GK Quiz | 30 September 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements about Cat Que virus:

1. It is one of the arthropod-borne viruses
2. Domestic pigs are the primary mammalian host of CQV.
3. Its presence in Culex mosquitoes and pigs has been reported in the USA.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Scientists have warned India of another virus “cat que virus” largely reported in China and having the potential to cause disease in India.

About Cat Que Virus (CQV):

• Mosquito are the natural host of CQV and domestic pigs are its primary mammalian host.
• It is one of the arthropod-borne viruses.
• Its presence in Culex mosquitoes and pigs has been reported in China and Vietnam.
• It can cause febrile illnesses, meningitis and pediatric encephalitis in humans.

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

 

Q2. With reference to the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2020, consider the following statements:

1. It will supersede the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016.
2. It reserves several procurement categories for indigenous firm.
3. It provides that there will be no offset clause in government-to-government, single vendor and Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA).

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:  Defence Procurement Procedure of 2020 was recently unveiled. It will supersede the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016 from 1^st October, 2020.

Features of Defence Procurement Procedure of 2020 (DAP 2020):

• It will reserve several procurement categories for indigenous firms.

• It provides that some categories like Buy (Indian Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured -IDDM), Production Agency in Design & Development etc. will be exclusively reserved for Indian Vendors, with foreign direct investment (FDI) not more than 49 per cent.

• Establishment of co-production facilities through Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) achieving ‘Import Substitution’ and reducing Life Cycle Cost, to promote manufacturing of parts in India.
• It has incorporated provisions like a new category ‘Buy (Global – Manufacture in India)’, to encourage foreign companies to set up manufacturing through its subsidiary in India.
• It promotes greater indigenous content in arms and equipment of the military procures, including equipment manufactured in India under licence. DAP-2020 stipulates 10 per cent higher indigenisation than DPP 2016 in most acquisition categories.
• It provides that there will be no offset clause in government-to-government, single vendor and Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA).

So, all statements are correct. Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q3. Consider the following statements about marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme:

1. It was launched by RBI while reforming the monetary policy in 2011-12.
2. MSF is a window for scheduled banks to borrow overnight from the RBI in an emergency situation when interbank liquidity dries up completely.

 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 the marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme:

• It was launched by RBI while reforming the monetary policy in 2011-12.
• MSF is a window for scheduled banks to borrow overnight from the RBI in an emergency situation when interbank liquidity dries up completely. Under MSF, banks can borrow overnight at their discretion by dipping into the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR).

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

 

Q4. The demand liabilities include-

1. Money deposited in current account
2. Demand drafts
3. Staff security deposit
4. Cash certificates

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

The demand liabilities include all those liabilities of a bank which are payable on demand like cash certificates and cumulative/recurring deposits, current deposits, margins against the letter of credit/guarantees, outstanding telegraphic transfers, Demand drafts, credit balance in cash credit account. While cash certificates and staff security deposit are included in Time liabilities.

Time liabilities are those liabilities of a bank which are payable otherwise on demand.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme:

1. It was introduced on 1^st April 2020 as a part of the National Policy on Electronics.
2. It shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India.
3. All investment done by companies on land and buildings for the project will be considered for incentives under the scheme.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme

• It was introduced on 1^st April 2020 as a part of the National Policy on Electronics.
• It shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies, for a period of five years with financial year (FY) 2019-20 considered as the base year for calculation of incentives.
• Mobile phones and specified electronic components are the target segments.
• Under the scheme, Companies that make mobile phones which sell for Rs 15,000 or more will get an incentive of up to 6 per cent on incremental sales of all such mobile phones made in India.  In the same category, companies which are owned by Indian nationals and make such mobile phones, the incentive has been kept at Rs 200 crore for the next four years.
• All investment done by companies on land and buildings for the project will not be considered for any incentives or determine eligibility of the scheme.
• All electronic manufacturing companies which are either Indian or have a registered unit in India will be eligible to apply for the scheme.

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

 

Q6. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG)?

1. It reduces emissions of Carbon monoxide up to 70%.
2. It is cheaper than CNG.
3. No new infrastructure is required for preparing HCNG.
4. It is ideal fuel for high load applications and heavy-duty vehicles.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2,3 and 4: About Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG):

• It is a mixture of compressed natural gas and 4-9% hydrogen by energy
• It can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and propane (C3H8) / LPG

Following are some main advantages of HCNG:

• It reduces emissions of CO up to 70%.
• Engines need minimum modification to run on HCNG.
• It enables up to 5 % savings in fuel.
• It is the first step towards future Hydrogen economy.
• Better performance due to higher Octane rating of H2.
• It is an ideal fuel for high load applications and heavy-duty vehicles.

Following are some disadvantages of using HCNG:

• HCNG’s cost is more than CNG as the current cost of H2 is more than the cost of Natural Gas.
• Many steps need to be taken for commercializing it at a large scale.
• New infrastructures are required for preparing HCNG.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q7. Which of the following countries shares border with Azerbaijan?

1. Georgia
2. Russia
3. Turkey
4. Iran
5. Iraq

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1,2 and 4 only
2. 2,3 and 5 only
3. 1,2,3,4 and 5
4. 2,4 and 5 only

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Azerbaijan:

• It is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia and located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia
• It is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Armenia to the west, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, and Iran to the south.

(Source: Indian Express)

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q8. Ladakh, a region administered by India as a union territory, is bordered by-

1. Chinese Tibet Autonomous Region
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Uttarakhand
4. Gilgit-Baltistan

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Ladakh:

• It is a region administered by India as a union territory.
• It is bordered by the Chinese Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, both the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the west, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to the south, and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.

(Source: BBC)

Hence, option B is correct.