UPSC 2023: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz Apr 08 - Apr 14

• Operation Raahat was an operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Yemen during the 2015 military intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies in that country during the Yemeni Crisis. Hence pair 1 is correct
• Operation Maitri (Operation Amity) was a rescue and relief operation in Nepal by the government of India and Indian armed forces in the aftermath of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. Hence pair 2 is correct
• Operation Safe Homecoming was an operation launched by the Indian government in 2011, to evacuate its citizens who were fleeing from the Libyan Civil War. The air-sea operation was conducted by the Indian Navy and Air India. Hence pair 3 is not correct
• Operation Sukoon: It was an operation launched by the Indian Navy to evacuate Indian, Sri Lankan and Nepalese nationals, as well as Lebanese nationals with Indian spouses, from the conflict zone during the 2006 Lebanon War. Hence pair 4 is correct

• IAEA’s origins can be traced back to an address of former US President Dwight Eisenhower to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1953.
• The IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
• The address was known as ‘Atoms for Peace’ and this was the organization’s first name when it was formally established in 1957. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
• It is not a specialized agency of the United Nations. Hence Statement 3 is not correct.

• Some of the literary works of Aurobindo are as follows: –
  • Bases of Yoga
  • Bhagavad Gita and Its Message
  • The Future Evolution of Mant
  • Rebirth and Karma
  • Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol
  • Hour of God
• The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, covering his life from early childhood through to 1921. Hence Statement 4 is not correct

• Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.
• This is a unique process compared to the process of producing gray and blue hydrogen.
• Hence option B is correct.

• Munda Rebellion is one of the prominent 19th century tribal rebellions in the subcontinent.
• Birsa Munda led this movement in the region south of Ranchi in 1899-1900.
• The ulgulan, meaning ‘Great Tumult’, sought to establish Munda Raj and independence. Therefore, the correct answer is (d).

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental organization established to set standards measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• It was formed in 1989 by the G7 Summit which was held in Paris. Hence Statement 1 is not correct 
• The FATF is really a policy-making body that works with governments to bring about national legislation and regulatory reforms in these areas. Hence Statement 2 is correct 
• The FATF currently comprises 37 member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations, representing most major financial centres in all parts of the globe. Hence Statement 3 is correct 

• Leatherback turtles  are the largest sea turtle species and also one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Hence Statement 1 is not correct 
• The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) is a species of riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia. It is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and considered extinct in much of its former range. Hence Statement 2 is correct 

• Glycocalyx is a highly charged layer of membrane-bound biological macromolecules attached to a cell membrane. This layer functions as a barrier between a cell and its surrounding.
• The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-enriched coating that covers the outside of many eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells, particularly bacteria .
•  The presence of a glycocalyx increases the effective diameter of a bacterium and also covers up components of the bacterium that the immune system would detect and be stimulated by. It also helps the pathogen to evade the immune system.
• Hence Option C is correct

• The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. It features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. Hence Pair 1 is correct
• The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol. The Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter that is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.  Hence Pair 2 is not correct
• The Mi-35M is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It is an export variant of the Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Hence Pair 3 is correct
• The ALH (Dhruv) (“Pole Star”) is a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Military versions inducted into the ARMY are for transport, utility, reconnaissance and Casualty -Evacuation roles. Hence Pair 4 is not correct

• The rising pressure on prices that accompanies a supply shortage, which economists define as “too many dollars chasing too few things,” is known as demand-pull inflation.
• Expansionary policies: Money in the market rises when the government spends more freely. Demand for goods rises resulting in demand-pull inflation.
• Fiscal Stimulus: Also raises the amount of money in circulation, which stimulates demand for products and fuels demand-pull inflation.
• Higher Purchasing Power: Consumers who make more money are more confident and spend more. As a result, there is an increase in demand, hence inflation is caused by consumer demand
• Wages that are inflation-indexed and interest rates that are growing do not raise or produce demand-pull inflation.
• Hence Option A is correct

• The National Waterways Act came into effect in 2016.
• It proposed 106 additional National Waterways and merged 5 existing Acts which were declared the 5 National Waterways.
• As a result, 106 new waterways were identified by IWAI and intimated to MoS.

Operational National Waterways in India for UPSC

• Hence Option C is correct.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):

• The Central Industrial Security Force came into existence in 1969 to provide integrated security cover to certain sensitive public sector undertakings with a strength of only three battalions.
• The CISF security umbrella includes India’s most critical infrastructure facilities like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, Private corporate establishments, power plants etc.
• In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments and the Delhi Metro.
• Hence Option D is correct.

• HANSA-New Generation is designed and developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL).
• It is one of the most advanced flying trainers designed to meet the need of flying clubs in India for trainer aircraft.
• It is an ideal aircraft for commercial pilot licensing due to its low cost and low fuel
• Hence all the statements are incorrect.

• Mariupol is a city of regional significance in south eastern Ukraine, situated on the north coast of the Sea of Azov at the mouth of the Kalmius river, in the Pryazovia region.
• It is the tenth-largest city in Ukraine, and the second largest in Donetsk Oblast.
• Hence Option D is correct.

• Since 2000, the Laureus World Sports Awards have included a number of accolades given by the Academy at their discretion.
• The American golfer was the first winner of this award. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• The award was received mostly by ‘Tennis players’ (11 awards) where ‘Formula one’ and ‘athletes’ have won four. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• Roger Federer received this award the maximum number of times (5 times) compared to others. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Labour and Employment in February 2019.
• To be eligible under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan, the candidate should fulfil the below-mentioned criteria:
  • He/she should have a monthly income of Rs. 15,000 or below. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
  • He/she should be an unorganized worker (UW) aged between 18 years to 40 years. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
  • He/she should possess an Aadhar card along with a Savings Bank Account/Jan Dhan account number with IFSC.
• Any individual who is engaged in the Organised Sector (membership of EPF/NPS/ESIC) will not be eligible to apply for the PM-SYM Scheme. Hence Statement 3 is correct.
• Any individual who is an income taxpayer will not be eligible to apply for the PM-SYM Scheme. Hence Statement 4 is not correct.

• Equalization levy is an extremely vital tax system that enables enterprises to regulate their business models following the existing conventions.
• Equalization levy is aimed at taxing foreign companies which have a significant local client base in India but are billing them through their offshore units, effectively escaping the country’s tax system. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
• According to this upgraded form of EL, any non-resident digital operator who is providing e-commerce services is liable to be taxed at the rate of 2 per cent.
• The payment should be made to a non-resident service provider; the annual payment which is made to a service provider should be more than 1 Lakh (Not 10 Lakh) in one financial year. Hence Statement 2 is not correct.
• India’s Finance Act 2020 (FA 2020) expanded the scope of the digital tax levy known as the Equalization Levy (EL) to cover “e-commerce supplies or services.” With effect from 1 April 2020, EL is chargeable at the rate of 2% on consideration received or receivable by nonresidents who operate digital businesses targeting, among others, the Indian market. Hence Statement 3 is correct.

• Voting in Rajya Sabha is done by a single transferable vote, as the election is held on the principle of proportional representation. In other words, a bloc of MPs belonging to one or more parties can elect a member of their choice if they have the requisite numbers. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
• In total eight members are elected to Rajya Sabha from the Union territories (3 from Delhi, 1 from Puducherry and 4 from Jammu & Kashmir). Other Union territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
• The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for the allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha. The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State. All states have at least some representation in the Rajya Sabha. Hence Statement 3 is correct.

Stagflation refers to an economy that is experiencing a simultaneous increase in inflation and stagnation of economic output. Stagflation was first recognized during the 1970s when many developed economies experienced rapid inflation and high unemployment as a result of an oil shock. The prevailing economic theory at the time could not easily explain how stagflation could occur. Hence Option ‘a’ is correct.

Only statements 1 and 2 are correct. Hence Option ‘a’ is correct.

• Commercial open mining is not practised in the North-Eastern regions of Assam and Meghalaya because of the terrain’s unsuitability as well as the nature of coal deposits. The coal found in North-East contains lots of sulphur and this type of coal is categorized as bad quality of coal. Here, rat hole mining is prevalent. A rat-hole mine involves digging of very small tunnels, usually only 3-4 feet deep, in which workers, more often children, enter and extract coal.
• Since the coal seam is extremely thin in Meghalaya, no other method would be economically viable in such areas.
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014, and retained the ban in 2015, on grounds of it being unscientific and unsafe for workers.

The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) was signed in 2015 at the BBIN transport ministers meeting in Thimpu, Bhutan to ensure the free flow of goods and people between them.
The agreement would permit the member states to ply their vehicles in each other’s territory for transportation of cargo and passengers. Cargo vehicles will be able to enter any of the four nations without the need for trans-shipment of goods from one country’s truck to another’s at the border.
Notably, each vehicle would require an electronic permit to enter another country’s territory, and border security arrangements between nations’ borders would also remain.
Though the original BBIN MVA was signed by all four countries, after objections in Bhutan over sustainability and environmental concerns, the Bhutanese Parliament decided not to endorse the plan.

Under the new Income Tax Rules, giving the father’s name is optional but only for those with single mothers.
Indian laws accord superiority to the father in case of guardianship of a minor. This is observed in the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, (HMGA) 1956, as well as the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. Both these acts recognize the father as the natural guardian of the child even as they provide the custody of a young child to a mother.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023.

• G20 is an international forum for global economic cooperation.
• It has 20 members, and these countries are as follows:
  • Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union.

• Sarlamkai is a dance form originating from the Pawi and Mara communities in the southern part of Mizoram. In older days when the different tribes were constantly at war with each other, a ceremony to deride the vanquished beheaded skull of the enemy was usually held by the victor.
• Chheihlam is a dance that embodies the spirit of joy and exhilaration. It is performed to the accompaniment of a song called ‘Chheih hla’. People squat around in a circle on the floor, sing to the beat of a drum or bamboo tube while a pair of dancers stand in the middle, recite the song and dance along with the music.
• Cheraw is a very old traditional dance of the Mizos. It is believed that the dance had already existed way back in the 1st Century A.D., while the Mizos were still somewhere in the Yunan Province of China, before their migration into the Chin Hills in the 13th Century A.D., and eventually to the present Mizoram. In this dance form, men sitting face to face on the ground tap long pairs of horizontal and cross bamboo staves open and close in rhythmic beats. Girls in colourful Mizo costumes of ‘Puanchei’, ‘Kawrchei’, Vakiria’ and ‘Thihna’ dance in and out between the beats of bamboo. This dance is now performed on almost all festive occasions.

• The National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF) is India’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund (SWF). The state-owned fund was set up by the Indian Government in the year 2015.
• It is meant to be a collaborative investment platform for international and Indian investors.
• The primary goal of setting up NIIF was to optimise the economic impact largely through investing in infrastructure-related projects.
• NIIF Limited manages over USD 4.5 billion of equity capital commitments across its three funds – Master Fund, Fund of Funds and Strategic Opportunities Fund, each with its distinct investment strategy. NIIF Master Fund primarily invests in operating assets in core infrastructure sectors such as transportation and energy. NIIF Fund of Funds invests in funds managed by best-in-class fund managers focused on some of the most dynamic sectors in India such as climate infrastructure, middle-income & affordable housing, digital consumer platforms and other allied sectors. NIIF Strategic Opportunities Fund is a Private Equity fund that aims to build scalable businesses across a range of opportunity long but capital short sectors.

• Mount Merapi is an active stratovolcano located in Indonesia.

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it means that a license is required to cultivate that plant.