GK Quiz | 7 August 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to the Nagara style of temple architecture:

1. This style of temple architecture is found in northern India.
2. These temples are generally built on upraised platform.
3. There is a water tank inside the temple enclosure.
4. These temples are surrounded by high boundary walls.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: The grand temple at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) will follow the Nagara style of temple architecture.

About Nagara style of temple architecture:

• This style of temple architecture is found in north part of India.
• The temples are generally built on upraised platform.
• There is a no water tank inside the temple enclosure.
• In the Nagara style, the temples follow the Panchayatan style in which the principal shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
• The temple premises do not have elaborate gateways or boundary walls.
• These temples are adorned with the Shikhara which are of three types-
• Phamsana
• Latina or rekha-prasad
• Valabhi
• Garbhagriha is the small room where the principle deity/deities of the temple reside. It is always located directly under the tallest tower. Images of the river goddesses (Ganga and Yamuna) are placed outside the garbhagriha.

So, statements 1 and 2 are correct and statements 3 and 4 are incorrect. Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q2. With reference to the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), consider the following statements:

1. It is a joint venture of Ministry of Human Resource Development and State Bank of India.
2. It provides financial assistance for creation of educational infrastructure in India’s premier educational Institutions.
3. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions are eligible for joining as members of the HEFA.

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

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

Solution:  C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA):

• It is a joint venture of Canara Bank and Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
• It finances the building of educational infrastructure, particularly R&D infrastructure.
• All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions are eligible for joining as members of the HEFA.
• For uplifting higher education, it channelizes CSR contributions from companies and donations for various schemes.
• It encourages scientific and technological developments.
• It provides financial assistance for creation of R&D facilities and educational infrastructure in India’s premier educational Institutions.
• To finance the requirement, it mobilizes resources from the market by way of equity from individuals / corporates and issues bonds.

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

 

Q3. Which of the following Indian states have multiple capitals?

1. Maharashtra
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Himachal Pradesh
4. Uttar Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Following Indian states have multiple capitals:

• Maharashtra has two capitals at Mumbai and Nagpur.
• Himachal Pradesh has capitals at Dharamshala (winter) and Shimla (Summer).
• Andhra Pradesh has three capitals viz. Amaravati (legislative capital), Visakhapatnam (executive capital), Kurnool (judicial capital)
• Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh (India).

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q4. Lebanon shares border with which of the following countries?

1. Syria
2. Jordan
3. Israel

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Recently, a huge explosion devastated the port area of the Beirut (the capital and largest city of Lebanon).

Lebanon is located in Western Asia and shares border with Syria to the north and east, and with Israel to the south. To the west, it has a coastline and border of 225 kilometres (140 mi) on the Mediterranean Sea.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to Environment (Protection) Act of 1986:

1. It was enacted in the wake of the Bhopal gas Tragedy.
2. The Act does not include any provision for penalties.
3. Under section 5 of Act, the Centre is allowed to shut down industrial units that grossly violate the law.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Environment (Protection) Act of 1986

• The government of India enacted the Environment Act of 1986, in the wake of the Bhopal tragedy.
• It aims is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
• It is an umbrella for legislations designed to provide a framework for Central Government, coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous Acts, such as the Air Act and the Water Act.
• It empowers the centre to take all such measures as it deems necessary.
• There is also a specific prohibition against handling hazardous substances except those in compliance with regulatory procedures and standards.
• The Act provides provision for penalties. It provided for punishment included a prison term up to five years or fine up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both for each failure or contravention,
• It also provides for additional fine of up to Rs. 5,000 for every day of continuing violation.
• Under section 19 provides that any person, in addition to authorized government officials, may file a complaint with a court alleging an offence under the Act.
• Under section 5 of Act, the Centre is allowed to shut down industrial units that grossly violate the law.

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

 

Q6. Consider the following statement about Muslim league:

1. It was a political party established in 1906 in the British Indian Empire.
2. It was succeeded by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
3. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is recognized by the Election Commission of India as a State Party in Telangana.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: The All-India Muslim League or Muslim League was a political party founded in 1906 in the British Indian Empire.  The first stage of its formation was the meeting held at Lucknow in September 1906. It arose out of a literary movement begun at the Aligarh Muslim University in which Syed Ahmad Khan played central role.

It was disbanded soon after partition and succeeded by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which is recognized by the Election Commission of India as a state party in Kerala.

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

 

Q7. Reangs is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in-

1. Tripura
2. Kerala
3. Assam
4. Manipur

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Bru refugees:

• They are also known as Reangs, recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Tripura.
• They are spread across the northeastern states of Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and Assam, Manipur.
• In 1997, the murder of a Mizo forest guard at the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram allegedly by Bru militants forced several thousand Bru people to flee to neighbouring Tripura.
• Union Government, Governments of Tripura and Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives came to an agreement in January 2020 to end Bru-Reang refugee crisis.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Amnesty International:

1. It is a United States government agency.
2. It was founded in London in 1961.
3. It recognized the fundamental human rights universally for the first time.

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 Amnesty International:

• It is a non-governmental organization, headquartered in United Kingdom.
• It was founded in London in 1961.
• It recognized the fundamental human rights universally for the first time.
• In 1977, it was awarded Nobel Peace Prize for its "defence of human dignity against torture”, and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.
• It mission is to campaign for a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

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

 

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

1. It is independent statutory body founded on 12 October, 1993.
2. It does not have any mechanism of investigation.
3. The power to establish commission’s office at any place lies only with Parliament.
4. The President determines the salaries of the chairman or a member of the Commission.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2, 3 and 4: About the National Human Rights Commission:

• It is independent statutory body established on 12 October, 1993 in conformity with the Paris Principles.
• It consists of a chairman and seven members.
• The Chairman and members of the commission are appointed by the President on recommendation of high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister. Their term of office is of 5 years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. They can be removed only on the charges of proved misbehavior or incapacity, if proved by an inquiry conducted by a Supreme Court Judge.
• It does not have any mechanism of investigation. It asks the concerned Central and State Governments to investigate the cases of the violation of Human Rights in majority cases.
• The commission has following five Specialized Divisions
• Law Division
• Training Division
• Administration Division
• Investigation Division
• Policy Research & Programmes Division
• The Governor appoints the chairman and members of the State Human Right Commission in consultation with the Chief Minister, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly.
• It can investigate grievances regarding the violation of human rights either after receiving a petition or suo moto.
• It has the powers of a civil court and can grant interim relief.
• The allowances, salaries of the chairman or a member of the National Human Right Commission are determined by the central government.
• NHRC can make recommendations, but does not have the power to enforce decisions.
• The power to establish office of National Human Right Commission at any place lies with the commission itself.

So, statements 1 and 2 are correct and statements 3 and 4 are incorrect. Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q10.  With reference to GI tag products of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Black Rice- Manipur
2. Gorakhpur Terracotta- Uttar Pradesh
3. Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai- Kerala

Which of the pair(s) given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

In 2020, GI tag has been given to Black rice (Chak-Hao) of Manipur, Gorakhpur Terracotta and Kadalai Mittai of Kovilpat of Tamil Nadu.

Black rice or Chak-Hao is black in colour due to the anthocyanin agent. It is higher by weight than that of other coloured rice varieties like brown rice, etc.

Gorakhpur Terracotta includes animal figures like elephants, horses.

Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai is a pea nut candy, prepared from ground nut and jaggery. It is made in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The water is exclusively used from the river Thamirabarani.

About GI tag:

• A GI is primarily a natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods), agricultural product originating from a definite geographical territory.
• It provides security to the producers as no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products, once the GI protection is granted. The name also gives an assurance of quality and distinctiveness.
• The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years and can be renewed for further period of 10 years each.
• Darjeeling tea was the first product in India to be accorded with GI tag in the year 2004-05.
• GI is governed by the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). It is covered as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• In India, GI tag is issued by the Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai) and governed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q11. Consider the following statements about Pokkali rice:

1. It is known for its saltwater resistance.
2. It has high protein content.
3. It has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

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: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Pokkali rice variety:

• It is known for its saltwater resistance, flourishes in the paddy fields of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala.
• It is famed for its high protein content, peculiar taste and its extra-large grains size.
• It is organically-grown
• The rice crop doesn’t require other fertilizer or manures as it draw nutrients from the prawns’ excrement and other remnants.
• The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

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