17 FEB CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the International Criminal Court (ICC)

1. It is a permanent judicial body based at The Hague in the Netherlands and is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
2. It was created by the 1988 Rome Statute and began functioning in 2002.
   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 : c)
Explanation :-
• About ICC:
o It is a permanent judicial body based at The Hague in the Netherlands and is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
o It is intended to complement existing national judicial systems and it may therefore exercise its jurisdiction only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals.
o Created by the 1988 Rome Statute and began functioning in 2002.
• Difference between ICC and ICJ:
o ICJ is an organ of the UN while ICC is not.
o ICJ mainly hears disputes between nations while ICC prosecutes individuals.

Q2. Consider the following differences between the International
Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

1. ICC is an organ of the UN while ICJ is not.
2. ICJ mainly hears disputes between nations while ICC prosecutes individuals.
   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 : b)
Explanation :-
Difference between ICC and ICJ:
• ICJ is an organ of the UN while ICC is not.
• ICJ mainly hears disputes between nations while ICC prosecutes individuals.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to the SANDES app

1. It is an instant messaging platform launched by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
2. The app was launched only for Android users and open only to government officers.
   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 the SANDES App:
• Launched by: The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes on the lines of WhatsApp.
• Usage: The first version could be used by both central and state government officials, for intra and inter-organisational communication. o The app was initially launched for Android users and then the service was extended to iOS users.
• Open for: Initially only to government officers, it has now been released for the common public as well.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)

1. It is a national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, social determinants and consequences of population aging in India
2. It was commissioned in 2016 and it is India’s first survey that provides a longitudinal database for designing policies and programmes for the older population.
3. The National Programme for Health Care of Elderly, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has undertaken the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India along with other institutions. Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? a) 1 and 3 only
   b) 2 Only
   c) All of the above
   d) None of the above

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI):
• LASI is a national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, social determinants and consequences of population aging in India
• It was commissioned in 2016 and it is India’s first and the world’s largest ever survey that provides a longitudinal database for designing policies and programmes for the older population.
• Agencies Involved: The National Programme for Health Care of Elderly, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has undertaken the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, through International Institute for Population Sciences, (IIPS), Mumbai in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other institutions.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. The powers of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Puducherry are the same as the ones of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
2. The LG of Puducherry and Delhi are guided mostly by the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Both statements are incorrect.
The powers of the LG of Puducherry are different from the ones of the LG of Delhi, the other UT that has an elected legislature and government. The LG of Delhi has “Executive Functions” that allow him to exercise his powers in matters connected to public order, police and land “in consultation with the Chief Minister, if it is so provided under any order issued by the President under Article 239 of the Constitution”. Simply put, the LG of Delhi enjoys greater powers than the LG of Puducherry.
While the LG of Delhi is also guided by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Transaction of Business of the
Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Rules, 1993, the LG of Puducherry is guided mostly by the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. Under the constitutional scheme, the Delhi Assembly has the power to legislate on all subjects except law and order and land.
2. The Puducherry Assembly can legislate on any issue under the Concurrent and State Lists.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
Under the constitutional scheme, the Delhi Assembly has the power to legislate on all subjects except law and order and land. However, the Puducherry Assembly can legislate on any issue under the Concurrent and State Lists.
However, if the law is in conflict with a law passed by Parliament, the law passed by Parliament prevails.
Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. King George V announced in 1913 that Delhi would be the new capital of India.
2. The commercial and literary hub of India, Calcutta had become the epicentre of the nationalist movement since the late nineteenth century. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
• Calcutta (now Kolkata) was once a capital of this country until King George V announced in December 1911 that Delhi would be the new capital.
• New Delhi was close to the summer capital, Shimla.
• The commercial and literary hub of India, Calcutta had become the epicentre of the nationalist movement since the late nineteenth century. In a bid to weaken this opposition, in 1905, the colonial government cleaved the powerful province of Bengal into two portions.

Q8. Growth pole theory is related to a) Economic development
b) Growth of stars in galaxy
c) North pole
d) Antarctica

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
GROWTH POLE REFERS to the concentration of highly innovative and technically advanced industries that stimulate economic development in linked businesses and industries.

Q9. The ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’, recently mentioned in news, is located in:
a) Assam
b) Sikkim
c) West Bengal
d) Arunachal Pradesh

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Prime Minister Modi will launch the ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ in Assam on 18th February 2021.
• The launch of Mahabahu-Brahmaputra will be marked by the inauguration of the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati-Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari; Shilanyas of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa and various tourist jetties on River Brahmaputra and launch of digital solutions for Ease-of-DoingBusiness.
• The program is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the Eastern parts of India and includes various development activities for the people living around River Brahmaputra and River Barak.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. Which of the following is a river island in the Brahmaputra River? a) Majuli Island
b) Shaheed Dweep
c) Agatti Island
d) Netrani Island

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of Dhubri Phulbari Bridge and perform Bhumi Pujan for construction of Majuli Bridge Assam on 18th February 2021.
Dhubri Phulbari Bridge
• Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the four lane bridge over the Brahmaputra between Dhubri (on North Bank) and Phulbari (on South Bank).
• The proposed Bridge will be located on NH-127B, originating from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor), and terminating at Nongstoin on NH-106 in the State of Meghalaya.
• It will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari, Tura, Rongram and Rongjeng in Meghalaya.
Majuli Bridge
• Prime Minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the two-lane Bridge on the Brahmaputra between Majuli (North Bank) and Jorhat (South Bank).
• The bridge will be located on NH-715K and will connect Neematighat (on Jorhat side) and Kamalabari (on Majuli side).
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q11. With reference to the E-Chhawani portal, consider the following statements:

1. It has been created to provide online civic services to over 20 lakh residents of 62 Cantonment Boards across the country.
2. The portal is jointly developed by DRDO.
   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 :-
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh launched E-Chhawani portal and mobile app in New Delhi on February 16, 2021.
• The portal (https://echhawani.gov.in/) has been created to provide online civic services to over 20 lakh residents of 62 Cantonment Boards across the country.
• Through the portal, the residents of cantonment areas will be able to avail basic services like renewal of leases, application for birth & death certificates, water & sewerage connections, trade licences with just a click of a button.
• The portal is jointly developed by eGov Foundation, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) and National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Q12. TECHNOGRAHIS, recently seen in news, is an initiative of:
a) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
b) Ministry of Labour and Employment
c) Ministry of Minority Affairs
d) Ministry of Law and Justice

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
An Enrolment Module for TECHNOGRAHIS, has been launched by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• TECHNOGRAHIS are students from IITs, NITs, engineering, planning and architecture colleges, faculty members, academicians, and stakeholders.
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is promoting six Light House Projects (LHPs) as Live Laboratories for transfer of technology to the field.
• The LHPs are model housing projects. About 1,000 houses at each location are being built with allied infrastructure facilities.
• Interested candidates can register themselves to visit these Live Laboratories at six LHP sites for learning, consultation, generation of ideas and solutions, experimentation, innovation, and technical awareness.
• Till the completion of the LHPs within a period of 12 months, the ‘Technograhis’ will get regular updates from the sites for information dissemination.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q13. Tianwen-1, often mentioned in news, is an initiative of which of the following country?
a) Japan
b) South Korea
c) North Korea
d) China

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Two more rovers — NASA’s Perseverance and China’s Tianwen-1 — are set to land on Mars on February 18 and in May 2021 respectively. NASA’s Perseverance Rover
• The most sophisticated mission from an engineering standpoint, NASA’s Perseverance Rover, is en route to Mars, and is set to land on Thursday at Jezero Crater, which was likely filled with water in the past.
• Perseverance is NASA’s 4th generation Mars Rover
• The goal is to look for biosignatures in the dried up lake bed at Jezero Crater. Tianwen-1
• Tianwen-1, the first mission to Mars from China, successfully underwent orbital insertion on February 10. Tianwen-1 carries an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. China’s approach for landing a rover is somewhat different. Unlike NASA rovers, Tianwen-1 will orbit Mars for a few months before attempting to land in May this year.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q14. With reference to the Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan, consider the following statements:

1. It will be conducted in cities to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies with respect to quantity and quality of water through a challenge process.
2. It is under Jal Jeevan Mission- Urban, JJM-U. 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 Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a Pilot Pey Jal Survekshan under Jal Jeevan Mission- Urban, JJM-U.
• It will be conducted in cities to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies with respect to quantity and quality of water through a challenge process.
• As a first step, the Ministry has decided to launch the Survekshan in 10 cities- Agra, Badlapur, Bhubaneswar, Churu, Kochi, Madurai, Patiala, Rohtak, Surat and Tumkur.
• Jal Jeevan Mission Urban is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households through functional taps in all 4,378 statutory towns in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal – 6.
• The total outlay proposed for JJM (U) is 2 lakh 87 thousand crore rupees which includes 10 thousand crore rupees for continuing financial support to AMRUT Mission.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q15. Which of the following article of the Indian constitution states that here shall be Governor for each State?
a) Article 153
b) Article 72
c) Article 184
d) Article 123

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
Dr. Kiran Bedi has been removed from the post of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor. Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has been given additional charge as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
• Article 153 of the Indian constitution states that here shall be Governor for each State.
• nothing in this article shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.