INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 22 February 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S1: Avian influenza is the disease caused by infection with Avian (bird) Influenza (flu) Type A viruses. This is said to occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other birds and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• S2: According to the CDC, Avian flu viruses do not normally infect human beings. Such an infection is rare, only sporadic cases have been reported since 2015, according to Mayo Clinic. If it does infect a person, infection is generally mild and can require ICU care in a few patients. It’s rare to have a human-to-human transmission of the same.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/influenza-ah5n8-virus/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S1 is correct because an Additional Protocol (AP) to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014.
• S2 is incorrect.
• S3 is incorrect as IAEA protocol ratification will not give the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
• S4 is incorrect because NSG membership is not based on IAEA Additional Protocol ratification.
• Source: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/indias-additional-protocol-enters-force

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea-4/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• IAEA Safeguards are meant to understand if imported/enriched uranium is not used for non-peaceful purposes. Straightforward.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea-4/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About IAEA:

• Set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization in 1957 within the United Nations family.
• Reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
• Headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea-4/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S1: Jal Jeevan Mission, a central government initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aims to ensure access of piped water for every household in India.
• S2: The mission’s goal is to provide to all households in rural India safe and adequate water through individual household tap connections by 2024.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/telangana-achieves-100-tap-water-connections-to-schools/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• A transcriptome is the full range of messenger RNA, or mRNA, molecules expressed by an organism.
• The term “transcriptome” can also be used to describe the array of mRNA transcripts produced in a particular cell or tissue type.
• In contrast with the genome, which is characterized by its stability, the transcriptome actively changes.
• In fact, an organism’s transcriptome varies depending on many factors, including stage of development and environmental conditions.
• http://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/transcriptome-296

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/rt-pcr-tests-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done-2/

• Ans: (a)Explanation:
  • About the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
    • BIS is the only national body that frames standards.
    • It works under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
    • BIS is responsible for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • The Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) Act 2016 establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India.
  • The Act enables the Central Government to appoint any authority/agency, in addition to the BIS, to verify the conformity of products and services with the established standard and issue certificate of conformity.
  • There is a provision for repair or recall, of the products (bearing Standard Mark) that do not conform to the relevant Indian Standard.

  Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/one-nation-one-standard-mission/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: What is Line of Credit (LOC)?

• The Line of Credit is not a grant but a ‘soft loan’ provided on concessional interest rates to developing countries, which has to be repaid by the borrowing government.
• The borrower can access funds from the line of credit at any time as long as they do not exceed the maximum amount (or credit limit) set in the agreement and meet any other requirements such as making timely minimum payments.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2021/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1: The songs of Ravidas discuss Nirguna-Saguna themes, as well as ideas that are at the foundation of Nath Yoga philosophy of Hinduism. He frequently mentions the term Sahaj, a mystical state where there is a union of the truths of the many and the one.
• S2: Most scholars believe that Ravidas met Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. He is revered in the Sikh scripture, and 41 of Ravidas’ poems are included in the Adi Granth. These poems are one of the oldest attested source of his ideas and literary works.
• Link: S3 and S4: Ironically, in his time, Ravidas’ philosophy and songs were popular across class, caste and community. The Rajput princess Mirabai, for instance, was one of his disciple Unlike his contemporary Kabir, Ravidas was non-combative, gentle and non-judgemental and had the magnanimity to take everybody with him. In spite of his proximity to princely states, Ravidas continued to emphasise the sacredness of work or kirat. By doing so, he was inverting the prevalent caste hierarchy of occupation that favoured mental over manual labour. In his verses one finds persistent critique of caste hierarchy.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2021/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
• UNESCO was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
• It has 193 member states and 11 associate members, as well as partners in the nongovernmental, intergovernmental, and private sector.
• Headquartered in Paris, France, UNESCO has 53 regional field offices and 199 national commissions that facilitate its global mandate.
• International Mother Language Day:
  • Observed on 21 February every year.
  • The Day is celebrated to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.
  • First announced by UNESCO in 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.
  • The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh.
  • Theme for IMLD 2021 is “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/02/22/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2021/