UPSC 2021: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz Aug 28 - Sep 03

Only statement 1 is correct. It is released by Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in the commercial real estate industry. India ranked 2nd in the 2021 Index and has overtaken the United States as the global manufacturing destination. Read more on the Global Manufacturing Risk Index.

World Economic Forum, read more on the Great Reset.

The scheme is funded in the ratio of 60:40 by the Central and State Governments respectively. For NE and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10. Read more on the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana in the linked article.

Both are correct. Read more on the Bhaja Caves in the link.

All three are correct about the rise of Buddhism.

Statement 3 is incorrect. It was held in Rajagriha.

Both are correct. Read more on Lok Adalats.

It is an initiative to facilitate multi-mode access to digital/online teaching-learning contents of various types among students and teachers. Know more about PM eVidya Scheme.

All the statements about the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) are correct.

India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

1 and 2 only are correct. The right to be left alone and the right to be forgotten are components of the right to privacy. The right to silence/freedom of silence is a legal principle that guarantees any individual the right to refuse to answer questions from law enforcement officers or court officials. This can be the right to avoid self-incrimination or the right to remain silent when questioned. Art 20(3) of the Indian Constitution provides the right against self-incrimination. It gives the accused the right to remain silent even during interrogation.

All the statements are correct. The world-famous Sambhar Salt Lake is located in the state of Rajasthan about 80 km southwest of Jaipur. The Sambhar Lake is the country’s largest inland saline water body. It is surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides. Sambhar Lake is a wetland of ‘international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention. The lake is known for being a habitat for a large number of migratory species during the winter season. It includes species like flamingoes, pelicans and waterfowls among others.

Statement 1 only is correct. The Universal Postal Union is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector’s primary forum for international cooperation.
It was established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874. UPU’s headquarters is located in Bern, Switzerland. The International Telecommunication Union (founded in 1865) is the first and oldest international organization—being established employing a treaty, and creating a permanent secretariat, with global membership.

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.

• With a view to providing an impetus to the drone industry in India, the government has tried to simplify provisions related to drone manufacturing and operation in India. The recently published Drone Rules, 2021 introduces the following changes with the aim of facilitating a business-friendly regulatory regime.
  • The total number of forms that were to be filled has been reduced.
  • The need for a security clearance prior to issuance of a registration or licence has been done away with.
  • Foreign ownership of Indian drone related firms has been allowed.

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.

• On November 1, 1858, Lord Canning announced Queen Victoria’s proclamation to “the Princes, Chiefs and Peoples of India,” which unveiled the future policy of the British Rule in India.
• It announced that the queen had assumed the government of India and henceforth the Indian administration would be under the British crown.
  • In the wake of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the British government effectively abolished the East India Company in 1858.
• It announced perpetual support for “native princes” and promised no further intention to annex Indian States. It also claimed non-intervention in matters of religious belief or worship within British India.

Only 1 and 2 are correct.

• The Union Ministry of Labour has launched the National Database of Unorganised workers (E-Shram) portal.
• The E-Shram portal will maintain a database of workers in the country’s unorganised sector.
• Unorganised workers, BOCW Workers, SHG members, domestic workers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, street vendors, rickshaw-pullers, brick-kiln workers, agricultural labourers, MGNREGA workers, fishermen, shopkeepers and small retailers can register on the website.
• The new E-Shram portal will help in accessing social security schemes available for the unorganised workers.
• The workers who register on the portal will get an e-SHRAM card which will have a 12 digit unique number. This card is aimed at the integration of the Centre’s social security schemes. The Universal Account Number on the e-Shram card will be acceptable across the country.

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.

• National Clean Air Programme is a nationwide programme executed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• It aims to achieve a national-level target of 20-30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024.
• 2017 is the base year for the National Clean Air Programme.

All the statements are correct. Read more on the Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) in the link.

2 and 3 only are correct.

• Peacock Island is located in the middle of the river Brahmaputra, flowing through the city of Guwahati in Assam.
• It is the world’s smallest inhabited river island.
• It houses the Umananda temple and is also known as Umananda Island.

None of the statements is incorrect.

• Odisha’s Bonda tribe are classified as one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• They speak the Remo language, one of the Mundari group of languages spoken by the Munda people.

All the statements are correct.

Statement 3 is incorrect.

• Trafficking in Human Beings or Persons is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (1).
• India has ratified the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
• In May 2011, the Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its three protocols.

Statement 1 is only correct.

• The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President of India under Article 76.
• The AGI has the right of audience in all Courts in India as well as the right to participate in the proceedings of the Parliament, though not to vote.
• The Attorney-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President, and shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine.

Read more on the Attorney-General of India.

All the statements are correct.

All the above are correct.

• The Ministry of Rural Development commenced the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, in rural areas and in urban areas it was carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
• Its objectives were:
  • To enable households to be ranked based on their Socio-Economic status.
  • To make available authentic information that will enable caste-wise population enumeration of the country.
  • To make available authentic information regarding the socio-economic condition, and education status of various castes and sections of the population.

Only 2 and 3 are correct. Read more on the Malabar Exercise in the link.

1, 2 and 4 only are correct.

• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was concluded on 5th March 1931 and is also known as the Delhi Pact.
• Solution by Viceroy Irwin – proposed Congress to suspend civil disobedience movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference.
• It included the withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Gandhiji demanded the release of political prisoners not convicted of violence from jails.

Statement 2 is only correct.

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act views drug offences very seriously and penalties are stiff. The quantum of sentence and fine varies with the offence. For many offences, the penalty depends on the quantity of drugs involved – small quantity, more than small but less than commercial quantity or commercial quantity of drugs. Small and Commercial quantities are notified for each drug.
• Power to add to or omit from the list of psychotropic substances is available only with the Central Government.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Madur mats are unique to West Bengal.

1 only is correct.

• Cirque is an erosional landform formed by the action of glaciers. Cirques are bowl-shaped depressions that glaciers carve into mountains and valley sidewalls at high elevations.
• Eskers and moraines are depositional landforms created by glacial action.
  • Eskers are ridges made of sands and gravels, deposited by glacial meltwater flowing through tunnels within and underneath glaciers, or through meltwater channels on top of glaciers.
  • Moraines are accumulations of dirt and rocks that have fallen onto the glacier surface or have been pushed along by the glacier as it moves. The dirt and rocks composing moraines can range in size from powdery silt to large rocks and boulders.