UPSC 2021: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz Nov 27 - Dec 03

1 and 3 only are correctly matched.

• SITMEX: India, Thailand, Singapore
• AUSINDEX: Australia, India
• Malabar: India, USA, Japan
• SLINEX: India, Sri Lanka

UMANG App provides a single platform for all Indian citizens to access pan India e-government services ranging from Central to local bodies and other citizen-centric services.
DigiLocker provides an account in cloud to every Aadhaar holder to access authentic documents/certificates in digital format from the original issuers of these certificates.
POSHAN Abhiyaan’s Integrated Child Development Services Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) is an innovative web and mobile-phone-based application to improve service delivery and programme management.
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government launched the Abhayam App. It helps women and children travelling in taxis and autorickshaws to raise an alarm in case of any emergency.

All three are correct. Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport organised in Tamil Nadu during Pongal. It is also known as Eruthazhuvuthal or Manju virattu. There are references to people enjoying, observing and partaking in Jalikattu in Silappatikaram, the great epic of the Tamil classical period and two other ancient literary works like Malaipadukadaam and Kalithogai.

1, 2 and 4 only are correct. The North American Free Trade Agreement, known usually as NAFTA, is a free trade agreement among Canada, the United States, and Mexico. NAFTA went into effect on January 1, 1994. NAFTA is also used to refer to the tripartite trading bloc of North American countries.

• NAFED is an agricultural cooperative organisation established with the objective of promoting cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit farmers.
• It was established in 1958 to promote the trade of agricultural products and forest resources.
• With its headquarters in New Delhi, it is today one of the largest procurement as well as marketing agencies for agricultural products in India.
• It is the nodal agency to implement price stabilization measures under Operation Greens.

All the statements are correct.

All the statements are correct.

• The treaty of Sugauli was signed between the British East India Company and the Gurkha rulers of Kathmandu.
• It was signed at the end of the Anglo-Nepal War.
• Under the treaty, one-third of the Nepalese territory was lost to the British.

Pichwai paintings also known as “Pichvai” is a traditional Indian art having its origins in Rajasthan. Pichwai art features intricate paintings portraying Lord Krishna (Sreenath Ji) which is done on fabric using dark rich hues.

• Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes.
• It is located in Narayangaon, near Pune in India.
• It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

All the statements are correct.

1 and 3 only are correct. The bioluminescent Noctiluca scintillans also brightens the seawater at night. Noctiluca scintillans are commonly known as “sea sparkle”. Though the species does not produce a toxin, it is found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia, which is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.

1 only is correct.

• The anti-defection law seeks to provide a stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch parties.
• The law allows a nominated member to join a party within six months after he becomes a member of the legislature.
• The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.
• An independent candidate cannot join a political party after the election. In such a case he/she shall be disqualified under the anti-defection law.

The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).

Both statements are incorrect.

•  CBI is not a statutory body as it is not established by an Act of the Parliament, it is an executive body.
• As per the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Acts 1946, as amended by Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the CBI Director shall be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendations of a selection committee comprising –
  • The Prime Minister (Chairperson),
  • The Chief Justice of India or any Judge of Supreme Court nominated by him and
  • The Leader of Opposition. The DSPE Act was further amended in 2014 to include the Leader of the single largest Opposition party in the selection committee when there is no recognised Leader of Opposition

Only 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

• Neom – A futuristic city, a brainchild of Saudi Arabian prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
• Natanz – A city in Iran, houses Iran’s nuclear facility.
• Mosul – considered the last major stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq.
• Absard – Iranian city

3-2-1-4 is the correct order.

1, 2 and 4 only are correct. Rivers Dhansiri, Lohit and Dibang are the left bank tributaries of River Brahmaputra, while Rivers Subansiri and Kameng are right bank tributaries.

• Mission Sampark is an initiative of the Government of India to reach out to all the Lost to Follow up Patients Living with HIV/AIDS.
• The mission is aimed at tracing those who are left to follow up and are to be brought under Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.

All the statements are correct.

• Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the bank of Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh.
• It is India’s only cold desert wildlife sanctuary.

France

2 and 3 only are correct.

• The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal forum for dialogue and cooperation, bringing together partners from across Europe and Asia. Its main purpose is to provide a platform for fostering political dialogue, strengthening economic cooperation and tackling together global challenges. ASEM is conducted as an informal and flexible process on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and benefit.
• Currently, ASEM comprises 51 partner countries: the 28 Member States of the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland on the European side and the 10 ASEAN countries plus Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Russia on the Asian side. It also includes two institutional partners: the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.
• 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the ASEM process. Cambodia currently holds the rotating ASEM presidency.

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• INS Vela is the fourth of the Indian Navy’s six submarines under Project 75.
• It is a Scorpene-Class Submarine. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine of Kalvari-class.

Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha is an annual evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. It is a very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as a Rasayana (tonic).

Statements 1 and 3 only are correct.

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission is one of the components of the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was launched in 2014 for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding in the breeding tract and genetic up-gradation of non-descript breeds.
• The mission envisages the establishment of integrated cattle development centres, Gokul Grams and breeder’s societies (Gopalan Sangh) to develop indigenous breeds.

• Article 51 of the Indian Constitution deals with the promotion of international peace and security. It states that the State shall endeavour to—
  • promote international peace and security;
  • maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
  • foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another; and
  • encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Only 3 is correctly matched.

• In 1870 Sasipada Banerji founded the workers’ organisation Sramajivi Samiti and established the newspaper Bharat Sramajivi.
• Narayan Meghaji Lokhande published the Deenbandhu from Bombay.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak was associated with Mahratta (English) and Kesari (Marathi) newspapers.

All three are correct.

• Lithium is considered to be the lightest or one of the least dense metals on earth. It has a density of 0.534 g/cm3. This makes lithium nearly half as dense as water which means lithium would float on the surface of water.
• Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable, and must be stored in vacuum, inert atmosphere or inert liquid such as purified kerosene or mineral oil.
• Lithium is a comparatively rare element, although it is found in many rocks and some brines, but always in very low concentrations.

English Channel is one of the smallest of the shallow seas covering the continental shelf of Europe and it is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Both statements are incorrect. A private member bill is introduced by any member of parliament other than ministers. Around 14 private member’s bills have been passed so far by the Parliament.