INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 10 March 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About the Temple:

• Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses.
• It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty.
• The temple was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work.
• The temple is a perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty.
• It is protected under the National Framework of India by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).
• The Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha).
• This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.
• It remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/konark-sun-temple-3/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/konark-sun-temple-3/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1 & S2: The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare programme being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. This programme is being implemented in rural areas as well as urban areas. NSAP represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution of India which enjoin upon the State to undertake within its means a number of welfare measures.
• S3: Annual verification and Social Audit has been introduced under NSAP. All the States are to complete the Annual verification by 30th June and the Social Audit by 30th September, each year. More>>

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/panel-flags-centres-meagre-pensions/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S1: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-sensitive Zones”. The section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards
• Besides the section 5 (1) of this act says that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas.
• S2: The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following:
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
  • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/sc-questions-delay-in-setting-up-environment-regulator/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• NGT has not been vested with powers to hear any matter relating to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and various laws enacted by States relating to forests, tree preservation etc.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/sc-questions-delay-in-setting-up-environment-regulator/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Virus passport:

• Launched by China.
• Basically, it is a health certificate programme for Chinese international travellers.
• The digital certificate shows a user’s vaccination status and virus test results.
• Although the certificate is meant for travel in and out of China, it is currently only available for use by Chinese citizens, and it is not yet mandatory. There is also no indication authorities in other countries will use it when Chinese travellers go abroad.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2021/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite.
• The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies. It will be used for remote sensing, to observe and understand natural processes on Earth. For example, its left-facing instruments will study the Antarctic cryosphere.
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR):
  • A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or SAR, is a coherent mostly airborne or spaceborne side looking radar system which utilizes the flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna, and that generates high-resolution remote sensing imagery.
• Why in News?
  • ISRO has completed development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar capable of producing high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with the U.S. space agency NASA. The mission is targeted to be launched in 2022.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Joint Exercise Dustlik:

• Second Edition of Joint Exercise Dustlik between Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army is being held in India.
• The exercise is based on counter-terrorist operations and aims at enhancing military cooperation.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/10/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-march-2021/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S2: The word jute was first published by Roxburg, the then Superintendent of Botanical Garden, Shibpur, West Bengal in the year 1795, in his letter addressed to the Board of Directors of East India Company. The first jute mill in India was set up in the year 1855 at Rishra, near Kolkata.
• S1: Jute can grow in wide range of soil but fertile loamy alluvial soil is better suitable.
• S3: India is the world’s largest producer of raw jute and jute goods.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/30/mandatory-packaging-in-jute-materials/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: National Productivity Council (NPC):

• NPC has been granted accreditation conforming to ISO 17020:2012 by National Accreditation Board for Certification Body (NABCB), Quality Council of India (QCI) for undertaking inspection and audit work in the area of Food Safety Audit and Scientific Storage of Agricultural Products.
• This accreditation is valid for a period of three years.
• Implications: This accreditation will enable it to undertake Independent Third-Party Audits of Food Business Operators including Food Storage Warehouses as per Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018 of FSSAI as well as inspections of Warehouses as per Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) Rules, 2017.
• About NPC:
  • Established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India in 1958, it is an autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organization.
  • Besides undertaking research in the area of productivity, NPC has been providing consultancy and training services in areas of Industrial Engineering, Agri-Business, Economic Services, Quality Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology, Technology Management, Energy Management, Environmental Management etc., to the Government and Public & Private sector organizations.
  • NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an Intergovernmental Body, of which the Government of India is a founder member.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/30/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-30-october-2020/