[Mission 2024] Current Affairs Quiz , 18 September 2023

Solution: c)

The WTO Agreements contain special provisions which give developing countries special rights and which give developed countries the possibility to treat developing countries more favourably than other WTO Members. These special provisions include, for example, longer time periods for implementing Agreements and commitments or measures to increase trading opportunities for developing countries.

These provisions are referred to as “special and differential treatment” (S&D) provisions.

The special provisions include:

• longer time periods for implementing Agreements and commitments,
• measures to increase trading opportunities for developing countries,
• provisions requiring all WTO members to safeguard the trade interests of developing countries,
• support to help developing countries build the capacity to carry out WTO work, handle disputes, and implement technical standards, and
• provisions related to least-developed country (LDC) Members.

Solution: d)

Minor minerals:

• Minor minerals are those which are prescribed by Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (section 3(e)) as being categorized as ‘minor minerals’.
• Any mineral which by the notification of the Central Government may declare to be a minor mineral.
• The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.
• In addition to those specified under MMDR Act, here are few minerals that the Central Government has declared as minor minerals:
  • boulder, shingle, chalcedony pebbles, lime shell, kankar and limestone, brick-earth, fuller’s earth, bentonite, road metal, slate, marble, stone used for making household utensils, quartzite and sandstone, saltpeter and ordinary earth.

Solution: a)

Only statement 2 is correct.

The crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed as number of live births in a year per thousand of population.

The crude birth rate (CBR) of India in 2011 census was 21.8

Crude Death Rate (CDR) is a simple method of measuring mortality of any area. CDR is expressed in terms of number of deaths in a particular year per thousand of population in a particular region.

The crude death rate (CDR) of India in 2011 census was 7.1

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The National Mission for a Green India aims to increase forest cover on degraded lands and protect existing forested lands.

The Green Credit Programme has the objective to “incentivize environmentally sustainable and responsive actions by companies, individuals and local bodies”.

The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is particularly significant because of the extraordinary importance of mangroves and coastal ecosystems in mitigating climate change.

The Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) for reducing inputs of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is critical for sustaining our agriculture.

Finally, the Amrit Dharohar scheme directly mentions our biological wealth and is expected to “encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities”.

Solution: c)

The Survey of India will continue to maintain CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations) that are necessary to create accurate digital maps. A CORS consists of a GPS receiver operating continuously, and a stable antenna for continuously streaming raw data. Such reference stations are present all over the globe to monitor the Earth’s crust to provide geodetic control, track manmade and natural structures, and facilitate accurate navigation.