GK Quiz | 19 May 2020

1. Which of the following is true about Public Interest Litigation?

1. Public Interest Litigation can be filed by an individual.
2. It can be filed for someone’s issues like illegal acquisition of someone’s property.
3. Both statements are true.
4. None of the statements is true.

Ans. A

Explanation

Public Interest Litigation can be filed by any individual or public on the issue of public importance. The person filing the petitioner need not be the actual victim. As the name suggests, no private matter can be filed in through PIL.

In India, the PIL can be filed in the High Court and Supreme Court only, not in trial or district courts.

In India, the concept of PIL was given by Justice Krishna Iyer in 1976, in Mumbai Kamagar Sabha V/s Abdul Thai case. The 1^st case of PIL was Hussainara Khatoon V/s State of Bihar in which the right to speedy justice as a fundamental right was discussed. The PIL was finally established by Justice P.N. Bhagawati in the case of S.P. Gupta V/s Union of India case.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

2. Which of the following statements is true about Trade Union?

1. Regulation of trade unions comes under the state list.
2. Trade Unions are regulated under the Trade Union Act 1926.
3. The first registered trade union in India was Madras Trade Union founded in 1918.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. 1,2 and 3
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and3
4. 1 only

Ans. B

Explanation

The regulation of trade union comes under Concurrent List of the 7^th schedule of the constitution and thus is administered by both center and the state. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

The main act that regulates the trade union is the Trade Union Act 1926. The act provides for the registration of trade unions, their rights, liabilities, and their responsibilities. The 1^st association of workers in India was the Bombay Mill Hand Association, founded by N.M Lokhande in 1890. While, the 1^st registered labor union was Madras Labour Union, founded by B.P Wadia in 1918. Therefore, Statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

3. Which of the following is true about the Power sector in India?

1. The Electricity in India is regulated under the concurrent list under the 7^th
2. While the generation of electricity is a licensed activity, transmission, distribution, and trading are delicensed activity.
3. The Central Electricity Authority is the apex regulatory body for the electricity sector.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

The electricity in India comes under the Concurrent list and is administered by both the centre and the state. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.

The generation of electricity, including captive electricity production, is a delicensed activity except in the case if the project is hydro project exceeding the notified capital cost, in which case the approval from Central Electricity Authority is required. For transmission, distribution, and trading a license is required. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is the key regulatory authority set up under Electricity Act 2003 and has quasi-judicial status. Central Electricity Authority is a statutory body under the Electricity Act 2003 and is mainly an advisory body. Therefore, Statement 3 is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

4. Which of the following is true about Astra missile?

1. It is a short-ranged air-to-air missile.
2. The missile has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
3. Astra has been integrated with Sukhoi-30 MKI.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

ASTRA is the first beyond visual range air-to-air missile developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited, DRDO. It can intercept both short and long-range targets. It is an all-weather missile. Therefore, Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

ASTRA has been integrated with IAF Sukhoi-M30  and is being planned to be integrated with Dassault Mirage 2000, HAL Tejas, and Mikoyan MiG-29 in the future. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

5. Which of the following is true about the Saharia tribe?

1. It is a matrilineal and endogamous tribe.
2. It is found in Madhya Pradesh only.
3. The clans of Saharia people are administered through a clan headed by Patel.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

Saharia tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribe found in Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. It is a patriarchial and exogamous (marry outside the clan) tribe. Therefore, Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

The tribe does forest collection and produces matches and other forest products to earn a living. Some of the Saharia people also do settled agriculture. They believe in animism but also worship Hindu Gods and celebrate festivals like Holi, Deepawali, Raksha Bandhan, etc. Dakar Baba is the main personality worshipped by the tribe people. The clans of Saharia people are administered through a clan headed by Patel. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Because the tribe is exogamous, so in the wake of COVID-19, marriages have been affected.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

6. Which of the following is true about Pinanga andamanensis?

1. It is a shrew cat found in Nicobar island.
2. It is an endangered species of banana found in Andaman island.
3. It is a critically endangered species of palm found in Andaman island.
4. It is a newly discovered variety of frog discovered in Port Blair.

Ans. C

Explanation

Pinanga andamanensis is one of the critically endangered species of palm found in South Andaman island. It is closely related to areca palm. It was first discovered by Odoardo Beccari in 1934 based on the collection of E.H Man but later was thought to be extinct.

Later on, it was discovered in 1992 on Mount Harriet National Park hill ranges. Now it has been provided with a 2^nd home at Palode, Kerela by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI).

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

7. Consider the following about D B Shekatkar Committee:

1. The committee gave its recommendations related to the creation of border infrastructure.
2. The committee recommended to mandatorily adopt Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) Mode for implementation of works costing more than Rs. 100 crore.

Which of the above given statements is/are correct?

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

Ans. C

Explanation

• The government has implemented D B Shekatkar Committee recommendations related to creation of border infrastructure. The committee recommended to mandatorily adopt Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode for implementation of all works worth more than Rs. 100 crore.
• The government has also implemented the latest technology like blasting technology to speed up the construction.
• The government has also made the land acquisition and all statutory clearances like forest clearance part of the approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
• The D B Shekatkar Committee was set up in 2015 with a mandate for Enhancing Combat Capability and Rebalancing Defence Expenditure. The Committee submitted its report on 21 December 2016.

Hence, the correct answer is C.