1) Consider the following statements with respect to World Customs Organisation (WCO)
It is one of the specialised agencies of the United Nations (UN).
Its 80th session of policy commission meeting was held in Shanghai, China.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
The three day 80th Session of the Policy Commission Meeting of the WCO is being organised by the Central Board of Customs and Indirect Taxes (CBIC), Government of India in Mumbai, India.
2) “Green Ganga App” was sometimes seen in the news recently, which was developed by which of the following organisations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Green Ganga App, developed by Remote Sensing Centre of ISRO was launched during the three-day long India Water Impact Summit 2018.
Green Ganga App is used for geo-tagging of saplings and delineation of plantation boundaries under ongoing Afforestation activities of Namami Gange programme.
The touch-enabled information kiosk about Namami Gange programme, developed jointly by National Mission for Clean Ganga and ISRO, was also launched.
3) Consider the following statements
The right to life under Article 21 will also include the right of witnesses to testify freely in courts.
The Government of India has implemented the Witness Protection Scheme through the Witness Protection Act (WPA) in 2015.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
India does not have a witness protection law as of now.
The Supreme Court has recently approved India’s first Witness Protection Scheme, noting that one of the main reasons for witnesses to turn hostile is that they are not provided appropriate protection by the State.
It also said that, the approved scheme shall be the ‘law’ under Article 141/142 of the Constitution, until the enactment of suitable Parliamentary and/or State Legislations on the subject.
The scheme was drawn up by the central government with inputs from 8 states/Union Territories, legal services authorities of five states and open sources including civil society, three high courts as well as from police personnel.
The scheme was finalised in consultation with National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
4) Consider the following statements with respect to Geographical Indications (GI) tag
GI is a collective intellectual property right, whereas patents and trademarks are owned by an individual or a business entity.
“The tradition begins here” is the new tagline introduced for GI in India.
Tendu leaf beedi of Odisha has recently been granted a GI tag.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The essential difference between GI and other intellectual properties (IP) is that, GI is a collective intellectual property right and is thus owned by all the producers within the defined GI territory while the IPs like patent and trademark are owned by an individual or a business entity.
Recently, Minister for Commerce and Industry has unveiled a beautiful tricolour logo that is common for all Geographical Indications (GI) with an equally impressive tagline “Invaluable treasures of Incredible India”.
Tendu leaf, a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) used to roll beedi (the poor man's cigarette), is the financial lifeline of the forest tribes of central India.
After the implementation of GST, 18% GST is levied on Kendu (Tendu) leaf. This has led to a drop in selling price of Kendu leaves.
The drop in selling price of Kendu leaves has adversely impacted the implementation of social security and welfare schemes for Kendu leaf pluckers, seasonal workers and binding workers engaged in this trade.
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Dr.Ambedkar Foundation
Its main aim is to carry out programmes for furthering of Dr Ambedkar's ideology and spread his message of social justice to the masses.
It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Its main aim is to carry out programmes and activities for furthering of Dr Ambedkar's ideology and spread his message of social justice to the masses not only in the country but also abroad.
6) “Sisamau drain” was infamous for the pollution it was causing to which of the following rivers?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has recently said that the government has freed Kanpur from the ill effects of Sisamau drain after 128 years, which was infamous for the pollution it was causing to River Ganga.
7) Recently, an agreement on Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed between India and
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
An Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Peru on Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters was signed recently in Mumbai, on the side-lines of the 80th Session of the Policy Commission Meeting of the World Customs Organisations (WCO).
Recently, an agreement on mutual legal assistance in Civil, Commercial and Criminal Matters was signed between India and Morocco.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme
SHC is a printed report containing the status of soil with respect to 12 parameters.
SHC will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm.
It is being implemented through the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Soil Health Card (SHC) is a Government of India's scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
It is being implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments.
9) “Article 50” was sometimes seen in the news recently. It is associated with which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), any member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.
The triggering of “Article 50” has started the two-year Brexit process.
Recently, Britain Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that Britain won’t revoke Article 50.
10) Consider the following statements with respect to River Ganga
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet at prayag and take the name Ganga afterwards.
Penganga, Kali and Gomti are the tributaries of River Ganga.
River son is the important Southern bank tributaries of Ganga.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Dev prayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet and take the name Ganga.
Pranhita River, one of the major tributaries of R.Godavari is the combined flow of Wainganga, Penganga, Wardha.
River son is the important southern bank tributory.
