UPSC 2023: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz May 06 - May 12

• Statement 1 is correct, The U.S. surpassed China to become India’s top trading partner in 2021-22
  • Bilateral trade between the U.S. and India reached $119.42 compared to $115.42 between China and India.
• Statement 2 is correct, Exports to the U.S. stand at $76.11 billion in 2021-22 compared to imports from the US which accounts for $43.31 billion.
• Hence, India enjoys a positive trade balance with the U.S.

• e-Shram portal is the first-ever national database of unorganised workers that includes migrant workers, construction workers, gig and platform workers, etc.
• The portal is used for enrolment, registration, collection and identification of the required data of all the unorganised workers.

• Nagorno- Karabakh is a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Kharkiv is a city in northeast Ukraine
• Khobani is a city in northern Syria
• None of the above are matched correctly, hence option d is correct.

• Statement 1 is not correct, the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha.
• Statement 2 is not correct, the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha according to the constitution is 250 and the current strength is 245
• Statement 3 is not correct, A member chosen to fill a casual vacancy in the Rajya Sabha will serve for the remainder of his predecessor’s term of office.

• Statement 1 is correct, PVTGs resided in 18 states and one Union Territory
• Statement 2 is correct, The criteria for determination of PVTGs are:
  • A pre-agriculture level of technology
  • A stagnant or declining population
  • Extremely low literacy
  • A subsistence level of the economy
• Statement 3 is not correct, There are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.
• Statement 4 is correct, the Irular tribe of Tamil Nadu and Konda Reddi tribe of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are included in the list of PVTGs.

Recently CSIR-NIScPR has undertaken a major initiative for the dissemination of CSIR technologies for creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas in the wake of the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, a farmer-industry-scientist meet was organized to disseminate the Kisan Sabha App and Gur Bhatti Technology to the farmers.

• As of November 2020, under ranking by the number of supercomputer systems, India is ranked 63rd in the world.

• Ten Pacific Island nations have rebuffed China’s push for a wide-ranging regional security pact. This marks a diplomatic setback for China which has been trying to assert its presence in the South Pacific, directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region.
• China had offered to train Pacific Island police, and collaborate in the areas of cybersecurity and marine mapping along with the expansion of political ties. China had also offered millions of dollars in financial aid apart from proposals for a free trade agreement. However, Pacific leaders have serious misgivings about the offer and fear interference of China in their internal affairs and Chinese economic control.
• China has a security agreement with the Solomon Islands and a diplomatic relations agreement with Somoa.

National AI Portal was launched in 2020.

• Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical molecules that consist of rolled-up sheets of single-layered carbon atoms (graphene). They find a lot of applications in the field of medical technology.
• Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.

• The Eight Core Industries include Natural Gas, Coal, Refinery Products, Crude Oil, Cement, Electricity, Steel, and Fertilizers. These industries are termed as the core industries owing to their strong impact on the general economic activities and the other industrial activities.
• These industries comprise a total of 40.27% of the total weight of the overall items that are included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The Index of Eight Core Industries’ highest weight is currently possessed by the Refinery Products Industry. Earlier the highest weightage was given to the Electricity Industry.
• In the decreasing order of the weightage of these industries, the list is stated as below:
  • Refinery Products Industry
  • Electricity Industry
  • Steel Industry
  • Coal Industry
  • Crude Oil Industry
  • Natural Gas Industry
  • Cement Industry
  • Fertilizers Industry

• India scaled its highest ever exports tally at US$ 44.4 Bn in Textiles and Apparel (T&A) including Handicrafts in FY 2021-22.
• USA was the top export destination accounting for 27% share, followed by the EU (18%), Bangladesh (12%) and UAE (6%).
• In terms of product categories, the export of cotton Textiles was US$ 17.2 Bn with a 39% share. Man-made textiles export was US$ 6.3 Bn with 14% share.
• Export of  Ready-Made Garments was US$ 16 Bn with 36% share.

• The Amrit Mahal is a breed of cattle that originated from the erstwhile state of Mysore in Karnataka, India. They originated from the Hallikar. They are notable for their great endurance and speed.
• Ongole cattle is an indigenous cattle breed that originates from the Prakasam District in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The breed possesses resistance to both foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease.
• Malenadu Gidda is a dwarf breed of cattle native to the hilly, rainy and densely forested Malenadu region of the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka in India. They are of short stature and known for their adaptability, and disease resistance. The milk and urine are of medicinal value.
• The Surti is a breed of water buffalo found in the Kaira and Vadodara districts of Gujarat. Its average milk yield is 1600-1800 litres. The fat content of the milk is about 8-10 percent.
• Beetal is a Goat breed found mainly in the state of Punjab. These breeds are grown mainly for the purpose of milk and meat.

• Goods and Services Tax was introduced in the country w.e.f. 1st July 2017 and States were assured compensation for loss of any revenue arising on account of implementation of GST as per the provisions of the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 for a period of five years. For providing compensation to States, Cess is being levied on certain goods and the amount of Cess collected is being credited to Compensation Fund.
• Bi-monthly GST compensation to States for the period 2017-18, 2018-19 was released on time out of the Compensation Fund. As the States’ protected revenue has been growing at 14% compounded growth whereas the Cess collection did not increase in the same proportion, COVID-19 further increased the gap between projected revenue and the actual revenue receipt including a reduction in cess collection.

• In the Lata Singh v/s state of Uttar Pradesh case, the Supreme Court viewed the right to marry as a component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
• Similar observations were made by the Supreme Court in the Hadiya case where it held that the right to marry a person of one’s choice is integral to Article 21 (right to life and liberty) of the Constitution.
• Article 21 states that no person shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law.
• Article 19 embodies basic freedoms.
• Article 25 is with respect to religious rights.
• Article 29 grants protection to both religious and linguistic minorities.

• Statement 1 is correct, The Samjhauta Express is a bi-weekly train that operated between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan.
  • Samjhauta in Hindi means “agreement” and “accord”.
• Statement 2 is correct, The Thar Express was an international passenger train that ran between Jodhpur in the Indian State of Rajasthan and Karachi Cantonment of Karachi in Pakistan.
• Statement 3 is not correct, The Maitree Express connects India with Bangladesh.

• ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ is a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

• Statement 1 is correct, The Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of IMF was set up to provide assistance to countries experiencing serious payment imbalances because of structural impediments or slow growth and an inherently weak balance-of-payments position.
  • EFF provides support for comprehensive programs including the policies needed to correct structural imbalances over an extended period.
• Statement 2 is correct, Amounts drawn under an EFF are to be repaid over 4½–10 years in 12 equal instalments every six months.
• Statement 3 is correct, Extended arrangements are generally approved for periods of three years, but may be approved for periods as long as 4 years to implement deep and sustained structural reforms.

• Statement 1 is correct, The members of the NGT hold the office for a term of five years and are not eligible for reappointment.
• Statement 2 is correct, The NGT is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of “natural justice”.
• Statement 3 is correct, The NGT is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.

• Statement 1 is not correct, According to Section 33(7) of The Representation of the People Act, a candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies (more constituencies were allowed until 1996 when the RPA was amended to set the cap at two constituencies).
• Statement 2 is correct, In 1991, Haryana deputy chief minister Devi Lal contested three Lok Sabha seats namely Sikar, Rohtak and Ferozepur, as well as the Ghirai assembly seat.
• Statement 3 is not correct, The costs of the by-elections in such cases are borne by the Election Commission Of India.

• Statement 1 is not correct, According to Section 28(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973, A Sessions Judge or Additional Sessions Judge may pass any sentence authorized by law, but any sentence of death passed by any Judge shall be subject to confirmation by the High Court.
  • The Court of a Magistrate of the first class can pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or of fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, or both. Hence a Judicial Magistrate of the first class cannot award a death sentence.
• Statement 2 is not correct, In 1962, the Law Commission, in its 35th report, had recommended the retention of the death penalty.
  • The 262nd Law Commission of India’s report on the death penalty has recommended the abolition of the death penalty for all offences except those related to terrorism.

• Statement 1 is correct, Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir is the only Hindustani Classical Music Gharana from Jammu and Kashmir.
• Statement 2 is correct, Santoor is a stringed instrument that has many variations all over the world and is popular in Hindustani classical music.

• Statement 1 is correct, Guru Arjan Dev built the Harmandar, which is popularly known as the Golden Temple.
• Statement 2 is correct,  Guru Arjan Dev became the founder of the major cities of Punjab such as Tarn Taran Sahib and Kartarpur.
• Statement 3 is not correct, Guru Arjan Dev was captured and executed by Mughal Emperor Jahangir because of his increasing influence among people and also the spread of Sikhism.

• Water molecule has a positive and negative pole due to the uneven distribution of electrons within it, called dipolar.
• This dipolar nature of water molecules helps it to dissolve other polar molecules (positive or negative) very easily.

Hence option a is correct.

• Statement 1 is correct, The Arya Samaj opposes worship of murtis (images), animal sacrifice, shraddha (rituals on behalf of ancestors), basing caste upon birth rather than upon merit, untouchability, child marriage, pilgrimages, priestly craft, and temple offerings.
• Statement 2 is correct, Arya Samaj has worked to further female education and intercaste marriage, built missions, orphanages, and homes for widows, established a network of schools and colleges; and undertaken famine relief and medical work.
• Statement 3 is correct,  Arya Samaj upholds the infallibility of the Vedas, the doctrines of karma (the accumulated effect of past deeds) and samsara (the process of death and rebirth), the sanctity of the cow and the importance of the samskaras (individual sacraments).

• The Ribbon weed (Posidonia australis), recently discovered in Shark Bay of Australia is said to be the world’s largest plant. 
• It is a seagrass that stretches for about 180 km in length.
• The ribbon weed covers an area of 20,000 hectares and the next largest plant is the clonal colony of a quaking Aspen tree in Utah, which covers 43.6 hectares.
• The largest tree in India is the Great Banyan in Howrah’s Botanical Garden which covers 1.41 hectares.

• Statement 1 is correct, Employee’s Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is a government organization that manages provident funds and pension accounts for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.
• Statement 2 is correct, EPFO came into existence through the Employee Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952.
• Statement 3 is not correct, EPFO works under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

• Statement 1 is not correct, NAS is a nationwide survey to assess the learning outcomes and health of the education system conducted by the Ministry of Education.
  • It is conducted once every three years.
• Statement 2 is correct, NAS assesses the students at the end of classes 3, 5, 8 and 10.
• Statement 3 is correct, The first edition was conducted in 2001.

• A light-year is the distance a beam of light travels in a vacuum in one year.
• The reason for measuring astronomical distances in light-years is that familiar units like kilometres and miles are small for describing the vastness of the cosmos but the speed of light is both finite and constant with a value of approximately 2.998 x 108 m/s.
• Hence option d is correct.