GK Quiz | 26 August 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB):

1. It is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia.
2. Only the Asian countries are eligible to be its member.
3. The Board of Governors has all the powers of the AIIB.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:

About Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB):

• It is a multilateral development bank that aims to improve economic and social outcomes in Asia.
• It entered into force in December 2015.
• It is headquartered in Beijing and was open for business in January 2016.
• The bank was proposed by China in 2013 and China has the largest fund share and voting share in AIIB followed by India, Russia, Germany, South Korea.
• Fourteen of the G-20 nations including France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are AIIB members
• It is viewed as Asia’s response to West-dominated Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB).
• It aims to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond Asia.
• The Board of Governors consists of one Governor and one Alternate Governor appointed by each member country. All the powers of the AIIB are vested in the Board of Governors.

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

 

Q2. With reference to the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III (MUTP-3), consider the following statements:

1. It will be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
2. The deadline for completion of MUTP-3 is 2030.

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: Recently, the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have signed a loan agreement for a USD 500 million for Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III.

About the project:

• It is a project supervised and implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
• Its aim is to improve traffic and transportation situation in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• The deadline for completion of MUTP-3 is 2022.
• It will increase network capacity in the region and also help in reducing carbon emissions.
• It is estimated that 22% are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service among primary beneficiaries of the project.

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

 

Q3. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is used in which of the following technologies?

1. Genetic engineering
2. Bioinformatics
3. Information storage

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

About Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA):

• It is a molecule composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix.
• It is a set of instructions found in a cell. These instructions are necessary for the growth and development of an organism.
• The DNA of a person is unique.
• Nucleic acids are one of the four major types of macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life. The three others are proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides).
• It usually occurs as linear chromosomes in eukaryotes, and circular chromosomes in prokaryotes
• Its uses in technology:
• Genetic engineering: The genetically modified organisms produced can be used to produce products such as recombinant proteins, used in medical research, or be grown in agriculture.
• DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting: it refers to a process when Forensic scientists can use DNA in blood, semen, skin, saliva or hair found at a crime scene to identify a matching DNA of an individual, such as a perpetrator. DNA profiling is also used successfully to positively identify victims of mass casualty incidents and in DNA paternity testing.
• Bioinformatics: it involves the development of techniques to data mine, store, search and manipulate biological data, including DNA nucleic acid sequence data.
• Information storage: DNA has much higher storage density compared to electronic devices and thus, used as an information storage device.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q4. Consider the following statement with reference to 'Bondas tribe’:

1. Bondas are members of a group of Austroasiatic tribes.
2. It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) found in Tamil Nadu.
3. They were the first forest settlers in India.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Bondas Tribe:

• Bondas are members of a group of Austroasiatic tribes.
• It is believed to be part of the first wave of migration out of Africa about 60,000 years ago.
• They were the first forest settlers in India.
• Language: Remo, which comes under the Austroasiatic language belonging to the Mundari group.
• They have a unique dressing style—the men carry lethal bows and arrows, while women are semiclad and wear various types of rings and necklaces around their bodies.
• A matriarchal society, the women prefer to marry men who are younger by at least 5-10 years, so that the men can earn for them when they grow old
• They are primarily forest dwellers and used to hunt and forage for food in the wild.
• The tribe is divided into three groups as follows:
• the Upper Bondas or Bara-Jangar group, who live on the slopes at over 900 metres above sea level;
• the Lower Bondas, who live at the foothills, and
• the Gadaba-Bondas, who live at the same altitude as the Upper Bondas.

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

 

Q5. With reference to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), consider the following statements:

1. It is a Constitutional body established under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981.
2. It was established based on the recommendations of the Committee set up under the chairmanship of Shri B. Shivaraman.
3. The government holds a 100 per cent stake in NABARD.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD):

• It is a statutory body established on 12^th July 1982 under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981.
• It was established based on the recommendations of the Committee set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the chairmanship of Shri B. Shivaraman.
• It supervises Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and helps them develop sound banking practices.
• The government holds a 100 per cent stake in NABARD.

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

 

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding Mullaperiyar dam:

1. It is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers.
2. It is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About Mullaperiyar dam

• It is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers in Kerala’s Idukki district.
• It is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu.
• According to 1886 lease indenture for 999 years, that was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India, the operational rights were handed over to Tamil Nadu.

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

 

Q7. Consider the following statements about Padmanabhaswamy temple:

1. It is a Hindu temple located in Andhra Pradesh.
2. It is built in the unique Chera style of architecture.
3. Its main deity is Lord Vishnu who is enshrined in the Anantha Shayana posture.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Padmanabhaswamy temple

• It is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
• It is built in an intricate fusion of the Chera style and the Dravidian style of architecture
• It is one of the 108 holy temples associated with Vaishnavism in India.
• Its main deity is Lord Vishnu who is enshrined in the Anantha Shayana posture.

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

 

Q8. With reference to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements:

1. It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.
2. Russian and Chinese are the SCO's official languages.
3. India is not a member of SCO.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Shanghai Coorperation Organization (SCO):

• It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization and a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance.
• It was created in 2001.
• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.
• Its official languages: Russian and Chinese.
• It has eight members: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan
• India and Pakistan joined SCO as full members on 9^th June 2017 at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia
• It is headquartered in Beijing (China).

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