Recently, the SDG Investor Map is released by which of the following Organization?
- World Bank and NITI Aayog
- United Nations Development Programme and Invest India
- UNCTAD and Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)
- World Trade Organization and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Answer: (b) United Nations Development Programme and Invest India
Explanation:
In NEWS:UNDP, Invest India launch SDGs Investor Map for India
- United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Invest India have launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investor Map for India. It laid out 18 Investment Opportunities Areas in six critical SDG enabling sectors, that can help the country push forward on the trajectory of Sustainable Development.Hence option (b) is correct
- By mapping the overlaps and gaps between public sector priorities and private sector interest, the SDG Investor Map lays out pathways that can bring together private-sector investment and public sector support for six SDG-enabling sectors.
Significance:
- India occupies a key role in determining the success of the SDGs, globally.
- Data-backed research and insights serve as useful blueprints to understand how best the SDG financing gap can be narrowed in India.
- With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the financing gap for the SDGs in India has only widened further.
- Investing in the SDGsat this point is crucial to ‘Building Back Better’ and making the economy and our societies more resilient and sustainable.
Source: http://newsonair.com/News?title=UNDP%2C-Invest-India-launch-SDGs-Investor-Map-for-India&id=405019
Consider the following statements regardingthe Bioluminescence
- Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria do not show bioluminescence.
- Bioluminescence phenomenon was not occurred in Indian seas.
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: Explained: What explains the ‘blue tide’ spotted at Mumbai beaches?
- The phenomenon is called ‘blue tide’, and appears when luminescent marine life make the sea appear a deep shade of blue. The spectacle occurs when phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), commonly known as dinoflagellates, produce light through chemical reactions in proteins, said researchers.
What is Bioluminescence?
- Bioluminescence is the property of a living organism to produce and emit light.Luminescence is generally higher in deep-living and planktonic organisms than in shallow species.
- It is found in many marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish and sharks.
- Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria show bioluminescence. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
Are bioluminescent waves common in India?
- Bioluminescence has been an annual occurrence along the west coast since 2016 during the months of November and December.
- Bioluminescence is not common in Indiabut there are several tourist places across the world which is famous for the phenomenon.Hence statement 2 is correct
Impact of Blue Tide
- While smaller blooms may be harmless, slow-moving larger blooms may have an impact on deep-sea fishing.
- The occurrence of Blue Tides is an indicator of climate change.
- The factors such as the pattern of the wind and the temperature of the ocean also determine the occurrence of bioluminescent waves.
- It is an ecological indicator of degraded water quality.
- The experts argued that bioluminescence could have been caused by heavy rain, fertilizers run off, discharge of sewage into the ocean.
Consider the following statements regarding the Bru community
- It is a community indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura, Mizoram and parts of southern Assam.
- They are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tripura.
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:Explained: Why have the protests against Bru resettlement in Tripura flared up now?
- Parts of North Tripura have witnessed violent protests recently over the proposed resettlement of Brutribals.
- In 1997, 37,000 people of the Bru (or Reang) tribe fled to Tripura from Mizoram due to ethnic clashes there.
- Since then, 5,000 have returned to Mizoram while 32,000 remain in camps in Tripura.
- In January 2020, an agreement was signed by the Central Govt., the two state governmentsand Bru representatives to allow the remaining 32,000 to permanently settle in the state.
- This led to protests from Bengali and Mizo groups in Tripura.
- They claim that settling thousands of migrants permanently North Tripura would lead to demographic imbalance, exert pressure on local resources and potentially lead to law and order problems.
About Bru community:
- The Bru is a community indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura, Mizoram (Kolasib, Lunglei and Mamit districts) and parts of southern Assam. Hence statement 1 is correct
- They are ethnically distinct from the Mizos and Kukis, who share close linguistic and cultural ties.
- In Tripura, the Brus are known as Reangs (most populous tribe after the Tripuris).
- In Mizoram they are known as Tuikuk.
- They are recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tripura. Hence statement 2 is correct
- As of 2011 Census, the Bru population is 2 lakhs.
- In Mizoram, they were targeted by ethnic organisations who demanded that the Brus be excluded from electoral rolls.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tripura-bru-migrants-settlement-protest-7061521/
Consider the following statements regarding the GarimaGreh
- It is inaugurated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- It aims to set up shelter homes for transgender persons who have been forced to leave their homes or abandoned by the family.
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:Shri ThaawarchandGehlot E-Launches ‘National Portal for Transgender Persons’ and E-Inaugurates GarimaGreh: A Shelter Home for Transgender Persons in Gujarat
- ‘GarimaGreh: A Shelter Home for Transgender Persons’ e-inaugurated today in Vadodara, Gujarat will be run in association with Lakshya Trust, a Community based organisation entirely run by the Transgenders. The purpose of the Shelter Home is to provide shelter to Transgender persons, with basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and recreational facilities. Besides, it will provide support for the capacity-building/skill development of persons in the Community, which will enable them to lead a life of dignity and respect.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Inaugurated by: Ministry for Social Justice & Empowerment. Hence statement 1 is correct
- By March 31st, 2021, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Kolkata, Jaipur, Raipur, Bhubaneswar and Manipur will also have such homes to be called “GarimaGreh” with a capacity for 25 persons.
- They will be run by transgender community-led organisations.
- These shelters will also provide skill training to connect the community members with livelihood opportunities.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1675629
Step up for TB 2020 report which is published by
- World Health Organization
- Doctors without Borders
- World Medical Association
- International Medical Corps
Answer: b) Doctors without borders
Explanation:
In NEWS: Amid global call to step up TB treatment, experts flag India’s ‘conservative approach’
- The “Step Up for TB 2020” report by the Stop TB Partnership and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has highlighted India’s conservative approach regarding the new medicines for Drug Resistant TB, putting lives of patients including children in danger. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
- The current Pandemic has further aggravated the sufferings of TB patients in the country in terms of disease diagnosis, surveillance and treatment.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amid-global-call-to-step-up-tb-treatment-experts-flag-indias-conservative-approach-7053992/
Consider the following statements regarding Asia Pacific Economic cooperation (APEC)
- The APEC is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific
- It aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
- India is also one of the member of the APEC
Which of the statement(s) is/are correct?
- 1 and 3only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: In APEC speech, Xi touts China’s economy as base of free trade
- The APEC is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- India is not a member of the APEC. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
- India had requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join as India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-apec-speech-xi-touts-chinas-economy-as-base-of-free-trade/article33134975.ece
Consider the following statements
- The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is responsible for identifying and nominating body forUNESCO’s Global geoparks.
- India does not have any geoparks in this list.
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: Saving the precious geo-heritage sites of Visakhapatnam
- The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is making efforts to get recognition of a geopark for Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) consisting of ErraMattiDibbalu (red sand dunes), natural rock formations, Borra Caves and volcanic ash deposits. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- While there are 161 UNESCO Global geoparks spread across 44 countries, India is yet to have one of its own. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/saving-the-precious-geo-heritage-sites-of-visakhapatnam/article33117808.ece
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct
- There is no specific law against fake news in India.
- Free publication of news flows from Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteeing Freedom of Speech.
- Press council of India is a regulatory body for dealing with violation of journalistic ethics.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: What mechanism do you have against fake news, Supreme Court asks Centre
- There is no specific law against fake news in India. Free publication of news flows from Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteeing Freedom of Speech. Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is correct.
- Press Council of India: It is a regulatory body which can warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist if it finds that a newspaper or a news agency has violated journalistic ethics.Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to provide information on the existing legal mechanisms to deal with complaints about the content on television channels.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-mechanism-do-you-have-against-fake-news-sc-asks-centre/article33119647.ece?homepage=true
Which of the following is correct regarding the Registrar General of India (RGI)?
- Registrar General of India was founded in 1961 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It arranges, conducts and analyses the results of the demographic surveys of India including Census of India and Linguistic Survey of India.
- The position of Registrar is usually held by a civil servant holding the rank of Joint Secretary.
- All the above statements are correct.
Answer: (d) All the above statements are correct.
Explanation:
In News: Arunachal records best sex ratio, Manipur the worst
- Registrar General of India was founded in 1961 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It arranges, conducts and analyses the results of the demographic surveys of India including Census of India and Linguistic Survey of India.
- The position of Registrar is usually held by a civil servant holding the rank of Joint Secretary.
- Civil Registration System (CRS) in India is the unified process of continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the vital events (births, deaths, stillbirths) and characteristics thereof. The data generated through a complete and up-to-date CRS is essential for socio-economic planning. Hence all the above statements are correct.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arunachal-records-best-sex-ratio-manipur-the-worst/article33102441.ece
Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporate protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Right to Equality
Answer: (d) Right to Equality
Explanation:
Right to Equality (Article 14 -18) protects the citizens against any discrimination by the State on the basis of religion, caste, race, sex, or place of birth. Article 14 says that all citizens enjoy equal privileges and opportunities. Article 15 provides that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 16 says that no citizen can be discriminated against or be ineligible for any employment or office under the State on grounds of only religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. Article 17 abolishes ‘untouchability’ and forbids its practise in any form. Article 18 abolishes all titles national or foreign which create artificial distinctions in social status amongst the people.Hence option (d) is correct
