INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 14 April 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: The IOD, also known as the Indian Niño, is an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the Indian ocean (not tropical eastern pacific ocean).
• Statement 2: IOD has a much more significant effect on the rainfall patterns in south-east Australia than the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific Ocean as shown in several recent studies.
• S3: A positive IOD is associated with droughts in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/skymet-forecasts-a-healthy-normal-monsoon/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: here the directive word is incorrect!!

• Though the constitution has sought to safeguard and ensure the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, some flaws can be noted, viz.,
• The Constitution has not prescribed the qualifications (legal, educational, administrative or judicial) of the members of the Election Commission.
• The Constitution has not specified the term of the members of the Election Commission.
• The Constitution has not debarred the retiring election commissioners from any further appointment by the government.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/chief-election-commissioner/

Ans: (a)

Explanation: What is RIIN?

• Launched in July 2019.
• The objective is to prevent outsiders from obtaining fake indigenous certificates for seeking jobs and benefits of government schemes.
• The RIIN will be the master list of all indigenous inhabitants of the state.
• The RIIN list will be based on “an extensive survey”.
• It will involve official records of indigenous residents from rural and (urban) wards and would be prepared under the supervision of the district administration.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/register-of-indigenous-inhabitants-of-nagaland-riin-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE):

• The need to fight animal diseases at global level led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties through the international Agreement signed on January 25th 1924.
• In May 2003 the Office became the World Organisation for Animal Health but kept its historical acronym OIE.
• The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
• It is recognised as a reference organisation by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• The organisation is placed under the authority and control of a World Assembly of Delegates consisting of Delegates designated by the Governments of all Member Countries.
• The main objective of the OIE is to control epizootic diseases and thus to prevent their spread.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/who-urges-halt-on-sale-of-live-wild-mammals-in-markets/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S2: Black rhinos are listed as “Critically Endangered” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. More>>
• S1 and S3 : The greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”) is the largest of the rhino species. More>> (IUCN: vulnerable)

• S1: White rhinos https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/white-rhino

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/indian-rhino-vision-2020-irv-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S2: Phool Dei is Uttarakhand’s traditional harvest festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state each year.
• S3: Garia puja is a festival of Tripura, It is held on the seventh day of the month of Vaishakha.
• S1: What is Uruka?
  • Uruka” marks the beginning of the Magh Bihu.
  • ‘Uruka’ rituals are performed on the occasion of Rongali Bihu, marking the beginning of the Assamese New Year.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-april-2021/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Seroja:
• It is a tropical cyclone formed recently near western Australian coast.
• The name Seroja means lotus in Indonesian.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-april-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: e-SANTA:

• It is an electronic marketplace providing a platform to connect aqua farmers and the buyers.
• Launched by Union Commerce Ministry.
• It will enable the farmers to get a better price and the exporters to directly purchase quality products from the farmers enhancing traceability, a key factor in international trade.
• The term e-SANTA was coined for the web portal, meaning Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers’ Trade in Aquaculture.
• e-SANTA will ‘RAISE’ the lives & income of farmers by: Reducing Risk, Awareness of Products & Markets, Increase in Income, Shielding Against Wrong Practice and Ease of Processes.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/14/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-14-april-2021/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Maguri Motapung Beel is less than 10 km south of the more famous Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.
• The wetland derives its name from ‘Magur’, local word for the catfish Clarius batrachus, once found here in abundance. Motapung is a village nearby, and Beel is the Assamese word for wetland.
• Significance:
  • It was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996.
  • Important species: Golden Mahaseer, vulnerable species (like the Swamp Francolin and the Marsh Babbler), two endangered (Greater Adjutant and Pallas’s Fish-eagle) and six critically endangered (like Baer’s Pochard, Red-headed Vulture and White-bellied Heron).
• Location:
  • This reserve connects the national park in Assam to Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh, creating a big wildlife corridor of immense importance in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. 
  • The reserve is located within the Brahmaputra’s floodplains, and is limited by the Lohit river in the north and the Dibru in the south.
• Why in News?
• This wetland is 500m away from the oil well that exploded on June 9.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/07/20/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-20-july-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Why in news?
  • A Himalayan serow has been sighted for the first time in the Himalayan cold desert region.
• S1: There are several species of serows, and all of them are found in Asia. The Himalayan serow, or Capricornis sumatraensis thar, is restricted to the Himalayan region. Taxonomically, it is a subspecies of the mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).
• S2 and S3: Himalayan serows are herbivores, and are typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres (6,500 to 13,000 feet). They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans Himalayan region.

Refer: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/its-a-goat-its-a-pig-its-a-serow-explaining-an-unusual-sighting-in-the-spiti-cold-desert-7105007/