1) Consider the following statements with respect to National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
It is a statutory body.
It works under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
NCSK is mandated to monitor the implementation of the Prohibition of employment as manual scavengers and their rehabilitation Act, 2013.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was established as a statutory body in the year 1994 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period of 3 years.
Later the validity of the Act was initially extended up to 31.3.2002 and thereafter up to 29.2.2004.
The NCSK Act ceased to have effectfrom 29.2.2004.
After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time.
The tenure of the present Commission is up to 31.3.2019.
The Union Cabinet has recently approved the proposal for Extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK) beyond 31.3.2019 for three years.
2) e-AUSHADHI portal which intended for increased transparency was launched recently by which of the following agencies?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
To increase transparency and accountability, the Ministry of AYUSH has recently launched the e-AUSHADHI portal for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters.
AUSHADHI was an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to National Security Act (NSA)
It allows preventive detention for months, if authorities are satisfied that a person is a threat to national security or law and order.
It applies to the entirety of India, except Jammu and Kashmir.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The National Security Act is a stringent law that allows preventive detention for months, if authorities are satisfied that a person is a threat to national security or law and order.
The person does not need to be charged during this period of detention.
The goal is to prevent the individual from committing a crime.
It applies to the entirety of India, except Jammu and Kashmir.
4) Consider the following statements with respect to Battle of Sinhagad
It was fought between the Marathas and the British on the fort of Sinhagad in 1670 AD.
Tanaji Malusare, the commander of Mughal Empire played a major role in this battle and died after being seriously wounded during the battle.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Battle of Sinhagad was fought between Tanaji Malusare, a commander of Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj and Udaybhan Rathod, fort keeper under Jai Singh I who was a Mughal Army Chief in 1670 on the fort of Sinhagad near the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Tanaji Malusare, the brave Maratha warrior played a major role during the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670 AD.
Malusare died in 1670 after being seriously wounded in the Sinhagad battle.
It is Tanaji Malusare after whom Shivaji is said to have renamed Kondhana fort to Sinhagad Fort (Lion’s fort).
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)
It is a defined area around the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution.
It comprises over 40 protected monuments including three World Heritage Sites: Agra Fort, India Gate and the Fatehpur Sikri.
TTZ is so named since it is located around the Taj Mahal and is shaped like a trapezoid.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) is a defined area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal to protect the monument from pollution.
The TTZ comprises over 40 protected monuments including three World Heritage Sites the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
TTZ is so named since it is located around the Taj Mahal and is shaped like a trapezoid.
6) Global Fund sometimes seen in the news recently, is a partnership organization, designed to accelerate the end of which of the following as epidemics?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.
Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases.
India is in a sustained partnershipwith the Global Fund to fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) since 2002 as recipient as well as donor.
The Global Fund raises funds in multiyear cycles known as Replenishments and is preparing for sixth voluntary replenishment conference to mobilize needed resources to scale up life-saving programs over 2020-22.
A high level preparatory meeting for the sixth replenishment conference of the Global Fund is hosted byIndia recently in New Delhi.
7) “Factsheet Child Marriages 2019” is a report published recently by which of the following agencies?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has recently released a new report 'Factsheet Child Marriages 2019'.
It has stated that although child marriages in India have declined, a few states like Bihar, West Bengal and Rajasthan continue to carry on with the harmful practice and there is nearly 40 per cent prevalence in these states.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)
It is an autonomous society working under the administrative control of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
It is mandated to mobilize farmers into groups, called Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) and link these institutions to the market, for better returns.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
SFAC is a registered society set up under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 under the administrative control of Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Its mandate is to link farmers to investment, technology and markets.
SFAC is mandated by the M/o Agriculture to mobilize farmers into groups, called Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) and link these institutions to the market, for better returns.
These bodies are member owner grass root institutions, which provide collective bargaining powers to small and marginal farmers.
SFAC proposes to establish a Kisan Mandi – as an additional marketing channel/platform to link FPOs and farmers Growers Association to wholesale and retail consumers for direct sale of fruits & vegetables for the benefits of farmers and consumers in Delhi & NCR.
9) Consider the following statements with respect to National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
The standing committee of the NBWL is chaired by the Union minister for Environment and Forest.
In India, NBWL is responsible for allowing forest land in protected areas to be diverted for industries.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory Board constituted in 2003 under Section 5 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The NBWL is chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
The Standing Committee of the NBWL is chaired by Union Environment Minister.
A Standing Committee of the NBWL is charged with deliberating on the merits of projects that come to it for scrutiny.
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has been charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry.
10) “Pashtuns” sometimes seen in the news recently, inhabits which of the following countries?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Pashtuns mainly live in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pashtun people are Afghanistan's largest ethnic group and are also the second-largest ethnicity in Pakistan.
Pashtuns are united by the Pashto language, which is a member of the Indo-Iranian language family, although many also speak Dari (Persian) or Urdu.
