Current Affairs - MCQ Online Test (3) - UPSC MCQ

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA, formerly the Bangkok Agreement) is an Agreement signed since 1975. The current membership of APTA consists of six countries, namely, Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka. Three Rounds of tariff concessions have already been exchanged among the member countries till 2003. The tariff concessions being granted to APTA member States, on Margin of Preference basis, are being expanded under the fourth round of exchange of tariff concessions. The APTA Ministerial Council in its meeting held on 13th January, 2017 has formally approved the implementation of the fourth round of exchange of tariff concessions.

APTA is a preferential treaty based on Margin of Preference. Concessions on tariff lines offered by China and Korea, inter-alia, cover certain textiles and chemical products, which are likely to benefit the Indian exporters. Some of items on which concessions have been offered by China and Korea include certain organic and inorganic chemicals, knitted and crocheted fabrics, and articles of apparel and clothing accessories etc.

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech has mentioned that country-wide outreach efforts will be made to explain the provisions of GST to Trade and Industry. The Union Cabinet has approved four GST related bills namely, the Central Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The CGST Bill), the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The IGST Bill), the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The UTGST Bill) and the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to the States) Bill 2017 (The Compensation Bill).

Some features of these bills are as follows:

•    The CGST Bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods or services for both by the Central Government.

•    The IGST Bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on inter-state supply of goods or services or both by the Central Government.

•    The UTGST Bill makes provisions for the levy on a collection of tax on intra-UT supply of goods and services in the Union Territories without a legislature.

•    The Compensation Bill provides for compensation to the states for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the goods and services tax for a period of five years.

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Government periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of SEZs and takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy.  Many initiatives have been taken in recent years for implementation of the SEZ policy in the country and resolve the issues therein.

Minimum Land Area requirement for setting up of new SEZs has been reduced to 50% for Multi-product and Sector-specific SEZs. Sectoral broad-banding has been introduced to encompass similar/related areas under the same Sector.

A new sector 'agro-based food processing' sector has been introduced to encourage agro-based industries in SEZs. Dual use of facilities like Social & Commercial infrastructure by SEZs and non-SEZs entities has been allowed in order to make SEZ operations more viable. Online processing of various activities relating to SEZ Developers and Units has been introduced for improving ease of doing business.

Answer: c

Explanation:

Emission Intensity is calculated by dividing ‘Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’ by ‘Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)’ of a country. India has committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Goal of reducing Emissions intensity of GDP allows a country to reduce its emissions even while its GDP grows. The NDC was framed by adopting an inclusive process of consultations with key Ministries, State Governments, civil society organisations, think-tanks, and technical and academic institutions.

Each country has chosen its own metric for climate action. Many other developing countries also use Emission Intensity of GDP for the purpose. Each Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is independently anchored by respective Ministries in-charge of implementing the Mission. Following the Paris Agreement, the Missions continue to contribute to the declared goal of reduction of emissions intensity of GDP as also other sustainable development goals outlined in the NDC

Answer: d

Explanation:

The total No. of the project funded under this scheme is 211, out of which a total of 141 projects have been completed. A total of 161 papers have been published in the peer reviewed journals. Further, 13 patents have been filed as a sequel to the research work undertaken under the EMR scheme in the Ayurveda and Unani stream. So far, 10 homoeopathic drugs have been validated under this scheme.

The EMR scheme provides for engagement of 1-2 Research Fellows for the specific duration of each project. However, the number of scholars encouraged across the country through this scheme has not been assessed. The EMR scheme has grown in popularity among the scientific community of the country. During last two years, 400 projects (approx.) have been received in the Ministry of AYUSH. After amendment of the scheme in November, 2014, the total grant during the 2015-16 raised from Rs. 1.80 Crore to Rs. 5.82 Crore. The scheme has attracted the best scientists from reputed organizations, viz. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) etc.

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti introduced the Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Lok Sabha on 14 March 2017. The minister called the bill as a revolutionary step towards the resolution of Inter- State River Water Disputes.

Answer: c

Explanation:

Though National security advisers aren’t subject to Senate confirmation, McMaster’s appointment to the position of Trump’s National security adviser had to be considered because he chose to remain as an active military officer rather than retire from the service and generals need the chamber’s approval when they’re promoted or given a different assignment

Answer: a

Explanation:

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) on 15 March 2017. The main objective of the scheme is to enhance export competitiveness by bridging the gap in export infrastructure, which has not been addressed by any other scheme.

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Executive Committee (EC) of National Mission for Clean Ganga on 15 March 2017 approved 20 projects worth nearly Rs 1900 crore. Out of 20 projects, 13 are in Uttarakhand. All the above mentioned projects will be completely funded by the Union Government, including the expenditure on operation and maintenance of these projects.

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Budget was presented by D Jayakumar, the Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu.  State Development Policy Council that will be created as replacement of State Planning Commission will be responsible for advising the state government on policy coherence and formulation of porgrammes to guide development of State.

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Whanganui River in New Zealand has become the first landmark in the world to be granted the same legal rights as that of a human being, following a 140-year struggle. The river’s new legal identity comes with the passing of the Whanganui River Claims Settlement bill.

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 13 March 2017 upheld a lifetime ban levied against Sergei Portugalov for his role in providing illicit substances to Russian athletes. He is former Chief of the Russian Athletics Federation's Medical Commission. The CAS upheld the ban as part of an arbitration involving the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the Russian Athletics Federation.

Answer: a

Explanation:

Top-ranked Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia on 12 March 2017 won his fourth All England Open crown.  He defeated first-time finalist Shi Yuqi of China 21-12, 21-10, to grab the Men’s Singles title at the tournament.

Answer: a

Explanation:

The main motive behind Mission Fingerling is to enhance the fisheries production from 10.79 mmt (2014-15) to 15 mmt by 2020-21.

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 12 March 2017 announced that a rail museum would be built at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, where Swami Vivekananda delivered his elated speech.

Answer: c

Explanation:

Shashank Manohar, the chairman of the International Cricket Council announced on 15 March 2017 that he will be resigning from his position due to personal reasons. His resignation would be effective immediately.

Answer: b

Explanation:

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg, the highest court in the European Union recently passed a ruling, allowing companies to ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols including Islamic headscarves at work.

Answer: b

Explanation:

A group of scientists discovered the world’s first fluorescent frog (Hypsiboas punctatus) near Santa Fe in Argentina. The frog sports a muted palette of greens, yellows and reds under normal light, but emits a bright blue and green glow in the dark. The scientists found that the South American polka dot tree frog uses fluorescent molecules totally unlike those found in other animals.

Answer: a

Explanation:

Double Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell Shand on 14 March 2017 announced her retirement from international cycling. She had won the women's team pursuit at four editions of the World Championships (2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014). She grabbed the gold medal in the same discipline at the Olympic Games in London and Rio in 2012 and 2016. She represented the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Answer: d

Explanation:

After the declaration of the results of Manipur Elections 2017, Manipur Governor Najma Haptullah invited the BJP-led coalition to form the next government in the state after being assured of requisite support from regional parties and Independents.

Answer: a

Explanation:

A glorious era of INS Viraat being the flag ship of the Indian Navy came to an end on 7th March 2017. INS Viraat, the second Centaur-Class aircraft carrier in service which has spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy, was decommissioned on the day, in a solemn yet grand ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The decommissioning ceremony was attended by more than 1300 personnel who have served on board INS Viraat.

INS Viraat holds the world record as mentioned in the Guinness Book of records for being the longest serving warship of the world. The ship which was the centrepiece of the Navy, housed the fighters Sea Harriers of INAS 300, popularly called “White Tigers”, Anti Submarine aircraft Sea king Mk 42B - also known as “Harpoons” -, Sea King Mk 42 C and the SAR helicopter Chetak as an integral flight. The indigenous Advance Light Helicopters ‘Dhruv’ and the Russian twin rotor Kamov-31 have also operated from the ship. The Sea Harrier fleet was decommissioned at Goa on 11 May 2016.

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for India's accession to the Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) and for completion of necessary procedures for ratification, for its entry into force. The Convention will help Indian traders to have access to fast, easy, reliable and hassle free international system for movement of goods by road or multi- modal means across the territories of other contracting parties.

After joining the convention, the need for inspection of goods at intermediate borders as well as physical escorts en route shall be obviated due to reciprocal recognition of customs controls. Customs clearance can take place at internal Customs locations thereby avoiding clearances at Border Crossing Points and ports that may often be congested. Movement under the TIR can be allowed by checking only the seals and the external conditions of the load compartment or the container thereby reducing border delays, transport and transaction cost thereby leading to increased competitiveness and growth for the trade and transport sectors.

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of the Definitive Agreement on Oil Storage and Management between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) of UAE.

As per the Agreement, the ADNOC will fill up 0.81 MMT or 5,860,000 million barrels of crude oil at ISPRL storage facility at Mangalore, Karnataka. Out of the crude stored, some part will be used for commercial purpose of ADNOC, while a major part will be purely for strategic purposes. The signing of the Agreement will augment India's energy security. India and UAE are strategic partners. The investment by ADNOC is a major investment from UAE under the High Level Task Force on Investment (HLTFI) and the first investment by UAE in India in the energy sector.

Answer: a

Explanation:

The World Health Organization for the first time has issued a list of the top 12 "priority pathogens." They're disease-causing bacteria that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. 

Yet the development of new antibiotics to treat them has slowed to a crawl. WHO considers its new list is an attempt to get Drug Company and public research labs to make it a priority to collaborate on new treatments for the bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

Critical: The highest priority is research and development for three families of multidrug resistant bacteria, including E. coli, that often prove fatal in hospitals and nursing homes. 

High priority: These are a grab bag of multidrug-resistant microbes including gonorrhea, staph infections and salmonella. They spread very easily and we don't have any other way of preventing them.

Medium: This category includes Haemophilus influenzae, which can cause a wide range of infections, particularly in children, and penicillin-resistant streptococcus bacteria.

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty whose capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal. It was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanate. The demise of Kakatiya dynasty resulted in confusion and anarchy under alien rulers for some time.  Mission Kakatiya is the Telangana government’s flagship programme aimed at restoring minor irrigation sources like tanks and other water bodies to help small and marginal farmers. The name ‘Mission Kakatiya’ is given in the remembrance and tribute to the Kakatiya rulers who developed large number of the irrigation tanks.

The Koh-i-Noor Diamond, which is now among the jewels set in the British Crown, was mined and first owned by the Kakatiya Dynasty. Since the end of 13th Century and the early of 14th Century, Kakatiya Kingdom faced several attacks by the Delhi Sultanate. The attacks started under Alauddin Khilji’s rule and it is said that it is during this time that the Koh-i-Noor went into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate.