GK Quiz | 7 September 2020

Q1. With reference to National Ganga Council, consider the following statements:

1. It is a statutory body.
2. It is chaired by the Prime Minister.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About National Ganga Council:

• It is not a statutory body. It is an authority created in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
• It has been given overall responsibility for the superintendence of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of River Ganga Basin, including Ganga and its tributaries
• Composition:
• It is chaired by Prime Minister.
• Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation serves as the ex-officio Vice-Chairperson.
• The other ex-officio members of the council are from various ministries and CMs of the corresponding states among other stakeholders.

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

 

Q2. Consider the following statements about Gangetic Dolphin:

1. It uses microwave sound waves to catch its prey.
2. It is listed as ‘critically Endangered’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2:  About Gangetic Dolphin:

• It is popularly known as ‘Susu’ and can only live in freshwater.
• It is blind because it doesn’t have an eye lens.
• It uses ultrasonic sound waves to catch its prey
• Protection status:
• It is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
• It is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
• It is included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

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

 

Q3. Consider the following statements about International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

1. It is an independent international organization founded in 1957 within the United Nations family.
2. It reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

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 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• It was created in 1957 within the United Nations family.
• It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
• It reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
• Governance:
• Its policy-making bodies decide on the Agency’s programmes and budgets. They comprise the General Conference of all Member States and the 35-member Board of Governors.
• The General Conference convenes annually at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, typically in September.
• The Board meets five times per year, also in Vienna.

So, both statements are correct. Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q4.  Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an agreement which was signed on 14^th July 2015 by-

1. Iran
2. India
3. China
4. Australia
5. United States

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) also known as the Iran nuclear deal:

• It is an agreement signed by Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States plus Germany) together with the European Union on 14th July 2015.
• It seeks to prevent Iran from producing a nuclear weapon by putting curbs on its atomic programme in exchange for economic incentives.
• It was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted on July 20, 2015.
• As per the nuclear deal, Iran reduced the number of its centrifuges used for enriching uranium by two-thirds, restricted its uranium enrichment to 3.67% for the next 15 years, and removed the core of its heavy water facility in Arak.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q5. With reference to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), consider the following statements:

1. It is an intergovernmental military alliance.
2. North Macedonia is the most recent member state to be added to NATO.
3. It does not have the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

• It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
• It was established by Washington treaty or North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4^th April 1949.
• It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
• The most recent member state to be added to NATO was North Macedonia on 27^th March 2020.
• It is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO’s founding treaty – Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organizations.
• It promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.

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

 

Q6. Consider the following statements about National Parks:

1. No human activity is allowed in National Parks.
2. They can be declared only by the Central Government.
3. Grazing of livestock is permitted in National Parks.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About National Parks:

• They are the parks in use for conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments.
• The main objective of a national park is to protect the natural environment of the area and biodiversity conservation.
• Human activity is not allowed here.
• Grazing of livestock and private tenurial rights are also not permitted here.
• They can be declared both by the Central Government and State governments.
• No alteration of the boundaries of a national park shall be made except on a resolution passed by the State Legislature.

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

 

Q7. Yanomami tribe, recently seen in news, is the largest relatively isolated tribe in-

1. South America
2. Africa
3. Asia
4. Australia

Solution: A)

Explanation: The Yanomami have been facing an onslaught from illegal gold miners since the 1980s.

About Yanomami people/ Yanomami tribe:

• The tribe is the largest relatively isolated tribe in South America.
• They live in the rainforests and mountains of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela.
• They practice hunting and slash-and-burn agriculture.
• They live in small, scattered, semi-permanent villages and speak the Xirianá language.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q8. With reference to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, consider the following statements:

1. It is implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
2. It regulates the receipt and usage of foreign contribution by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India
3. In order to be registered under the FCRA, an NGO must be in existence for at least five years and must have undertaken reasonable activity in its field for which the foreign contribution is proposed to be utilized.

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: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Union Home Ministry suspended licenses of the six NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) this year. Of these four are Christian associations.

About Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010:

• It regulates the receipt and usage of foreign contribution by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• In order to be registered under the FCRA, an NGO must be in existence for at least three years and must have undertaken reasonable activity in its field for which the foreign contribution is proposed to be utilized. The registration certificate is valid for a period of five years.
• NGOs not eligible for registration can seek prior approval from FCRA for receiving foreign funding.

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

 

Q9. Consider the following statement regarding Moplah Rebellion:

1. It was an armed revolt staged by the Mappila Muslims of Kerala in 1921.
2. Ali Musaliyar and Variyankunnath Kunjahammed Haji were the prominent leaders of the rebellion
3. It was against the British and the Hindu landlords in Malabar.

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: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:  The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) member Issac seeks the removal of Malabar Rebellion leaders from martyrs list.

About Moplah Rebellion:

• It was an armed revolt staged by the Mappila Muslims of Kerala in 1921.
• Ali Musaliyar and Variyankunnath Kunjahammed Haji were the prominent leaders of the rebellion.
• It was against the British and the Hindu landlords in Malabar.
• Main issues: security of tenure, high rents, renewal fees and other unfair exactions of the landlords.
• It is often perceived to be one of the first cases of nationalist uprisings in Southern India.
• By the end of the year, the rebellion was crushed by the British who had raised a special battalion.

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