GK Quiz | 15 October 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements

1. The state needs the Centre’s consent while borrowing in case if it is indebted to the Centre over a previous loan.
2. Currently, only Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra requires the Centre’s consent in order to borrow.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: Article 293(3) of the Constitution requires states to obtain the Centre’s consent in order to borrow in case the state is indebted to the Centre over a previous loan.

Currently, all of states require the Centre’s consent in order to borrow as every single state is indebted to the Centre.

So, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 incorrect. Hence, option A is correct.

  

Q2. Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect about Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)?

1. It is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM).
2. It aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems across the country.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: About Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN):

• It is an indigenously developed technology system in India that digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone application.
• It is aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems across the country.
• This is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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

  

Q3. With reference to the Disturbed Areas Act, 1991, consider the following statements

1. Under the act, only a governor can notify a particular area of a city or town as a “disturbed area”.
2. The latest amendment to the act allows the sale of property by members of one religious community to those from another community without the prior approval of the district collector in areas declared as “disturbed areas”.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: The President has recently given his assent to the amended Disturbed Areas Act passed by the Gujarat Legislative Assembly last year.

About Disturbed Areas Act:

• Under the act, a district Collector can notify a particular area of a city or town as a “disturbed area”.
• This notification is generally done based on the history of communal riots in the area and the transfer of immovable property in the disturbed area can take place only after the Collector expressly signs off on an application made by the buyer and the seller of the property.

Key points of latest amendments:

• It would stop polarisation and keep a check on attempts to cause any “demographic imbalance” and bans sale of property by members of one religious community to those from another community without the prior approval of the district collector in areas declared as “disturbed areas”.
• The act proposes imprisonment between three to five years along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh or 10 per cent of value of property, whichever is higher, to stop people from acquiring properties in disturbed areas through illegal means.
• To keep a check on the demographic structure in the disturbed areas, the act also empowers the state government to form a “monitoring and advisory committee.
• Now, the word “transfer” includes sale, gift, exchange, lease or taking possession of the property by way of power of attorney.

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

 

 Q4. Which of the following is/are a constituent of fly ash?

1. Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
2. Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
3. Calcium oxide (CaO)

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

About Fly Ash:

• It is a coal combustion product and a major source of PM 2.5
• It contains heavy metals from coal, a large amount of black carbon (BC) and PM 2.5.
• It is used in bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing, manufacturing of Portland Cement, low-lying area development, and road embankment construction, etc.
• Coal fly ash contains volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and radioactive solids. It is not considered hazardous by United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• All fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO).
• Some minor constituents of fly ash are: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, hexavalent chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium, along with very small concentrations of dioxins and PAH compounds. It also has unburnt carbon.

Hence, option C is correct.

  

Q5. Which of the following countries share their border with Mexico?

1. The United States
2. Nicaragua
3. Guatemala

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Mexico:

• It is a country in the southern portion of North America.
• It is bordered to the east by the Gulf of Mexico, to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean, to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea, and to the north by the United States.
• Currently, Mexico is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America and India is ninth-most important global trading partner of Mexico.
• Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognize India after Independence and establish diplomatic relations with India in 1950.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

 Q6. Consider the following statements regarding Aquaponics techniques

1. It is an emerging technique in which both fishes as well as the plants are grown in an integrated manner.
2. It is an environment friendly technique.
3. It cannot be used on deserts

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About Aquaponics:

• It is an emerging technique in which both fishes as well as the plants are grown in an integrated manner.
• It is an environment friendly technique.
• The fish waste provides fertilizer for growing plants.
• The plants absorb nutrients and filter the water which is used to replenish the fish tank.
• It does not require soil.
• It can be used on non-arable lands such as deserts, sandy islands, degraded soil or salty.

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

 

Q7. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) will focus on which of the following areas?

1. Water supply
2. Green space
3. Sewerage and septage management.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1,2 and 3
4. None

Solution: C)

Explanation:

About Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):

• It was launched in June 2015.
• Its purpose is to ensure that every household has access to a tap with the assured supply of water and a sewerage connection.
• It will focus on the following areas:

• • Water Supply.
  • Non-motorized Urban Transport.
  • Green space/parks.
  • Sewerage and septage management.
  • Storm Water Drainage to reduce flooding

• It is the new avatar of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
• It is being operated as Central Sponsored Scheme and the total outlay for AMRUT was Rs. 50,000 crores for five years from FY 2015-16 to FY 2019-20.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

 Q8. Consider the following statements regarding savior sibling concept

1. Savior sibling is a child who is born to provide an organ or cell transplant to a sibling that is affected with a fatal disease.
2. Savior sibling is conceived through in vitro fertilization.
3. Only zygotes that are compatible with the existing child are implanted.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: A one ­year ­old sibling has saved her brother’s life by donating her bone marrow. This is the India’s first savior sibling experiment and it is a success.

About Savior Sibling concept:

• A savior baby or savior sibling is a child who is born to provide an organ or cell transplant to a sibling that is affected with a fatal disease, such as cancer or Fanconi anemia.
• The savior sibling is conceived through in vitro fertilization.
• Using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the fertilized zygotes are tested for genetic compatibility, and only zygotes that are compatible with the existing child are implanted.

So, all statements are correct and hence, option C is correct.

 

 Q9. Consider the following statements about United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

1. It is a UN body established in 1950.
2. In UNHRC, no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms.
3. It has authority to take action against violating countries.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: Pakistan has been re­elect­ed to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Currently, Pakistan is serving on the HRC since Ja­nuary 1, 2018 and with its re­election, it will con­tinue as a member for another three ­year term commencing on 1^st January 2021.

About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

• It is a United Nations body created in 2006 with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights around the globe, as well as investigating alleged human rights violations.
• It has 47 member states, which are selected by the UN General Assembly.
• The members are elected for a period of three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. They meet around three times a year to debate human rights issues and pass non-binding resolutions and recommendations by majority vote.
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It does not have authority to take action but can exert significant pressure on violating country.

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