1) Consider the following statements regarding Vote on Account
It only represents the expenditure side of the government’s budget.
No direct tax proposals can be made via vote on account.
It is also called as an Interim Budget.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are not correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Budget has to be approved by Parliament before the commencement of the new financial year.
But the discussion and passing of Budget generally goes beyond the current financial year.
So a special provision called “Vote on Account” is used, where the government obtains the vote of Lok Sabha to withdraw money from CFI to keep the money flowing for the government’s day to day functions, until the Budget is passed. (Article 116)
e.g Salary to government employees, loan interest payments, subsidies, pension payments etc.
It is also used in the years where Lok Sabha elections are due.
But here vote on account is also presented along with minor policy changes, as it would be improper for the outgoing government to impose major budgetary constraints on its successor.
Such a measure that includes both short term expenditure and income part is called an Interim Budget.
2) Consider the following statements about Neutron Stars
Neutron stars are typically objects of very small radius composed predominantly of neutrons.
Neutron stars are formed by same process as that of a Black hole.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/arecorrect?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
3) Which of the following organizations receives the “Exhibitor of the Year Award” at the 106th Indian Science Congress held recently?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) pavilion received ‘Exhibitor of the Year Award’ at 106th Indian Science Congress held at Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab.
4) Consider the following statements
In the Shreya Singhal v. Union of Indiacase, the Supreme Court had capped the reservation at 50%.
Indian Constitution does not provide for reservation on the basis of economic criteria.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Union Cabinet has recently approved a Constitution Amendment Bill to provide 10% reservation to the economically backward sections in the general category.
The quota will be over and above the existing 50% reservation to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
A nine-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court had, in the Indira Sawhney case, capped reservation at 50%.
The constitutional amendment bill would be required as the constitution does not provide for reservation on the ground of economic conditions.
The amendment bill will envisages amendment to Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution.
5) “INS Kohassa” is sometimes seen in the news recently. It is a/an
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The Indian Navy’s air base, INS Kohassa, will be commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on January 24, 2019.
This will be India’s fourth air base and the third naval air facility in the archipelago, which are closer to Southeast Asia than to the Indian mainland, overlooking key sea lanes of communication and strategic choke points.
6) Consider the following statements
It is contiguous to the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu on the south-east.
It is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.
Identify the wildlife sanctuary that correctly matches with the above description
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
With the rise in mercury in the Nilgiri Biosphere, the seasonal migration of wild animals from wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) has begun.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to Blue bottle Jelly fish
They are known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance.
Bluebottle stings are painful but typically not life-threatening.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days that has led to the closure of several beaches in Australia.
The bluebottle is also referred to as the Indo-Pacific Portuguese man o' war (also known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance) and is a related, but distinct species to those found around the Atlantic.
They are not "true" jellyfish, but belong to a group of organisms known as siphonophores.
Bluebottle stings are painful but typically not life-threatening and can be treated with ice or hot water.
Unusually strong winds pushed the jellyfish colonies close to shore.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Raisina Dialogue
It is a multilateral conference committed to address the most challenging issues faced by Asian Countries.
The theme of the Dialogue this year is “A World Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes”.
The conference will be hosted by the Centre for Asian Strategic Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The fourth edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held in New Delhi.
Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is organizing the flagship annual geopolitical and geostrategic conference.
The theme of the Dialogue this year is "A World Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes”.
The discussions will seek to address issues arising from ongoing global transitions and changes to the world order, triggered by unique leaders, innovative partnerships and new technologies.
9) Consider the following statements with respect to a River
It originates on Ranchi plateau in Jharkhand and joins the Son River.
Mandal Dam is being built across that River.
It meanders through the northern part of Betla National Park.
Identify the river that correctly matches with the above description
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Recently, PM Modi has laid the foundation stone for the revival of North Koel (Mandal Dam) project.
10) Consider the following statements with respect to Gabon
It is a landlocked country, located in East Africa.
It is bordered by Cameroon, Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Gabon is a country on the west coast of Central Africa.
Located on the equator, Gabon is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo on the east and south, and the Gulf of Guinea to the west.
