With reference to Five Eyes network, which of the following statement is correct?
- It is a movement that developed in the 1990s in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.
- It is group of countries to respond against the increasing threats by China and North Korea.
- It is a South American trade bloc
- It is a group of countries committed to the promotion, enhancement, and strict enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Answer: b) It is group of countries to respond against the increasing threats by China and North Korea.
Explanation:
In NEWS: Japan to join ‘Five Eyes’ to check China’s clampdown on Uyghurs
- Five Eyes is a network of five nations — Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US who collaborated to better respond to increasing threats by North Korea and China. Japan is on its way to become the ‘sixth eye’.
- Amid calls within the Japanese government to join the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing alliance, it provided key inputs to the US and the UK regarding Chinese clampdown on Uyghurs
About Five Eyes
- The Five Eyes network collaborated to respond against the increasing threats by China and North Korea. Hence option (b) is correct
- The Five Eyes countries are parties to multilateral UK-USA Agreement. It was a treaty of joint cooperation in signals intelligence.
- It is an intelligence alliance. The origins of Five Eyes alliance can be tracked to the Atlantic Charter that was issued in August 1941. It laid out the goals for the post-war world.
- The United States has sought to add three democratic countries India, South Korea and Japan in Five Eyes Network. According to the US, their intelligence shall be used for both economic and strategic purposes.
Consider the following statements regarding Blue Flag Certification
- It is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label
- It is awarded by a Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental 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: International Blue Flag hoisted at 8 beaches across the Country.
- Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar today virtually hoisted the international blue flags in 8 beaches across the country
- Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria.
- The beaches where the International Blue Flags were hoisted are: Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).The Flags were also simultaneously hoisted on these beaches physically by state ministers and senior officials of the respective state and Union territories.
About Blue Flag Certification:
- The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. Hence statement 1 is correct
- A ‘Blue Flag’ beach provides hygienic and clean bathing water, basic infrastructure to tourists and sustainable development in the area.
- The certification is awarded by a Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which sets stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria that applicants must meet and maintain. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.
- Chandrabhaga beach located on the Konark coast of Odisha was the first beach in the country to receive ‘Blue Flag Certification’.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=217819
Consider the following statements regarding Pneumococcal disease
- It is an infection caused by the virus
- It is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with respiratory secretions
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: Explained: What is Pneumosil, India’s first indigenously created vaccine against pneumococcal disease?
- Pneumococcal disease is a significant contributor under-five mortality rate worldwide.
- Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) unveiled India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine
- Pneumococcal disease is a significant contributor under-five mortality rate worldwide. In view of its widespread fatality, the World Health Organization in 2018 recommended the inclusion of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in routine childhood immunisation programmes in all countries.
- The vaccine, Pneumosil, is indigenously developed by Serum Institute of India, Pune.
- The vaccine targets the pneumococcal bacterium.
About Pneumococcal disease
- Pneumococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. There are vaccines to help prevent pneumococcal disease. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and middle ear infections in young children.
- Pneumococcal bacteria spread from person-to-person by direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Symptoms: Fever and chills, Cough, Rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing and Chest pain
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pneumosil-vaccine-pneumococcal-disease-7124129/
Consider the following statements
- Giant Rock Bee Honey is a unique variant of Honey Sourced from Malayali Tribes
- Malayali is a tribal group from the Eastern Ghats in North Tamil Nadu
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:
- More than 35 new, attractive, immunity-boosting tribal products are added in Tribes India outlets and website in the 8th edition of “From Our Home to your Home”’ campaign.
- All new products introduced, are available in 125 Tribes India outlets, Tribes India mobile vans and on online platforms such as the Tribes India E-marketplace (tribesindia.com).
- The campaign had been launched by Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation (TRIFED) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Tribes India e-marketplace is India’s largest handicraft and organic products marketplace which aims to connect 5 lakh tribal enterprises to national and international markets.
- It showcases tribal produce and handicrafts, making them accessible to customers across the country.
- Giant Rock Bee Honey is a unique variant of Honey Sourced from Malayali Tribes of Tamil Nadu. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Malayali is a tribal group from the Eastern Ghats in North Tamil Nadu. With a population of around 3,58,000 people, they are the largest Scheduled tribes in that region. Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684099
Consider the following statements
- The Kisan Rail train carries vegetables as well as fruits.
- The loading and unloading of perishable commodities will be permitted at all en route stoppages and no minimum or maximum size of consignment.
- The government has extended a subsidy of 50 per cent on transportation of fruits and vegetables.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
In News: Kisan Rail carried 27,000 tonnes, Devlali-Danapur most popular route
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the 100th Kisan Rail train, which is also plying between Devlali and Danapur — a popular offering which has now been extended to run between Sangola to Muzaffarpur and has carried over 15,450 tonnes of produce.
- The Kisan Rail train carries vegetables such as cauliflower, capsicum, cabbage, drumsticks, chillies, onion, etc, as well as fruits like grapes, oranges, pomegranate, banana, custard apple. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The loading and unloading of perishable commodities will be permitted at all en route stoppages and no minimum or maximum size of consignment. The government has extended a subsidy of 50 per cent on transportation of fruits and vegetables. Hence statement 2 and statement 3 is correct.
- The multi-commodity train service has been popular as it also carries relatively small quantities of produce brought in by small, individual farmers.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kisan-rail-carried-27000-tonnes-devlali-danapur-most-popular-route-7123947/
The act is called “Preventing Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” has been passed recently in which of the following country?
- Iran
- Israel
- North Korea
- Turkey
Answer: d) Turkey
Explanation:
In NEWS: Turkey’s controversial law that will tighten monitoring of civil society
- The Turkish parliament passed a bill that would increase the monitoring of civil society groups. The act is called “Preventing Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction”. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
- The Bill has come following the 2019 report on Turkey prepared by the intergovernmental body Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meant to fight money laundering and terror financing.
- The bill consists of 43 articles and has made changes to seven laws on Turkey’s Law of Associations and is meant to keep Turkey from being blacklisted by the Paris-based watchdog of terror financing.
- The Bill gives the Turkish government the power to appoint trustees to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to suspend their activities, seize their assets and monitor their sources of funding.
Consider the following Statements
- The Monetary Policy Report is published by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI.
- “Measuring Trend Inflation in India” report released by RBI which specifies that maintaining the inflation target at 4% is appropriate for India
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor2
Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Flexible inflation targeting: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, say RBI officials
- The Monetary Policy Report is published by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI. hence statement 1 is correct.
- Maintaining the inflation target at 4% is appropriate for India, according to a working paper titled “Measuring Trend Inflation in India” released by RBI. hence statement 2 is correct.
- The paper seeks to estimate trend inflation in India to find the answer to a question that goes to the root of flexible inflation targeting (FIT) – is the choice of the target for inflation consistent with its trend?
- The 4% target for inflation — with an upper tolerance limit of 6% and a lower limit of 2% — was set by the Centre in consultation with the RBI in 2016 and its validity expires on March 31, 2021.
- The paper finds a steady decline in trend inflation to 4.1- 4.3% since 2014.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/flexible-inflation-targeting-if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it-say-rbi-officials/article33438744.ece
Consider the following statements regarding Ruthenium 106
- It is a radioactive form of the rare heavy metal ruthenium, which is a “platinum group” metal similar to platinum.
- It is produced from the fission or splitting of uranium-235.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed Eye Cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 Plaque for treatment of Ocular Tumours.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: In a first, BARC-developed plaque therapy successfully used on eye cancer patients in AIIMS
- Ruthenium-106 is a radioactive form of the rare heavy metal ruthenium, which is a “platinum group” metal similar to platinum. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Ruthenium-106 is produced from the fission or splitting of uranium-235, the type of uranium used in nuclear fission reactors, so it’s found in spent nuclear fuel. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai has developed Eye Cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 Plaque for treatment of Ocular Tumours. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The handling of plaque is very convenient for the Surgeon and it has been acknowledged to be at par with the international standards.
- So far the BARC plaques made in India through the Department of Atomic Energy have been used for seven cases for Ocular Cancer.
- Ocular tumours are tumours inside the eye. They are collections of cells that grow and multiply abnormally and form masses.
Source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-a-first-barc-developed-plaque-therapy-successfully-used-on-eye-cancer-patients-in-aiims-says-minister/articleshow/80017862.cms
Consider the following statements
- Digital Ocean is a first of its kind digital platform for Ocean Data Management.
- It includes a set of applications developed to organize and present heterogeneous oceanographic data by adopting rapid advancements in geospatial technology.
- Union Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated the web-based application “Digital Ocean ” developed by INCOIS of M/o Earth sciences.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Ladakh’s Startsapuk Tso, Tso Kar lake complex added to list of Ramsar site
- Union Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated the web-based application “Digital Ocean (www.do.incois.gov.in)” developed by INCOIS of M/o Earth sciences. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Digital Ocean is a first of its kind digital platform for Ocean Data Management. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It includes a set of applications developed to organize and present heterogeneous oceanographic data by adopting rapid advancements in geospatial technology. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- It facilitates an online interactive web-based environment for data integration, 3D and 4D data visualization, data analysis to assess the evolution of oceanographic features, data fusion and multi-format download of disparate data from multiple sources
- ‘Digital Ocean’ will help to share knowledge about the ocean with a wide range of users including research institutions, operational agencies, strategic users, academic community, maritime industry and policy makers. Digital Ocean also provides free access to information to the general public and the common man.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/incois-launches-digital-ocean/article33446201.ece
If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there ?
- Oak
- Rhododendron
- Sandalwood
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
- Sandalwood trees are found in foothills of Himalayas. (NCERT)The Moist deciduous forests are more pronounced in the regions which record rainfall between 100-200 cm. These forests are found in the northeastern states along the foothills of Himalayas, eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and Orissa. Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc. are the main species of these forests. Hence option (d) is correct
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