1.Which of the following national park passes through National Highway (NH) – 37?
- Ranthambore NationalPark
- Papikonda National Park
- Gugamal National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Answer: (d)Kaziranga National Park
- Explanation:
- In NEWS:Explained: Why annual floods are essential for survival of Kaziranga National Park
- As a fresh wave of floods ravages Assam, killing 73 and affecting nearly 40 lakh people across the state, 85 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) remains submerged.
- Deforestation and release of Dam waters upstream has significantly enhanced flooding in the park with them occurring every year since 2016 (Except 2018) and killing numerous animals.
- As a result, animals that venture out of the park, die either under the wheels of speeding vehicles on the highway (NH 37), or are killed by poachers who take advantage of their vulnerability.
- About Kaziranga National Park:
- It is home to the world’s most one-horned rhinos and has 96 species of wetland birds.
- It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species.
- National Highway 37 passes through the park.Hence option (d) is correct
- Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga is focused on the ‘big four’ species— rhino, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
- The park is located between Brahmaputra river and KarbiAnglong hills in Assam.
- It is also a tiger reserve and a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility.
- It is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, criss-crossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and the park includes numerous small bodies of water.
- Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kaziranga-national-park-assam-floods-6510034/
2.Consider the following statements
Vallarpadam Terminal is India’s first trans-shipment hub.
Trans-shipment Hub is the terminal at the port which handles containers, stores them temporarily and transfers them to other ships for the onward destination.
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:Centre plans strategy to make Vallarpadam terminal a transshipment hub
Transshipment hub is the terminal at the port which handles containers, stores them temporarily and transfers them to other ships heading to onward destinations. Hence statement 2 is correct
The Kochi International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal, is located strategically on the Indian coastline. It successfully fulfills all the criteria which are needed to develop it as a transshipment hub.Hence statement 1 is correct
Some of the advantages the Vallarpadam Terminal have are
it is best positioned Indian port with regard to proximity to international sea routes,
It is located at the least average nautical distance from all feeder ports,
it entails connectivity which has multiple weekly feeder connections to all ports on the West and East Coast of India from Mundra to Kolkota,
it has proximity to key hinterland markets of India
it has the infrastructure to manage large ships and capacity to scale it up as per requirement.
3.Consider the following statements regarding Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
It is a globally recognized autonomous institution under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
It is primarily providing information about the Tsunami Early Warning Service, Ocean State Forecast Service and Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Service.
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:Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad observes Swachhata Pakhwada
Swachhata Pakhwada:
It was held at the INCOIS untill 15 July.
Several activities were conducted towards awareness generation of the mission objectives to eradicate open defecation, efficient management of solid and liquid waste, encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation, overall cleanliness etc.
About INCOIS
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad is a globally recognized autonomous institution under Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
The Centre provides free dedicated ocean information services to the Nation, using state-of-the-art technology and research, for increasing Safety and Profit.
The three primary services provided are the Tsunami Early Warning Service, Ocean State Forecast Service and Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Service.Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: https://www.iastoppers.com/16th-july-2020-current-affairs-analysis-iastoppers/
4.Consider the following statements regarding National Disaster Response Force
It is a specialized force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
At present, NDRF consists of 12 battalions
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:Central Government allows contributions from any person or institution in the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
Central Government has laid out the modalities for receipt of contributions from any person or institution for the purpose of disaster management in the NDRF as per Section 46(1) (b) of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.
Accordingly, contributions can be made by any person or institution in NDRF through any of the following modes:
Through physical instruments
Through RTGS/ NEFT/ UPI
Through Bharatkosh portal -using Net banking, Debit Cards, Credit Cards & UPI
About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
It is a specialized force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.Hence statement 1 is correct
It functions under Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
It works under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) which lays down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.
Headquarters – New Delhi.
It is mandated to undertake special disaster response, relief, rescue operations and combat roles independently in the case of an event of any disaster (natural or man-made), accident or emergency
It also assists local authorities in launching a quick rescue and response operation to save life and property
Composition:
At present, NDRF consists of 12 battalions, three each from the BSF and CRPF and two each from CISF, ITBP and SSB.Hence statement 2 is correct
All the 12 battalions have been equipped and trained to respond natural as well as man-made disasters.
Battalions are also trained and equipped for response during Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639634
5.Consider the following statements regarding Char Dham Project
This Char Dham project is lie within the State of Uttarakhand only.
The project proposes the widening of single lane roads into double lanes by up to 10 meters.
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 has approved Zonal Master Plan of Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone: Javadekar
The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone notification from Gaumukh to Uttarakashi covering an area of 4179 sq. kilometre was issued by the Ministry of Environment in 2012.
The approval of ZMP will give a boost to conservation and ecology of the area and also to undertake developmental activities as permitted under ZMP. This will also pave way for faster execution of theChaarDhaam Project in Uttarakhand.
About Chaar Dhaam Project:
It comprises projects of improvement/development of 889 km length of NHs.
It will connect Yamunotri Dham, Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Badrinath Dham and part of route leading to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The project proposes the widening of single lane roads into double lanes by up to 10 meters. Hence statement 2 is correct
The improved highway circuit aims to ease traffic during the Char Dham Yatra.
Projects under Char Dham lie within the State of Uttarakhand only. Hence statement 1 is correct
Char Dham Project will be completed before Haridwar Mahakumbh 2021.
6.Consider the following statements regarding National Pension System
It is regulated by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
Any individual citizen of India both resident and Non-residentin the age group of 18-65 years can join NPS.
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:Amid Covid, corporate subscriber base of national pension system goes up by 30% in Q1
The figures shows an addition of 1.03 lakh individual subscribers from the private sector and 206 corporates were enrolled during the 1st quarter, resulting in a total of 10.13 lakh corporate subscribers in the age group of 18 to 65 years.
About National Pension System (NPS):
National Pension System (NPS) is a pension cum investment scheme launched by Government of India to provide old age security to Citizens of India.
It was launched in January 2004 for government employees.
However, in 2009, it was opened to all sections.
The Scheme is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).Hence statement 1 is incorrect
Every NPS subscriber is issued a card with 12-digit unique number called Permanent Retirement Account Number or PRAN.
Opening multiple NPS accounts for an individual is not allowed.
Any individual citizen of India (both resident and Non-resident) in the age group of 18-65 years can join NPS.Hence statement 2 is correct
The only condition is that the person must comply with know your customer (KYC) norms.
7.Consider the following statements regarding KURMA
It is a mobile-based application and is aimed at turtle conservation
It is developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAAN) collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India
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:Mobile app KURMA helps save turtles in India
On May 23, 2020, world Turtle Day, several conservation agencies launched a citizen science initiative, a mobile-based application called KURMA, aimed at turtle conservation. Hence statement 1 is correct
The application, developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAAN) collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India, not only provides users a database to identify a species but also provides the location of the nearest rescue center turtles across the country. Hence statement 2 is correct
“The KURMA App is free to download. It serves as a digital database, with a built-in digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises of India, and information on turtle identification, distribution, vernacular names, and threats,”
One Of the major for freshwater turtle conservation in the country is that wildlife crime prevention agencies are not sufficiently equipped to know how to distinguish one species from the other, or their protection status in With CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the Wildlife Protection Act.
Suppose turtles are recovered at Kolkata Airport, then KURMA Will help you reach five places in Kolkata that one can approach for help. Different rescue centers are also registered on the app, and also several experts Who can provide more information on the species
Within only a few weeks, 90 assistance facilities have been registered on the app. If anyone reports a turtle from any part of the Country using KURMA, he or she advises about the species and its conservation.
8.Consider the following statements regarding Solar Orbiter Mission
It is an international collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administrationand European Space Agency
It is the first mission that will provide images of the sun’s north and south poles
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:Warm close-up
- A solar probe built by the European Space Agency and NASA has delivered the closest photos ever taken of the sun’s surface, revealing a landscape rife with thousands of tiny solar flares that scientists dubbed “campfires” and offering clues about the extreme heat of the outermost part of its atmosphere.
- The images were captured last month by the Solar Orbiter when it came within 47 million miles of the Sun’s surface.
- The close pass, known as a perihelion, put the spacecraft between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
About Solar Orbiter Mission:
- Solar Orbiter is a mission dedicated to solar and Heliospheric physics.
- It is an international collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was selected as the first medium-class mission of ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Programme.
- This is the first mission that will provide images of the sun’s north and south poles using a suite of six instruments on board that will capture the spacecraft’s view.Hence statement 2 is correct
- This follows the Ulysses spacecraft, collaboration between ESA and NASA that launched in 1990 and also flew over the sun’s poles.
- It carries four in situ instruments (which measure the space environment immediately around the spacecraft like the sense of touch) and six remote-sensing imagers (which see the sun from a far); the Solar Orbiter (called SolO) will face the sun at approximately 42 million kilometres from its surface.
9.Consider the following statements regarding CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
- The Information Technology (amendment) act 2008 is designated CERT-In as the principal agency tohandle all cyber threats.
- It works under ministry of Home Affairs
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: Govt send notice to twitter recent hacking
Indian government has issued notice to social media giant Twitter asking the microblogging website to share full details of the recent unprecedented hacking of global high-profile users accounts including information on Indian users affected by the hack and the data impacted
AboutCERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
- CERT-In is the national agency to secure India’s cyber space.
- It was established in the year 2004.
- The Information Technology (amendment) act 2008, designated CERT-In as the principal agency tohandle all cyber threats.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It works under ministry of electronics and information technology.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- It collaborates with overseas Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) for incident responseand resolution.
- Functions
- Information technology (amendment) act 2008 list various other functions of CERT-In. such as
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber-attacks.
- Forecast and alerts cyber security incidents.
- Emergency measures for handling cybersecurity incidents.
- Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and white papers relating to information security purposes.
- Such other functions needed for the purpose.
Source: TH
10. In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?
The proportion of literates in the population
The stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines
The size of population in the working age group
The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society
Answer: (d) The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society
Explanation:
- Social capital is a sociological concept that refers to the intangible relational assets that emerge from social interactions. These assets are generated through give and take and activate the “norm of reciprocity,” creating social obligations that connect and bind people and groups. The more social capital is used, the greater the benefits. Hence option (d) is correct
- The concept of social capital is composed of three distinct but interrelated structural, emotional and behavioral components. They are, respectively, networks, trust and collaborative cultural norms.
- In every society, some people have a greater share of valued resources – money, property, education, health, and power – than others. These social resources can be divided into three forms of capital – economic capital in the form of material assets and income; cultural capital such as educational qualifications and status; and social capital in the form of networks of contacts and social associations (Bourdieu 1986). Often, these three forms of capital overlap and one can be converted into the other. For example, a person from a well -off family (economic capital) can afford expensive higher education, and so can acquire cultural or educational capital. Someone with influential relatives and friends (social capital) may – through access to good advice, recommendations or information – manage to get a well -paid job.
