GK Quiz | 19 September 2020

Q1. Who released the Human Capital Index (HCI)?

1. World Bank
2. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
3. World Trade Organization
4. International Monetary Fund

Solution: A)

Explanation:

The World Bank has recently released the Human Capital Index (HCI) report for 2020.

Human capital consists of the knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their lives, enabling them to realize their potential as productive members of society.

The parameters used in HCI 2020 include health and education data of children for 174 countries up to March 2020.  This year, India is ranked 116^th out of 174 countries. In 2018, it was ranked 115 out of 157 countries.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q2. India holds 2+ 2 talks with which of the following countries?

1. Canada
2. United States
3. Russia
4. Japan

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

2+2 talks are a dialogue between two appointed ministers from each country. It is a format of dialogue where the defense and foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country. 

India holds such talks with Japan and Australia, at the foreign secretary and defense secretary level, and holds ministerial-level talks only with the US.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q3.  Consider the following statements with reference to the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA):

1. It is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between India and USA.
2. It is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the USA.

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: The USA is looking forward to India signing the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA) at the next India-USA 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

About BECA:

• It is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the USA.
• It is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries. The other three are:
• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)
• General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)
• Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA)
• It will allow India to use the geospatial maps of the USA.

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

 

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Wetlands:

1. They are an important source of groundwater recharge.
2. They help in controlling the floods.
3. They play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About wetlands:

• Wetlands refer to lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.
• They are highly productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish harvest.
• They play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. They help in controlling the floods.
• They store carbon within their plant communities and soil.
• They are an important source of groundwater recharge and also provide habitat for animals and plants.
• They are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower.

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

 

Q5. Currently, which of the following wetland of India is/are in Montreux Record?

1. Keoladeo National Park
2. Loktak Lake
3. Chilka lake

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.

Currently, the following two wetlands of India are in Montreux record:

• Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
• Loktak Lake (Manipur)

Chilka lake was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q6. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 aims-

1. To remove commodities like pulses, oilseeds, onion, potatoes and cereals from the list of essential commodities
2. To attract investment for farm structures
3. To attract foreign direct investment into the farm sector

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Lok Sabha has passed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020. The following are some key provisions of the bill:

• It aims to remove commodities like pulses, oilseeds, onion, potatoes and cereals from the list of essential commodities.
• The bill aims to attract foreign direct investment into the farm sector.
• It aims to attract investment for farm structures like modernizing food and supply chain and cold storage and help both farmers and consumers and bring price stability.
• It will also do away with the imposition of stock holding limits on such items except during ‘extraordinary circumstances’ like war.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q7. With reference to the National Security Act, consider the following statements:

1. It was promulgated on September 23, 1980
2. Under the Act, an individual can be detained without a charge for up to 24 months
3. The detained person cannot appeal before a high court advisory board.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About National Security Act 1980:

• It was promulgated on September 23, 1980.
• It is a stringent law that allows preventive detention for months if authorities are satisfied that a person is a threat to national security or law and order.
• The person does not need to be charged during this period of detention.
• Under the Act, an individual can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months
• The state government needs to be intimated that a person has been detained under the NSA.
• A person detained under the National Security Act can be held for 10 days without being told the charges against them
• The detained person is not allowed a lawyer during the trial, but they can appeal before a high court advisory board.
• Following are the grounds for preventive detention of a person, as per the National Security Act:
• Acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, or the security of India.
• Preventing them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community it is necessary so to do.
• Regulating the continued presence of any foreigner in India or to make arrangements for his expulsion from India.

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

 

Q8. Consider the following statements about Taiwan:

1. The East China Sea lies to its South.
2. The Luzon Strait lies directly to its north.
3. It is an island country in East Asia.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:  US Envoy to UN held a meeting with a top official of Taiwan, an island country that is not a member of the UN.

About Taiwan:

• It is an island country in East Asia.
• The Philippine Sea lies to its east, the East China Sea to its north, the South China Sea to its southwest, and the Luzon Strait directly to its south.
• Neighbouring countries of Taiwan include Japan to the northeast, the Philippines to the south, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest.

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

 

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding tidal disruption event (TDE):

1. It is a phenomenon in which stars are disrupted when the star’s gravity exceeds the black hole’s tidal gravity.
2. These events are crucial phenomena to detect and predict the mass of supermassive black holes in quiescent galaxies.

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: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About tidal disruption event (TDE):

• It occurs when a star passes too close to a compact object, such as a supermassive black hole (SMBH), that the tidal field of the compact object is able to overcome the stellar self-gravity and tear the star apart.
• These events are crucial phenomena to detect and predict the mass of supermassive black holes in quiescent galaxies.

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

 

Q10. India has entered into Air Bubble agreements with which of the following countries?

1. USA
2. France
3. Maldives
4. Qatar

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

An air bubble is a temporary arrangement between two countries to restart commercial flight services at a time when regular international flights are suspended due to COVID-19.

India has entered into Air Bubble agreements with 10 countries viz. USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Afghanistan and Bahrain, till Sept 13, 2020

Hence, option D is correct.