1.Consider the following statements regardingStart-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme

It has the objective of helping rural households including women to set-up enterprises.

It is a sub-scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission

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: Start-up Village scheme has generated 1.33 lakh jobs in 2 years: Centre

Over 64,000 rural enterprises formed under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) have generated an estimated 1,33,302 lakh employment opportunities across States in two years.

The data for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 (till January), presented by the Ministry of Rural Development to the Rajya Sabha in March, reveal that Kerala tops the enterprise chart with 8,816 establishments formed, providing jobs to an estimated 18,250 people.

About Start up Village Entrepreneurship Program

The Start up Village Entrepreneurship Program is a sub componenet of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission(DAY-NRLM) of the  Ministry of Rural Development aims to support entrepreneurs in rural areas to set up local enterprises. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct

Objectives:

To enable rural poor to set up their enterprises by developing a sustainable model for Village Entrepreneurship promotion through integrated ICT techniques.

Develop local resources by training a pool of village level community cadre (CRPEP)

Help the rural entrepreneurs to access finance for starting their enterprises from the NRLM SHG and federations, the banking systems including the MUDRA bank.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/start-up-village-scheme-has-generated-133-lakh-jobs-in-2-years-centre/article32029069.ece

2.Consider the following statements regardingAids to Navigation Bill 2020

This bill is proposed to replace the old Lighthouse Act, 1927

It empowers Directorate General with additional power such as Vessel Traffic Service, Wreck flagging, training and certification among others.

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: Shipping Ministry issues draft “Aids to Navigation Bill 2020” for public consultation

Ministry of Shipping has issued the draft of Aids to Navigation Bill, 2020for suggestions from the stakeholders and general public.

The draft bill is proposed to replace the almost nine decades old Lighthouse Act, 1927, to incorporate the global bestpractices, technological developments and India’s International obligations in the field of Aids to Marine Navigation. Hence statement 1 is correct

The proactive approach adopted by the Ministry of Shipping by repealing archaic colonial laws and replacing it with modern and contemporary needs of the maritime industry.

The bill aims to regulate state-of-the-art technologies of marine navigation which was earlier used to tangle in statutory provisions of Lighthouse Act, 1927.

The bill provides for empowering Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) with additional power and functions such as Vessel Traffic Service, Wreck flagging, training and certification, implementation of other obligations under International Conventions, where India is a signatory. Hence statement 2 is correct

It also provides for identification and development of heritage lighthouses.

The bill comprises a new schedule of offences, along with commensurate penalties for obstructing and damaging the aids to navigation, and non-compliance with directives issued by the Central Government and other bodies under the bill.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1637688

3.Consider the following statements regardingAmazonia -1

It is the first Earth Observation satellite completely designed, integrated, tested and operated by South America

It will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation through a payload of PSLV.

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: ISRO to launch Amazonia-1 satellite of Brazil onboard PSLV next month

At the 6th BRICS Summit in 2014, the two countries –India and Brazil had an agreement all signed which talked about setting up a Brazilian earth station to receive data from the Indian satellites.

ISRO provided training to the Brazilian scientists to operate and gather data through remote sensing.

It will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as a payload of PSLV. Hence statement 2 is correct

Amazonia -1:

It is the first Earth Observation satellite completely designed, integrated, tested and operated by Brazil. Hence statement 1 is correct

The operations of Amazonia-1 will be held jointly under China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite Programme (CBERS).

Amazonia 1 is a Sun synchronous (polar) orbiting satellite that can generate images of any part of the world every 5 days.

What is the purpose of Amazonia-1 which PSLV will launch?

The Brazilian satellite will help in observing and monitoring the deforestation of the AmazonRegion

The images will help in the agricultural and vegetation areas.

4.Consider the following statements regardingNational Investigation Agency

It is a non-statutory organization

It is empowered to deal with terror-related crimes across states with special permission from the states.

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

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: National Investigation Agency files case against 4 in Kerala gold smuggling scandal

The FIRs were filed under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

It is the first time the premier agency, which handles national security, terror and security-based cases, is investigating a gold smuggling case.

About National Investigation Agency (NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a central agency, which was formed in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack of 2008.

It is a statutory organization established under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008. Hence statement 1 is incorrect

It acts as a Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.

It is empowered to deal with terror-related crimes across states without special permission from the statesHence statement 2 is incorrect

Type of offences  

The schedule to the Act specifies a list of offences which are to be investigated and prosecuted by the NIA.

These include offences under Acts such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.

Acts affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, security of State, friendly relations with foreign States.

Under the new amendment (2019), NIA will be able to investigate offences related to human trafficking, counterfeit currency or bank notes, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/national-investigation-agency-files-case-against-4-in-kerala-gold-smuggling-scandal/story-oMqOIl9NTS7CWNMz0XqIFI.html

5.Bhashan Char Island, often seen in news, it is situated in

India

Bangladesh

Myanmar

South china sea

Answer: (b) Bangladesh

Explanation:

In NEWS: Rohingyas to remain at Bhashan char, Bangladesh

Bangladesh will not move the Rohingyas settled on the Bhashan char island amid Corona pandemic. Hence option (b) is correct

Bhashan Char has better facilities than the overcrowded camps of Cox’s Bazar which house more than 7 lakh Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar in 2017 after the military crackdown in the Rakhine province

Bhashan char is an uninhabited island where the government of Bangladesh has made shelter houses for one lakh Rohingya refugee.

Bhashan Char falls in an ecologically fragile area prone to floods, erosion and cyclones. The issue of forced relocation and lack of mobility on the island has also been raised by organisations working among the Rohingyas.

Bhashan Char is located in the Meghna River. The island is also known as Thengar Char Island.

The Bhashan Char is an uninhabited island around 30 kilometres east of Hatiya Island in the South East Bangladesh.

Picture2-Jul-20-2020-04-49-42-21-AM

Source: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Rohingyas-to-remain-at-Bhashan-char%2C-Bangladesh&id=393425

6.Consider the following statements regarding GOAL (Going Online as Leaders)

It is an initiative launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in partnership with Google India

It aims to digitally skill and empower 5000 youth from tribal communities to become leaders of tomorrow by leveraging the power of digital technology.

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: M/o Tribal Affairs hosts Webinar along with Facebook India for sensitization of MPs from ST Constituencies on GOAL project

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1637765#:~:text=M/o%20Tribal%20Affairs%20hosts,ST%20Constituencies%20on%20GOAL%20project&text=He%20called%20upon%20tribal%20youths,the%20aims%20of%20their%20lives.

7.Consider the following statements regarding Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

It is an internationally acclaimed Institution, which offers training program, academic courses and advisory in wildlife research and management.

The institute is based in Dehradun.

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

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Assam keelback spotted for the first time in 129 years

About Wildlife Institute of India

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/assam-keelback-spotted-for-the-first-time-in-129-years/article32052652.ece#:~:text=The%20Assam%20keelback%20snake%20has,the%20first%20time%20since%201869.

8.Which of the following statements are correct regarding Neowise?

It is the brightest comet visible from the Northern Hemisphere

It is an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody injection

It is an initiative for transforming school students from users of the smartphone-based applications to innovative developers of the smartphone-based application

None of the above

Answer: (a) It is the brightest comet visible from the Northern Hemisphere

Explanation:

In NEWS: Neowise comet streaks past Earth, providing a spectacular show

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/comet-c-2020-f3-neowise-nasa-earth-6500688/

9.Consider the following statements regarding Tiger Census in india

The survey is carried out once in every four years.

Wildlife Institute of India carries out the survey under the guidance of National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The census includes both cubs and adult tigers for counting

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

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: India’s tiger census of 2018 sets a Guinness world record

Source: TH

10.The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

The separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature.

The jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments.

The powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy

None of the above

Answer: (b) The jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments

Explanation:

time since 1869.