10 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. If a situation arose where the number of NOTA votes exceeded the number of votes polled by any of the candidates, then the election is conducted again in that constituency.
2. Section 44 of the Lokpal Act, 2013, which requires all public servants (except judges) to disclose their assets but is silent on whether the disclosure should be to the competent authority or the general public.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: d) Explanation:
• Section 44 of the Lokpal Act, 2013, which requires all public servants (this includes judges) to disclose their assets but is silent on whether the disclosure should be to the competent authority or the general public.
• First-past-the-post system: If a situation arose where the number of NOTA votes exceeded the number of votes polled by any of the candidates, the candidate with the highest number of votes would be declared winner. This provision made the NOTA option almost redundant.

Q2. Which of the Indian states shares border with Nepal?

1. Uttarakhand
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. West Bengal
4. Sikkim
5. Bihar
   Select the correct code
   a) 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
   b) 2, 3, 4, and 5 only
   c) 1, 2, 4, and 5 only
   d) All the above

Solution: d) Explanation:
Nepal shares a border with 5 Indian states- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar.

Q3. With reference to the Department of Integrative Medicine, consider the following statements:

1. Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided to initiate work on setting up a Department of Integrative Medicine at AIIMS.
2. It may develop an integrated protocol with Ayurveda and Yoga for study on Post COVID treatment.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided to initiate work on setting up a Department of Integrative Medicine at AIIMS.
• This was decided in a joint visit and review by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS of the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR) at AIIMS, New Delhi.
• The CIMR receives notable support through the Centre of Excellence Scheme of the Ministry of AYUSH.
• It was decided that the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research, CIMR, AIIMS may develop an integrated protocol with Ayurveda and Yoga for study on Post COVID treatment.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q4. With reference to the Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity, consider the following statements:

1. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (KLI Project).
2. The Project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (KLI Project).
• The Project envisages provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Kochi and 11 Islands of Lakshadweep viz. Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan & Kadmat.
• Financial implications: The estimated cost of implementation is about Rs. 1072 crore including operational expenses for 5 years. The Project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund.
• Impact: The project will vastly improve telecommunication facility in the Lakshadweep Islands by providing large bandwidth.
• Target: The project is targeted to be completed by May 2023.
• Implementation Strategy:
o Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has been nominated as Project Execution Agency and Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd. (TCIL) as the Technical Consultant of the Project to assist Universal Service Obligation Fund, Department of Telecommunications.
o The ownership of the asset under the project will rest with USOF, the funding agency, under DoT.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q5. With reference to the Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY), consider the following statements:

1. It aims to boost employment in formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
2. Government of India will pay both 20% employees’ contribution and 20% employers’ contribution towards Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: a) Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY) to boost employment in formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
• Government of India will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021.
• Government of India will pay both 12% employees’ contribution and 12% employers’ contribution i.e. 24% of wages towards Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years.
• Government of India will pay only employees’ share of EPF contribution i.e. 12% of wages in respect of new employees in establishments employing more than 1000 employee for two years.
• An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before 1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account number prior to 1stOctober 2020 will be eligible for the benefit.
• Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who made exit from employment during Covid pandemic from 01.03.2020 to 30.09.2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to 30.09.2020 will also be eligible to avail benefit.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q6. With reference to the PM-WANI, consider the following statements:

1. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the proposal of DoT for setting up of Public Wi-Fi Networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) to provide public Wi-Fi service through Public Data Offices (PDOs) spread across the country.
2. Public Data Office (PDO) will establish, maintain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the proposal of DoT for setting up of Public WiFi Networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) to provide public Wi-Fi service through Public Data Offices (PDOs) spread across the country to accelerate proliferation of Broadband Internet services through Public Wi-Fi network.
• This Public Wi-Fi Access Network Interface will be known as PM-WANI.
• PM-WANI eco-system will be operated by different players as described herein under:
o Public Data Office (PDO): It will establish, maintain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers. o Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It will be an aggregator of PDOs and perform the functions relating to Authorization and Accounting. o App Provider: It will develop an App to register users and discover WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in the nearby area and display the same within the App for accessing the internet service.
o Central Registry: It will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the Central Registry will be maintained by C-DoT.
• While no registration would be required for PDOs, PDOAs and App Providers will get themselves registered with DoT through online registration portal (SARALSANCHAR;) of DoT, without paying any registration fee.
• There shall be no license fee for providing Broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks.
• The proposal will promote the growth of Public Wi-Fi Networks in the country and, in turn, will help in proliferation of Broadband Internet, enhancement of income and employment and empowerment of people.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q7. With reference to the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for North Eastern Region (NER), consider the following statements:

1. The project envisages to provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages at an estimated cost of implementation about Rs.2, 029 crore including operational expenses for five years.
2. The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has approved for provision of a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) Scheme for providing Mobile Coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and two Districts of Assam, namely Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, under the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for North Eastern Region (NER).
• The project envisages to provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages (1683 in Arunachal Pradesh and 691 in two districts of Assam) at an estimated cost of implementation about Rs.2,029 crore including operational expenses for five years.
• The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund. The project is targeted to be completed by December, 2022.
• The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q8. With reference to the new ‘Policy on School Bag 2020’, consider the following statements:

1. School bags should not be more than 10% of the body weight of students across classes I to X and there should be no homework till class II.
2. The policy even recommends that the weight of each textbook may come printed on them by the publishers.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
School bags should not be more than 10% of the body weight of students across classes I to X and there should be no homework till class II.
• The new ‘Policy on School Bag 2020’ of the Union ministry of education also recommends that the weight of the bag needs to be monitored on a regular basis in schools.
• They should be light-weight with two padded and adjustable straps that can squarely fit on both shoulders and no wheeled carriers should be allowed.
• The policy even recommends that the weight of each textbook may come printed on them by the publishers.
• The recommendations have been arrived based on various surveys and studies conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
• The ‘Policy on School Bag 2020’ made 11 recommendations on the weight of the bags, including adequate good quality mid-day meal and potable water to all the students so that they need not carry lunch boxes or water bottles.
• The policy said there should be no bags in pre-primary. For classes I and II the bag weight range should be between 1.6 kg to 2.2 kg. Like-wise it should be 1.7 kg to 2.5 kg, 2 kg to 3 kg,
2.5 to 4 kg, 2.5 kg to 4.5 kg and 3.5 kg to 5 kg for classes III to V, classes VI and VII, class VIII, classes IX and X and classes XI and XII respectively.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q9. With reference to the AMBA application and enrolment report 2020, consider the following statements:

1. India added more women students to its business schools in the last two years, but it was nowhere near enough to escape the tag of worst gender ratio in management classrooms 2. China topped the charts as the only region to report an equal proportion of men and women in their management programmes.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c) Explanation:
India added more women students to its business schools in the last two years, but it was nowhere near enough to escape the tag of worst gender ratio in management classrooms, said a study.
• Data collected from 223 business schools around the world showed management colleges in India have the highest proportion of men.
• “India had the most unequal cohorts for gender — only 19% of both applicants and enrollees in 2019 were female,” said the AMBA Application and Enrolment Report 2020.
• China topped the charts as the only region to report an equal proportion of men and women in their management programmes. “China (including Hong Kong) is the world’s most genderbalanced region. Oceania was next with 45% of enrollees being female.
• In fact, the proportion of women applying for AMBA (Association of MBAs)-accredited programmes rose by two percentage points between 2018 and 2019, and that of enrolment by one percentage point. Globally, 40% of those applying and 38% of those enrolling into MBA programmes in 2019 were women.
• The news reflects poorly on the corporate culture in India. Business and industrial houses must step up and create a more gender-friendly environment at the workplace. This will hopefully encourage more women to enrol in management studies.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q10. The Indian Navy celebrated Submarine Day on:
a) December 8
b) December 10
c) December 11
d) December 5

Solution: a)
Explanation:
The Indian Navy celebrated Submarine Day on December 8.
• It was on December 8 that the Indian Naval Ensign was unfurled on INS Kalvari, the first submarine to be inducted in the Indian Navy, at Riga in Latvia, the erstwhile USSR, in 1967.
• INS Kalvari was a diesel-electric submarine of the Foxtrot Class from the erstwhile USSR.
• Kalvari is the Malayalam name for Tiger Shark, a predator in the Indian Ocean. The Kalvari was decommissioned in 1996 after 29 years of service.
• The Indian Navy is inducting several submarines in Kalvari Class, named after the very first submarine inducted into service.
• INS Kalvari, a diesel-electric submarine of Scorpene-class, was inducted into service in 2017 after having being built at the Mazagon dock in Mumbai. It has been designed by French company DCNS.
• INS Khanderi is the other submarine of Kalvari class currently in service. The other submarines slated to join service under this class are Vela, Karanj, Vaghir and Vaghsheer.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

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