health Organisation recommends
Correct
Solution: d.
WHO: Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases
“Indians fall terribly short of the recommendation. This finding is part of the India’s Phytonutrient Report brought out by a Delhi-based think tank, the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), which conducted the study across five cities covering 1,001 individuals from the upper and middle income groups.”
Incorrect
Solution: d.
WHO: Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases
“Indians fall terribly short of the recommendation. This finding is part of the India’s Phytonutrient Report brought out by a Delhi-based think tank, the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), which conducted the study across five cities covering 1,001 individuals from the upper and middle income groups.”
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Question 11 of 11
11. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements:
- The past two successive Union Budgets have allocated lesser money to the health sector
- Under the Union Health Ministry’s ‘Sarva Swasthya Abhiyan’, fifty essential medicines are accessible to the public for free in public health facilities
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
Correct
Solution: a.
“Two successive Union Budgets have slashed support to the health sector, and by more than 20 per cent. These cuts have brought programme implementation in already under-resourced areas to a virtual standstill.”
“There have been vague assurances that some small incentives would be extended to States that initiate free medicine schemes, a far cry from the vision initially that promised Central funding for all such schemes. Amid conflicting statements, the only assurance that has held ground is on support to the availability of just 50 medicines. The actual implementation of even this grossly inadequate provision has not been spelt out.”
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/not-a-good-prognosis/article8203614.ece
Incorrect
Solution: a.
“Two successive Union Budgets have slashed support to the health sector, and by more than 20 per cent. These cuts have brought programme implementation in already under-resourced areas to a virtual standstill.”
“There have been vague assurances that some small incentives would be extended to States that initiate free medicine schemes, a far cry from the vision initially that promised Central funding for all such schemes. Amid conflicting statements, the only assurance that has held ground is on support to the availability of just 50 medicines. The actual implementation of even this grossly inadequate provision has not been spelt out.”
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/not-a-good-prognosis/article8203614.ece
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