1.Consider the following statements regarding National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
- It is the integrated intelligence grid for security agencies to access database related to immigration entry and exit, banking and telephone details of a suspect
- It was first proposed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008.
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: NATGRID to have access to database that links around 14,000 police stations
The MoU will give NATGRID access to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) database, a platform that links around 14,000 police stations. All State police are mandated to file First Information Reports (FIR) in the CCTNS
About National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
- NATGRID is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databasesof core security agencies of the Government of India.
- It is a counter-terrorism measure that collects and collates a host of information from government databases including:Tax and Bank account details, Credit card transactions, Visa and Immigration records and Itineraries of Railand Air travel. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It will utilize technologies like Big Data and analytics to study and analyze the huge amounts of data from various intelligence and enforcement agencies to help track suspected terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks.
- NATGRID is intending to set up an Entity Extraction, Visualization, and Analytics(EVA) system.
- It was first proposed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in2008.Hence statement 2 is correct
- The combined data from NATGRID will be made available to 10 Central Intelligence Agencies.
- The 10 user agencies will be linked independently with certain databases which will be procured from 21 providing organisationsincluding telecom, tax records, bank, immigration etc. to generate intelligence inputs.
2.Consider the following statements regarding Himalayan Viagra
- In India, it is primarily found in Uttarakhand
- It has been listed as a vulnerable category under the IUCN Red List of threatened species
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: Overharvesting turns ‘Himalayan viagra’ into a ‘vulnerable’
The world’s most beneficial Fungus Ophiocardicepssinensis, recognized as Himalayan Viagra, has been included within the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Himalayan Viagra, bought on the fee of Rs 20 lakh per kg, has reached the vulnerable class due to excessive yields.Hence statement 2 is correct
The objective of including Himalayan Viagra in the Red List of IUCN is that the government should formulate a policy to protect it
The fungus is also known as keedajadiin Uttarakhand because of its caterpillar-like appearance.
3.Consider the following statements regarding General Purposes Committee
Only Rajya Sabha has its general purpose committee which considers and advises on general matters that are not covered by any other committee.
This committee is chaired by the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
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:Govt. against virtual meetings of House panels
- The government has refused to allow virtual meetings of parliamentary standing committees despite repeat ed demands from the Opposition parties, citing confidentiality norms
- The latest demand came from Congress leader and Chairman of the standing committee on science and technology Jairam Ramesh
- The matter came up before the General Purpose Committee (GPC) that is headed by Rajya Sabha Chair man.
About General Purpose Committee (GPC)
- The General Purposes Committee consists of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, members of the panel of Vice-Chairmen, Chairmen of all Parliamentary Standing Committees of Rajya Sabha, Leaders of recognised parties and groups in Rajya Sabha and such other members as may be nominated by the Chairman.
- The Chairman, Rajya Sabha, is the ex-officio Chairman of the Committee. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The functions of the Committee are to consider and advise on such matters concerning the affairs of the House as may be referred to it by the Chairman from time to time.
4.Consider the following statements regarding whip
- The office of ‘whip’ is mentioned in the Rules of the House.
- The concept of the whip is an Indian innovation.
- Violation of the party whip could lead to expulsion under the anti-defection act 1985
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (b) 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Congress says 109 MLAs supporting Gehlot, issues whip for Rajasthan CLP meeting today
- Amid the internal feud between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilotin Rajasthan, Congress general secretary AvinashPande said that 109 MLAs have signed letters in support of the chief minister.
- Pande that the party has issued a whip to all its legislators in the state, making it mandatory for them to be present at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP)
About whip:
- The office of ‘whip’, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- The concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule. It is used in parliamentary parlance often for floor management by political parties in the legislature.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- A whip is a written order that political party issue to its members for being present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way.
- Violation of the party whip could lead to expulsion under the anti-defection act 1985. Hence statement 3 is correct
- There are some cases such as Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) on whom to vote.
Types of Whips
- The One-line whipto inform the members about a vote. It allows a member to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
- The Two-line whipis issued to direct the members to be present in the House at the time of voting. No special instructions are given on the pattern of voting.
- The Three-line whipis issued to members directing them to vote as per the party line. It is the strictest of all the whip.
5.Often seen in the news ‘Tetrastemma Freyae’, is related to which of the following option?
- An pathogen found in international space station
- An invasive alien plant species
- An herbal oral medication which paralyzes the adult tapeworm in human body
- A new species of marine invertebrate
Answer: (d) A new species of marine invertebrate
Explanation:
In NEWS: Student researchers discover new species of marine invertebrate
- Recently, researchers have identified a new species of marine invertebratee. ‘Tetrastemma Freyae’, found along the coast of Tamil Nadu.Hence option (d) is correct
- It feeds on dead and decaying material and helps to recycle nutrients in coastal and deep water sediments.
- It is associated with sediments and is predatory as it has a role in maintaining the food chain.
- It uses its proboscis, similar to a butterfly which does to collect nectar.
- It has neurotoxins in its proboscis which could lead to developing drugs.
6.Sometimes seen in news, the ‘Tangams community’ is belonged to which of the following state in india?
Tripura
West Bengal
Meghalaya
Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS:The language of the Tangams, with just 253 speakers
- Last week Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu released a book titled Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study Of The Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh. Language loss is the reason for cultural erosion
- The Tangams are a little-known community within the larger Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradeshand reside in the hamlet of Kugging in Upper Siang district’s Paindem circle. Hence option (d) is correct
- As per the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages (2009), Tangam — an oral language that belongs to the Tani group, under the greater Tibeto-Burman language family — is marked ‘critically endangered’.
- The languages of Arunachal Pradesh have been classified under the Sino-Tibetan language family, and more specifically under the Tibeto-Burman and Tai group of languages, such as Lolo-Burmish, Bodhic, Sal, Tani, Mishmi, Hruissh and Tai.
- While the education system has introduced Devanagari, Assamese and Roman scripts for most tribal languages, new scripts such as TaniLipi and Wancho Script have been developed by native scholars.
7.Consider the following statements regarding ATL App Development Module
- It aims at transforming school students from app users to innovative app Developers.
- It is launched by NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation 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:NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission launches ATL App Development Module for school students nationwide
- NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launchedthe ‘ATL App Development Module’ for school children all across the country.Hence statement 2 is correct
- It has been launched in collaboration with Indian home grown start up Plezmo.
- It aims at transforming school students from App users to innovative App Developers.Hence statement 1 is correct
- The ATL App Development module is an online course is completely Free.
- Through 6 project-based learning modules and online mentoring sessions, young innovators can learn to build mobile Apps in various Indian languages and showcase their talent.
- To build capacities and acumen for App Development within school teachers, periodic Teacher Training sessions will be conducted on the AIM App Development course.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1637998
8.Consider the following statements regarding BharatNet programme
- It aims at taking broadband connectivity to every corner of the country by using optical fiber.
- Bharat Broadband Network Limited is a special purpose vehiclefor management, establishment, and operation of BharatNet.
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:CSC, private contractors spar over BharatNet costs; contractors allege CSC exercising monopoly
- The central government’s ambitious rural internet connectivity scheme BharatNet has run into problems again as private telcos and equipment suppliers have alleged that Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) Common Service Centres (CSC)
- There are people against CSC doing BharatNet. They provide money directly to the village level entrepreneur (VLE) to complete the work
About BharatNet:
- BharatNet programme was earlier known as National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN)programme which was launched in 2011.
- The present government in 2015 renamed the programme as BharatNet programme.
- The programme aims at taking broadband connectivity to every corner of the country by using optical fiber.Hence statement 1 is correct
- The project is now an integral part of the current government’s Digital India initiative.
- Through BharatNet, the government envisages providing a minimum of 100 Mbpsbandwidth at each Gram Panchayat so that online services can be accessed by everyone, especially those in rural India.
- Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL)is a special purpose vehicle, set up by the government of India under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for management, establishment, and operation of BharatNet.Hence statement 2 is correct
9.Churachandpur Mao Fault is present in
- Uttar Pradesh
- New Delhi
- Maharashtra
- Mizoram
Answer: (d) Mizoram
Explanation:
In NEWS:Mizoram quake zone caught between two geological faults
Mizoram’s zone of “scary” earthquakes is caught between two subterranean faults called the ‘Churachandpur Mao Fault’.
- The CMF is named after two places in Manipur and runs north-south into Myanmar along the border of Champhai. Hence option (d) is correct
- The Mat Fault runs northwest-southeast across Mizoram, beneath river Mat near Serchhip.
- It is defined by straight valleys; most prominent being between Kangpokpi and Maram region of Mizoram.
- The fault takes a north-easterly trend from Maram where the fault zone is characterized by active landslides during the monsoon.
- Faults are discontinuities or cracks that are the result of differential motion within the earth’s crust.
- Vertical or lateral slippage of the crust along the faults causes an earthquake.
10.The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft – illustrated paintings at
- Ajanta
- Badami
- Bagh
- Ellora
Answer: (a) Ajanta
Explanation:
- The painting is on the back wall of the interior hall before the shrine – antechamber in Cave No. 1 at Ajanta dating backto the late fifth century CE. Hence option (a) is correct
