.Consider the following statements regarding INS Kavaratti
- It is one of the four indigenously-built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28
- It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
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:Army chief commissions INS Kavaratti
- Having completed sea trials of all her equipment, Kavaratti has been commissioned as a fully combat-ready platform providing a boost to the ASW capability of the Indian Navy. The ship is manned by a team comprising twelve officers and 134 sailors with Commander Sandeep Singh at the helm as her first Commanding Officer.
About INS Kavaratti
- It is the last of four indigenously-built ASW under ‘Project 28’ or orKamorta-class corvettes of the Navy. It’s a class of ASWs currently in service with the Navy.Hence statement 1 is correct
- ‘Project 28’ was approved in 2003. The other three warships under this project are INS Kamorta (commissioned in 2014), INS Kadmatt (2016) and INS Kiltan (2017).
- INS Kavaratti has up to 90% indigenous content. The use of carbon composites to build it has been described as a ‘commendable feat achieved in Indian shipbuilding.’
- The warship has been designed by the Navy’s in-house organisation, the Directorate of Naval Design (DND). Kolkata’s Garden Research Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), meanwhile, has built it.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Further, it has state-of-the-art weapons and a sensor that can detect and take action against hostile submarines. It also has a good endurance for long-range deployments.
- It has completed sea-trials of all its systems fitted onboard and, hence, will be commissioned as a combat-ready platform.
- INS Kavaratti derives its name from the eponymous INS Kavaratti, which was an Arnala class missile corvette. The older INS Kavaratti operated during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.
Which of the following committee is constituted to make recommendations on promoting international retail business in International Financial Services Centres Authority?
a) Injeti Srinivas Committee
b) M B Lal Committee
c) K Vijay RaghavanCommittee
d) Aruna SundararajanCommittee
Answer: (a) Injeti Srinivas Committee
Explanation:
In NEWS:Making GIFT IFSC attractive for life, health and non-life companies
- An IFSCA appointed expert committee has made a slew of suggestions in its second interim report to make GIFT IFSC ( in Gujarat) an attractive destination for Life, Health and Non-Life Insurance companies.
- This second interim report, submitted to the IFSCA Chairman Injeti Srinivas, focuses on recommendations for international insurance activity to flourish in the IFSC besides making suggestions aimed at swift and efficient development of international retail business in the IFSC. This report follows the first interim one, covering banking-related proposals which was submitted on September 11, 2020.Hence option (a) is correct
Recommendations of the committee
- To allow persons of Indian Origin and permanent non resident Indians to buy life insurance policies in companies that are set up in IFSC. Also, they should be allowed to pay the premium in currency of their own choice.
- The non resident Indians should be permitted to buy portable life insurance policies. These policies provide them flexibility to pay premium in Indian rupees.
- The permanent residents should be allowed to buy Overseas Health Insurance. This shall be facilitated through intermediaries in IFSC
- The insurance companies should be allowed to provide insurance products to family members of non resident Indians and persons of Indian origin as well.
- The Insurance companies in IFSC in should be allowed to offer baggage losses, accident cover, travel Health Insurance and documents lost cover.
- The IFSC should aim to to become an aviation insurance hub for the world
- More of the Asian and African insurance companies should be encouraged. This is because they have huge potential than the rest of the world.
- The Indian investors should be allowed to set up insurance companies to promote insurance abroad.
Consider the following statements regardingFirst Information Report (FIR)
- It is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
- It is generally a complaint lodged with the police only by the victim of a cognizable offence.
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: Explained: Does a person have to be named in an FIR to be charged by police?
- TRP scam: Republic Network has said that though their name was not in the FIR, Mumbai police later named them as an accused
- Republic Network has said that though their name was not in the FIR, they have been named as an accused.
What is an FIR?
- First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- The FIR is filed under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure that stands for ‘Information in cognizable cases’.
- Once an FIR is registered, the police then begins to investigate the complaint and verify the allegations by finding evidence to that effect.
- Then police file a charge sheet against people who have allegedly committed a crime.
- Police can close the caseif no evidence foundto substantiate allegations
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/trp-scam-republic-mumbai-police-fir-6821350/
In which of the following state, theSharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Karnataka
c) Assam
d) Chhattisgarh
Answer: (b) Karnataka
Explanation:
In NEWS:
- The survey work was being conducted by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) for the proposed Sharavathi Project, a 2000-MW hydroelectric project which aims to pump water from downstream reservoirs of the SharavathiRiver to generate electricity.
- The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Edward Santosh Martin who opposed the project stating that it violates multiple environmental laws and poses an imminent threat to the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque found in the sanctuary.
About Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sharavathi River Valley of Sagar taluk in Shivamogga District. Hence option (b) is correct
- The area of the Sanctuary is around 431.23 Sq. Km.
- The Sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats, mainly covered with evergreen and semi-evergreen forests in the valleys and grassy patches on hilltops, and are immensely rich in flora and fauna both in variety and diversity.
- The Sanctuary is immensely rich in species like Dhoopa, Gulmavu, Surahonne, Mavu, Nandi etc. It also harbours wildlife like Bison, Spotted deer, Tiger, Panther etc.
- It is named after the Sharavathi River flowing through the sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread across the forests of Uttara Kannada &Shivamogga districts of Karnataka
Consider the following statements regarding Lion-tailed Macaque
- It is a primate which is endemic to the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
- It is a vulnerable species and is listed in Schedule 1 species under WPA, 1972
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: How pumped storage project inside Sharavathi Valley can threaten lion-tailed macaque
- The Union government allowed a geo-technical investigation that involved drilling of 12 boreholes inside Sharavathi Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary in the Western Ghats in Karnataka
- Sharavathi is likely one of the most exploited rivers. It flows for mere 132 km, but four major power projects on it produce 40 per cent of all hydroelectric power in Karnataka.
About Lion-tailed Macaque
- The scientific name of Lion-tailed Macaque is
- It is a primate endemic to small and severely fragmented rainforests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is also known under its original name of Sahyadri or Benevolent Mountains.
- In Germany, lion-tailed macaques are referred to as bartaffe or “bearded monkeys”, but in India, they are called singalika or “lion-like”.
- Lion-tailed macaques play important role in the ecosystem they live, as they disperse seeds of fruits and plants they consume.
- IUCN Status: ‘Endangered’ category.Lion-tailed macaques are also protected by Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- Lion-tailed macaques are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- The Lion-tailed Macaque is considered to be omnivorous, eating mainly fruit, insects, eggs as well as small animals on occasion.
Consider the following statements regarding Ramlila
- It is performed across northern India during the festival of Dussehra.
- It is performed by both men and women.
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:Explained: Why the 200-year RamnagarkiRamlila has an important place in India’s art history
- This year, the pandemic has forced RamnagarkiRamlila to do what it has always resisted — change.
- The coronavirus has reduced this grand ritualistic performance to a reading of the Tulsidas’s Ram CharitManas in a temple in Janakpuri, the paternal home of Sita in the Ramlila.
About Ramlila
- It is an old art form: RamnagarkiRamlila is dated to 1830 from a lithograph by a colonial administrator called James Princep, which is present in the British Library in London.
- According to folklore and local belief, the Ramlila was not started by MaharajUdit Narayan Singh, who was the ruler in 1830, but by his great grandfather, MaharajBalwant Singh, in the mid-18th century
- Ramlila, literally “Rama’s play”, is a performance of then Ramayana epic in a series of scenes that include song, narration, recital and dialogue. It is performed across northern India during the festival of Dussehra, held each year according to the ritual calendar in autumn. The most representative Ramlilas are those of Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani.Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The Ramlila is performed by men only, with the “pure” young boys playing the “swaroops”— the roles of Ram, his brothers and Sita — being selected from Brahmin families after an extensive audition attended by the king and palace officials.Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- The Ramlila festivities were declared by UNESCO as one of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2008.
Consider the following statements regarding Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers
- It is compiled by the Central Statistical Office.
- It is used to compute dearer allowances of government employees and industrial workers.
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: Base year of Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers revised from 2001 to 2016
- CPI-IW is used to compute DA of govt employees and industrial workers. The DA gets revised twice a year and is meant to adjust wage to the impact of inflation.Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Centre will revise the base year for calculating the consumer price index (CPI) for agricultural and rural laborers next year — a move that will have an impact on the wages of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (MNREGS) workers.
- The Labor and Employment Ministry also said that in the future, the Bureau would work towards revising the index every five years. The CPI-IW (2016=100) series replaces the CPI-IW (2001=100) series
- The new series is more representative in character and reflects the latest consumption pattern of the industrial workers. This is used by policymakers for tracking inflation and for fixing dearness allowance (DA) of employees and industrial workers.
- It would be giving more weightage to spending on health, education, recreation and other miscellaneous expenses while reducing the weight of food and beverages.
- CPI-IW is compiled by the Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Employment..Hence statement 1 is incorrect
Consider the following statements regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones
- These are areas within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- It is notified by MoEFCC under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
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:Environment ministry declares 250 sq km area around Radhanagri wildlife sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone
- THE MINISTRY of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified 250.66 sq km around Maharashtra’s Radhanagri Wildlife Sanctuary (RWS), which is home to elephants and tigers, as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The zone is meant to act as a buffer and a “shock absorber” for protected areas.
- All new and existing mining (minor and major minerals), stone quarrying and crushing units shall be prohibited with immediate effect except for meeting domestic needs of local residents, including digging up land for construction or repair work of houses within eco-sensitive zone
About Eco-sensitive zone
- Eco-Sensitive Zones are areas within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- These zones are the areas around protected areas to prevent ecological damage caused due to developmental activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests designate any area as Eco-sensitive zone.
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-sensitive Zones” but has the implicit provisions for determining Eco-sensitive zones.
- The section 3(2) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards
- Besides, the section 5 (1) of this act says that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas.
- The above two clauses have been effectively used by the government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA). The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- The Ministry of Environment has approved a comprehensive set of guidelines laying down parameters and criteria for declaring ESAs.
- These include Species Based (Endemism, Rarity etc.), Ecosystem Based (sacred groves, frontier forests etc.) and Geomorphologic feature based (uninhabited islands, origins of rivers etc.).
Which of the following protected areas are located in the state of Rajasthan?
- Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Project Lion: Proposal identifies 6 relocation sites apart from Kuno-Palpur
- The proposal seeks to create free ranging lion populations within Gujarat and in India to counter lack of genetic diversity within Asiatic lions
- Six new sites apart from the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary have been identified under Project Lion that was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi August 15, 2020, on the lines of Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
- The programme has been launched for the conservation of the Asiatic Lion, whose last remaining wild population is in Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Landscape (ALL).
- The Wildlife Institute of India, along with the Gujarat Forest Department, had created a Project Lion proposal and sent it to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
The six new sites identified for possible lion relocation in the future include:Hence option (d) is correct
- Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
- Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
- Jessore-BalaramAmbaji WLS and adjoining landscape, Gujarat
- Lion relocation has been talked about since 1995, when the KunoWildife Sanctuary was identified as an alternate site. The motive behind finding a relocation site for the species is because the population in Gir has low genetic diversity, making it vulnerable to threats of extension from epidemics.
- Currently, the only free-ranging population of about 674 Asiatic lions exists in the GIR national park that is spread over approximately 30,000 square kilometres.
- It includes Gir National Park and Sanctuary and covers eight districts of Gujarat, including Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath, Botad and Jamnagar, according to the 14th Lion Population Estimation Report 2015.
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term paramitas?
a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
d) Powerful merchant guilds of early Medieval South India
Answer: (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
Explanation:
- The Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, gives what the Buddhist pilgrim (or practitioner) has to practice, and the path which he has to follow, to achieve Enlightenment and realize Nibbana. There is a parallel path which consists of perfecting certain qualities, which leads the pilgrim to becoming a SammaSambuddha, a self-Enlightened Universal Buddha. The qualities are called the Paramis (perfections) in the Southern traditions and the Paramitas in the Eastern and Northern traditions. Hence option (c) is correct
