Consider the following statements regarding Kyrgyzstan
- It is not a landlocked country located in the Central Asia.
- It is bounded by Kazakhstan , China , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
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: Kyrgyzstan President declares new state of emergency
- Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has ordered a new, week-long state of emergency in the country’s capital after Parliament failed to consider and approve his previous order.
About Kyrgyzstan
- It is a landlocked country located in the Central Asia. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- It is bounded by Kazakhstan on the northwest and north, by China on the east and south, and by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the south and west. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Kyrgyzstan, known under Russian and Soviet rule as Kirgiziya, was conquered by tsarist Russian forces in the 19th century.
- The Victory (Pobedy) Peak, Kyrgyzstan highest peak, rises on its eastern extremity which is next to the Uighur Autonomous Region of Sinkiang, China.
Consider the following statements regarding Regional Raw Drug Repository
- It is a part of National AYUSH Mission.
- It would play a stellar role in collection, documentation, and authentication of raw drugs collected from the Southern Plateau Region.
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: Regional Raw Drug Repository for AYUSH Systems launched at Chennai
Union Minister for AYUSH and Minister of State for Defence inaugurated the Regional Raw Drug Repository (RRDR) for ASU&H Medicine (Southern Plateau Region) at National Institute of Siddha.
About Regional Raw Drug Repository:
- RRDRs are important components of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Ministry of AYUSH through the National Medicinal Plants Board, initiated establishment of National Raw Drug Repository and Regional Raw Drug Repositories.
- NMPB have identified National Institute of Siddha as the lead Institute with the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Chennai and the Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai as the Collaborating Institutes.
- This RRDR would play a stellar role in collection, documentation, and authentication of raw drugs collected from the Southern Plateau Region. Hence statement 2 is correct
- This RRDR will not only act as collection centers of raw drugs available and used in southern region but also as an accredited reference library for authentication of raw drugs.
- It would establish standard protocols and keys for authentication of raw drug used in the herbal industries.
- Easy availability of authentic scientific data of raw drugs will promote research on the medicines belonging to the AYUSH system.
Consider the following statements regarding Bureau of Indian Standards
- It is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
- It is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986
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: World Standards Day 2020: Our fragile Earth needs international standards for a sustainable future for all
- Every year on October 14, the world celebrates International Standards Day, also known as World Standards Day, with the aim to promote awareness about the essentiality of ‘standardisation to global economy’ for enhancing peace and prosperity without harming our planet Earth.
- This year, World Standards Day, with the theme – ‘Protecting the planet with standards’ – aims to seize the opportunity to combat climate change with the power of international standards.
About Bureau of Indian Standards
- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 which came into effect on 23 December 1986. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Minister in charge of the Ministry or Department having administrative control of the BIS is the ex-officio President of the BIS.
- The organisation was formerly the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), set up under the Resolution of the Department of Industries and Supplies.
- As a corporate body, it has 25 members drawn from Central or State Governments, industry, scientific and research institutions, and consumer organisations.
- Its headquarters are in New Delhi, with regional offices in Eastern Region at Kolkata, southern Region at Chennai, Western Region at Mumbai, Northern Region at Chandigarh and Central Region at Delhi and 20 branch offices. It also works as WTO-TBT enquiry point for India.
- A new Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) Act 2016 which was notified on 22 March 2016, has been brought into force with effect from 12 October 2017. The Act establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India.
SILAM and ENFUSER are related to which of the following options?
- Air quality forecast models
- Covid Kit
- Naval Ocean Surveillance System
- Sea water filtration system
Answer: (a) Air quality forecast models
Explanation:
In NEWS: IMD’s improved air quality models capture air pollution spike in Delhi
- The air quality forecast models for Delhi and the rest of India have improved according to India Meteorological Department, which will lead to better forecasts this year and identification of air pollution hot spots. Hence option (d) is correct
SILAM
- SILAM is System for Integrated Modelling of Atmospheric Composition. The model has been improved by implementing Global emission inventories such as CAMS-GLOB and EDGAR for mineral fine anthropogenic particulate matter at 10 kilometre resolution.
- It was developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The model provides information such as equality atmospheric composition and Wildfire smoke. It is capable of solving the inverse dispersion problem. The model is capable of taking data from variety of sources such as sea salt, Pollen and blown dust.
ENFUSER
- ENFUSER is ENvironmental information FUsion SERvice. It was operationalised to identify pollution hotspots in the national capital region. Both SILAM and ENFUSER were developed in technical collaboration with Finland.
- The Speciality of the model is its high utilisation of measurement data such as air quality observations, high resolution satellite images, land use information. Triple system model or evaluated with satellite measurements and operations.
Consider the following statements regarding Aquaponics facility
- It is equipped with advanced sensors for monitoring and automated controls of the farming system.
- It is developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
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: Aquaponics and related alternative farming techniques to help the farmer in increasing their productivity & income: Shri Sanjay Dhotre
- Aquaponics and related alternative farming techniques are highly required to improve the status of farmers. This technique will help the farmer in increasing the productivity of his land and also augment his income.
- A pilot ‘Aquaponics facility’ developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali. Hence statement 2 is correct
About A pilot ‘Aquaponics facility’
- It is the first of its kind in the region, it is also equipped with advanced sensors for monitoring and automated controls. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It has been developed with the funding support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- The facility is nearly 100% organic, needs much less land for a given yield of crop, consumes 90% less water, the fish and plants so grown are also more nutritious.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1664061
Consider the following statements regarding Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network
- It is being implemented under the National Health Mission in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme
- It aims to promote the government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in the country.
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: eVIN network to handle COVID-19 vaccine supply
- The eVIN network, which can track the latest vaccine stock position; the temperature at storage facility; geo-tag health centres; and maintain facility-level dashboard, is being repurposed for the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- During the meeting, it was highlighted that a comprehensive study on the priority sections of the population that would have initial access to the vaccinationwas also presented.
About Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN):
- This is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is an innovative technological solution aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems across the country.
- It aims to promote the government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in the country. Hence statement 2 is correct
- eVIN combines state-of-the-art technology, a strong IT infrastructure and trained human resources to enable real time monitoring of stock and storage temperature of the vaccines kept in multiple locations across the country.
- eVIN has reached 32 States and Union Territories (UTs) and will soon be rolled-out in the remaining States and UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Ladakh and Sikkim.
Consider the following statements regarding TOP to Total scheme
- Under this scheme, Operation Greens Scheme was extended to all fruits and vegetables
- It is implemented by Ministry of Food Processing
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: Indian Railways extends 50% subsidy on movement of notified fruits, vegetables on Kisan Rail
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that ‘Operation Green’ will be expanded with an additional fund of Rs 500 crore as well as extended from TOP to all fruits and vegetables. Hence statement 1 is correct
- An order has been issued by the Centre, extending a subsidy of 50% on transportation of notified vegetables and fruits through Indian Railways’ Kisan Rail trains, under its scheme titled ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’.
- Under the scheme which was approved in the month of June, the Operation Greens Scheme from Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) was extended to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL) by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for a period of six months on a pilot basis as part the Modi government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Hence statement 2 is correct
Consider the following statements regarding Thalassemia
- It is an inherited blood disorder wherein the body produces an inadequate amount of haemoglobin.
- It is transferred by one of the parents who is a carrier of this disease
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: Union Health Minister launches 2nd phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna”
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare has launched the second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana” for the underprivileged Thalassemic patients.
About Thalassemia
- Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder wherein the body produces an inadequate amount of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein molecule that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Hence statement 1 is correct
- This disorder results in the extreme destruction of red blood cells that leads to anaemia. Anaemia is a condition in which the haemoglobin or red blood cells are less than the normal count.
- It is an inherited disease which is mainly caused due to the abnormal haemoglobin synthesis.
- It is transferred by one of the parents who is a carrier of this disease due to either deletion of particular key gene fragments or a genetic mutation. Hence statement 2 is correct
- There are no symptoms at an early stage but likely to be a disease carrier. It is the most common disease in people of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and Greece.
- There are two main forms i.e. alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia, each with various subtypes.
Consider the following statements regarding STARS Project
- It is a World Bank-financed project
- It would be implemented as a new centrally sponsored scheme under the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education
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: Cabinet approves STARS project – 6 States to get guided support for improving education outcomes
- The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the World Bank-supported Strengthening Teaching- Learning and Results for States, the STARS project under the New Education Policy, NEP. Hence statement 1 is correct
- With this approval, the STARS project will support the states for improving education outcomes in six states of the nation in near future.
- The project would be implemented as a new centrally sponsored scheme under the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The states to be benefitted from this new project include Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha
- The project will help the states in developing, implementing, evaluating & improving interventions with direct linkages to improved education outcomes and school to work transition strategies for improved labor market outcomes.
If you withdraw Rs. 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be
- to reduce it by Rs. 1,00,000
- to increase it by Rs. 1,00,000
- to increase it by more than Rs. 1,00,000
- to leave it unchanged
Answer: (d) to leave it unchanged
Explanation:
In the given case, while the ‘DD’ component will fall by Rs. 1,00,000, the ‘C’ component will increase by Rs. 1,00,000, thereby, leaving the money supply unchanged. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
