GK Quiz | 4 September 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Sanctions Committee of the UN Nations Security Council was established under Resolution 1267 in 1999
2. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

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: The Sanctions Committee of the UN Nations Security Council was established under Resolution 1267 in 1999. It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism. It is one of the most important and active UN subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat terrorism.

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

• It is one of the organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Its powers include the establishment of international sanctions, the establishment of peacekeeping operations and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
• It is the only UN body with authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
• The Security Council consists of fifteen members- 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
• Five permanent members are- Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States.
• 10 non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. Currently, India serves as a non-permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council.
• To be approved as a non-permanent member of the council, a country needs to secure the votes of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the General Assembly session.

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

 

Q2. With reference to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), consider the following statements:

1. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. It has all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit.

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 National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC):

• Previously, it was a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• 102^nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018, provides constitutional status to the NCBC.
• It has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• It consists of five members, including a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other Members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• It has all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit.
• 102nd Constitution Amendment Act inserted new Articles 338 B and 342 A.
• Article 338B provides authority to NCBC to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• Article 342A empowers President to specify socially and educationally backward classes in various states and union territories. He can do this in consultation with the Governor of concerned State. However, law enacted by Parliament will be required if the list of backward classes is to be amended.

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

 

Q3. Consider the following statement regarding the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS):

1. Ministry of Finance implements it.
2. It was introduced in the Foreign Trade Policy of India 2015-20.
3. It provides incentives in the form of duty credit scrip to the exporter to compensate for his loss on payment of duties.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS):

• MEIS under the Foreign Trade Policy of India (FTP 2015-20) is one of the two schemes introduced in Foreign Trade Policy of India 2015-20 as a part of the Exports from India Scheme.
• MEIS is notified by the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Its primary objective is to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and the associated costs of exporting products produced in India, giving special emphasis on those which are of India’s export interest and have the capability to generate employment and enhance India’s competitiveness in the world market.
• It provides incentives in the form of duty credit scrip to the exporter to compensate for his loss on payment of duties with the aim in making India’s products more competitive in the global markets.
• Following are five schemes that have been replaced by the MEIS scheme
• Focus Product Scheme (FPS)
• Focus Market Scheme (FMS)
• Market Linked Focus Product Scheme (MLFPS)
• Agri. Infrastructure incentive scheme
• Vishesh Krishi Gramin Upaj Yojna (VKGUY)

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

 

Q4.  With reference to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), consider the following statements:

1. It was constituted on 15^th September 2003 to hear and resolve the appeals against the decisions of the registrar under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999 and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
2. Only the High Courts have the authority to hear and adjudicate upon the appeals from most of the decisions, orders or directions made by the Patent Controller under the Patents Act.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB):

• It was constituted on 15th September 2003 to hear and resolve the appeals against the decisions of the registrar under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999 and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Each Bench of the IPAB includes a Judicial Member and a Technical Member.
• Since 2007, it has been authorized to hear and adjudicate upon the appeals from most of the decisions, orders or directions made by the Patent Controller under the Patents Act.

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

 

Q5. Which of the following can be registered as a trademark in India?

1. Monograms
2. Letters or numerals
3. Devices

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

A trademark is a type of intellectual property. It distinguishes products and services from one to another. It is a visual symbol that may be a word signature, name, device, label, numerals or combination of colours used by one undertaking on goods or services or other articles of commerce to distinguish it from other similar goods or services originating from a different undertaking.

The following types of trademarks cannot be registered:

• A trademark which does not possesses a distinctive character which can differentiate the goods or services from others
• A brand name that consists of the word which is commonly used in day to day life to identify the product cannot be trademarked.

The following types of trademarks can be registered in India:

• An invented word or any arbitrary dictionary word or words, not being directly descriptive of the character or quality of the goods/service.
• Letters or numerals or any combination thereof
• Any name which is not unusual for trade to adopt as a mark
• Monograms
• Marks constituting a 3- dimensional sign.
• Sound marks when represented in conventional notation or described in words by being graphically represented.
• Devices, including fancy devices or symbols
• Combination of colors or even a single color in combination with a word or device
• Shape of goods or their packaging
• The right to proprietorship of a trademark may be acquired by either registration under the Act or by use in relation to particular goods or service.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q6. Consider the following statements about Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Programme:

1. It has been launched under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) programme.
2. The programme will support aspiring or budding entrepreneurs of considerable potential for pursuing a promising technology business idea over a period up to 1 year with a subsistence grant up to Rs 60,000 per month.

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 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Programme has been launched under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) of the Department of Science and Technology.

About EIR programme:

• It supports aspiring or budding entrepreneur of considerable potential for pursuing a promising technology business idea over a period up to 18 months with a subsistence grant up to Rs 30000 per month with a maximum cap for total support of Rs 3.6 lakh to each EIR over a maximum of 18 months.
• It aims to provide guidance to these aspiring entrepreneurs from experienced, innovative and highly successful entrepreneurs on the business concept strategy and insight into specific industries or markets, inspire the best talents to be entrepreneurs, to minimize the risk involved in pursuing start-ups, and to partially set off their opportunity costs of high paying jobs.
• It creates a pipeline of startups with a focus on young budding entrepreneurs.

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

 

Q7. Consider the following statements about Special Frontier Force (SFF):

1. It falls under the purview of the Cabinet Secretariat.
2. It was created on 14^th November 1962 in the immediate aftermath of the 1962 Sino-India war.
3. SFF units function under operational control of the Army.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Special Frontier Force (SFF):

• It is also known as ‘Establishment 22’ or just ‘22’.
• It falls under the purview of the Cabinet Secretariat, where it is headed by an Inspector General who is an Army officer of the rank of Major General.
• It was created on 14^th November 1962 in the immediate aftermath of the 1962 Sino-India war.
• SFF units (also referred to as Vikas Battalion) are not part of the Army, but they function under the operational control of the Army.

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

 

Q8. Which of the following is/are the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) countries?

1. India
2. United States
3. France
4. Russia

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. 3 and 4 only

Solution: C)

Explanation:

About Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) grouping:

• It includes Japan, India, United States and Australia
• The ides was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. However, the idea couldn’t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it.
• The four nation shares an objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding Non-performing asset (NPA):

1. NPA is a loan or an advance where the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long duration crops.
2. An asset that remains as NPAs for less than or equal to 12 months is classified as Substandard Assets.

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 Non-performing assets (NPA):

• A Commercial loan is classified as a non-performing asset when the loan payments remained overdue for a period of 90 days.
• The sum of all the loans that have been defaulted by the individuals who have acquired loans from the financial institution is known as Gross non-performing assets, while the amount that is realized after the provision amount has been deducted from the gross non-performing assets is known as Net non-performing assets.
• NPA is a loan or an advance where the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons for short duration crops, where the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long duration crops.
• Categories:
• Sub-standard: An asset that remains as NPAs for <= 12 months.
• Doubtful: An asset that remained in the above category for 12 months.
• Loss assets: When the bank or its auditors have identified the loss, but it has not been written off.

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

 

Q10. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the apex coordinating agency under the –

1. Ministry of Defence
2. Ministry of Home Affairs
3. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
4. None of the above

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):

• It is the Indian federal law enforcement, constituted by the Government of India in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
• It is an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• It is headquartered is located in Delhi. Its main objective is to fight drug trafficking on an all-India level.
• The Director-General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) or the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Hence, option B is correct.