GK Quiz | 9 June 2020

1. Which of the following is true about Central Administrative Tribunal?

1. The provisions of the Central Administrative Tribunal is given under Article 323A of the constitution.
2. The chairman and the members of the tribunal hold office for a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 65 years.
3. At present, the capacity of the tribunal is 1 chairperson and 65 members.
4. The members have the status of the high court judges.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans.  A

Explanation

The provision of the Central Administrative Tribunal is given under Article 323A under Part XIV A of the constitution. Under this article, Parliament can make provisions for the establishment of the tribunals for the adjudication of disputes related to the centre, state, local bodies, public corporations, and other public authorities. 

By using the powers under this article, the Parliament has formed the Administrative Tribunal Act 1985. The jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunals extends to the All India Services, central civil services, civil post under the centre, and civilian employees of the defense forces. 

Members of the tribunal are given the status of the judges of the High Court and the sanctioned strength is 1 chairman and 65 members. The members are both judicial and technical. Their tenure is 5 years or 65 years of age for the chairman and 5 years or 62 years of age for the members, whichever is earlier.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

2. Which of the following is true about ARPIT launched by the Indian Air Force?

1. It is a program to bring back Indians from the COVID-19 affected countries.
2. It is a training program to train the airforce personnel.
3. It is a pod launched by the IAF to evacuate patients suffering from COVID-19.
4. It is a memorial dedicated by the IAF to the warriors of the freedom fighters of Indian National Freedom Movement.

Ans. C

Explanation

ARPIT or Airborne Rescue Pod For Isolated Transportation has been launched by the Indian Air Force to evacuate the patients seriously affected by COVID-19 from remote areas. ARPIT uses High-Frequency Particulate Air H13 filters to curb the spread of infectious particles from infected persons. The machines also have monitoring instruments like a pulse oximeter, defibrillator, and infusion pumps. ARPIT has been built using light certified material used in making aircraft.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

3. Which of the following is true about the Article 239AA of the constitution?

1. Under Article 239AA of the constitution, the Parliament cannot make laws on the state and concurrent subjects of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
2. The Lieutenant Governor is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers of the Delhi government.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. D

Explanation

Article 239AA introduced through the 69^th Constitutional Amendment Act provides special powers to the Union Territory of Delhi by redesignating it as the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

According to this, Delhi has the right to make laws on all the subjects related to the state and concurrent list, except on the issue of land, police, and public order. The Parliament, however, can make any law on these subjects and can overturn the laws of the Union territory with national legislation. Instead of the governor, there is a Lieutenant Governor that acts as the administrator working on behalf of the President of India.

The Council of Ministers aid and advice the Lieutenant Governor except in cases where he is required to act in his discretion. In case of difference of opinion, the administrator is to refer the matter to the President and act accordingly. So, constitutionally he is not bound by the advice of the council of ministers.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

4. Which of the following is true about the BS-VI emission norms?

1. The sulphur content in the BS-VI fuel has been brought down from 50mg/Kg to 10mg/Kg.
2. BS-VI fuel contains no particles of Nitrogen Dioxide.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

 

Ans. A

Explanation

The Bharat Stage-VI fuel is environmentally friendly than the BS-IV norms because the sulphur content in the BS-VI fuel has been brought down from 50mg/Kg to 10mg/Kg. BS-VI fuel contains 70% fewer particles of Nitrogen Dioxide than the BS-IV fuel.

According to a new government order, all the BS-VI compliant vehicles have to carry a green stripe on the vehicle as a mark of being BS-VI compliant.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

4. Which of the following is true about the MGNREGA scheme?

1. It is a central sector supply based employment scheme.
2. The person in need of the employment must be from the local gram panchayat where the work is to be carried out.
3. There is no provision of the unemployment allowance.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. D

Explanation

The MGNREGA scheme is a social scheme that guarantees the ‘Right to work’ as it provides the right to employment to the unskilled labor within a particular gram panchayat. If the employment is not given within 15 days of the demand for employment then, the unemployment allowance is to be given. The job seeker must be a citizen of India and should have the age of 18 years.

The scheme is under the Ministry of Rural Development. The social audit of the work done under the scheme is necessary.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

5. Which of the following is true about Oncomirs?

1. These are the microRNAs associated with cancer.
2. These are the newly discovered bacteria that can be used against cancer.
3. These are the microorganism discovered in the environment of Mercury.
4. These are the newly built robots for providing health care services to COVID-19 patients.

Ans. A

Explanation

Oncomirs are the microRNAs (miRNA) which are the negative gene regulators and can control cell functions like cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis etc. Most of the miRNAs are found in the region of the genome that is found in the area associated with cancer. The genesis of miRNAs has been associated with various cancers like miRNA 133 is associated with tounge cancer. They can be used to suppress the tumors after engineering them.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

6. Which of the following is true about Permafrost?

1. It is defined solely based on temperature and duration.
2. Permafrost consists of soil, sand and rock held together by ice.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

Permafrost is the ground that remains frozen at 0°C or below that temperature permanently for at least 2 years. It consists of soil, sand, rock held together by ice and is solely defined based on temperature and the duration. It covers large part of the Earth's land surface and is mainly found in polar regions and the areas of high mountains.

The major reason for the spill of 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil from a fuel tank at a Russian power plant into Ambarnaya river within the Arctic Circle is expected to be the thawing of the permafrost.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

7. Which of the following institutions has developed Nano-technology based disinfectant spray ‘Ananya’?

1. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
2. Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
3. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
4. Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune

Ans. D

Explanation

Recently, a nano-technology based disinfectant spray ‘Ananya’ has been developed by the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune.

The spray can be used for disinfecting all kinds of surfaces including masks, PPE, surfaces of medical devices, door knobs, rooms, etc. It has been made by synthesizing silver nanoparticles and drug Ampicillin.

This nanotechnology assisted formulation can stop the virus from entering human body by killing the virus as soon as it comes in contact with the formulation layer. The spray remains effective for more than 24 hours.

Hence, the correct answer is D.