GK Quiz | 10 December 2020

TOPIC: GS 1 - Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features.

Q1: Consider the following statements about Mount Everest:

1. It is the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level.
2. It is located in the Himalayas between India and Nepal.
3. It is known as Mount Qomolangma in Nepal.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, the Foreign Ministers of Nepal and China jointly certified the elevation of Mount Everest at 8,848.86 metres above sea level, 86 cm higher than what was recognized since 1954.

About Mount Everest:

• It is Earth’s highest mountain above sea level.
• It is also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Mount Qomolangma in China.
• It rises from the border between Nepal and China.
• In 1954, the Survey of India determined earlier measurement, using instruments like theodolites and chains, with GPS still decades away. The elevation of 8,848 m came to be accepted in all references worldwide except by China. In 1999, a US team put the elevation at 29,035 feet or nearly 8,850 m.

So, statement 1 is correct and statements 2 and 3 are incorrect. Hence, option C is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate.

Q2: With reference to the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), consider the following statements:

1. It is an intergovernmental organization for promoting south-south cooperation in the fields of reproductive health, population, and development.
2. Its secretariat is located in Indonesia.
3. It was launched at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Partners in Population and Development (PPD):

• It is an intergovernmental organization for promoting south-south cooperation in the fields of reproductive health, population, and development. Its secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• It was launched at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), when ten developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America formed an intergovernmental alliance to help implement the Cairo Program of Action (POA).
• This POA, endorsed by 179 nations, stresses the need to establish mechanisms to promote development through the sharing of experiences in reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP) within and among countries and to promote effective partnerships among the governments, NGOs, research institutions and the private sector.
• Currently, it has a membership of 26 developing countries, representing more than 59% of the world’s population.

So, statements 1 and 3 are correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, option C is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Q3: Which of the following nation(s) is/are on the country of particular concern (CPC) list for engaging in violations of religious freedom?

1. India
2. United States
3. Myanmar
4. China

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 3 and 4 only
2. 1,2 and 3 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1,2,3 and 4

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Designation of the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is the top tier recommendation by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding the violation of international religious freedom. It is followed by Special Watch List Countries for severe violations.

Countries of particular concern (CPC) for violation of religious freedom are - Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The State Department did not accept the USCIRF recommendation that India, Russia, Syria and Vietnam be also designated as CPCs.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors

Q4: Consider the following statements with reference to the Participatory Guarantee System:

1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
2. It is a process of certifying organic products.
3. It is applicable only to farm activities.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1,2 and 3
4. 1 only

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Participatory Guarantee System:

• It is a process of certifying organic products, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. The certification is in the form of a documented logo or a statement.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• It is only for farmers or communities that can organise and perform as a group within a village or a cluster of contiguous villages, and is applicable only to farm activities such as crop production, processing, and livestock rearing, and off-farm processing “by PGS farmers of their direct products”.

So, statement 1 is incorrect and statements 2 and 3 are correct. Hence, option B is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors

Q5: Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta (VISVAS) Yojana is a scheme of which ministry?

1. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
2. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
3. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
4. Ministry of External Affairs

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta (VISVAS) Yojana:

• It is an Interest subvention Scheme of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for financial empowerment of economically marginalized OBC/SC Self Help Groups (SHGs) & Individuals.
• It will benefit OBC/SC SHGs with loans up to Rs.4 Lakh and OBC/SC individuals with a loan up to Rs.2 Lakh with a quick interest subvention benefit of 5% directly into the standard accounts of borrowing beneficiaries.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

TOPIC: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Q6: Consider the following statements regarding Social commerce:

1. It is the process of selling products directly on social media.
2. It offers users the ability to checkout directly within the network they are using at that moment.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: According to a new report titled ‘The Future of Commerce in India – the rise of social commerce’, India’s social commerce sector can reach $60 to $70 billion in revenue by 2030.

About Social Commerce:

• It is the process of selling products directly on social media.
• It differs from social media marketing as it is not redirecting users to an online store but offering them the ability to checkout directly within the network they’re using at that moment

So, both statements are correct and hence, option D is correct.