Consider the following statements regarding Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS)
- It is caused by a tick-borne bacteria
- It was first identified by a team of researchers in China in 2009.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: What is the tick-borne virus spreading in China?
A disease called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, caused by the tick-borne virus, has killed seven and infected at least 60, setting off alarm bells among health officials in China. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
What is the SFTS virus?
- Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) belongs to the Bunyavirus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites.
- The virus was first identified by a team of researchers in China over a decade ago. The first few cases were reported in rural areas of Hubei and Henan provinces in 2009. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Patients suffering from the disease usually experience a whole range of symptoms, including, fever, fatigue, chill, headache, lymphadenopathy, anorexia, nausea, myalgia, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gingival hemorrhage, conjunctival congestion, and so on.
- The risk factors observed in more serious cases include multi-organ failure, hemorrhagic manifestation and the appearance of central nervous system(CNS) symptoms.
- While a vaccine to treat the disease is yet to be successfully developed, the antiviral drug Ribavirin is known to be effective in treating the illness.
- Due to current case fatality rate of between 16 and 30%, the virus has been listed among the top 10 priority diseases Blueprint by the World Health Organisation(WHO).
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tick-borne-virus-spreading-in-china-6543182/
Consider the following statements regarding Snow leopards
- They are currently found in only 12 countries in the world excluding India
- It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of the Threatened Species
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: A Snow Leopard Conservation Centre is Coming up in Uttarakhand
Taking another step towards conservation of elusive snow leopards, India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre will be opened in Uttarkashi forest division in Uttarakhand.
About Snow leopards
- Snow leopards (Panthera uncial) belong to the family of cats called Felidae.
- The snow leopard’s fur is whitish to gray with black spots on head and neck, but larger rosettes on the back, flanks and bushy tail
- Snow leopards are currently found in only 12 countries in the world, including India. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- Snow leopard is found in 12 range countries namely Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
- The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh constitute snow leopard Habitat range in India
- The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservation Union’s Red List of the Threatened Species. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The snow leopard, like all big cats, is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which makes trading of animal body parts (i.e., fur, bones and meat) illegal in signatory countries.
Which of the following committee related to make recommendations on the financial parameters to be considered in the restructuring of loans impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic?
- C. Chakrabarty Committee
- R V. Gupta Committee
- K. Sharma Committee
- KV Kamath committee
Answer: (d) KV Kamath committee
Explanation:
In NEWS: RBI forms five member committee under KV Kamath, panel to recommend parameters for loan restructuring
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed a five member committee under the chairmanship of former ICICI Bank CEO KV Kamath to make recommendations on the financial parameters to be considered in the restructuring of loans impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Hence option (d) is correct
- The immediate task of the committee is to recommend a list of financial parameters to be factored into the assumptions that go into each resolution plan, and the sector specific benchmark ranges for such parameters.
- The parameters will include aspects related to leverage, liquidity, debt serviceability etc.
- The expert committee shall submit a list of financial parameters and the sector-specific desirable ranges for such parameters to the Reserve Bank, which, in turn, will notify the same, along with modifications, within 30 days.
- The expert committee shall also undertake the process validation for the resolution plans to be implemented under this framework, without going into the commercial aspects, in respect of all accounts with aggregate exposure of Rs.1500 crore and above at the time of invocation
Consider the following statements regarding Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization of Ministry of Earth Sciences
- It is headquartered in Hyderabad.
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: Unesco to grant 2 villages ‘tsunami-ready’ tag today
UNESCO-IOC has approved the recognition of two communities viz., Venkatraipur and Noliasahi as Tsunami Ready Communities in Assam.
With this recognition, India is the first country to implement Tsunami Ready in the Indian Ocean Region and Odisha is the first state.
About Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
- INCOIS is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) of Ministry of Earth Sciences. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is headquartered in Hyderabad. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It was established in 1999 as a central repository for marine data in India.
- Objective: to provide ocean information and advisory services to government agencies, society, industry and the scientific community.
- Further, INCOIS serves as the National Argo Data Centre and Regional Argo Data Centre.
- INCOIS has been designated as the National Oceanographic Data Centre by the International Oceanographic Data Exchange Programme (IODE) of International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
- INCOIS is also providing tsunami advisories to Indian Ocean region (25 countries) as a Tsunami Service Providers as the responsibility assigned by IOC-UNESCO.
- INCOIS is also founding member of the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) Programme.
Consider the following statements regarding Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR)
- It is aimed at strengthening infrastructure in Agriculture and Allied sectors to promote Agribusiness by facilitating financial aid
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
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: Govt doubles down on agri startups for improving farmer income, more jobs; to fund 234 more firms
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare will invest nearly Rs 25 crore in 234 startups in agriculture and allied sectors in FY21 as part of the recently launched Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme under the ministry’s Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer`s Welfare is having launched the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme component under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Agripreneurship Orientation – 2 months duration with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- per month. Mentorship is provided on financial, technical, IP issues etc.
- The component seeks to promote innovation and agripreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem.
About Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR)
- RKVY-RAFTAAR is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is aimed at strengthening infrastructure in Agriculture and Allied sectors to promote Agribusiness by facilitating financial aid. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Centre for Innovation and Agripreneurship (CIA) (which is a National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)), is a Knowledge Partner for Implementation of this Scheme.
Objectives:
- Creation of required pre and postharvest agri-infrastructure.
- To provide autonomy, flexibility to States to plan and execute schemes as per local/ farmers needs.
- To promote value chain addition linked production models that will help farmers increase their income.
- To mitigate the risk of farmers with a focus on additional income generation activities– like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation etc.
- To attend national priorities through several sub-schemes.
- To empower youth through skill development and Agri entrepreneurship based agribusiness models that attract them to agriculture.
Consider the following statements regarding Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
- It has a chairman and 10 members.
- It provides a market-determined and time-bound mechanism for an orderly resolution of insolvency and orderly exit
- It is constituted under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and functions under the Ministry of Commerce
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board amends liquidation process regulations
- IBBI is a key institution in implementing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which provides for market-linked and time-bound resolution of stressed assets
- The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) on Thursday amended regulations for liquidation process, providing more clarity on fee payable to liquidators.
- The regulations require the Committee of Creditors (CoC) to fix the fee payable to the liquidator. Where the fee has not been fixed by the CoC, the regulations provide for a fee as a percentage of the amount realised and of the amount distributed by the liquidator.
About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
- The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) was established on October 1, 2016, under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce. Hence statement 3 is correct
- It has a chairman and 10 members. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It provides a market-determined and time-bound mechanism for an orderly resolution of insolvency and orderly exit, wherever required. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It writes and enforces rules for transactions, namely, corporate insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, individual insolvency resolution and individual bankruptcy under the Code.
- It seeks to consolidate and amend laws relating to reorganization as well as insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time-bound manner.
- It has been set up to regulate professionals, information utilities (IUs) and agencies engaged in the resolution of insolvencies of companies.
- IBC handles cases under it using tribunals’ namely National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT).
Consider the following statements regarding National Gallery of Modern Art
- It is run and administered as a subordinate office to the Department of Culture
- It showcases the changing art forms through the passage of the last hundred and fifty years starting from about 1857 in the field of Visual and Plastic arts.
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: Rare Abanindranath works on e-display
National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi organized a virtual tour titled “The Great Maestro | Abanindranath Tagore” to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Abanindranath Tagore.
About the National Gallery of Modern Art
- National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is housed at Jaipur House, located in New Delhi.
- It is run and administered as a subordinate office to the Department of Culture, Government of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The gallery is a repository of the cultural ethos of the country.
- It showcases the changing art forms through the passage of the last hundred and fifty years starting from about 1857 in the field of Visual and Plastic arts. Hence statement 2 is correct
Objectives:
- To acquire and preserve works of modern art from the 1850s onwards.
- To organize, maintain and develop galleries for permanent display.
- To organize special exhibitions not only in its own premises but in other parts of the country and abroad.
- To develop an education and documentation centre in order to acquire, maintain and preserve documents relating to works of modern art.
- To develop a specialized library of books, periodicals, photographs and other audiovisual materials.
- To organize lectures, seminars and conferences, and to encourage higher studies and research in the field of art history, art criticism, art appreciation, museology and the inter-relations on visual and performing arts.
Consider the following statements regarding Starship spacecraft
- It is designed by SpaceX.
- It is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket meant to act as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars.
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: What is SpaceX’s SN5 Starship prototype that completed its first test flight?
A prototype of the SpaceX’s uncrewed “Mars ship”, a stainless steel test vehicle called SN5, which is a part of the Starship spacecraft, successfully flew to an altitude of over 500 feet for a little less than 60 seconds.
About Starship spacecraft
- It is designed by SpaceX. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket meant to act as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars. Hence statement 2 is correct
- SpaceX has described Starship as “the world’s most powerful launch vehicle” with an ability to carry over 100 metric tonnes to the Earth’s orbit.
- It is a part of Space X’s central mission to make interplanetary travel accessible and affordable and to become the first private company to do so.
- Therefore, the company is working on building a fleet of reusable launch vehicles, capable of carrying humans to Mars and other destinations in the solar system.
- Starship spacecraft will enter Mars’ atmosphere at a speed of 7.5 km per second and will be designed to withstand multiple entries.
- SpaceX is planning its first cargo mission to Mars by 2022 and by 2024.
- Starship can deliver satellites further and at lower marginal costs than SpaceX’s Falcon vehicles and it can ferry both cargo and crew to the International Space Station
Consider the following statements regarding Hubble Space Telescope
- It is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990.
- It was built by the NASA with contributions from the European Space Agency
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: Hubble used Moon as Earth’s mirror during lunar eclipse, may help finding Earth-like planets
- This was first of its kind event as astronomers were able to capture a total lunar eclipse that was captured at ultraviolet wavelengths and from a space telescope.
- Astronomers took advantage of the total lunar eclipse using National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Hubble Space Telescope to study Earth
- This is considered as a stepping stone towards scientists studying exoplanets in the future as they will look for biosignatures around these planets which revolve outside the orbit of a dwarf star
About Hubble Space Telescope
- The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is one of the largest and most versatile telescopes in service.
- It is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit (540km above Earth) in 1990. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Hubble’s four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectra.
- It orbit outside the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere which allows it to take extremely high-resolution images.
- The HST was built by the NASA, with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA). Hence statement 2 is correct
- Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts.
- Its scientific successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is scheduled for launch in 2021.
In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because
(a) poverty rates vary from State to State
(b) price levels vary from State to State
(c) Gross State Product varies from State to State
(d) quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Answer: (b) price levels vary from State to State
Explanation:
The Planning Commission methodology for estimating poverty at national and state level was regarded by some as inappropriate in giving a representative picture of the incidence of poverty in the country.
The main points of the criticism were:
- the adjustment procedure;
- the choice of deflators to represent price changes in the poverty line;
- application of the same poverty line in all the states, which imply the absence of price differentials across the states; Hence option (b) is correct
- use of a fixed consumption basket over time
- the uniform consumption basket for all the states.
