INSIGHTS CURRENT Affairs RTM - 2020
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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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New Initiative: Revision Through MCQs (RTM) – Revision of Current Affairs Made Interesting
As revision is the key to success in this exam, we are starting a new initiative where you will revise current affairs effectively through MCQs (RTM) that are solely based on Insights Daily Current Affairs.
These questions will be different than our regular current affairs quiz. These questions are framed to TEST how well you have read and revised Insights Current Affairs on daily basis.
We will post nearly 10 MCQs every day which are based on previous day’s Insights current affairs. Tonight we will be posting RTM questions on the Insights current affairs of October 3, 2019.
The added advantage of this initiative is it will help you solve at least 20 MCQs daily (5 Static + 5 CA Quiz + 10 RTM) – thereby helping you improve your retention as well as elimination and guessing skills.
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 pointsThe ‘Havana syndrome’ was in news recently, is associated with which of the following?
Correct
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Nearly four years ago a mysterious neurological illness, referred to as “Havana syndrome”, started to afflict American diplomats and intelligence operatives in Cuba, China, and other countries.
- Now, a report by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) has found “directed” microwave radiation to be its “plausible” cause.
- What is the ‘Havana syndrome’?
- In late 2016, US diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations in their hotel rooms or homes.
- The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as “Havana Syndrome”.
- What causes the ‘Havana syndrome’?
- Directed pulsed RF energy appears to be the most plausible mechanism in explaining these cases among those that the committee considered.
- The immediate symptoms that patients reported including sensations of pain and buzzing sound apparently emanated from a particular direction, or occurred in a specific spot in a room.
- What are Microwaves?
Incorrect
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Nearly four years ago a mysterious neurological illness, referred to as “Havana syndrome”, started to afflict American diplomats and intelligence operatives in Cuba, China, and other countries.
- Now, a report by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) has found “directed” microwave radiation to be its “plausible” cause.
- What is the ‘Havana syndrome’?
- In late 2016, US diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations in their hotel rooms or homes.
- The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as “Havana Syndrome”.
- What causes the ‘Havana syndrome’?
- Directed pulsed RF energy appears to be the most plausible mechanism in explaining these cases among those that the committee considered.
- The immediate symptoms that patients reported including sensations of pain and buzzing sound apparently emanated from a particular direction, or occurred in a specific spot in a room.
- What are Microwaves?
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 pointsIf you travel by train from Paris (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), what is the minimum number of countries through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination?
Correct
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Context: France government introduced a controversial security bill in parliament that seeks to provide greater powers and protections for police officers.
- Location and borders of France:
- The vast majority of France’s territory and population is situated in Western Europe and is called Metropolitan France, to distinguish it from the country’s various overseas polities.
- It is bordered by the North Sea in the north, the English Channel in the northwest, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean sea in the southeast.
- Its land borders consist of Belgium and Luxembourg in the northeast, Germany and Switzerland in the east, Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Andorra and Spain in the south and southwest.
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/what-is-the-controversy-about-frances-new-security-law/
Incorrect
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Context: France government introduced a controversial security bill in parliament that seeks to provide greater powers and protections for police officers.
- Location and borders of France:
- The vast majority of France’s territory and population is situated in Western Europe and is called Metropolitan France, to distinguish it from the country’s various overseas polities.
- It is bordered by the North Sea in the north, the English Channel in the northwest, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean sea in the southeast.
- Its land borders consist of Belgium and Luxembourg in the northeast, Germany and Switzerland in the east, Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Andorra and Spain in the south and southwest.
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/what-is-the-controversy-about-frances-new-security-law/
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 pointsWith reference to Light detection and ranging (Lidar), consider the following statements:
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- It is a remote sensing method used to examine the surface of the Earth.
- As of today, airplanes and helicopters are the only used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
- A lidar instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas. Two types of lidar are topographic and bathymetric. Topographic lidar typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land, while bathymetric lidar uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/light-detection-and-ranging-survey-lidar-technique/
Incorrect
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
- A lidar instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas. Two types of lidar are topographic and bathymetric. Topographic lidar typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land, while bathymetric lidar uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/light-detection-and-ranging-survey-lidar-technique/
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements:
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- Food fortification has the increased nutritional micronutrient content embedded in the crop being grown.
- Biofortification increases the nutritional value of foods by adding trace amounts of micronutrients to foods during processing.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (d)
Explanation: How does Biofortification differ from food fortification?
- Biofortification has the increased nutritional micronutrient content embedded in the crop being grown.
- Food fortification increases the nutritional value of foods by adding trace amounts of micronutrients to foods during processing.
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food fortification is defined as the practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and to provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.
Incorrect
Ans: (d)
Explanation: How does Biofortification differ from food fortification?
- Biofortification has the increased nutritional micronutrient content embedded in the crop being grown.
- Food fortification increases the nutritional value of foods by adding trace amounts of micronutrients to foods during processing.
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food fortification is defined as the practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and to provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements about the Lion-tailed macaque:
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- It is an old world monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
- It is protected under Schedule I, Part I, of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ as per the IUCN Red list.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Context:
- Ramnagar Forest Division in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, recently built its first eco-bridge for reptiles and smaller mammals.
- Habitat
- Mainly diurnal arboreal, it prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest but may also be found in monsoon forest in hilly country and in disturbed forest.
- It can be found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the western ghat region.
- Unlike other macaques, it avoids humans
- Threat
- Habitat loss and degradation— due to deforestation for logging, conversion of forest to farmland. Logging leads to a scarcity of the fruit on which the monkeys feed, which is particularly devastating. Creation of exotic plantations such as tea, eucalyptus and coffee
- Hunting — for food, medicinal uses
- Pet trade
- Certain features of the reproductive biology and ecology of this species (such as large inter-birth periods, seasonal resource availability, and female competition for mating opportunities) combine to make it intrinsically rare in the wild.
- Conservation efforts
- listed as ‘Endangered’ as per the IUCN Red list.
- Appendix I of CITES
- Schedule I, Part I, of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Protected areas
- Kudremukh National Park — Karnatakaa
- Periyar National Park — Kerala
- Silent Valley National Park — Kerala
- Shendurney Sanctuary — Kerala
- Indira Gandhi Sanctuary — Tamil Nadu
- Kalakkad Sanctuar — Tamil Nadu
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/building-bridges-in-the-forest-to-help-wildlife/
Incorrect
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Context:
- Ramnagar Forest Division in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, recently built its first eco-bridge for reptiles and smaller mammals.
- Habitat
- Mainly diurnal arboreal, it prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest but may also be found in monsoon forest in hilly country and in disturbed forest.
- It can be found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the western ghat region.
- Unlike other macaques, it avoids humans
- Threat
- Habitat loss and degradation— due to deforestation for logging, conversion of forest to farmland. Logging leads to a scarcity of the fruit on which the monkeys feed, which is particularly devastating. Creation of exotic plantations such as tea, eucalyptus and coffee
- Hunting — for food, medicinal uses
- Pet trade
- Certain features of the reproductive biology and ecology of this species (such as large inter-birth periods, seasonal resource availability, and female competition for mating opportunities) combine to make it intrinsically rare in the wild.
- Conservation efforts
- listed as ‘Endangered’ as per the IUCN Red list.
- Appendix I of CITES
- Schedule I, Part I, of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Protected areas
- Kudremukh National Park — Karnatakaa
- Periyar National Park — Kerala
- Silent Valley National Park — Kerala
- Shendurney Sanctuary — Kerala
- Indira Gandhi Sanctuary — Tamil Nadu
- Kalakkad Sanctuar — Tamil Nadu
Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/building-bridges-in-the-forest-to-help-wildlife/
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements about the Tharu community:
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- This community belongs to the Terai lowlands.
- They are included in the list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S1: Who exactly are the Tharu people?
- The community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. Most of them are forest dwellers, and some practice agriculture.
- The word tharu is believed to be derived from sthavir, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism.
- The Tharus live in both India and Nepal. In the Indian terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Tharu women have stronger property rights than is allowed to women in mainstream North Indian Hindu custom.
- S2: About ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)’:
- PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.
- They have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
- They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.
- Identification:
- In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (A&N Islands) in the country (2011 census).
- Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12).
- The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:
- A pre-agriculture level of technology.
- A stagnant or declining population.
- Extremely low literacy.
- A subsistence level of economy.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
Incorrect
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S1: Who exactly are the Tharu people?
- The community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. Most of them are forest dwellers, and some practice agriculture.
- The word tharu is believed to be derived from sthavir, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism.
- The Tharus live in both India and Nepal. In the Indian terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Tharu women have stronger property rights than is allowed to women in mainstream North Indian Hindu custom.
- S2: About ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)’:
- PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.
- They have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
- They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.
- Identification:
- In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (A&N Islands) in the country (2011 census).
- Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12).
- The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:
- A pre-agriculture level of technology.
- A stagnant or declining population.
- Extremely low literacy.
- A subsistence level of economy.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 pointsWith reference to Vadhavan port project, consider the following statements:
-
- The port will be developed on the landlord model.
- This will be 13th major port in India.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (c)
Explanation:- Vadhavan port project:
- The Vadhavan port will be India’s 13th major port.
- It has been planned as an ‘All Weather, All Cargo’ satellite port to enhance capabilities in handling deep draft ships and larger vessels.
- The port project is part of the Centre’s Sagarmala initiative that aims to make Indian ports major contributors to the country’s GDP.
- The Port will have a dedicated road and rail service so as not to interfere with the local traffic, thereby avoiding any clutter within the local transportation.
- It will be developed on a “landlord model”.
- What is landlord model?
- In the landlord port model, the publicly governed port authority acts as a regulatory body and as landlord while private companies carry out port operations—mainly cargo-handling activities.
- Here, the port authority maintains ownership of the port while the infrastructure is leased to private firms that provide and maintain their own superstructure and install own equipment to handle cargo.
- In return, the landlord port gets a share of the revenue from the private entity.
- The role of the landlord port authority would be to carry out all public sector services and operations such as the award of bids for cargo terminals and dredging.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
Incorrect
Ans: (c)
Explanation:- Vadhavan port project:
- The Vadhavan port will be India’s 13th major port.
- It has been planned as an ‘All Weather, All Cargo’ satellite port to enhance capabilities in handling deep draft ships and larger vessels.
- The port project is part of the Centre’s Sagarmala initiative that aims to make Indian ports major contributors to the country’s GDP.
- The Port will have a dedicated road and rail service so as not to interfere with the local traffic, thereby avoiding any clutter within the local transportation.
- It will be developed on a “landlord model”.
- What is landlord model?
- In the landlord port model, the publicly governed port authority acts as a regulatory body and as landlord while private companies carry out port operations—mainly cargo-handling activities.
- Here, the port authority maintains ownership of the port while the infrastructure is leased to private firms that provide and maintain their own superstructure and install own equipment to handle cargo.
- In return, the landlord port gets a share of the revenue from the private entity.
- The role of the landlord port authority would be to carry out all public sector services and operations such as the award of bids for cargo terminals and dredging.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 pointsWith reference to Organic farming in India, Consider the following statements:
-
- Sikkim is the only Indian state to have become fully organic so far.
- Area under organic cultivation is 20% of the net sown area in the country.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S2: Organic farming is in a nascent stage in India. About 2.78 million hectare of farmland was under organic cultivation as of March 2020, according to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This is two per cent of the 140.1 million ha net sown area in the country.
- S1: Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic in 2016.
- After Sikkim, Lakshadweep is the first Union Territory to become 100 per cent organic as all farming is carried out without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, providing access to safer food choices and making agriculture a more environment-friendly activity.
- The ministry of agriculture has declared the island as organic.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
Incorrect
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S2: Organic farming is in a nascent stage in India. About 2.78 million hectare of farmland was under organic cultivation as of March 2020, according to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This is two per cent of the 140.1 million ha net sown area in the country.
- S1: Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic in 2016.
- After Sikkim, Lakshadweep is the first Union Territory to become 100 per cent organic as all farming is carried out without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, providing access to safer food choices and making agriculture a more environment-friendly activity.
- The ministry of agriculture has declared the island as organic.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements:
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- A Zoo (Zoological Park) is a facility used for ex situ conservation of animals.
- The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is the body of the government of India responsible for oversight of zoos.
- The CZA has been constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- S1: Ex situ conservation literally means, “Off-site conservation”. It is the process of protecting an endangered species, variety or breed, of plant or animal outside its natural habitat.
- Botanical gardens, and zoos are the most conventional methods of Ex-situ conservation.
- S2: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is the body of the government of India responsible for oversight of zoos. It is an affiliate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
- S3: The Central Zoo Authority has been constituted under the section 38A of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
- Two new Zoos granted recognition by Central government:
- The Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh were granted recognition.
- Approved at the 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo Authority.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
Incorrect
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- S1: Ex situ conservation literally means, “Off-site conservation”. It is the process of protecting an endangered species, variety or breed, of plant or animal outside its natural habitat.
- Botanical gardens, and zoos are the most conventional methods of Ex-situ conservation.
- S2: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is the body of the government of India responsible for oversight of zoos. It is an affiliate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
- S3: The Central Zoo Authority has been constituted under the section 38A of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
- Two new Zoos granted recognition by Central government:
- The Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh were granted recognition.
- Approved at the 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo Authority.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements about Invest India:
-
- It is the India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency.
- It was set up in 2009, as a non-profit venture under the Ministry of Finance.
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
Correct
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S1: Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency. It focuses on sector-specific investor targeting and development of new partnerships to enable sustainable investments in India.
- S2: Invest India, set up in 2009, is a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
- Investment Promotion Award 2020:
- The United Nations (UNCTAD) has declared Invest India- the National Investment Promotion Agency of India- as a winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award.
- The award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements and best practices of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) across the globe.
- UNCTAD is a central agency that monitors performance of IPAs and identifies global best practices. Germany, South Korea and Singapore have been some of the past winners of the award.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
Incorrect
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S1: Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency. It focuses on sector-specific investor targeting and development of new partnerships to enable sustainable investments in India.
- S2: Invest India, set up in 2009, is a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
- Investment Promotion Award 2020:
- The United Nations (UNCTAD) has declared Invest India- the National Investment Promotion Agency of India- as a winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award.
- The award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements and best practices of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) across the globe.
- UNCTAD is a central agency that monitors performance of IPAs and identifies global best practices. Germany, South Korea and Singapore have been some of the past winners of the award.
Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-december-2020/
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