INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 7 May 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest to the Sun.
• About Venus:
  • Venus, the second planet from the sun, is similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth.
  • Above its foreboding landscape is a thick and toxic atmosphere that consists primarily of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid droplets.
  • With a runaway greenhouse effect, its surface temperatures reach 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead.
  • Venus is one of just two planets that rotate from east to west. Only Venus and Uranus have this “backwards” rotation.
  • In another quirk, its day-night cycle – the time between sunrises as opposed to the length of a single axial spin – takes 117 Earth days because Venus rotates in the direction opposite of its orbital path around the sun

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/latest-findings-about-venus/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Mojave Desert is an arid rain-shadow desert and the driest desert in North America.
• It is in the Southwestern United States, primarily within southeastern California and southern Nevada.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/latest-findings-about-venus/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• All the fundamental rights are enshrined in Part III of the Constitution of India.
• Article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution says that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one’s own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures or any other mode.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/supreme-court-declines-ec-plea-to-restrain-media-reports/

Ans: (a)
Explanation:

• The NPCI is a not-for-profit organisation registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
• It is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/npci-refuses-to-ban-cryptocurrency-trades-in-india/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Products of NPCI:
• National Common Mobility Card.
• Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM).
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• Bharat Bill Payment System.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/npci-refuses-to-ban-cryptocurrency-trades-in-india/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: here the directive word is incorrect!

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.
• UPI – Benefits
  • Single click Two Factor authentication
  • Round the clock availability
  • Single Application for accessing different bank accounts
  • Tap customers not having credit/debit cards
  • Use of Virtual ID is more secure, no credential sharing

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/npci-refuses-to-ban-cryptocurrency-trades-in-india/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 2:  The action by different Ministries/ Departments shall be monitored by DIPP which shall be the nodal department to coordinate, guide and oversee implementation and future development of IPRs in India.
• India’s National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy is in compliance with WTO’s (World Trade Organisation) agreement on TRIPS (Trade Related aspects of IPRs), aims to sustain entrepreneurship boost ‘Make in India.’

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/intellectual-property-waiver-for-covid-19-vaccines/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: The SC recently ruled that one can claim patents on GM cotton seeds, in a case related to Monsanto. See https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/was-there-a-victory-for-monsanto-in-india-s-supreme-court-on-a-patent-matter–62800
• This judgment overturned an order of the Delhi High Court which held that genetically modified plants, genetically modified seeds and gene sequences that provide genetic traits to plants are not patentable subject matter in India.
• The decision comes in the ongoing dispute between the Monsanto Group of Companies and the Nuziveedu Group of Companies.
• S2 is wrong.
• S3: Article 3(j) of the India’s patent Act excludes from patentability “plants and animals in whole or in any part thereof other than microorganisms  but including seeds, varieties, and species, and essentially biological processes for production or propagation of plants and animals”.
• See https://www.ifoam.bio/en/news/2018/05/08/indian-supreme-court-says-seeds-plants-and-animals-are-not-patentable

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/intellectual-property-waiver-for-covid-19-vaccines/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Dahla Dam:

• It is Afghanistan’s second-biggest dam.
• The Taliban has captured it after months of fierce fighting.
• It is located in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.
• The Dahla Dam is built on the Arghandab River.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/07/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-07-may-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• EPA, 1986 doesn’t contain any provision related to public participation. Section 6 of the Act authorises that the Central Govt regulates pollution control norms.
• See http://bch.cbd.int/database/attachment/?id=19052

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019