[MISSION 2023] INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (16 July 2022 ) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001.
• The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organisation. The SCO Heads of Government Council (HGC) meets once a year to discuss the organisation’s multilateral cooperation strategy and priority areas, to resolve current important economic and other cooperation issues, and also to approve the organisation’s annual budget. The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/iran-and-belarus-to-be-the-newest-sco-members/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The S-400 Triumf, (NATO calls it SA-21 Growler), is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/waiver-to-india-for-purchase-of-s-400-missile-system/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was passed unanimously by the US Congress and signed reluctantly by Donald Trump. Enacted on August 2, 2017, its core objective is to counter Iran, Russia and North Korea through punitive measures.
• Title II of the Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.
• Section 231 of the Act empowers the US President to impose at least five of the 12 listed sanctions — enumerated in Section 235 of the Act — on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with Russian defence and intelligence sectors.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/waiver-to-india-for-purchase-of-s-400-missile-system/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Namsai Declaration:

• This declaration is signed between the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on July 15, 2022, at Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh to minimize the border dispute between the two states in respect of 123 villages placed before the Local Commission by Arunachal Pradesh.
• According to the declaration, all border issues between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be confined to those raised before the local commission in 2007.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/assam-arunachal-pradesh-sign-pact-aiming-to-solve-the-border-dispute/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: The Global Findex Database 2021 – World Bank Group

• World Bank’s Global Findex database surveyed how people in 123 economies use formal and informal financial services e.g., cards, ATMs, mobile phones, and the internet.
• India-specific findings:
  • Low access to formal banking in India and there is a lack of trust.
  • Aadhar contributed to account ownership in about 80% of adults (from 35% in 2011)
  • Drop-in fraud and leakage: Transitioning from cash to biometric smart cards has reduced leakage by 47% in pension payments.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/financial-inclusion/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Indian city Ahmedabad and the state of Keralahave been mentioned in TIME magazine’s list of the world’s greatest places of 2022.
• The commercial capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, has been formally accorded the status of India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-16-july-2022/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• SAMARTHwas launched by the Ministry of power (2021) and mandates all thermal power plants in India use 5-10% of biomass alongside coal to produce power. Consequently, it promotes research on modern boilers which can handle a greater amount of silica and alkalis in biomass pellets.
• *Don’t get confused with the SAMARTH Scheme of the Ministry of textile(for capacity building in the textile sector)

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-16-july-2022/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1:The nanotube’s structure allows it to be used as a container for transporting a drug in the body. A molecule of the drug can be placed inside the nanotube cage. This keeps the drug ‘wrapped up’ until it reaches the site where it is needed. In this way, a dose that might be damaging to other parts of the body can be delivered safely to, for example, a tumour.
  • See https://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjps/v49n4/v49n4a02.pdf
• S3: This is correct. See https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/TOP2-104
  • NASA has successfully demonstrated a miniaturized electronics technology for in-vitro detecting specific biomarker signatures, which is based on incorporating embedded vertically aligned carbon nanotubes…in diagnostics devices.
• S4: Recently, it has been demonstrated that functionalized carbon nanotubes can be degraded by oxidative enzymes.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-16-july-2022/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the largest carnivores of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), West Bengal.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-16-july-2022/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Bhima River is a major river in Western India and South India. The river is also referred to as Chandrabhaga River, especially at Pandharpur, as it resembles the shape of the Moon.
• Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the eastern part of central Karnataka.
• The two major rivers draining Tiruchirappalli are the Kaveri and its tributary the Kollidam

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/07/16/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-16-july-2022/