Insights Current Affairs Quiz (2016) – 129
03 June – 07 June 2016
Clarifications:
Question 4, Quiz 128, 1st June (Click HERE): As was pointed out by an Insightian, Citrus Indica is known as ‘Memang Narang’ in Meghalaya, which has been accorded the GI tag about a little over a year ago.
Following is an extract from a The Hindu article that appeared a few months ago: “Later at his office, in an interview with The Hindu, Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma spoke about his plans to expand tourism in the State. “We are a biodiversity hot spot. We are the natural gene bank for citrus fruits.” [Meghalaya is considered home to one of the world’s first species of citrus fruits, the Citrus Indica, or wild orange, locally known as Memang Narang.] Discussing how he envisioned Meghalaya as a “high end destination — without too many footfalls” he talked of the important of hosting events that garner attention across the globe, “especially via social media.” …..”
Question 4, Quiz 125 and 126, 27th and 28th May (Click HERE): According to Germany’s website (Click HERE) [it hosted the 2015 G7 summit],“the EU is a supranational organisation and thus not a member of the G7. Nevertheless, EU representatives have taken part in its meetings since 1981. It never holds the Presidency, though, and therefore never organises a summit. Nevertheless, the 2014 G7 Summit was hosted by the EU in Brussels. This was on account of Russia’s membership having been suspended, and because Russia originally held the G8 Presidency that year. As one of the world’s most powerful economic areas it is important that the EU takes part in the G7 process. Another factor is the EU’s increased security policy commitment. The European Union is represented at G7 summits by the incumbent Presidents of the European Commission and of the European Council.” Additionally, the 2016 host, Japan, has on its website (Click HERE) listed EU as one of G7’s participants and not as a member.
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.
Hope you enjoy this quiz. If you like it, then please share it. Thank you.
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 19
1. Question
2 pointsThis year’s theme of the World Environment Day is
Correct
Solution: c.
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Incorrect
Solution: c.
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Question 2 of 19
2. Question
2 pointsConsider the following pairs:
Tiger Reserve – State
- Bandhavgarh – Maharashtra
- Kanha – Madhya Pradesh
- Achanakmar – Chattisgarh
Which of the pairs above is/are incorrectly matched?
Correct
Solution: a.
Bandhavgarh – Madhya Pradesh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_reserves_of_India#List_of_Tiger_reserves_in_India
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Incorrect
Solution: a.
Bandhavgarh – Madhya Pradesh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_reserves_of_India#List_of_Tiger_reserves_in_India
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Question 3 of 19
3. Question
2 pointsConsider the following statements:
- Akbar visited it fourteen times
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq (14th Century) was the first Sultan to visit it
- It was located on the trade route linking Delhi and Gujarat
The statements above refer to the Dargah of which of the following Sufi Saints, who was also known as “Gharib Nawaz”?
Correct
Solution: b.
“Khwaja Moiunuddin Chishti, the first of the Chishti saints in India, said that human beings must have the affection of the sun, the generosity of the river and the hospitality of the earth. He not only had the magnificent landscape of his ancestral land in mind, he could also be describing the Afghan people.”
Bhakti and Sufi Traditions, History Class XII NCERT
Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145970
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“Khwaja Moiunuddin Chishti, the first of the Chishti saints in India, said that human beings must have the affection of the sun, the generosity of the river and the hospitality of the earth. He not only had the magnificent landscape of his ancestral land in mind, he could also be describing the Afghan people.”
Bhakti and Sufi Traditions, History Class XII NCERT
Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145970
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Question 4 of 19
4. Question
2 pointsFor the first time, under the impetus of the Indian Space Research Organisation and which other nation’s space organisation, space agencies of more than 60 countries agreed to engage their satellites to coordinate their methods and data to monitor human-induced greenhouse gas emissions?
Correct
Solution: a.
“The key to effectively implementing the Paris Agreement lies in the ability to verify that nations are fulfilling their commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Only satellites can do that. Invited to New Delhi by ISRO and CNES on April 3, 2016, the world’s space agencies decided to establish “an independent, international system” to centralise data from their Earth-observing satellites through the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ that officially came into effect on May 16, 2016.”
Incorrect
Solution: a.
“The key to effectively implementing the Paris Agreement lies in the ability to verify that nations are fulfilling their commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Only satellites can do that. Invited to New Delhi by ISRO and CNES on April 3, 2016, the world’s space agencies decided to establish “an independent, international system” to centralise data from their Earth-observing satellites through the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ that officially came into effect on May 16, 2016.”
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Question 5 of 19
5. Question
2 pointsWhich of the following statements about the security forum Shangri-La Dialogue is/are incorrect?
- It is a “Track One” inter-governmental security forum
- It is held annually by an independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Question 6 of 19
6. Question
2 pointsWith reference to the ‘High Risk Area’ (HRA) in the Indian Ocean, consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): Additional War Risk Premiums imposed by Insurance providers on vessels carrying Indian EXIM (export-import) along the west coast has reduced, resulting in lower costs to consumers
Reason (R): International Chamber of Shipping and other international bodies agreed to push back the HRA from 78° W longitude to the to the 65° W longitude
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
Correct
Solution: c.
Question being repeated.
India lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. International Chamber of Shipping and other international bodies agreed to shift the HRA from 78° E longitude to the to the 65° E longitude.Incorrect
Solution: c.
Question being repeated.
India lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. International Chamber of Shipping and other international bodies agreed to shift the HRA from 78° E longitude to the to the 65° E longitude. -
Question 7 of 19
7. Question
2 pointsWhat are some of the challenges that the India Post Payments Bank would have to overcome in order for it to run successfully?
- Lack of experience of staff in handling insurance products
- Inadequate presence to target the vast unbanked population in rural areas
- Inadequate experience in the domestic remittance business
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: a.
“The business correspondents model has not worked well and banks simply do not have the kind of presence required to target the vast unbanked population in the rural areas and even urban poor. However, India Post with its vast network of more than 1.5 lakh offices, 90 per cent of which are in rural areas, can aid in financial inclusion. This should be compared with about 1.05 lakh branches of all the banks in the country.Further India Post is a significant player in the domestic remittance business with experience in managing small savings deposits. The staff need extensive training in handling these products – especially insurance and pension products – as they are different from the current financial products in India Post’s portfolio.”
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/india-post-to-boost-financial-inclusion/article8691176.ece
Incorrect
Solution: a.
“The business correspondents model has not worked well and banks simply do not have the kind of presence required to target the vast unbanked population in the rural areas and even urban poor. However, India Post with its vast network of more than 1.5 lakh offices, 90 per cent of which are in rural areas, can aid in financial inclusion. This should be compared with about 1.05 lakh branches of all the banks in the country.Further India Post is a significant player in the domestic remittance business with experience in managing small savings deposits. The staff need extensive training in handling these products – especially insurance and pension products – as they are different from the current financial products in India Post’s portfolio.”
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/india-post-to-boost-financial-inclusion/article8691176.ece
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Question 8 of 19
8. Question
2 pointsIn the International Banking landscape, what does the term ‘SWIFT’ – sometimes seen in the news – imply?
Correct
Solution: b.
“The cyber theft from Bangladesh’s central bank – and recent disclosures of other similar fraud attempts – have brought scrutiny on the SWIFT messaging system. SWIFT is a cooperative of global banks formally known as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, and its transaction system was used as a conduit for one of the largest cyber bank heists in history.”
“SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications. It is a messaging network that financial institutions use to securely transmit information and instructions through a standardized system of codes.”
Page 16, Business Page, The Hindu
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-heist-bangladesh-exclusive-idUSKCN0YQ041
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“The cyber theft from Bangladesh’s central bank – and recent disclosures of other similar fraud attempts – have brought scrutiny on the SWIFT messaging system. SWIFT is a cooperative of global banks formally known as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, and its transaction system was used as a conduit for one of the largest cyber bank heists in history.”
“SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications. It is a messaging network that financial institutions use to securely transmit information and instructions through a standardized system of codes.”
Page 16, Business Page, The Hindu
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-heist-bangladesh-exclusive-idUSKCN0YQ041
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Question 9 of 19
9. Question
2 pointsWhich of the following does a ‘Glacial Retreat’ imply?
Correct
Solution: a.
“Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri glacier, named after its shape like the mouth of a cow, has retreated by over 3 kilometres since 1817, says glaciologist Milap Chand Sharma of Jawaharlal Nehru University.”
Incorrect
Solution: a.
“Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri glacier, named after its shape like the mouth of a cow, has retreated by over 3 kilometres since 1817, says glaciologist Milap Chand Sharma of Jawaharlal Nehru University.”
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Question 10 of 19
10. Question
2 pointsConsider the following pairs:
River – Originating Glacier
- Alakananda – Gaumukh
- Satluj – Chemayungdung
- Yamuna – Satopanth
Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?
Correct
Solution: d.
Alakananda – Satopanth
Brahmaputra – Chemayungdung
Bhagirathi – Gaumukh
Yamuna – Yamunotri
Satluj – Rakas lake
Explanation same as for the previous question.
Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/gangotri-glacier-retreated-by-3-km-in-two-centuries/article8691196.ece
Incorrect
Solution: d.
Alakananda – Satopanth
Brahmaputra – Chemayungdung
Bhagirathi – Gaumukh
Yamuna – Yamunotri
Satluj – Rakas lake
Explanation same as for the previous question.
Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/gangotri-glacier-retreated-by-3-km-in-two-centuries/article8691196.ece
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Question 11 of 19
11. Question
2 pointsThe International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has listed the Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra) as
Correct
Solution: d.
“Based on indirect evidences and ancient records, Eurasian Otter is believed to be found in the Himalayas and in some parts of the Western Ghats. These records of the Eurasian otter from the Satpura Tiger Reserve and Kanha-Pench Corridor not only extends their geographical range to central India but also provides the first-ever photographic evidence of the species in India. The Eurasian otter has a wide distribution covering Europe, Africa and Asia. The species is listed as Near Threatened as per the IUCN Red List (2004, 2008).”
Incorrect
Solution: d.
“Based on indirect evidences and ancient records, Eurasian Otter is believed to be found in the Himalayas and in some parts of the Western Ghats. These records of the Eurasian otter from the Satpura Tiger Reserve and Kanha-Pench Corridor not only extends their geographical range to central India but also provides the first-ever photographic evidence of the species in India. The Eurasian otter has a wide distribution covering Europe, Africa and Asia. The species is listed as Near Threatened as per the IUCN Red List (2004, 2008).”
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Question 12 of 19
12. Question
2 pointsConsider the following list of species:
- Eastern Gorilla
- Himalayan Griffon
- Long-billed Vulture (or Gyps Vulture)
Which of the above species is/are NOT listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)?
Correct
Solution: b.
You don’t have to remember option 1; this was a trick option which may have tricked you if you read about the Cincinnati Zoo case. You should, however, remember that the ‘Western Lowland Gorilla’, the species which was recently shot in the zoo (Click HERE), is a Critically Endangered species (Click HERE).
Himalayan Griffon is not a CE species, whereas the Gyps Vulture is.
Incorrect
Solution: b.
You don’t have to remember option 1; this was a trick option which may have tricked you if you read about the Cincinnati Zoo case. You should, however, remember that the ‘Western Lowland Gorilla’, the species which was recently shot in the zoo (Click HERE), is a Critically Endangered species (Click HERE).
Himalayan Griffon is not a CE species, whereas the Gyps Vulture is.
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Question 13 of 19
13. Question
2 pointsThe ‘Afghan-India Friendship Dam’ or Salma Dam, which was recently inaugurated, dams the river
Correct
Solution: b.
“Afghan-India Friendship Dam is a Multipurpose project planned for generating 42 MW of power, irrigating 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other benefits to the people of Afghanistan. Salma Dam is a landmark infrastructure project undertaken by Government of India on river Hari Rud , in Herat province of Afghanistan. The project was executed and implemented by WAPCOS Ltd., a Government of India Undertaking under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.”
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“Afghan-India Friendship Dam is a Multipurpose project planned for generating 42 MW of power, irrigating 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other benefits to the people of Afghanistan. Salma Dam is a landmark infrastructure project undertaken by Government of India on river Hari Rud , in Herat province of Afghanistan. The project was executed and implemented by WAPCOS Ltd., a Government of India Undertaking under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.”
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Question 14 of 19
14. Question
2 pointsThe Long Range Forecast Update for the 2016 Southwest Monsoon Rainfall predicts rainfall over the country as a whole is most likely to be Above Normal. This means that the rainfall range – as a percentage of the Long Period Average – will be
Correct
Solution: d.
“The Forecast predicts rainfall over the country as a whole, for the 2016 southwest monsoon season (June to September), is most likely to be Above Normal (>104% to 110% of long period average (LPA)).”
See the Table: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145920
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Incorrect
Solution: d.
“The Forecast predicts rainfall over the country as a whole, for the 2016 southwest monsoon season (June to September), is most likely to be Above Normal (>104% to 110% of long period average (LPA)).”
See the Table: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145920
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Question 15 of 19
15. Question
2 pointsIndia has been a member of The ‘Clean Energy Ministerial’ or CEM since its inception. Which of the following CEM initiatives does India lead and/or support?
- Solar and Wind
- Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment
- 21st Century Power
- Global Lighting Challenge
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: c.
“Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan led the Indian delegation at the 7th Clean Energy Ministerial(CEM7) and the Inaugural Mission Innovation Meet at San Francisco, held on 1st and 2nd of June, 2016. India has been a member of CEM since its inception and has joined 8 out of 13 CEM initiatives.”.. However, according to the CEM Website, there are 10 initiatives running at present of which India is a participant in 8, and leads/supports two of these 8.
Incorrect
Solution: c.
“Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan led the Indian delegation at the 7th Clean Energy Ministerial(CEM7) and the Inaugural Mission Innovation Meet at San Francisco, held on 1st and 2nd of June, 2016. India has been a member of CEM since its inception and has joined 8 out of 13 CEM initiatives.”.. However, according to the CEM Website, there are 10 initiatives running at present of which India is a participant in 8, and leads/supports two of these 8.
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Question 16 of 19
16. Question
2 pointsGuiyang – the capital of Guizhou province of Southwest China – recently seen in the news, is
Correct
Solution: a.
Several factors have gone Guiyang’s way to emerge as China’s ‘Big Data’ core. The climate here is mild, power is plentiful and cost of establishing businesses lower than in China’s more developed parts along the coast. Besides, the local government has been relentless in pushing the hi-tech industry.
The provincial economy has so far been dependent on the production of coal, fertilisers, tyres and the renowned Maotai liquor. “China is accumulating massive amount of hardware and on account of the proposed scale, major shortages of trained programmers are inevitable. That is where we, as digital trainers, come in,” says Kamal Dhuper, NIIT’s country head, in a conversation with The Hindu .
Incorrect
Solution: a.
Several factors have gone Guiyang’s way to emerge as China’s ‘Big Data’ core. The climate here is mild, power is plentiful and cost of establishing businesses lower than in China’s more developed parts along the coast. Besides, the local government has been relentless in pushing the hi-tech industry.
The provincial economy has so far been dependent on the production of coal, fertilisers, tyres and the renowned Maotai liquor. “China is accumulating massive amount of hardware and on account of the proposed scale, major shortages of trained programmers are inevitable. That is where we, as digital trainers, come in,” says Kamal Dhuper, NIIT’s country head, in a conversation with The Hindu .
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Question 17 of 19
17. Question
2 pointsWith reference to Birsa Munda, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
- His movement initially was aimed at urging the Mundas to give up drinking liquor and cleaning their villages
- He saw Christian missionaries and Hindu landlords as outside forces that were ruining the Munda way of life
- Birsa Munda has hitherto been depicted as an image of a youth in chains
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: d.
“The Jharkhand government’s order that Birsa Munda should not hereafter be represented in chains is another instance of the BJP’s unnatural obsession with history. Munda, who led an Adivasi rebellion against the colonial administration in the 19th century, died in prison at age 25. His iconic image has been that of a youth in chains, raging against all forms of exploitation and urging his people to stand up and fight. It keeps alive a fiery memory and recalls the quest for freedom. Birsa in chains, in the context of modern Jharkhand and Adivasi iconography elsewhere, is a powerful and disturbing image that is representative of a people who have been failed by independent India.”
Incorrect
Solution: d.
“The Jharkhand government’s order that Birsa Munda should not hereafter be represented in chains is another instance of the BJP’s unnatural obsession with history. Munda, who led an Adivasi rebellion against the colonial administration in the 19th century, died in prison at age 25. His iconic image has been that of a youth in chains, raging against all forms of exploitation and urging his people to stand up and fight. It keeps alive a fiery memory and recalls the quest for freedom. Birsa in chains, in the context of modern Jharkhand and Adivasi iconography elsewhere, is a powerful and disturbing image that is representative of a people who have been failed by independent India.”
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Question 18 of 19
18. Question
2 pointsWith reference to The Hague Code of Conduct which India recently joined, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
- It is a legally non-binding multilateral body which calls for a ban on ballistic missiles that can deliver weapons of mass destruction
- A ballistic missile is one whose trajectory is largely guided by gravity and friction
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: a.
It is a legally non-binding multilateral body aimed at preventing the spread (and not calling for a ban) of ballistic missiles (What is a Ballistic Missile?) that can deliver weapons of mass destruction.
The HCOC (Click HERE) is the result of international efforts to regulate access to ballistic missiles which can potentially deliver weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament which has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles. The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-joins-the-hague-code-of-conduct/article8682678.ece
—
Incorrect
Solution: a.
It is a legally non-binding multilateral body aimed at preventing the spread (and not calling for a ban) of ballistic missiles (What is a Ballistic Missile?) that can deliver weapons of mass destruction.
The HCOC (Click HERE) is the result of international efforts to regulate access to ballistic missiles which can potentially deliver weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament which has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles. The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-joins-the-hague-code-of-conduct/article8682678.ece
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Question 19 of 19
19. Question
2 pointsWhich of the following entities have NOT been granted “in-principle” approvals to set up payment banks by the Reserve Bank of India?
- State Bank of India
- Canara Bank
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
- India Post
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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