GK Quiz | 29 August 2020

Q1.  With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme, consider the following statements

1. Its primary objective is to provide poor people access to bank accounts.
2. It covers only rural areas of India.
3. Under the scheme, only one person in the family will be covered.

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: Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completes six years of successful implementation.

 About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme:

• It was launched in 2014.
• Its primary objective is to provide poor people access to bank accounts.
• The scheme covers both urban and rural areas of India.
• Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any other account.
• There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts.
• Only one person in the family will be covered and in case of the person having multiple cards/accounts, the benefit will be allowed only under one card.
• Benefits:
• Rupay Debit card is provided to PMJDY account holder
• Interest on deposit will be provided.
• Accident Insurance Cover of Rs.1 lakh
• Life Insurance coverage

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

 

Q2. Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) focuses on which of the following themes?

1. Optimal Breastfeeding
2. Anaemia
3. Girls-education
4. Food Fortification

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched on 8^th March, 2018. It aims to ensure service delivery and interventions by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters over the next few years.

Poshan Maah:

• It is an initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development and NITI Aayog. Its objective is to take the messages of POSHAN to the grass root level.
• It focuses on 8 themes – Antenatal Care, Optimal Breastfeeding (Early & Exclusive), Complementary Feeding, Anemia, Growth Monitoring, Girls-education, diet, right age of Marriage, Hygiene & Sanitation, Food Fortification.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q3. Which of the following diseases are caused due to an infection spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito?

1. Malaria
2. Chikungunya
3. Yellow fever
4. Dengue

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Malaria:

• It is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
• It is preventable and curable.
• Symptoms: chills, fever and sweating
• Children with severe malaria develop symptoms- severe anaemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria.

Dengue:

• It is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus
• Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.
• Dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever are caused due to an infection spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Out of four strains, Type-II and IV are considered more severe.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Amnesty International (AI):

1. It is an international government organization founded in 1961.
2. It was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1977.
3. It seeks to publicize violations by governments.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Amnesty International (AI):

• It is a non-governmental organization, founded in London in 1961.
• It is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
• It seeks to publicize violations by governments and other entities of rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
• In 1977, it was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for its defence of human dignity against torture.
• Following are six key areas which AI deals with-
• Women's, children's, minorities' and indigenous rights
• Ending torture
• Abolition of the death penalty
• Rights of refugees
• Rights of prisoners of conscience
• Protection of human dignity
• It is financed largely by fees and donations from its worldwide membership. It says that it does not accept donations from governments or governmental organizations.

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

 

Q5. Consider the following statements about Great Andamanese Tribe:

1. It is the only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) that resides in Andamans archipelago.
2. It is based in ‘Strait Island’ of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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 Great Andamanese Tribe:

• Great Andamanese are one of the five Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) that resides in Andamans archipelago.  Jarwas, Onges, Shompens and North Sentinelese are the other four.
• The tribe is based in ‘Strait Island’ of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• They are classified as part of the Negrito tribes that inhabit isolated parts of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands.
• The language of the Great Andamanese “Sare” has largely been lost. The tribe now speaks mostly Hindi.

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

 

Q6. Consider the following statements about National Testing Agency:

1. It is an autonomous and self-sustained testing organization
2. It provides training and advisory services to the institutions in India.
3. It is chaired by Prime Minister of India.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About National Testing Agency (NTA):

• It is an autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions.
• It was established as a Society registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Composition:
• It is chaired by an eminent educationist appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be the Director-General to be appointed by the Government.
• Board of Governors comprising members from user institutions.
• Functions:
• To establish a strong R&D culture as well as a pool of experts in different aspects of testing.
• To create a question bank for all subjects using modern techniques.
• To collaborate with international organizations like ETS (Educational Testing Services).
• To provide training and advisory services to the institutions in India.
• To undertake any other examination that is entrusted to it by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India/State Governments.

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

 

Q7. Consider the following statements about Barn Owl:

1. It is listed as 'endangered’ in the IUCN red list.
2. It is found only in Indian subcontinent.
3. It comes under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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 Barn Owl:

• It is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world
• It is listed as 'least concern’ in the IUCN red list.
• It is distributed in Indian subcontinent, Australia, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle-East, Europe, North America, South America and Caribbean Islands.
• It comes under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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