1) Consider the following statements with respect to draft Space Activities Bill, 2017
It encourages the participation of private sector agencies in space activities in India.
In case of any damages caused by space activities of the licensee, the central Government may determine the quantum of liability to be borne by the licensee.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The objective of the Space Bill is to facilitate the overall growth of the space activities in India with higher order of participation ofpublic/non-governmental/ private sector stakeholders.
The Bill provides for establishment of a regulatory mechanism through an appropriate body, by the Central Government for the purpose of authorization and licensing of space activities.
The provision on liability for damages caused by space activities of licensee, provides for a risk sharing mechanism, by which the central Government may determine the quantum of liability to be borne by the licensee.
2) Consider the following statements
M. S. Swaminathan committee has recommended that the MSP should be at least 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production.
Recently, Government has increased the MSP for all mandated Kharif and Rabi crops and other commercial crops with a return of atleast 50 percent over cost of production.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
National Commission on Farmers headed by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan submitted its report in 2006.
One of the recommendations of Commission was that MSP should be at least 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production.
This recommendation was not incorporated in the National policy for Farmers 2007.
However, recently Government has increased the MSP for all Kharif and Rabi crops and other commercial crops for the season 2018-19 with a return of atleast 50 percent over cost of production.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
It is fully funded by the Central Government.
One of the objectives of NESIDS is creation of infrastructure in the areas of education and health.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
North East Special Infrastructure Development Schemes (NESIDS), fully funded by the Government of India, is taken up to fill up gaps of infrastructure in certain identified sectors of the Region.
The NESIDS will accord focus on exploitation of the huge tourism potential of the area by way of strengthening related infrastructure and will also give emphasis on creation of infrastructure of social sectors like health and education.
4) Consider the following statements with respect to National Security Guard (NSG)
It was raised in 1999 following the hijack of Indian Airlines Flight 814 to Kandahar.
It is equipped with its own dedicated air wing.
It doesn’t have a cadre of its own and dependent on personnel sent on deputation from the army and the CAPF.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
It is the premier counter terrorist and contingency force in India.
NSG was raised in 1986 following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Operation Blue Star.
Recently, a Parliamentary panel has recommended that the Centre should urgently take steps to ensure that the National Security Guard (NSG) is equipped with its own dedicated air wing.
The force, which is trained to operate as an elite urban anti-terrorist and anti-hijack force, doesn’t have a cadre of its own or direct recruitment and is instead dependent on personnel sent on deputation from the army and the central armed police forces (CAPF).
5) Consider the following statements with respect to India’s first Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV)
It is used to rescue crew members from submarines stranded under water in the high seas.
It can be operated up to a depth of 2000 metres.
So far, only Russia, USA and UK have the Deep Sea Rescue Systems in place.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The DSRV can be operated at a depth of 650 meters and can hold around 15 people.
So far, only Russia, USA, China, UK and Singapore have the Deep Sea Rescue Systems in place.
6) Consider the following statements
National Security Guard (NSG) does not come under the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Currently, the head of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) is 100% reserved for IPS officers.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to uniform nomenclature of seven security forces in India under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs.
They are the Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Currently, the DG rank in CAPFs like the CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP, SSB and NSG is “100% reserved for IPS officers.”
Other positions — Additional DG, Inspector General and Deputy IG — are also mostly reserved for IPS officers.
Recently, a parliamentary panel has recommended that the post of Director-General and other senior positions in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) should not be reserved for Indian Police Service officers.
Recently, a parliamentary panel has suggested that the nature of duty of CAPF are more similar to that of the Armed Forces and it would make more sense to bring more officers from the Armed Forces on deputation.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to Noney Bridge
It will be the world’s tallest railway bridge after its completion.
It will be built by the Eastern Railway.
The bridge is being constructed across the valley of river Hooghly.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Northeast Frontier Railway Construction Organization has constructed India’s tallest pier on its way up to building the world’s tallest railway bridge at Noney in Manipur.
The bridge is being constructed across the valley of river Ijai near Noney, Manipur with the height of the final pier being 141 metres.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
It is legally binding on its member countries.
It was adopted recently at an intergovernmental conference held in Brussels, Belgium.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The global compact on migration was adopted recently at an intergovernmental conference in Marrakech, Morocco by 164 UN Member States.
Global compact for migration is not legally binding and it fully respects the sovereignty of all States.
9) Consider the following pairs with respect to nuclear power plants in India
Kaiga – Maharashtra
Kakrapar – Gujarat
Tarapur – Maharashtra
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Kaiga nuclear power plant in Karnataka has recently created a world record for the longest uninterrupted operation for 941 days.
Kaiga is an indigenously built Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) run by domestic fuel (Uranium).
10) “Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy” (RISE) report was released by which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
World Bank has released its report Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) 2018, charting global progress on sustainable energy policies.
The report was released on the sidelines of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24).
