DAY – 26 ( INSTA REVISION TEST)INSTA REVISION PLAN 2.0, 2020

Solution: C

Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured money market instrument issued in the form of a promissory note.

It was introduced in India in 1990 with a view to enabling highly rated corporate borrowers to diversify their sources of short-term borrowings and to provide an additional instrument to investors. Subsequently, primary dealers and all-India financial institutions were also permitted to issue CP to enable them to meet their short-term funding requirements for their operations. Corporates, primary dealers (PDs) and the All-India Financial Institutions (FIs) are eligible to issue CP.

CP can be issued for maturities between a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of up to one year from the date of issue. However, the maturity date of the CP should not go beyond the date up to which the credit rating of the issuer is valid. Only a scheduled bank can act as an Issuing and Paying Agent (IPA) for issuance of CP.

Individuals, banking companies, other corporate bodies (registered or incorporated in India) and unincorporated bodies, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) etc. can invest in CPs. However, investment by FIIs would be within the limits set for them by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from time-to-time.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/aditya-birla-finance-lists-commercial-papers-on-nse-bse/articleshow/72282065.cms

https://m.rbi.org.in/Scripts/FAQView.aspx?Id=25

Solution: B

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. It was established under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals; to establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank; co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act; assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control; capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes; and advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws. It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/operation-clean-art-to-crackdown-on-illegal-trade-in-mongoose-hair/article30131621.ece

http://wccb.gov.in/

Solution: A

The Great Indian Hornbill is one of the larger members of the hornbill family, distributed along Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

It is the State bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. Blyth’s tragopan is the state bird of Nagaland.

It is predominantly frugivorous, but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and bird.

Due to habitat loss and hunting in some areas, the great hornbill is evaluated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (uplisted from near threatened in 2018). It is listed in the Appendix I of CITES.

http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=20th-Edition-of-Hornbill-Festival-begins-in-Nagaland&id=375421

Solution: A

In the context of the trend of establishing quality residential schools for the promotion of education in all areas and habitations in the country, the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for ST students take their place among the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and the Kendriya Vidyalayas. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.

The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

The objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.

As per existing EMRS Guidelines of 2010, at least one EMRS is to be set up in each Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) / Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) having 50% ST population in the area.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has recognised 163 priority districts having 25% or more Scheduled Tribe (ST) population for implementation of tribal development programmes including establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). Across the country, as per census 2011 figures, there are 564 sub-districts, i.e. blocks/taluka/tehsils, having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.

As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022. In these schools, education will be entirely free.

The EMRSs may be affiliated either to the State or Central Boards of Secondary Education as desired fit by the State Governments/UT Administration. Each State Government/UT Administration would be solely responsible for the management and effective functioning of the EMRSs.

State Governments/UT Administration may opt for any feasible/ suitable mode of management whether by autonomous education societies; public-private partnership with reputed educational institutions; in arrangement with the State Department of Education or any other mode found suitable.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1594554

https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/scheduled-tribes-welfare/eklavya-model-residential-schools

Solution: B

Samjiyŏn is a city in Ryanggang Province, North Korea. It takes its name from three lakes in the city, which are collectively known as the Samjiyŏn.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/03/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-opens-new-city-and-socialist-utopia-of-samjiyon

Solution: D

The Independent Directors Databank is an initiative of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the capacity building of the existing Independent Directors, in order to inculcate the high standards of corporate governance in India. The Databank is a key instrument to enable Independent Directors to become “Agents of Change” on the corporate boards. The databank has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2013.

The Companies (Creation and Maintenance of Databank of Independent Directors) Rules, 2019 effective from 1st December, 2019 authorised Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to act as the institute or association, responsible for the creation and maintenance of the online databank containing names, addresses and qualifications of existing Independent Directors and persons who are eligible and willing to act as Independent Director

The databank focuses on the following key objectives:

• Empanelment of existing Independent Directors as well as the professionals aspiring to become independent directors.
• Build capacities of Individuals by delivering eLearning courses on topics related to corporate governance, regulatory framework, financial prudence, and other important aspects
• Provide a platform to individuals to help them acquire knowledge, develop new skills, assess their understanding, and apply best practices.
• Create an eco-system of individuals looking for opportunities and corporate requiring to appoint independent directors.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/policy/government-launches-independent-directors-databank/articleshow/72336258.cms

https://iica.nic.in/cid_databank.aspx

Solution: D

North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) is World Bank aided, multi-state livelihood Rs.683 crore (USD 144.4 million) project under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), launched in 2012. The project has been implemented in 11 districts of Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The project aims “to improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged, in four North Eastern States”. The project also works in partnerships with expert organizations to focus on cluster development through value chains.

The project has focused on five development strategies, namely, social empowerment, economic empowerment, partnership development, project management and livelihood & value chain developments.

Solution: D

Context: Alcohol manufacturers have written to NITI Aayog asking for reduction in import duty.

Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) is the primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages. It is a colourless food-grade alcohol that does not have any impurities. It has a neutral smell and taste, and typically contains over 95 per cent alcohol by volume. It is derived from different sources — sugarcane molasses and grains — and is used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as whisky, vodka, gin, cane, liqueurs, and alcoholic fruit beverages.

ENA also serves as an essential ingredient in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products such as perfumes, toiletries, hair spray, etc. Given its properties as a good solvent, ENA also finds industrial use and is utilized in the production of some lacquers, paints and ink for the printing industry, as well as in pharmaceutical products such as antiseptics, drugs, syrups, medicated sprays.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-extra-neutral-alcohol-ena-6151528/

Solution: D

Disinvestment means sale or liquidation of assets by the government, usually Central and state public sector enterprises, projects, or other fixed assets.

The government undertakes disinvestment to reduce the fiscal burden on the exchequer, or to raise money for meeting specific needs, such as to bridge the revenue shortfall from other regular sources.

Disinvestment means sale or liquidation of assets by the government, usually Central and state public sector enterprises, projects, or other fixed assets.

The government undertakes disinvestment to reduce the fiscal burden on the exchequer, or to raise money for meeting specific needs, such as to bridge the revenue shortfall from other regular sources.

The proceeds of the disinvestment is not credited into consolidated fund of India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave an approval for strategic disinvestment in Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) by selling the government’s stake to a strategic buyer which would be identified through a two-stage auction procedure. NINL is a joint venture company with equity shareholding

Solution: C

Global Action Plan on AMR is an Inter-country development agencies (WHO, FAO, and World Organisation for Animal Health) developed a Global Action Plan on AMR.

It is based on the One Health approach, which means that human health, animal health and the environment sectors have equal responsibilities and strategic actions in combating AMR.

Objectives:

• to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance;
• to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research;
• to reduce the incidence of infection;
• to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and
• develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of all countries, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

Development of this plan was guided by the advice of countries and key stakeholders, based on several multistakeholder consultations at different global and regional forums.

https://www.who.int/antimicrobial-resistance/global-action-plan/en/

Solution: A

About 6.8 kg of methaqualone, a drug that acts as sedative and hypnotic and made famous in the film The Wolf of Wall Street, was seized by Chennai Customs, according to a press release. The seizure is worth ₹3.4 crore.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/drugs-worth-34-crore-seized-by-customs/article30846694.ece

Solution: B

OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA’s New Frontiers program, which previously sent the New Horizons spacecraft zooming by Pluto and the Juno spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter.

Why was Bennu chosen?

Bennu was selected for a the OSIRIS-REx mission from over 500,000 known asteroids, due to it fitting a number of key criteria. These include:

Proximity to Earth: In order for OSIRIS-REx to reach its destination in a reasonable timeframe, NASA needed to find an asteroid which had a similar orbit to Earth.

Size: Small asteroids, those less than 200m in diameter, typically spin much faster than larger asteroids, meaning the regolith material can be ejected into space. Bennu is around 500m in diameter, so rotates slowly enough to ensure that the regolith stays on its surface.

Composition: Bennu is a primitive asteroid, meaning it hasn’t significantly changed since the beginning of the Solar System (over 4 billion years ago). It is also very carbon-rich, meaning it may contain organic molecules, which could have been precursors to life on Earth.

Additionally, Bennu is of interest as it is a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). Every 6 years, Bennu’s orbit brings it within 200,000 miles of the Earth, which means it has a high probability of impacting Earth in the late 22nd Century.

Water traces found on asteroid Bennu. Bennu orbits the Sun at roughly the same distance as the earth.

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/06/15/nasas-osiris-rex-4/

Solution: C

National Ganga Council

The National Ganga Council is chaired by Prime Minister.

National Ganga Council is constituted in 2016 to oversee the cleaning of the Ganga and is supposed to meet at least once a year with the Prime Minister chairing the session.

The National Ganga Council is formed under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

It has been given overall responsibility for the superintendence of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of River Ganga Basin, including Ganga and its tributaries.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) acts as an implementation arm of the National Ganga Council. NMCG was established in the year 2011 as a registered society.

It has a two-tier management structure and comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee.

The aims and objectives of NMCG are:

• To ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.
• To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.
• The work of coordinating, supervising and deliberating on funding Namami Ganga projects is carried out by an executive committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga that meets every month.

Solution: B

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international organization headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The organization aims to promote green growth, a growth paradigm that is characterized by a balance of economic growth and environmental sustainability. GGGI provides research and stakeholder engagement for green growth plans, especially in developing countries, aiming to replace the more typical paradigm based on industrial development.

India is not yet a member country of the GGGI but is recognised as a partner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Green_Growth_Institute

Solution: A

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion. In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to generate electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are used today in a range of applications, from providing power to homes and businesses, keeping critical facilities like hospitals, grocery stores, and data centers up and running, and moving a variety of vehicles including cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, trains, and more.

Fuel cell systems are a clean, efficient, reliable, and quiet source of power. Fuel cells do not need to be periodically recharged like batteries, but instead continue to produce electricity as long as a fuel source is provided.

As there are no moving parts, fuel cells operate silently and with extremely high reliability.

Benefits at a glance:

• Low-to-Zero Emissions
• High Efficiency
• Reliability
• Fuel Flexibility
• Energy Security
• Durability
• Scalability
• Quiet Operation

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/toyota-to-launch-hydrogen-fuel-cell-venture-with-chinese-auto-firms/76214465