1.Consider the following statements
- Article 76 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Attorney General of India
- Attorney General of India is appointed by the President
- The term of office of the Attorney General is fixed by the Constitution.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Centre appoints new law officers, extends tenure of Attorney General, Solicitor General
President Ram Nath Kovind re-appointed KK Venugopal as the Attorney General of India for the period of one year from July 1, 2020
About Attorney General of India
- Article 76 and 78 deals with the Attorney General of India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The President appoints the Attorney General (AG). The person who is appointed should be qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- He/she must be a person qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court, also must have been a judge of some high court for five years or an advocate of some high court for ten years or an eminent jurist, in the opinion of the President and must be a citizen of India.
- The term of office of the Attorney General is not fixed by the Constitution. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
- The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer of the countryand he/she is the chief legal advisor to the GoI.
- He is responsible to assist the government in all its legal matters.
- He gives advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, which are referred or assigned to him by the president under Article 143.
- In the performance of his duties, he has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India.
- He has the right to speak or to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament and their joint sittings but without a right to vote.
- He has the right to speak or to take part in the meeting of any committee of the Parliament of which he is named as a member but without a right to vote.
- He enjoys all the privileges and immunities that are available to a member of parliament.
- He is not considered as a government servant and he can practice privately too as he is not debarred from private legal practice.
2.Ishaat Hussain panel or working group is related to which of the following recommendation?
Police Reforms
Currency situation in India
Social stock exchange
Food processing industries
Answer: (c) Social Stock exchange
Explanation:
In NEWS:Social stock exchange report: Deadline for comments extended till Jul 15
- The panel or working group was set up by SEBI in September 2019 under the Chairmanship of Ishaat Hussain, Director at SBI Foundation.
- The aim was to suggest possible structures and regulations for creating SSE to facilitate listing and fund-raisingby social enterprises as well as voluntary organisations. Hence option (c) is correct
- The group has also suggested a new minimum reporting standard for organisationsthat raise funds on social stock exchanges.
- The working group has also suggested that the social stock exchange can be housed within the existing national bourses (Stock Exchange) like the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and the National Stock Exchange.
About Social Stock Exchanges
- An SSE is a platform which allows investors to buy shares in social enterprises vetted by an official exchange.
- The Union Budget 2019 proposed setting up of first of its kind SSE in India.
- The SSE will function as a common platform where social enterprises can raise funds from the public.
- India needs massive investments in the coming years to be able to meet the human development goals
3.Consider the following statements with respect to Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram
It seeks to provide better socio-economic infrastructure facilities to the minority communities particularly in the field of education, health & skill development.
This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lays foundation stone for “Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap” at Rampur
- The “Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap” is being constructed with the cost of Rs 92 crore by Union Minority Affairs Ministry under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- This community centre will be utilized for various socio-economic-cultural activities, skill development training, coaching, relief activities during disaster such as Corona and different sports activities.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) seeks to provide better socio economic infrastructure facilities to the minority communities particularly in the field of education, health & skill development which would further lead to lessening of the gap between the national average and the minority communities with regard to backwardness parameters. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The erstwhileMulti-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) has been restructured and renamed as Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram for effective implementation.
- At present 6 (six) communities namely Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified asMinority Communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
- The Programme aims to address development deficits in the identified minority concentration areas.
- The identification of minority concentration areas has been done based on the presence of a substantial population of notified Minority Communities based on Census, 2011.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1635101
4.Consider the following statements with respect to BharatNet Project
- It aims to provide broadband services at 100 Mbps to around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats of the country.
- It is being funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund and is being implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:Centre cancels Rs 1,950-cr Bharat Net project in Tamil Nadu
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) ordered the scrapping of a Rs 1,950 crore tender for the Bharat Net project in Tamil Nadu stating the bidding conditions were “restrictive” and “discriminatory”.
- The tender got mired in controversy with allegations of corruption and charges that changes in the tender were made to favour a few companies.
- In Tamil Nadu, the plan was to connect all 12,524-gram panchayats.
About Bharat Net project
- BharatNet project originally aimed to provide broadband services at 100 Mbps to around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats of the country. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- It is a highly scalable network infrastructure accessible on a non-discriminatory basis, to provide on demand, affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all households of India especially in rural areas.
- The entire project is being funded by Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF),which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.The project is being implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- The government has already connected 1.3 lakh gram panchayats through BharatNet till 2019 and aimed to make 2.5 lakh GPs service ready by March 2020.
- Central Public Sector in Undertakings (CPSUs) BSNL, RailTel, and PGCIL are providing the optical fibre network for broadband connections for the BharatNet project
5.Consider the following statements with respect to United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT)
- It aims to prevent torture and defines torture as a criminal offence
- India is not yet signed this convention
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Thoothukudi deaths: Demand for police reforms, ratification of anti-torture convention
The alleged torture and killing of two Tamil Nadu traders, a father and son, by police last week pointed towards a broken criminal justice system and highlighted the need for police reforms and the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
About United Nations Convention against Torture
- The United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) is an international human rights treaty, under the review of the United Nations, that came into force on 26 June 1987.
- It aims to prevent torture and other actsof cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world. The Convention defines torture as a criminal offence. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- 26 June is now recognized as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, in honour of the Convention.
- The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under their jurisdiction and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured.
- India had signed UNCAT in 1997 but has not ratified it Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
- India is among the few countries that have not ratified the CAT which has been ratified by 170 countries including Pakistan and China.
6.Consider the following statements with respect to Exclusive Economic Zone
- It is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a sovereign state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources
- It can extend to a maximum of 12 nautical miles from the baseline
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:MoD launches portal to get NOC for research, exploration in EEZ
- The Defence Minister has launched a web portal for the issue of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for power projects and Research Survey Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities in the Indian Territorial Waters (TW) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- The portal was developed with the assistance of National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bhaskaracharya Institute for space applications and geo-informatics and National Informatics Centre (NIC).
About Exclusive Economic Zone
- An EEZ is a sea zone prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which asovereign state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind, Establish and use artificial islands, structures and installations. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- It can extend to a maximum of 200 nautical miles from the Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
- The EEZ does not include the territorial sea and also does not include the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.It includes the contiguous zone.
- It also has to respect the rights of other countries in the EEZ such as the freedom of navigation.
About territorial sea
- As per the UNCLOS, the territorial sea is a belt of coastal waters that extends from the baseline to 12 nautical miles. It is a sovereign territory of the state.
- However, foreign ships, both civilian and military, are permitted ‘innocent passage’ through it.
About baseline
- The baseline is normally measured is the low-water line along the coast as indicated on large-scale charts officially approved by the coastal state.
7.Begusarai bridge project is belonging to which of the following state in India?
- West Bengal
- Karnataka
- Punjab
- Bihar
Answer: (d) Bihar
Explanation:
In NEWS:Eye on Bihar polls, Central govt clears Begusarai bridge project
- The Central government has given clearance for the construction of Begusarai bridge in Bihar that would reduce the travel distance between Begusaraiin north Bihar and the south Bihar towns of Munger and Bhagalpur by at least 70 km. Hence option (d) is correct
- The 2.5-km bridge will link the riverine areas of Matihani and Sambho and also join the NH-31 (Patna-Mokama route) and NH-80 (Begusarai-Purnea route).
- The National Highway Authority of India has made a rare exception to clear the feasibility report of the bridge. As per rule, within 50 km of a bridge, upstream or downstream, a new bridge cannot be considered.
8.Consider the following countries:
- Maldives
- China
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Which of the above countries are the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)?
- 3 and 4 only
- 1,3 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1,2,3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1,3 and 4 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Reviving SAARC to deal with China
- As India-China border tensions continue to fester, a hegemonic China, as part of its global expansionism, is chipping away at India’s interests in South Asia.
- China’s contemporary relations with India’s neighbours:
- China’s proximity to Pakistan is a well-known worldwide.
- Nepal is also moving closer to China for ideational and material reasons.
- China is wooing Bangladesh by offering tariff exemption to 97% of Bangladeshi products
- China has also intensified its ties with Sri Lanka through massive investments
- Several foreign policy experts argue that India’s strategic dealing with China has to begin with South Asia. Therefore, it is important to reinvigorate SAARC, which has been in the doldrums since 2014.
About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established when its Charter was formally approved on 8 December 1985by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Hence option (b) is correct
- The SAARC Secretariat is based in It coordinates and monitors implementation of activities, prepares for and services meetings, and serves as a channel of communication between the Association and its Member States as well as other regional organizations.
- SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (2018) of the global economy
- Its member countries are—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2005)
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/reviving-saarc-to-deal-with-china/article31956334.ece
9.The term ‘Globbaandersonii’, often seen in news, is related to
- a rare and critically endangered plant species.
- the unpredictable appearances of the potentially hazardous asteroids in Earth’s orbit.
- a kind of quark or subatomic particle observed for the first time by CERN.
- an exotic animal seized in Thane
Answer: (a) a rare and critically endangered plant species
Explanation:
In NEWS:Plant thought to be extinct for more than 135 years found
- A team of researchers from Pune and Kerala have “rediscovered” a rare and critically endangered plant species called Globbaandersonii from the Sikkim Himalaya which has been considered extinct for the last 135 years. Hence option (a) is correct
- The Globe andersoni is commonly known as Dancing Ladies or Swan Flower.
- The researchers from Pune and Kozhikode discovered the plant in the Sevoke Hill Forest in July 2011. The area is located in northern West Bengal.
- The paper titled ‘Rediscovery of Globbaandersonii and three new synonymies in Indian Zingiberaceae’ (belonging to the ginger or turmeric family) details the retrieval from the wilds of this endangered taxon, which was thought to be extinct after 1875.
10.The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
- Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems
- Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dianosaurs.
- Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
- Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
- Answer: (d) Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change
Explanation:
- The term ‘sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction’ is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of disappearing of flora and fauna species.
- According to news reports, it would be caused by the human activities causing over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change. Hence option (d) is correct
