GK Quiz | 18 November 2020

Q1: Consider the following statements:

1. Under Article 85 of the constitution, there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament.
2. There have been no instances in the past of the winter session not being held.
3. The Constitution specifies that for 20 days in a year Parliament has to meet.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: The winter session of Parliament that usually commences by last week of November is unlikely to be held due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi. As per parliamentary records, there have only been three instances in the past of the winter session not being held, in 1975, 1979 and 1984.

Under Article 85, there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament. The Constitution does not specify when or for how many days Parliament should meet.

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

 

Q2: With reference to the UN Peacekeeping, consider the following statements:

1. Member states contribute peacekeeping forces on a voluntary basis.
2. Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the Security Council.
3. Every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping. 

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About UN Peacekeeping:

• It is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support. 
• Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the Security Council. 
• According to UN Charter every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping. 
• The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States. 
• UN peacekeepers can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel. They are often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets.
• Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis. 
• It is guided by three basic principles:

• • Consent of the parties
  • Impartiality
  • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate

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

 

Q3: Consider the following statements about BharatNet Project:

1. Currently, it is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
2. It was renamed as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) in 2015.
3. It is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About BharatNet Project:

• National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) was launched in October 2011. In 2015, it was renamed as Bharat Net Project.
• It is a flagship mission implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL)
• Currently, it is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Communications.
• It is being funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

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

 

Q4: Arrange the following countries from West to East:

1. Mali
2. Rwanda
3. Ethiopia

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1-3-2
2. 1-2-3
3. 2-1-3
4. 3-1-2

Solution: B)

Explanation:

The correct sequence of countries from West to East- Mali- Rwanda- Ethiopia

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q5: Consider the following statements:

1. The jurisdiction of the SC is original and exclusive in case of the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
2. The writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is wider than that of the High Court.
3. The constitution provides that the right to move any court for the enforcement of the fundamental rights shall not be suspended in any case.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: Article 32 of the Indian constitution is a fundamental right. It states that individuals have the right to approach the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of other fundamental rights recognized by the Constitution.

The SC has power to issue directions or orders or writs for the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights. The writs issued may include habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo-warranto. Under Article 226 of the Constitution, a high court is empowered to issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition and quo warranto for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens and for any other purpose, while the SC can issue writs only for the enforcement of fundamental rights and not for any other purpose. This implies that the writ jurisdiction of the high court is wider than that of the Supreme Court.

In case of the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, the jurisdiction of the SC is original but not exclusive.

The Constitution provides that the President can suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of the fundamental rights during a national emergency (Article 359).

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

 

Q6: With reference to Ariel (Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey), consider the following statements:

1. It is a space telescope planned for launch in 2021.
2. It is dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of exoplanets.
3. Its duration is four years.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) has formally adopted Ariel.

About Ariel (Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey):

• It is selected as the fourth medium-class mission of the European Space Agency's Cosmic Vision programme.
• It is a space telescope planned for launch in 2029.
• It will perform a large-scale survey of over a thousand exoplanets over a period of four years.
• It is the first mission of its kind dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of exoplanets.

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