INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 21 December 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Who was Khudiram Bose? Events he is associated with:

• Born in 1889, Bose is highly regarded in Bengal for his fearless spirit.
• Unlike other leaders like Subhash Chandra Bose, however, Khudiram’s legacy has been largely limited to Bengal.
• In 1905, when Bengal was partitioned, he actively participated in protests against the British.
• At the age of 15, Bose joined the Anushilan Samiti, an early 20th century organisation that propounded revolutionary activities in Bengal.
• The deciding moment of Bose’s life came in 1908 when he along with another revolutionary, Prafulla Chaki were assigned the task of assassinating the district magistrate of Muzaffarpur.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/who-was-khudiram-bose/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context:
  • Anthropological Survey of India policy document warns of threat to endangered group from commercial activity.
  • The policy document comes almost two years after American national John Allen Chau was allegedly killed by the Sentinelese on the Island.
  • The Sentinelese, a most secluded, is a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) who reside in complete isolation on the island.
• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups. 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 Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)” exclusively for them.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/any-exploitation-of-sentinel-island-will-wipe-out-tribals/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.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: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/any-exploitation-of-sentinel-island-will-wipe-out-tribals/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• As Trump tenure winds down, deals in trade, sanctions, nuclear energy hang fire between India and the US. The unfinished businesses include:
• No blanket waiver of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions for buying Russian/Chinese arms.
• Failure to reverse the decision to revoke India’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
• Commercial contract to be finalised for the decade-old MoU between U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Company and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) to build six reactors in Andhra Pradesh.
• Achievements so far:
  • The growing defence partnership, enhanced military exchanges bolstered by the signing of four foundational agreements: GSOMIA, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA.
  • S. grant of the STA-1 Strategic Trade Authorisation to India, capped by intelligence sharing and quick procurements during the ongoing standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
  • Crystallisation of the “Quad” arrangement.
• What is the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)?
  • It is a U.S. trade program designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry for up to 4,800 products from 129 designated beneficiary countries and territories.
  • GSP was instituted on January 1, 1976, by the Trade Act of 1974.
  • GSP has been given on non-reciprocal basis. Yet the US has linked it with market access and tariff reduction which is against the basic tenets of GSP.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/india-u-s-mull-over-unfinished-work/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S2: Launched in 2008, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative of 26 nations that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime
• S1: The inaugural IONS-2008 was held in New Delhi, India. CNS, Indian Navy was designated the Chairman IONS for the period 2008-10.
• Maritime data fusion in India- institutional and structural efforts:
  • Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) is the nodal agency for maritime data fusion. Located in Gurugram, it was set up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
  • As part of information exchange regarding traffic on the high seas, the Navy has been authorised by the government to conclude white shipping agreements with 36 countries and three multilateral constructs. So far agreements have been concluded with 22 countries and one multilateral construct.
  • At the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) which is meant to promote Maritime Domain Awareness, three more International Liaison Officers (ILO) are expected to join soon. The ILOs from France, Japan and the U.S. have joined the centre.
  • Under Phase-I of the coastal radar chain network, 46 coastal radar stations have been set up across the country’s coastline. Under Phase-II of the project, which is currently under way, 38 static radar stations and four mobile radar stations are being set up by the Coast Guard and is in advanced stage of completion.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/india-to-bring-more-nations-into-coastal-radar-network/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Himalayan trillium:
• The Himalayan trillium, a common herb of the Himalayas was declared ‘endangered’ by the IUCN.
• The herb has numerous uses for human beings thus inviting people to utilize it, paving way for overutilization.
• Temperate and sub-alpine zones of the Himalayas at an altitude of 2400 meters to 4000 meters.
• India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan has been home to this specie.
• used for the preparation of steroidal and sex hormones.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-21-december-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: ONGC begins production in Bengal basin, making it India’s eighth functional:

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited has begun crude oil production from the Asokenagar-1 well, Bengal Basin in 24 Paragana district.
• This has made the Bengal basin India’s eighth producing basin, joining the ranks of Krishna-Godavari (KG), Mumbai Offshore, Assam Shelf, Rajasthan, Cauvery, Assam-Arakan Fold Belt and Cambay.
• There are 26 sedimentary basins in India, covering a total area of 3.4 million square kilometer. Of these, 16 are onland basins, 7 located both onland and offshore and 3 completely offshore.
• The three largest producers of mineral oil or crude oil in India are Rajasthan (23.7%), Gujarat (12.5%), Assam (12.1%).

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/21/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-21-december-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which envisaged the creation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.
• NDMA, as the apex body, is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters. Towards this, it has the following responsibilities:-
  • Lay down policies on disaster management ;
  • Approve the National Plan;
  • Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
  • Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
  • Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
  • Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management;
  • Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
  • Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
  • Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary;
  • Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

Refer: https://ndma.gov.in/en/about-ndma/roles-responsibilities.html

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, in Vindhya Range in central India, is one of the finest teak forests in the state and is less than 50 km. away from the capital Bhopal. It has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1976.

Refer: https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/ratapani-tiger-reserve-madhya-pradesh-to-get-7th-tiger-reserve/1726620/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Hoolock gibbon are endangered species. They are the only ape found in India.
• Hoolock gibbons are native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India
  and Southwest China. In northeast India, the hoolock is found south of Brahmaputra as well on the North Bank areas and east of the Dibang Rivers

Refer: https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/arunachal-pradesh/in-an-arunachal-pradesh-village-locals-are-helping-the-endangered-hoolock-gibbon-swing-from-tree-to-tree-5765255/