INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 9 June 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Here the directive word is incorrcet!!

• Stat1: In India rice is grown under widely varying conditions of altitude and climate. Rice cultivation in India extends from 8 to35ºN latitude and from sea level to as high as 3000 meters. Rice crop needs a hot and humid climate. It is best suited to regions which have high humidity, prolonged sunshine and an assured supply of water. The average temperature required throughout the life period of the crop ranges from 21 to 37º C. Maximum temp which the crop can tolerate 40⁰C to 42⁰
• Stat2: China is the largest producer of rice contributing for over 30% of the world’s rice output. India occupies the second position accounting for about 22% followed by Indonesia with 8%, Bangladesh with 7% and Vietnam with 6% of total rice production in the world.
• Stat3: West Bengal government’s rice research centre has come up with a new variety of rice called Muktoshri that can be grown in arsenic prone areas. It was developed jointly by the Rice Research Station at Chinsurah, coming under West Bengal’s Agriculture Department and the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/direct-seeding-of-rice/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Reserve Bank of India Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 set the legal provisions for governing the foreign exchange reserves. Reserve Bank of India accumulates foreign currency reserves by purchasing from authorized dealers in open market operations. Foreign exchange reserves of India act as a cushion against rupee volatility once global interest rates start rising.
• The Foreign exchange reserves of India consists of below four categories;
  • Foreign Currency Assets
  • Gold
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
  • Reserve Tranche Position

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/rising-forex-reserves-and-its-importance/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Designed, developed and manufactured by Indian Air Force.
• The pod is used for the evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases from the high altitude, remote and isolated areas across the country.
• It has a transparent and durable cast Perspex for enhanced patient visibility which is larger, higher, and wider than the existing models.
• The ARPIT uses High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) H-13 class filters and supports invasive ventilation using Transport Ventilator.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-june-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Central Administrative Tribunal was established by an Act of Parliament namely Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 as sequel to the 42nd amendment of the Constitution of India inserting Article 323 A.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-june-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• It is an initiative to provide a chance to participants and art enthusiasts to create and learn from practising artists.
• The programme includes online workshops sessions on painting, sculpture, printmaking and indrajaal (an interdisciplinary creative workshop).
• Organised by National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).
• The exhibition of selected artworks from the program will be displayed on So’ham, the cultural media platform of NGMA.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-june-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
• It will help the authorities monitor the movement of hazardous waste real-time using the tools incorporated in the platform.
• The platform will be handled by the AP Environment Management Corporation (APEMC).
• The APEMC will streamline collection of the waste from industries, sort and streamline the waste as hazardous or non-hazardous or e-waste according to category, and scientifically dispose it off at various waste disposal centres.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/09/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-9-june-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Gangetic river dolphins were officially discovered in 1801 and are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, but are now mostly extinct from many of its early distribution ranges, as per WWF.
• In 2009, the Gangetic dolphins were declared India’s National Aquatic animal during the first meeting of the erstwhile National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) and it is placed under the “endangered” category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Gangetic river dolphins can only live in freshwater, are blind and catch their prey in a unique manner, using ultrasonic sound waves. These dolphins prefer deep waters and, as per WWF, they are distributed across seven states in India: Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Their numbers have dwindled in the last few decades mainly because of direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages and indiscriminate fishing.
• In addition to the species being India’s national aquatic animal, the Gangetic dolphin has been notified by the Assam government as the state aquatic animal, too.
• Some of the efforts made to preserve and increase the numbers of these dolphins include the setting up of the Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin (2010-2020), which has identified threats to Gangetic dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on dolphin populations.
• Additionally, the Gangetic dolphins have been included in Schedule -I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which means they have the highest degree of protection against hunting. They are also one among the 21 species identified under the centrally sponsored scheme, “Development of Wildlife Habitat”.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/17/project-dolphin/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Finance Minister announced the NIRVIK scheme in the Union Budget 2020-21.
• It will provide high insurance cover for exporters and reduce premium for small exporters. To achieve higher export credit disbursement, a new scheme NIRVIK is being launched which provides for high insurance cover, reduction in premium for small exporters and simplified procedures for claim, settlement.
• Under the Scheme, also called the Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS), the insurance guarantee could cover up to 90% of the principal and interest.
• The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) cover will also provide additional comfort to banks as the credit rating of the borrower is enhanced to AA rated account. Enhanced cover will ensure that Foreign and Rupee export credit interest rates will be below 4%and 8% respectively for exporters.
• Under ECIS, insurance cover percentage has also been enhanced to 90% from the present average of 60% for the both principal and interest.
• The Export Credit Corporation currently provides credit guarantee of up to 60 percent loss.
• The development assumes significance as exporters have raised concerns over availability of credit.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/09/17/nirvik-scheme/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel launched PURVODAYA: Accelerated development of eastern India through integrated steel hub.
• Purvodaya in steel sector is aimed at driving accelerated development of Eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hub. Eastern states of India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal) and Northern part of Andhra Pradesh collectively hold ~80% of the country’s iron ore, ~100% of coking coal and significant portion of chromite, bauxite and dolomite reserves. There is presence of major ports such as Paradip, Haldia, Vizag, Kolkata etc., with >30% of India’s major port capacity. In India’s march towards a $5 trillion economy, the 5 Eastern states can play a major role where steel sector can become the catalyst. This Eastern belt has the potential to add more than 75% of the country’s incremental steel capacity envisioned by the National Steel Policy. It is expected that out of the 300 MT capacity by 2030-31, over 200 MT can come from this region alone, driven by Industry 4.0.
• The proposed Integrated Steel Hub, encompassing Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Northern Andhra Pradesh, would serve as a torchbearer for socio-economic growth of Eastern India.
• The objective of this hub would be to enable swift capacity addition and improve overall competitiveness of steel producers both in terms of cost and quality.

Refer: facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/13/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-13-january-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• National Ganga Council (NGC): Created in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, dissolving the National Ganga River Basin Authority.
• Headed by the Prime Minister.
• It replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
• The council consists of chief ministers from five states along the Ganga — Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand along with nine Union ministers and NITI Aayog vice chairman.
• The central objective of the council is to work on the “protection, prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its rejuvenation to its natural and pristine condition and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water”. The council is supposed to meet every year.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/16/namami-gange-2/