1) Consider the following statements with respect to Geological Survey of India (GSI)
It is a premier organisation for mineral exploration and baseline surveys under Minsitry of Earth Science.
It is the nodal agency for organizing the International Geological Congress (IGC) 2020.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Recently, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) said there has been no discovery of gold deposits estimated to be around 3,000 tonnes in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
The GSI is a government organisation in India, attached to the Ministry of Mines for conducting geological surveys and studies.
Its main function is related to creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
India is set to host the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) during the first week of March 2020.
The theme for next year conference is ‘Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Development’.
IGC is is popularly described as ‘Olympics of Geosciences’.
GSI is is the nodal agency for organizing the IGC 2020.
The event is being funded by Ministry of Mines (MoM) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with support of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Science Academies of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
The FATF is a policy-making body which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms.
The FATF's decision making body, the FATF Plenary, meets three times per year.
The FATF Secretariat is located at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Recently, Pakistan retained on ‘grey list’ and Iran in ‘black list’ of FATF.
A country is put on the grey list when it fails to curb terrorism financing and money laundering.
A country on a blacklist means shutting all doors to international finance for that country.
FATF is an Inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit.
Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.
The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
The FATF is therefore a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
The FATF's decision making body, the FATF Plenary, meets three times per year.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to Biojet fuel
Biofuels have the benefits of reducing import dependency on crude oil, additional income to farmers and employment generation in rural areas.
It is indigenously produced based on patented technology of CSIR-IIP.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Recently, Prime Minister hailed the use of Biofuel in an Indian Air Force transport aircraft, saying such innovations would bring down carbon emissions and lower the nation’s oil import bill.
IAF’s An-32 aircraft using a 10% blend of Indian biojet fuel took off from Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpoche airport on January 31.
This was the first time that this mix was used in both engines of an aircraft.
Biojet fuel is prepared from “non-edible tree borne oil”, and is procured from various tribal areas of India.
They have the benefits of reducing import dependencyon crude oil, cleaner environment, additional income to farmers and employment generation in rural areas.
4) The Happiness Curriculum in schools which was in news was implemented in
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The US First Lady Melania Trump to visit a Delhi government school, where she will attend a happiness curriculum class.
The Happinesscurriculum is one of the flagship schemes of the Delhi government in the education sector launched in July 2018 in all government schools.
The objectives of this curriculum includes,
To instil self-awareness.
To stimulate good mental health, character, and resilience.
To improve cognitive ability of the students.
This would reduce anxiety, depression, and intolerance among students.
The curriculum also prepares the students to face challenges and find solution to the social problems.
The curriculum is designed for students of classes nursery through the eighth standard.
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Measles
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacteria and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air.
In India, measles vaccination is given under Universal Immunisation Programme.
Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan, measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in five WHO Regions by 2020.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
According to a report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), China has inched closer to achieving the status of eliminating measles.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease.
It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan, measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in 5 WHO Regions by 2020.
It is normally passed through direct contact and through the air.
In India, measles vaccination is given under Universal Immunisation Programme at 9-12 months of age and 2nd dose at 16-24 months of age.
