INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 30 March 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (a)

Explanation: What is Happiness Curriculum?

• The happiness curriculum was first introduced by the Delhi government in 2018.
• The curriculum calls for schools to promote development in cognition, language, literacy, numeracy and the arts along with addressing the wellbeing and happiness of students.
• Framework: The curriculum is based on philosophies of thinkers and educationists such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jiddu Krishnamurthy. It is primarily based on the concept of the “Happiness Triad” proposed by philosopher Agrahar Nagraj Sarman, according to which there are three components of happiness – momentary happiness, long term happiness and sustainable happiness. It is also based on Nagraj’s concept of “coexistential thought” (Madhyasth Darshan), which is about simplicity, generosity, kindness and benevolence in the pursuit of happiness. The curriculum also includes concepts about self and relationships with family, society and nature.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/happiness-curriculum/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP), previously known as the National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP), was launched in 2008 by the Government of India with the purpose to digitize and modernize land records and develop a centralised land record management system.
• Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) scheme:
  • Under the scheme, a 14-digit identification number will be issued to every plot of land in the country.
  • It is being described as “the Aadhaar for land” — a number that would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in rural India, where land records are outdated and disputed.
  • The identification will be based on the longitude and latitude of the land parcel, and is dependent on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/unique-land-parcel-identification-number-ulpin-scheme/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: About NRC:

• At its core, the NRC is an official record of those who are legal Indian citizens. It includes demographic information about all those individuals who qualify as citizens of India as per the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• The register was first prepared after the 1951 Census of India and since then it has not been updated until recently.
• So far, such a database has only been maintained for the state of

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/nrc-rejection-slips-to-be-issued-soon/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: They occur in upper atmospheres of both hemispheres.
• S2: Correct. Extra-tropical cyclones may not always have an eye, whereas mostly mature storms have well developed eye. Rapidly intensifying storms may develop an extremely small, clear, and circular eye, sometimes referred to as a pinhole eye.
• S3: It is warmer and not colder for a tropical cyclone. The warmer temperature is what drives the storm.
• What is a cyclone?
  • Tropical Cyclone is any large system of winds that circulates about a center of low atmospheric pressure in a counter-clockwise direction north of the Equator and in a clockwise direction to the south.
• Cyclone formation:
  • Cyclone is the formation of very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it.
  • Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development of cyclones.
  • Before cloud formation, water takes up heat from the atmosphere to change into vapour. When water vapour changes back to liquid form as raindrops, this heat is released to the atmosphere.
  • The heat released to the atmosphere warms the air around. The air tends to rise and causes a drop in pressure. More air rushes to the centre of the storm. This cycle is repeated.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/odisha-suffered-losses-worth-%e2%82%b931945-cr-in-eight-cyclones/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: As per the Sixth Schedule, the four states viz. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram contain the Tribal Areas which are technically different from the Scheduled Areas.
• S2: Autonomous district councils have powers to form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.
• S3: Related- 125th amendment bill:
  • It seeks to increase the financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the northeastern region.
  • The amendments provide for elected village municipal councils,ensuring democracy at the grassroot level.
  • Powers: The village councils will be empowered to prepare plans for economic development and social justice including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry.
  • The Finance Commissionwill be mandated to recommend devolution of financial resources to them.
  • Finance: The Autonomous Councils now depend on grants from Central ministries and the State government for specific projects.
  • Reservations: At least one-third of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura after the amendment is approved.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/what-is-the-greater-tipraland-demand/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1: Lord Mountbatten prepared a “Dickie Bird Plan” for India’s independence. This plan was prepared by a committee of General Sir Hastings Ismay, Sir George Abell and Lord Mountbatten himself. Plan Balkan was completed and presented on 15-16 April 1947 by Hastings Ismay to assembly of provincial governors in Delhi. Due to this, this plan was also called “Ismay Plan”.
• S2: It was in June 1948 that Lord Mountbatten proposed the Heads of Agreement deal which gave Hyderabad the status of an autonomous dominion nation under India. India was ready to sign the deal and did so but the Nizam refused on the grounds that he wanted complete independence or the status of dominion under the British Commonwealth of Nations. More>>
• S3: In the Mountbatten Plan it is stated that the Princely States would have the option to join either of the two dominions of India or Pakistan.
• Patricia Mountbatten:
  • Patricia Edwina Victoria Mountbatten was the Second Countess Mountbatten of Burma and had a strong royal connection as the great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and first cousin to Prince Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
  • She was the eldest daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten — the last Viceroy of India.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/30/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-30-march-2021/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• It was also known as the Indian states committee.
• Relations between the Indian Princes and the crown were not well defined because the extent of sovereignty of the Paramount power was not settled properly.
• The Indian states committee (under the Chairmanship of Harcourt Butler) in 1927 was appointed to investigate and clarify the relationship between the paramount power and the Princes.

Refer: http://tinyurl.com/yatpetz2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• SVAMITVA Scheme is a Central Sector scheme launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on National Panchayat Day i.e 24^th April 2020. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of the scheme. In the States, the Revenue Department / Land Records Department will be the Nodal Department and shall carry out the scheme with support of State Panchayati Raj Department. Survey of India shall work as the technology partner for implementation.
• The scheme aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India. The demarcation of rural abadi areas would be done using Drone Surveying technology. This would provide the ‘record of rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas in villages which, in turn, would enable them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits from Bank
• The scheme seeks to achieve the following objectives: –
  • To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
  • Creation of accurate land records for rural planning.
  • Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the GPs directly in States where it is devolved or else, add to the State exchequer.
  • Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
  • To support in preparation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.
  • To reduce property related disputes and legal cases

Refer: https://svamitva.nic.in/svamitva/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S3: …. The two rivers after criss-crossing Dehradun city meet the Suswa river at Ramgarh at the Rajaji National Park. The Suswa finally merges with the Ganga. The Suswa, an important tributary of the Ganga, carries all dirt and garbage into the holy river….More>>
• S2: The park is at the northwestern limit of distribution for both elephants and tigers in India. The park is most renowned for its elephants. The mountain goat, goral is another noteworthy resident. It is mainly confined to the precipitous pine-covered slopes.
• S1: Rajaji National Park is situated along the hills and foothills of Shiwalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills and represent the Shiwalik eco-system. Combining three sanctuaries, namely Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji – Rajaji National Park is spread over the Pauri Garwal, Dehradun and Saharanpur districts of Uttarakhand.

Refer: http://rajajinationalpark.co.in/1.about.htm

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina) is considered to be one of the world’s rarest mammals. It is endemic to India and was first reported from Travancore, Kerala. It is nocturnal in nature and found exclusively in the Western Ghats.
• Habitat: Wooded plains and hill slopes of evergreen rainforests.
• Distribution: Western Ghats.
• Threats: Deforestation and commercial plantations are major threats.
• It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List as the population is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals.

Refer: http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/CriticallyEndangeredAnimal_1094.aspx