11 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the formation of aurora

1. The charged particles ejected from the sun interact with different gases in the atmosphere, causing a display of light in the sky, known as an aurora.
2. It is visible only from the northern part of the globe and are seen from the US (Alaska), Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
   Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
About an aurora:
• Charged particles ejected: Auroras occur when charged particles ejected from the Sun’s surface – called the solar wind, enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Disrupts the magnetosphere: While flowing toward Earth, the fast moving solar wind carries with it the Sun’s magnetic field, which disrupts the magnetosphere – the region of space around Earth in which the magnetic field of our planet is dominant.
• Interaction between the two magnetic fields: When the Sun’s magnetic field approaches Earth, the protective magnetic field radiating from our planet’s poles deflects the former, thus shielding life on Earth.
o However, the protective fields couple together to form funnels, through which charged solar wind particles are able to stream down to the poles.
• Display of aurora: The charged particles interact with different gases in the atmosphere, causing a display of light in the sky. This display, known as an aurora, is seen from the Earth’s high latitude regions and is active all year round. o Aurora borealis or Northern Lights: In the northern part, the polar lights are called aurora borealis or Northern Lights, and are seen from the US (Alaska), Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. o Aurora australis or southern lights: In the south, they are called aurora australis or southern lights, and are visible from high latitudes in Antarctica, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.

Q2. The annual Emission Gap Report is published by a) Greenwatch
b) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
c) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
d) None of the above

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
The Emissions Gap Report 2020:
• Recently, in its annual Emissions Gap Report 2020, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted that there is no reduction in the human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the year 2020 would be one of the warmest years on record.
• The annual report from UNEP measures the gap between anticipated emissions and levels consistent with the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming this century to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C.

Q3. Consider the following statements about RakhiGarhi :

1. Among the findings at the site, which indicate only the early Harappan phase, were a female skeleton, fortification and bricks.
2. The site is located near the seasonal Ghaggar river.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 & 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
RakhiGarhi (Rakhi Shahpur + Rakhi Khas), is a village in Hisar District in the state of Haryana in India, situated 150 kilometers to the northwest of Delhi.
• The Archaeological remains were first found in 1963 at Rakhigarhi however the first major excavation at
Rakhigarhi was carried out for three winters in 19971999.
• It is the site of a pre-Indus Valley Civilisation
settlement going back to about 6500 BCE.
• Later, it was also part of the mature Indus Valley Civilisation, dating to 2600-1900 BCE.
• Among the findings, which indicate both early and mature Harappan phases, were a 4,600-year-old female skeleton, fortification and bricks.
• The site is located some 27 km from the seasonal Ghaggar river
• In May 2012, the Global Heritage Fund declared Rakhigarhi one of the 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia.

Q4. Consider the following statements in context of the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA):

1. It is committed to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payments to advance the goals of Paris Climate deal, specifically.
2. India is not a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 & 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution : d)
   Explanation :-
   The Better Than Cash Alliance
   • United Nations, the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) is a partnership of over 75 governments, companies and international organizations
   • Objectives: It is committed to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payments to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
   • India became a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance in 2015 to digitize payments to achieve financial inclusion and to share success stories from Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the world’s largest financial inclusion program.
   • Alliance is working with several state governments towards the goal of building knowledge and programs where people, governments, and businesses can make and receive digital payments.
   • BTCA is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Citi, Ford Foundation, MasterCard, Omidyar Network, U.S. Agency for International Development and Visa Inc. UNCDF serves as the BTCA Secretariat. BTCA is looking to expand in a number of SIDS. The total cost of the project is 38.2 million USD.
   • Significance: The use of technology to transition from cash to electronic payments o reduces costs,
   o has the potential to increase transparency and accountability, o diminishes security risks,
   o enhances access to financial services for the poor and
   o can drive inclusive economic growth, with a potential for women economic development

Q5. Recently which of the following states approved bills that propose death penalty for heinous cases of rape, acid attack and child abuse as a part of SHAKTI act? a) Odisha
b) Haryana
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Maharashtra

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
In a bid to curb crimes against women and children in Maharashtra, the state cabinet approved two draft bills that propose death penalty for heinous cases of rape, acid attack and child abuse.
The two interconnected bills, which will be tabled in the winter session of the state legislature as part of the Shakti Act, are the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act 2020 and the Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law 2020. Hence option (d) is correct.
Drafted on the lines of the Disha Act framed by Andhra Pradesh, they seek to amend relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedural Code (CrPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The bills also have provisions to increase the quantum of punishment, including life term, cover new categories of crimes, and propose a mechanism for speedy trials. The media is not allowed to report the name of a rape victim. The proposed
Acts will provide similar protection to victims of molestation and even acid attack. The draft bills propose to amend IPC Section 376 (rape) to increase the quantum of punishment to life term or death penalty in heinous cases where there’s adequate conclusive evidence or exemplary punishment is warranted.

Q6. With respect to “Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020)”, consider the following statements:

1. Terming cow slaughter as a cognizable offence, violators can attract three to seven years of imprisonment.
2. Police officers ranked sub-inspector and above or a competent authority will have the power to search premises.
   Which of the above given statements is/are correct? a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 & 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
The BJP-led government in Karnataka passed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020) in the Assembly on December 9 amid strong opposition from the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular).
The Bill envisages a ban on all forms of cattle slaughter and stringent punishment for offenders. While ‘beef’ is defined as the flesh of cattle in any form, the word ‘cattle’ is defined as “cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock, and he or she buffalo below the age of thirteen years”. The Bill also terms shelters established for the protection and preservation of cattle registered with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries as ‘gau shalas’.
Hence Statement 2 is correct: Police officers ranked sub-inspector and above or a competent authority will have the power to search premises and seize cattle and materials used or intended to use to commit the offence.
Hence Statement 1 is correct: Terming cow slaughter as a cognizable offence, violators can attract three to seven years of imprisonment. While a penalty between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh can be levied for the first offence, second and subsequent offences can attract penalties ranging between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

Q7. “Ischaemumjanarthanamii” is a variety of which of the following species? a) Butterfly
b) Grass
c) Archaea
d) Mangroves

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
A new species of Indian Muraingrasses (Genus Ischaemum) known for their ecological and economic importance, such as fodder, have been spotted by scientists in Goa in the Western Ghats, one of the four global biodiversity hotspots of India. Hence option (b) is correct.
Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of
Science &Technology, discovered a novel species named Ischaemumjanarthanamii from plateaus of Western Ghats of Goa. The species was named Ischaemumjanarthanamii in honour of Prof. M. K. Janarthanam, Professor of Botany, Goa University, for his contribution to the Indian grass taxonomy and documentation of the floristic diversity of Goa state. Ischaemumjanarthanamii grows on low altitude lateritic plateaus in the outskirts of Bhagwan Mahavir National Park, Goa. The species has adapted to survive harsh conditions, low nutrient availability, and blossoms every monsoon.

Q8. With respect to “ADMM-Plus”, consider the following statements:

1. It is the only official framework of Defense Ministers meetings in the Asia- Pacific Region established in 2010.
2. It comprises the ten ASEAN countries and 4 countries namely Australia, Japan, India and the United States.
   Which of the above given statements is/are correct? a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 & 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Raksha mantri Rajnath Singh, attended the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus organized online at Hanoi, Vietnam on 10 December 2020 that marked the 10th anniversary of ADMM Plus.
Hence Statement 1 is correct: ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) is the only official framework of Defense Minister’s meetings in the Asia- Pacific Region. It is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region. It was established in 2010. Hence Statement 2 is incorrect: Members: The ADMM-Plus comprises the ten ASEAN countries as well as Australia, China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

Q9. Recently, Prime Minister greeted the people of which of the following countries on the festival of Chag Hanukkah Sameach?
a) Sri Lanka
b) Australia
c) Qatar
d) Israel

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Israel on the festival of Chag Hanukkah Sameach.
Hanukkah is also known as Chanukah. It is an eight-day Jewish celebration that marks the rededication during the second century BC of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend, Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hence option (d) is correct.

Q10. With respect to “New Parliament Building”, which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
Parliament Chambers Themes

1. Lok Sabha the national bird (peacock)
2. Rajya Sabha the national flower (lotus)
3. Central lounge the national tree (banyan)
   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

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building. It will be the highlight of the ambitious ₹ 20,000 crore Central Vista project that PM Modi said will become “a symbol of a new and self-reliant India”.
The four-story building will be triangular and its interiors will have three national symbols – the lotus, the peacock and the banyan tree – as its themes. The triangular shape of the new parliament was a reference to “sacred geometries in various religions and cultures of India”. In the Lok Sabha chamber, the national bird (peacock) will be the theme. In the Rajya Sabha the national flower (lotus) and in the central lounge the national tree (banyan) will be the theme. Hence option (d) is correct.
The parliament building alone will cost an estimated ₹ 971 crore and will, the government hopes, be ready before India’s 75th Independence Day (in 2022). However, construction cannot yet begin as a legal challenge is pending in the Supreme Court.To be constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, the new parliament building will overlook the old – which was built nearly 100 years ago at a cost of ₹ 83 lakh and will be turned into a museum.The new Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha halls will have increased seating capacities (888 and 384 seats, respectively) in anticipation of an expanded Parliament; a 25-year-old freeze on increasing state-wise distribution of seats ends in 2026. In addition, seating in the Lok Sabha hall can be expanded to 1,272 to host joint sessions. Dholpur stone will be the primary construction material (as it was with the current building) and red granite may replace red sandstone in some interior sections. The building will be equipped with modern audio-visual communication systems. The new parliament will also be fully wheelchair- and disabled-access friendly.

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