DAY – 30 ( INSTA REVISION TEST)INSTA REVISION PLAN 2.0, 2020

Solution: B

RBI Governor has launched the “Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI)”, a mobile application for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian Banknotes.

Indian banknotes contain several features which enable the visually impaired (colour blind, partially sighted and blind people) to identify them, viz., intaglio printing and tactile mark, variable banknote size, large numerals, variable colour, monochromatic hues and patterns. Technological progress has opened up new opportunities for making Indian banknotes more accessible for the visually impaired, thereby facilitating their day to day transactions.

The Bank has developed a mobile application, MANI, with the following features:

1. a) Capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series banknote by checking front or reverse side/part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and broad range of light conditions (normal light/day light/low light/ etc.).
2. b) Ability to identify the denomination through audio notification in Hindi/English and non-sonic mode such as vibration (suitable for those with vision and hearing impairment).
3. c) After installation, the mobile application does not require internet and works in offline mode.
4. d) Ability to navigate the mobile application via voice controls for accessing the application features wherever the underlying device & operating system combination supports voice enabled controls.
5. e) The application is free and can be downloaded from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store without any charges/payment.
6. f) This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.

https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/rbi-launches-mani-app-to-help-visually-challenged-identify-currency-notes-how-to-download-it/1810477/

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=49022

Solution: D

Swachh Survekshan is a ranking exercise taken up by the Government of India to assess rural and urban areas for their levels of cleanliness and active implementation of Swachhata mission initiatives in a timely and innovative manner.

The objective of the survey is to encourage large scale citizen participation and create awareness amongst all sections of society about the importance of working together towards making towns and cities a better place to live in. Additionally, the survey also intends to foster a spirit of healthy competition among towns and cities to improve their service delivery to citizens, towards creating cleaner cities and towns.

The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India takes up the Swachh Survekshan in urban areas and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in rural areas. The Quality Council of India (QCI) has been commissioned the responsibility of carrying out the assessment.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-launches-swachh-survekshan-2021-states-also-to-be-ranked/articleshow/76771987.cms

https://vikaspedia.in/health/sanitation-and-hygiene/swachh-survekshan

Solution: B

Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary is situated in Yavatmal area that is an isolated national park in Maharashtra. The tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary provides every visitor a tremendous opportunity every visitor to travel around a wide range of wildlife species.

There are plenty of rivers such as Purna, Krishna, Bhima and Tapti irrigate the sanctuary from entire angles. Having lots of water from all these rivers, it is also popularly known as Green Oasis located in Southern Maharashtra.

The place is quite hilly and undulated and thus has different types of vegetation cover that varies with the altitude. Fauna- The place shelters a wide array of animals that include Hyena, Chital, Black buck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild boar, Peacock, Monkey, Blue bull, Wild cat, Bear and many more.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/tipeshwar-tigers-safe-flourishing/article31323154.ece

Solution: D

Senna Spectabilis:

It is a deciduous tree native to tropical areas of America. It grows up to 15 to 20 metres in a short period of time and distributes thousands of seeds after flowering. It is an invasive species. It is categorised as ‘Least Concern’ under IUCN Red List.

Concerns: The thick foliage of the tree arrests the growth of other indigenous tree and grass species. Thus, it causes food shortage for the wildlife population, especially herbivores. It also adversely affect the germination and growth of the native species.

Why in News? The Kerala Government is planning to arrest the rampant growth of Senna spectabilis, in the forest areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), including the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-for-steps-to-curb-alien-plants-growth-in-nbr/article30454665.ece

Solution: C

Oxybenzone is an organic compound used in sunscreens. It is a derivative of benzophenone. It forms colorless crystals that are readily soluble in most organic solvents. It is used as an ingredient in sunscreen and other cosmetics because it absorbs UV-A ultraviolet rays.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080

Solution: D

Context: The birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh was celebrated on January 2^nd this year.

About Guru Gobind Singh:

1. He was the 10th Sikh guru.
2. He was born at Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666.His birthday sometimes falls either in December or January or even both months in the Gregorian calendar. The annual celebration of the Guru’s birthday is based on the Nanakshahi calendar.
3. He became the Sikh guru at the age of nine, following the demise of father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.
4. He is known for his significant contributions to the Sikh religion, including the introduction of the turbanto cover hair.
5. He also founded the principles of Khalsa or the Five ‘K’s.
6. He is also responsible to establish the highest order in the Sikh community.
7. Followers of the Sikh faith religiously follow the morals and codes of discipline set up by Guru Gobind Singh.
8. He fought against the Mughals later in battle of Muktsar in 1705.
9. He was assassinated in 1708.
10. He named Guru Granth Sahib,the religious text of the Khalsas and the Sikhs, as the next Guru of the two communities.

The Dasam Granth is a holy book in Sikhism with compositions attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. It is a controversial religious text considered to be the second scripture by some Sikhs, and of disputed authority by other Sikhs

https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/02/guru-gobind-singh/

Solution: D

Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 km. The Irrawaddy dolphin is the flagship species of Chilika Lake

Nalbana Bird Sanctuary or Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. It was declared a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972. In the heart of the park, one can see thousands of birds descending during the migratory season.

Solution: A

Umang Lai are the group of sacred groves preserved for the local forest deities (with the same title), worshipped by the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic group, since ancient times in the Himalayan state of Manipur. The groves and the deities are worshipped and their pleasing ceremony is always celebrated every year through a music and dance festival called Lai Haraoba.

http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=377056

Solution: D

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation’s 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency’s function is to develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.

The government has proposed to make it mandatory for certain appliances in India to have ratings by the BEE starting in January 2010. The mission of Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to “institutionalise” energy efficiency services, enable delivery mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to energy efficiency in all sectors of the country. The primary objective would be to reduce energy intensity in the economy.

The broad objectives of BEE are as under:

Objectives

• Provide a policy recommendation and direction to national energy conservation activities.
• Coordinate policies and programmes on efficient use of energy with shareholders.
• Establish systems and procedures to verify, measure and monitor Energy Efficiency (EE) improvements.
• Leverage multilateral, bilateral and private sector support to implement the EC Act ’01.
• Demonstrate EE delivery systems through public-private partnerships.

Solution: C

SPMRM is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2016 to deliver integrated project based infrastructure in the rural areas, which will also include development of economic activities and skill development.

The State Government identifies the clusters in accordance with the Framework for Implementation prepared by the MoRD.

For the selection of clusters, the MoRD is adopting a scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the district, sub district and village level, of the demography, economy, tourism and pilgrimage significance and transportation corridor impact.

There are 2 categories of clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal.

Rurban clusters are identified across the country’s rural areas showing increasing signs of urbanization – i.e. increase in population density, high levels of non-farm employment, presence of growing economic activities and other socioeconomic parameters.

For the purposes of SPMRM, Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30 to 40 lakh population. The clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas.

Solution: C

Maharashtra Government has launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative under which awareness camps will be held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety.

In a statement, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said the initiative will help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes.

Solution: C

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.

The protection of the Irrawaddy dolphin is crucial for the overall health of the Mekong River—home to an estimated 1,100 species of fish.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/irrawaddy-dolphin

Solution: C

The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India.

Solution: C

The concept of the curative petition was first evolved by the Supreme Court of India in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra and another case (2002) on the question whether an aggrieved person is entitled to any relief against the final judgement/order of the Supreme Court, even after the dismissal of a review petition.

The concept of the curative petition is supported by Article 137 of the Indian Constitution. It provides that in the matter of laws and rules made under Article 145, the Supreme Court has the power to review any judgement pronounced (or order made) by it. Such a petition needs to be filed within 30 days from the date of judgement or order.

A curative petition may be filed after a review plea against the final conviction is dismissed. It can be entertained if the petitioner establishes that there was a violation of the principles of natural justice, and that he was not heard by the court before passing an order.

Solution: D

An alien plant also referred to as exotic, introduced, foreign, non-indigenous or non-native, is one that has been introduced by humans intentionally or otherwise through human agency or accidentally from one region to another. An alien plant that has escaped from its original ecosystem and is reproducing on its own in the regional flora is considered a naturalized species. Those naturalized aliens that become so successful as to spread in the flora and displace native biota or threatens valued environmental, agricultural or personal resources by the damage it causes are considered invasive.

Some of India’s most notorious invasives include lantana, parthenium, Siam weed, Mexican devil (Ageratina adenophora) and mesquite (Prosopis juliflora). The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has invaded many inland water bodies, while alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) invades both aquatic and terrestrial habitats in India.

All the species given above are invasive species.

https://india.mongabay.com/2019/06/what-are-invasive-plants/