Current Affairs MCQs [ 29 and 30 October 2017 ] PIB TheHindu IndianExpress & Other leading newspapers

Sumant Kumar, B.Tech NIT Allahabad sumant.magadh@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/SumantKM/

Consider the following statements regarding Mullaperiyar Dam : 1. The Mullaperiyar Dam is a

masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River in TamilNadu

2. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick

3. The Periyar National Park in Thekkady is located around the dam's reservoir.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3Ans : C 2 and 3 only

Consider the following statements regarding Mullaperiyar Dam : 1. The Periyar National Park in Thekkady

is located around the dam's reservoir. 2. The dam is located in Kerala on the river

Kaveri, but is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu state.

3. The present name Mullaperiyar is derived from a portmanteau of Mullayar River and Periyar River, at the confluence of which the dam is located below.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3Ans : (b) 1 and 3 only

The Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River in Kerala

The dam is located in Kerala on the river Periyar, but is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu state.

Consider the following statements regarding Periyar river : o Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. o It generates a significant proportion of Kerala's electrical

power via the Idukki Dam o the river has been named the "Lifeline of Kerala". o The source of the Periyar lies high in the Western Ghats.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4Ans : D 1, 2, 3 and 4

Consider the following statements regarding Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary :

1. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area

2. It is notable as both a elephant reserve and a tiger reserve.

3. The core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982.

4. The park is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba.

5. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu.

(a) 1 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Ans : D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ten Indians are still missing after a cargo ship, Emerald Star sank off the coast of Japan. There is a suspicion that the boat sank due to nickel cargo liquefaction. What causes this kind of liquefaction? a) Moisture content in ores. b) Reaction between different ores in a cargo. c) Salinity of the Ocean water that comes in contact with ores d) Impurities in ores. Solution: a Under certain conditions [fine particle cargo, containing high levels of moisture], nickel ore may become like a semi-solid or liquid, in a process termed as liquefaction. • Then it starts moving like liquid inside the hold [cargo area] of a ship.

• If the hold is partly filled in such a condition, the effect [free surface effect] on ship stability will be bad. In this context, it may be noted that liquid cargo in bulk is carried by tanker ships, which are specially designed, considering safety requirements.

As per the latest report of National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), oesophageal cancer is the highest in men. Which of the following is/are the causes for oesophageal cancer? 1) Tobacco Consumption. 2) Consumption of extremely hot beverages. a) Only 1 b) Only 2

Unit 2 of Kudankulam nuclear reactor to be operational soon. Which type of reactor is this? a) Boiled Water reactor b) Heavy Water Reactor c) Pressurized Water Reactor

c) Both d) Neither Solution: c "as many as 57% of all cancers in males and 28% of all cancers in females are because of tobacco consumption." While these are linked to tobacco consumption, oesophageal cancer is also linked to consuming extremely hot beverages. A study by the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai in 2009 showed that people who gulped down very hot tea (simmering temperature) were four times more prone to oesophageal cancer.

d) Fast Breeder Reactor Solution: c The Kudankulam nuclear reactors are pressurized water reactors of Russian design, model VVER-1000/V-412 referred also as AES-92.

1st Stage : Heavy water reactors fuelled by natural uranium would produce plutonium; 2nd Stage : Initially fuelled by a mix of the plutonium(from 1st stage) and natural uranium [It contains 0.7% U-235, 99.3% U-238, and a trace of U-234 by weight (0.0055%)].

This uranium would transmute into more plutonium and once sufficient stocks have been built up, thorium would be introduced into the fuel cycle to convert it into U-233 for the 3rd stage. Transmutation is the conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another through nuclear reactions. Induced nuclear transmutation is transmutation which is induced by scientists by striking the nuclei with high volume particles

3rd Stage : A mix of Thorium and Uranium fuels the reactors.

Thorium changes into U-233 as in the 2nd stage, which powers the reactor. Fresh thorium can replace the depleted thorium in the reactor core, making it essentially a thorium-fuelled reactor even though it is the U-233 that is undergoing fission to produce electricity.

President suggested that there should be a system in place for providing certified translated copies of High Court judgments in local or regional languages. Right now, High Courts give judgment in which language? 1) English 2) Hindi a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both d) Neither Solution: a The President said that the High Courts delivered judgments in English, “but we are a country of diverse languages. The litigant may not be conversant with English and the finer points of the judgment may escape him or her. The litigating parties will thus be dependent on the lawyer or another person to translate the judgment. This can add to time and cost.”

Recently snap elections were held in Japan and Iceland. Which of the statements is/are correct about snap elections? 1) It is initiated by opposition party. 2) It is an election in a parliamentary system called when not required either by law or convention. a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both d) Neither Solution: b A snap election is an election called earlier than expected. Generally it refers to an election in a parliamentary system called when not required (either by law or convention), usually to capitalize on a unique

1267 committee of the U.N. Security Council would discuss the status of individual terrorists and terrorist organizations. On which of the matters 1267 committee was formed? a) On West Asia Situation. b) On India – Pakistan Border situation. c) On the situation in Afghanistan. d) On South Asia’s security. Solution: c United Nations Security Council resolution 1267 was adopted unanimously on 15 October 1999. After recalling resolutions 1189(1998), 1193 (1998) and 1214 (1998) on the situation in Afghanistan, the

electoral opportunity or to decide a pressing issue. It differs from a recall election in that it is initiated by politicians (usually the head of government or ruling party) rather than voters, and from a by-election in that the winners will serve an entire term as opposed to the remainder of an already established term.

Council designated Osama bin Laden and associates as terrorists and established a sanctions regime to cover individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden and/or the Taliban wherever located.

In First Nehru Ministry, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel held which all portfolios? 1) Home Affairs and states 2) Defence 3) Information and Broadcasting a) Only 1 b) Only 1 and 2 c) Only 1 and 3 d) All Solution: c In Nehru’s First Ministry, Baldev Singh of Panthic

India is embroiled in 22 arbitration proceedings against it in disputes with prominent global investors. Currently, which of the bodies deal or deals with the investment disputes between investors and the Governments? 1) Investor-State Dispute Settlement 2) World Investment Court a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both d) Neither Solution: a World Investment Court is a proposed settlement body to end the regime of body Investor-State Dispute Settlement or Investment Court system. Embroiled in 22 arbitration proceedings against it in disputes with prominent global

Party was the Defence Minister.

investors, including Vodafone and Cairn Energy, India has cautiously welcomed a proposal to establish a ‘World Investment Court’ (WIC).

Article 35A is a provision incorporated in the Constitution giving the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature a carte blanche to decide who all are ‘permanent residents’ of the State and confer on them special rights and privileges. Which are those rights and privileges? 1) Employment under the State Government 2) Acquisition of immovable property in the State 3) Settlement in the State 4) Right to scholarships a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1, 2 and 3 c) Only 1, 2 and 4 d) All Solution: d

As per World Meteorological Organization, globally averaged concentrations of CO2 in 2016 raised up from 2015 levels because of 1) Human activities 2) Weak El Nino event a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both d) Neither Solution: a The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has hit a new high, warning that drastic action is needed to achieve targets set by the Paris climate agreement. “Globally averaged concentrations of CO2 reached 403.3 parts per million in 2016, up from 400.00 ppm in 2015 because of a combination of human activities and a strong El Nino event,” it said.

World Meteorological Organization = WMO • an intergovernmental organization.

• membership = 191 Member States and Territories.

• It originated from the International Meteorological Organization=IMO, which was founded in 1873.

• Established in 1950.

• the specialised agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.

• Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

• is a member of United Nations Development Group = UNDG.

• Functions :

o WMO provides a framework for international cooperation in the development of meteorology and operational hydrology and their practical application.

o WMO and UNEP jointly created the IPCC.

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change • HQ = Geneva

• IPCC is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change under UN.

• It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988.

• To have a clear view on the present scenario of Climate change and its future impact on Enviornment, Livelihood, Economics.

o It does not conduct any research

o does not monitor climate related data or parameters.

o It merely assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change.

• Scientists contribute to provide info voluntarily.

• Membership :

o open to all member countries of UN and WMO.

o Currently 195 countries are members of the IPCC.

• Structure of IPCC

Recently Cyclone Vardah struck the southeast coast of India. Which of the following statement(s) is/are not correct regarding naming system of cyclone?

1. As per the convention, cyclones are given only the female names.

2. The name of recent cyclone Vardah, which means Red Rose, was given by Pakistan.

3. Names of these cyclones of Indian Ocean are retired after use, but those in the Atlantic and Pacific lists are reused every few years.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans A

• Previously, till 1979, cyclones were only given female names. Male names were only introduced in the same year. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains the database of cyclone/hurricane/typhoon names.

• The alphabet system is used to designate the name of a cyclone, which means the name of the year’s first cyclone begins with A.

• Tropical cyclones passing over the northern part of the Indian Ocean are named by eight countries in the region, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman and Thailand.

• The process only began in 2004, four years after World Meteorological Organization agreed in principle to allow them to name cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

• The name Vardah, which means red rose, was given by Pakistan.

• on the account of the ‘death and destruction’ a storm in the Indian Ocean causes, their names are retired after use, unlike those in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific lists, which are reused every few years.

Consider the following with reference to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) o The NGT has power to hear all civil matters

which are related to environment and questions regarding the enforcement and implementation of laws

o It does not follow the principles of civil procedure code instead it follows principles of natural justice.

o NGT is not be bound by the rules of evidence as mentioned in the Indian evidence act.

Which of the following statement(s) are correct? o 1 and 2

National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) is an Act of the Parliament of India which enables creation of a special tribunal to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues • The NGT has been given the power to

regulate the procedure by itself. It does not follow the principles of civil procedure code instead it follows principles of natural justice.

• It will have the same power as of the civil court in deciding the matter falling within these seven legal acts.

o 2 and 3 o All of the above o None of the above

• Even the NGT will not be bound by the rules of evidence as mentioned in the Indian evidence act.

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Armed Forces Tribunal Act’, recently in news: o Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) established under

Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 to provide effective redressal mechanism for personnel of army only.

o The act was passed on the basis of recommendation of 169th Law Commission Report

Which of the following statement(s) are correct? o Only 1 o Only 2 o Both 1 and 2 o None of the above

Ans B Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) is the military tribunal in India, established under Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 to provide effective redressal mechanism for personnel of three armed forces. The act was passed on the basis of recommendation of 169th Law Commission Report and various Supreme Court directives. Thus both statements are true

With reference to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), consider the following statements: 1. It is an initiative under aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2. It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range Which of the above statement is/are correct? o 1 only o 2 only o Both 1 and 2 o Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C • CMS is an international treaty concluded under

aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), concerned with conservation of wildlife and habitat on a global scale.

• CMS aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. It was signed in 1979 in Bonn (hence the name),Germany and entered into force in 1983.

UNEP = United Nations Environment Programme • an agency of UN. • coordinates UN's environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing

environmentally sound policies and practices. • founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference)

in June 1972. • Headquarters in the Gigiri neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya. • Activities :

o issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy.

o UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues such as

• the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals,

• transboundary air pollution, and

• contamination of international waterways. o WMO and UNEP established IPCC in 1988. o UNEP is one of Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the

Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

o it is a member of the United Nations Development Group = UNDG. o The International Cyanide Management Code, a program of best practice for the chemical’s use at

gold mining operations, was developed under UNEP’s aegis. • Reports published by UNEP:

o the fifth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5) assessment

• a comprehensive report on environment, development and human well-being,

• providing analysis and information for policy makers and the concerned public.

With reference to the “Kala azar”, recently in news, which of the following statement is/are correct? o Kala azar is caused by bites from female

phlebotomine sandflies . o It attacks the brain

Select the correct answer using the code given below. o 1 only o 2 only o Both 1 and 2 o Neither 1 nor 2

Ans A Kala azar is caused by bites from female phlebotomine sandflies .Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as kala-azar is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and, without proper diagnosis and treatment, is associated with high fatality. It attacks the immune system like liver.

With reference to the “BT Cotton”, which of the following statement is/are correct? o Bt cotton is a genetically modified organism

(GMO) cotton variety, which produce an insecticide to bollworm.

o Bt cotton exhibit genetic resistance or inbuilt resistance which is a permanent type of resistance and not affected by environmental factors.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. o 1 only o 2 only o Both 1 and 2 o Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C Bt cotton is a genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton variety, which produce an insecticide to bollworm. Bt cotton exhibit genetic resistance or inbuilt resistance which is a permanent type of resistance and not affected by environmental factors.