GK Quiz | 21 July 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin.
2. Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D.
3. India has a massive burden of vitamin D deficiency.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin D is used to prevent the inflammation of tissues, and important for bone health and cellular functions.

How Vitamin-D produced in the human body?- when the skin exposes to the sunlight or artificial light, then a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule occurs, and converts it into calcitriol in the kidney and into calcidiol in the liver.

Statement 3: India is a nation of abundant sunshine, still it is found to have a massive burden of vitamin D deficiency.

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

 

Q2. The six-degree channel separates- 

1. Andamans and Nicobar Islands
2. Indira point and Indonesia
3. Island of Minicoy and Lakshadweep archipelago
4. USA and Canada

Solution: B)

Explanation:

The six degree channel or the Great channel separates Indira point and the Sumatra islands of Indonesia. The Indira point is the southernmost point of India in Great Nicobar Islands.

The 10-degree channel separates Andamans and Nicobar.

The islands of Minicoy are separated from Maldives by 8 degree channel. The islands of Minicoy are separated from the main Lakshadweep archipelago by 9 degree channel.

The 49^th parallel separates the USA from Canada.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Torture is clearly defined in the Indian Penal Code.
2. United Nations Convention against Torture was ratified by India in 1990.
3. The Committee against Torture is an UN-linked human rights treaty body.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1: The term Torture is not defined in the Indian Penal Code, while the definitions of ‘hurt’ and ‘grievous hurt’ are clearly laid down. The definition of ‘hurt’ included overbearing and intimidatory methods, environmental coercion, tiring interrogative prolixity and psychic torture, but does not include mental torture. So, statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 2: On 10 December 1984, the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) or the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted. UNCAT aims to prevent torture and other inhumane treatment. It came into force on 26 June 1987. Thus, 26 June is recognized as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The convention was signed by India on 14^th October 1997, but not ratified yet. So, statement 2 is incorrect.

Statement 3: The Committee against Torture is one of eight UN-linked human rights treaty bodies, founded on 1 January 1987. So, statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q4. Consider the following statements about the solar corona:

1. It is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
2. The surface of the earth is far hotter than the solar corona.

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: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: The solar corona is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere and far hotter than the surface of the sun. This is usually hidden by the bright light of the surface of the Sun. It can be seen during a total solar eclipse. The density of corona is very less as compared to the Sun’s surface. So, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.

(Source: NASA)

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q5. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) comes under which ministry?

1. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
2. Ministry of Home affairs
3. Ministry of Labour and Employment
4. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Solution: A)

Explanation:

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. On 27 January 2019, the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) was renamed as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The department is responsible for overall industrial policy.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q6. Which state recently launched Godhan Nyay Yojana?

1. Odisha
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Chhattisgarh
4. Punjab

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Godhan Nyay Yojana is launched by Chhattisgarh government.

Following are some important key features of the yojana:

• The government will procure cow dung at Rs 2 per kg from livestock owners.
• Conversion of the procured cow dung into Vermicompost and other eco-friendly items will be done by women Self Help Groups.
• To promote organic farming, it includes a provision of selling vermicompost at Rs 8 per kg to the farmers.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q7. Vertically transmitted infection refers to-

1. Human to Animal transmission
2. Mother to child transmission
3. Elders to younger transmission
4. Husband to wife transmission

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Vertically transmitted infection transmits directly from the mother to an embryo, fetus, or baby during childbirth or pregnancy. E.g. Chicken Pox, HIV, Syphilis, Zika, etc.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q8. Consider the following statements about Maguri Motapung Beel:

1. It is located in West Bengal.
2. It is a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.
3. It was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Maguri Motapung Beel:

• It is a wetland located in Assam and a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.
• It was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996.
• It has some important species included Golden Mahaseer, the Swamp Francolin, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Greater Adjutant, Baer’s Pochard, White-bellied Heron and Red-headed Vulture. So, statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 and 3 are correct.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q9. South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) is a new partnership between-

1. India and the USA
2. USA and Australia
3. India and Australia
4. Russia and Canada

Solution: A)

Explanation:

South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) is a new partnership announced by the India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and US Agency for International Development (USAID). Under SAGE, USAID will provide advanced technical knowledge on clean energy development to the technical institutions of India.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q10. Who published Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience?

1. Global Environment Facility
2. International Union for Conservation of Nature
3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
4. United Nations Global Commission on Adaptation

Solution: D)

Explanation:

United Nations Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) was launched in 2018 in Hague, Netherlands. It publishes Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience. It aims to encourage the development of measures to manage the effects of climate change through investment, planning and technology.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q11. Chattogram port, recently seen in news, is located in-

1. India
2. Afghanistan
3. Iran
4. Bangladesh

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Recently, the first trial movement of a container ship carrying pulses and steel from Kolkata port to Chattogram port of Bangladesh has been inaugurated by Union Ministry of Shipping. It will transport cargo to Tripura and Assam. After 1965, it is the first time when Bangladesh is allowing its ports to be used for the transportation of cargo from any part of India to northeastern states.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):

1. It was founded on 16^th July 1929.
2. The Prime minister serves as its president.
3. It comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, on 16^th July 2020, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 92^nd foundation day.

ICAR is an autonomous organization comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It was founded on 16^th July 1929. At present, Narendra Singh Tomar (the Union Minister of Agriculture) serves as its president. So, statement 1 and 3 are correct and statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q13. With reference to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, consider the following statements:

1. It provided the citizenship on the basis of religion to the Muslims communities.
2. It grants Indian Citizenship to all the communities who have migrated to India from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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:

Statements 1 and 2: The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Parliament on 11 December 2019.

Following are some important features:

• It provided Indian Citizenship to non- Muslim communities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian) who came from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
• Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, for citizenship by naturalization, an applicant is required to have resided in India for 11 years. The amendment relaxes this condition from 11 years to 5 years.

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

 

Q14. Consider the following statements about Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR):

1. It is the licensing and usage fee that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) charged from telecom operators.
2. It comprises only the revenues generated from telecom services.

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: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) is the licensing and usage fee that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) charged from telecom operators. It also includes non-telecom related sources. So, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, option B is correct.