Test: Monthly Current Affairs May- 3 - UPSC MCQ

In News: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the formation of a “neutral and independent collegium or selection committee” for the appointment of members of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Statement 1 is not correct: The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. However, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office through impeachment by Parliament.
Statement 2 is not correct: The Constitution of India has not debarred the retiring Election Commissioners from any further appointment by the government.

Statement 1 is not correct: The National Crisis Management Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and secretaries of all concerned ministries/ departments.
Statement 2 is correct: The committee functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is an integral part of the National Disaster Management System. It ensures effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations in the wake of natural calamity.

Members of Legislative Council (MLCs)

• One third are elected by the members of local bodies such as municipalities, gram panchayats, Panchayat Samiti and district councils.
• One third are elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly of the State from among the persons who are not members of the State Legislative Assembly.
• One-sixth are nominated by the Governor from persons having knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, arts, the co-operative movement and social services.
• One twelfth is elected by persons who are graduates of three years' standing residing in that state.
• One twelfth is elected by teachers who had spent at least three years teaching in educational institutions within the state not lower than secondary schools, including colleges and universities.

Dongriya Kondhs Native Area is located in Niyamgiri hills, Rayagada (Odisha). Niyamgiri is a hill range spread over 250 sQ. km. and is a densely forested area with deep gorges and cascading streams. Dongriya Kondh is one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and derives its name from dongar, meaning agricultural land on hill slopes. They speak the Kui language.

Statement 1 is correct: Escrow Account is a third-party account where funds (also money, securities, funds, and other assets) are kept before they are transferred to the ultimate party. It provides security against scams and frauds especially with high asset value and disputeprone sectors like Real Estate.
Statement 2 is not correct: The party receiving the money can not make withdrawals from an escrow account until the set obligations are fulfilled. However, they have mostly been restricted to large transactions, like mergers and acquisitions, cross-border deals, etc. It reduces risk in specific-use transaction cases like procurement, supply chain, professional services.

In News: Electoral bonds worth Rs. 695 crore sold during recent Assembly polls in West Bengal. The amount sold was the highestever for any Assembly elections since the scheme started in 2018.
Statement 1 is correct: Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. They are interest-free bearer instruments.
Statement 2 is correct: The Electoral Bonds can be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account with the Authorized Bank. As of now, only SBI has been authorised to do so.
Statement 3 is not correct: Electoral Bonds are valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue and no payment is made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period.

Statement 1 is correct: Diplomatic Immunity is a privilege of exemption from certain laws and taxes granted to diplomats by the country in which they are posted. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, the immunity enjoyed by a diplomat posted in the embassy is “inviolable”. The diplomat cannot be arrested or detained and his house will have the same inviolability and protection as the embassy.
Statement 2 is not correct: Immunity is not the same for all diplomats and their families.
The Vienna Convention classifies diplomats according to their posting in the embassy, consular or international organisations such as the UN.

Statement 1 is correct: Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows speedy clearance for low-risk travellers upon their arrival in the US. The travellers are pre-approved for the programme after a rigorous background check. In-person interviews are also taken to check the ‘low-risk’ status of the applicants before the enrollment. Apart from this, the travellers may further be questioned when they enter the United States in case the need arises
Statement 2 is not correct: The pilot project started in 2008 and India became a member of Global Entry in 2017. The other countries that are part of this programme are Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom

Statement 1 is not correct: IMO is the United Nations specialized agency (not an Entity) with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
Statement 2 is correct: India is a member state of IMO since 1959.
Statement 3 is correct: The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) convention was adopted at IMO to prevent and minimize pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations.

In the Odia language, Gotipua means "single boy". It is the precursor of Odissi classical dance. Traditionally, it has been performed by young boys in groups, who dress as women to praise Lord Jagannath and Krishna. This dance form comprises acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. Music Instruments: Mardala, Gini (small cymbals), harmonium, violin, and bansuri.

It was conceptualized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in detailed consultation with all stakeholders and has been implemented as a "Mission Mode Project (MMP)" since 2009. It is a centrally funded scheme. It is a secure application that links over 97% of police stations in the country and is being used for antecedent verification for Global Entry. It aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing efficiency and effective policing at all levels and especially at the Police Station level.

In News: The Sri Lankan Parliament passed a controversial Bill on laws governing the China-backed Colombo Port city.
Option C is correct: Colombo, Trincomalee, Hambantota and Galle are port cities of Sri Lanka. Tuticorin (now Thoothukudi) is a port city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has 18 judges who are elected by the Assembly of States Parties for their qualifications, impartiality and integrity and serve 9-year, non-renewable terms. While Judges of the International Court of Justice are eligible for re-election.
Option B is not correct: The International Court of Justice has no jurisdiction to try individuals accused of war crimes or crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community.
Option C is correct: As the International Court of Justice is not a criminal court, it does not have a prosecutor able to initiate proceedings.

In News: Recently, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has received his golden visa from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government.
Option C is correct: The Golden Visa system essentially offers long-term residency (5 and 10 years) to people. The main benefit of the visa is security as through the issuance of the Golden Visa, the UAE government is committed to providing expatriates, investors and essentially everyone looking to make the UAE their home an extra reason to feel secure about their future.

In News: Recently, the Citizenship by Investment Programme has become a trend among wealthy Indians to settle abroad.
Statement 1 is correct: Citizenship by Investment or Economic Citizenship is a scheme by which a person becomes a naturalised citizen of another country by investing in that country. The amount of investment varies from country to country.
Statement 2 is correct: If a foreigner invests an amount from Rs. 10 to Rs. 25 crores in India then he/she will be granted permanent residency status for a period of 10 years initially with multiple entry facility.
Statement 3 is not correct: In India, this scheme will not be applicable to Pakistani citizens or third-country nationals of Pakistani origin.

The United Kingdom, mainly Northern Ireland shares its only land border with the Republic of Ireland. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the northwest; by the English Channel in the south; the North Sea in the east and the Celtic Sea in the southwest. Ireland is separated from the United Kingdom by the Irish Sea. For more clarification, please see the map.

Statement 1 is not correct: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) is quasi-judicial body established in 2016 (on the recommendations of the V. Balakrishna Eradi committee) under Section 408 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Statement 2 is correct: Its adjudicates issues relating to Indian companies. NCLT has to adjudicate the insolvency resolution process of companies and limited liability partnerships under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

Ethiopia is Africa’s most populous country after Nigeria. Tigray region is located in northern Ethiopia. This region is the homeland of the Tigrayan, Irob, and Kunama peoples. Its Border Areas are Eritrea (North), Sudan (West), the Amhara Region (South), and the Afar Region (East and South East). In early November 2020, the region and the Ethiopian federal government entered into conflict, with some gunfire being reported in the capital of Tigray, Mekelle.

Dead Sea [also called Al-Baḥr Al-Mayyit (Sea of Death) or Salt Sea] is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan in southwestern Asia. Its eastern shore belongs to Jordan, and the southern half of its western shore belongs to Israel. The northern half of the western shore lies within the Palestinian West Bank and has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The Jordan River, from which the Dead Sea receives nearly all its water, flows from the north into the lake.

Gautama Buddha was Born in 563 BC in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) as Prince Siddhartha Gautama.His Parents were Suddhodana (father) was the chief of the Shakya clan and Maya Devi (real mother) and Prajapati Gautami (foster mother). Buddha is considered as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Gautama Buddha preached Dharma (duty), non-violence, harmony and kindness. He left his worldly possessions and princedom at the age of 30 to lead a life searching for the truth, seeking penance in the hopes of liberating himself from suffering (dukkha). Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya (Bihar), after 49 consecutive days of meditation. He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (UP), which is known as Dharma-ChakraPravartana (turning of the wheel of law). He died (attained Mahaparinirvana) at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at Kushinagar (UP).