1) The Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS) sometimes seen in the news recently is a planned defence logistics pact between India and?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
India and Russia are expected to conclude a mutual logistics agreement The Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS).
ARLS is an arrangement that will allow access to India and Russia, to each other’s military facilities for supplies and fuel, expanding the logistics support and operational turnaround of the Indian military.
This will be especially beneficial for the Indian Navy, which has a large number of Russian origin ships, which will get access to Russian ports for supplies and refueling.
It would be crucial for joint exercises.
The air force too will benefit by finding it easier to deploy aircraft for the same purpose.
This access will also be for ports in the Russian part of the Arctic, allowing access to energy resources there.
Russia, on the other hand, will be able to access Indian ports and air bases.
Russia has also assured India access to energy resources in the vast Arctic region.
India has a similar arrangement with the US called the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), signed between the two countries in August 2016.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to India Justice Report 2019
It is the first ever ranking of Indian States based on justice delivery released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The report has been prepared based on the four pillars of justice delivery — police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid.
Maharashtra has topped the list of 18 large-medium States in the overall ranking.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
According to the India Justice Report 2019 released recently by the Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, among others, Maharashtra has topped the list of 18 large-medium States in the overall first-ever ranking of Indian States on justice delivery, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana.
In this category, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are at the bottom, while among the list of seven smaller States, Goa leads the group.
The report has been prepared based on publicly available data of different government entities on the four pillars of justice delivery — police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid.
3) “India Internet 2019 Report” sometimes seen in the news recently was released by?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
According to the report, titled ‘India Internet 2019,’ released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Kerala’s Internet penetration rate is the second highest in the country (54%), next only to Delhi NCR with 69% penetration.
The Internet penetration rate (defined as number of individuals aged above 12 per 100 population who accessed the Internet in the last month; survey period January-March 2019) was the lowest in Odisha (25), Jharkhand (26) and Bihar (28).
4) Consider the following statements with respect to Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI)
It is a serious ailment that prevents normal breathing function.
According to the National Health Profile, 2019 released recently, ARI accounted for more than half of mortality in the communicable disease category.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) is a serious ailment that prevents normal breathing function and kills an estimated 2.6 million children annually every year worldwide.
Indians face the double burden of heavy air pollution in addition to the high rate of ARI which hits children the hardest.
National Health Profile – 2019 says that Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) accounted for 69.47% of morbidity (poor health) in the communicable disease category leading to 27.21% mortality (Loss of Life).
ARI is highest in the Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Implications – Polluted air penetrate and inflame the linings of bronchial tubes and lungs.
This leads to respiratory illness such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, asthma, wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing.
It poses a high risk to pregnant women and the baby.
The foetus receiving polluted air from mother can increase health risk of unborn babies.
In pregnant women, it can cause a medical condition called intrauterine inflammation.
5) With respect to Documentation Identification Number (DIN) system sometimes seen in the news recently, consider the following statements:
It aims to bring transparency and accountability in the indirect tax administration through widespread use of information technology.
It was launched by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC).
The Government has already executed the DIN system in the direct tax administration.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Documentation Identification Number (DIN) system of Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) has come into existence recently.
Now, any CBIC communication will have to have a Documentation Identification Number.
It is aimed at bringing transparency and accountability in the indirect tax administration through widespread use of information technology.
The Government has already executed the DIN system in the direct tax administration.
6) Consider the following statement with respect to ‘Financial Stability and Development Council’ (FSDC)
It is an apex-level statutory body to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability.
The FSDC sub-committee is chaired by the Governor of RBI.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Recently, the Finance Minister chairs 21st Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC).
The Council reviewed the current global and domestic macro-economic situation and financial stability and vulnerabilities issues, including inter-alia, those concerning NBFCs and Credit Rating Agencies.
It is an apex level autonomous body to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability.
It is not a statutory body and no separate funds have been allocated for the council to undertake its activities.
Its members include -
The heads of financial sector regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDA)
Finance Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
Secretary, Department of Financial Services
Chief Economic Adviser
Chairman of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board
It focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.
The FSDCsub-committee is chaired by the Governor of RBI.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to the Feni river
It is a trans-boundary river originates in the Meghalaya, flows through Tripura and then enters Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh signed an MoU for a drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town in Tripura.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Recently, he Union Cabinet approved an MoU between India and Bangladesh on the withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs of water from the Feni river by India for a drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town in Tripura.
The Feni river, which forms part of the India-Bangladesh border, originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.
In Tripura, a 150-metre long, 4-lane bridge across the Feni is being built between India and Bangladesh, where the river forms the border between the two countries.
Once ready, it would connect Tripura with Chittagong port in Bangladesh, which is only 70 km away from the Indo-Bangla border.
It would play an important role in the proposed economic corridor through India, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar.
8) Samudra Shakti is a joint Naval Exercise between
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ Progresses in the Bay of Bengal.
INS Kamorta, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette is jointly exercising with Indonesian Warship KRI Usman Harun, a multi-role Corvette.
9) Zero Carbon Bill which was in news recently was passed by which country?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
New Zealand passed historic climate legislation to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and meet its commitments under the Paris climate accords.
Zero Carbon Bill will preserve a new 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target into law and require that future governments have plans to meet the target.
Environment groups around the world are applauding the island country of nearly five million people.
10) Consider the following statements with respect to Fall Armyworm (FAW)
It is an insect that is native to Indian subcontinent.
It affects Maize crop only.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Recently, proper precaution and timely management by the state agriculture department have succeeded in thwarting an attack by the Fall Armyworm (FAW) on maize crop in Odisha.
The Fall Armyworm (FAW), or Spodoptera frugiperda, is an insect that is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
In the absence of natural control or good management, it can cause significant damage to crops.
It prefers maize, but can feed on more than 80 additional species of crops, including rice, sorghum, millet, sugarcane, vegetable crops and cotton.
FAW was first detected in Central and Western Africa in early 2016.
It has quickly spread across virtually all of Sub-Saharan Africa. In July 2018 it was confirmed in India and Yemen.
In India it was reported for the first-time in Karnataka.
