23 AUGUST CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. In context of Indian Polity, consider the following statements1. Zero Hour is an Indian Parliamentary innovation.

2. The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for Zero Hour.
3. Under Zero Hour, MP’s can raise matter without any prior notice.
   Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 2 and 3 only

Solution: c)

Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct.
Question Hour:
Definition: The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for the
Question Hour. However, in 2014 the Question Hour was shifted in the Rajya
Sabha from 11 am to 12 noon
During this one hour, Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to
ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.
The questions can also be asked to the private members (MPs who are not
ministers).
Regulation: It is regulated according to the parliamentary rules.
The presiding officers of both Houses (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) are the final
authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour.
Zero Hour:
 Zero Hour is an Indian parliamentary innovation. It is not mentioned in
the parliamentary rules book.
 Under this, MPs can raise matters without any prior notice.
 The zero hour starts immediately after the question hour and lasts until the
agenda for the day (i.e. regular business of the House) is taken up.
In other words, the time gap between the question hour and the agenda is
known as zero hour.

Q2. Which of the following persons are eligible for Postal Voting in India?

1. Voters on election duty
2. Voters under Preventive Detention
3. Non-Resident Indians
4. Service Voters
   Select the correct answer using the code below

a) 1,2 and 4 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1,2 and 3 only
d) 4 only

Solution: a)

Explanation:
Postal Voting in India Ballot papers are distributed electronically to electors and
are returned to the election officers via post.
 Currently, only the following voters are allowed to cast their votes through
postal ballot:
Service voters (armed forces, the armed police force of a state and government
servants posted abroad),
 Voters on election duty.
 Voters above 80 years of age or Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
 Voters under preventive detention.
 The exception to the above-mentioned category of voters is provided under
Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
NRI voting in India started in 2011 and now they can only vote in person in their
constituencies only.

Q3. With reference to the ‘Mission Karmayogi’, consider the following statements:

1. It will be governed by the Human Resource Council chaired by Prime
   Minister.
2. It will provide post recruitment training to upgrade capacity building of the
   officers.
   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:
Both statements are correct.
 The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (‘NPCSCB’) –
“Mission Karmayogi” has been launched with the objective of enhancing
governance through Civil Service Capacity Building
 NPCSCB will be governed by the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council,
which will also include state Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet ministers and
experts. This council will approve and review civil service capacity building
programmes.
 ‘Mission Karmayogi’ is aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training
mechanism of officers. The programme will be delivered by setting up a digital
platform called iGOTKarmayogi. The training of Civil Servants at various
Academies will be restructured to include optimum use of the digital learning
platform of iGOT. This will enable a comprehensive reform of the capacity
building apparatus at the individual, institutional and process levels.

Q4. With reference to ‘A-Web’ organisation, consider the following statements:

1. It aims at strengthening the processes of election management in member
   countries.
2. It undertakes observation programmes in various countries to study election
   management practices.
   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:
Both statements are correct.
 Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) is largest association of
Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide. It aims at strengthening the
processes of election management in member countries. It seeks to foster
efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and
participative elections worldwide.
 It also undertakes Election Visitor and Observation Programmes in various
countries to study various election management practices and share
knowledge with other members of EMBs.

Q5. The term “Adjusted Gross Revenue” sometimes seen in news is related to

a) Revenue-Fee sharing mechanism
b) Oil output pact by OPEC + countries
c) Genome Sequencing Model
d) None

Solution: b)

Explanation:
Adjusted Gross Revenue- AGR is a fee-sharing mechanism between the
government and the telcos who shifted to the ‘revenue-sharing fee’ model in 1999,
from the ‘fixed license fee’ model.
In this course, telcos are supposed to share a percentage of AGR with the
government.

Q6. Which of the following are causes of Land Degradation?

1. Loss of Soil Cover
2. Vegetative Degradation
3. Water Erosion
4. Climate Change
5. Wind Erosion
   Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2,3 and 5 only
   c) 2 and 4 only
   d) 1,2,3,4 and 5
   Solution: d)
   Explanation:
    Land Degradation:
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   o Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme
   weather conditions, particularly drought. It is also caused by human
   activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility.
    Desertification:
   o Land degradation within dry land regions (arid, semi-arid and dry subhumid regions) is termed as ‘desertification’.
   o Desertification is the process by which the biological productivity of
   drylands is reduced due to natural or manmade factors. It does not
   mean the expansion of existing deserts.
    Causes:
   o Loss of Soil Cover:
    Loss of soil cover, mainly due to rainfall and surface runoff, is
   one of the biggest reasons for desertification. It is responsible for
   11.01% of the desertification in the country.
    Cutting forests adversely affect the soil and cause degradation.
   As urbanization increases, the demand for resources is also
   increasing.
   o Vegetation Degradation:
    Vegetation degradation is defined as, “the temporary or
   permanent reduction in the density, structure, species
   composition or productivity of vegetation cover”.
    It is found to be responsible for 9.15% of desertification in the
   country.
   o Water Erosion:
    It results in Badland Topography which itself is an initial stage
   of desertification.
    Badlands are a type of dry terrain where softer
   sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been
   extensively eroded.
    In 2011-13, water erosion was responsible for 10.98% of
   desertification in the country.
   o Wind Erosion:
    Sand encroachment by wind reduces fertility of the soil making
   the land susceptible to desertification.
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    It was found to be responsible for 5.46% of the desertification in
   India.
   o Climate Change:
    It may exacerbate desertification through alteration of spatial
   and temporal patterns in temperature, rainfall, solar radiation
   and winds.
   Q7. Which of the statements are correct about Adopt a Heritage Project?
6. Its main aim is to develop tourism amenities at heritage spread across the
   countries to make them tourist friendly.
7. All UNESCO World Heritages are selected for an initial period of 6 years.
8. Recently, Narayankoti Temple was selected under “Adopt a Heritage
   Product”.
   Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 2 and 3 only
   Solution: c)
   Explanation:
   Adopt a Heritage Project:
   About:
   Launched on 27th September, 2017 (World Tourism Day), it is a collaborative effort
   by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India
   (ASI), State/UTs Governments.
   Aim:
   To develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across
   India to make them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner.
   Implementation:
    The sites/monuments are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and
   visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and
   individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for an initial period of five
   years.
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    The Monument Mitras are selected by the ‘oversight and vision committee,’
   co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary, on the basis
   of the bidder’s ‘vision’ for development of all amenities at the heritage site.
    There is no financial bid involved.
    The corporate sector is expected to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
   funds for the upkeep of the site.
   Q8. Consider the following statements1. India is the second largest wool producer in world.
9. Majority of India wool constitutes of Carpet grade rather than apparel trade.
10. Gujarat is the India’s largest wool producer.
    Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 2 only
    d) 1,2 and 3
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    Statement 1 and 3 are not correct.
    India’s Wool Industry-
     India is the seventh-largest producer of wool and accounts for nearly 2
    to 3% of total world production.
     India has the third largest sheep population in the world with over 64 million
    sheep. The annual wool production is in the range of 43-46 million kg.
     Due to the insufficient domestic production, India depends on imports for
    raw wool, particularly on Australia and New Zealand.
     This wool is then used to prepare products like carpets, yarn, fabrics and
    garments for the domestic market and for exporting, especially to the United
    States and Europe.
     Rajasthan is the largest wool producer and is known for its superior
    carpet grade Chokla and Magra wool.
     Carpet grade is rougher than apparel grade and accounts for 85% of
    India’s production.
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     Apparel grade wool accounts for less than 5% of production and coarse grade
    fit for making rough blankets accounts for the rest.
    Q9. Which of the following initiatives are taken by government to promote solar
    energy?
11. Atal Jyoti Joyana
12. PM-KUSUM
13. Ujjwala Yojana
14. SuryaMitra Skill Development Programme
    Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2,3 and 4 only
    c) 1,2 and 4 only
    d) 1,2,3 and 4
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    Objective of Ujjwala Yojana:
     Empowering women and protecting their health.
     Reducing the number of deaths in India due to unclean cooking fuel.
     Preventing young children from a significant number of acute respiratory
    illnesses caused due to indoor air pollution by burning fossil fuel.
    Schemes for Promoting Solar Energy
    Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks: It is a
    scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under
    the existing Solar Park Scheme.
    National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018: The main objective of the Policy is to
    provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid
    systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources,
    transmission infrastructure and land.
    Atal Jyoti Yojana: The AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the
    installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50%
    households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).
    International Solar Alliance (ISA): The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was
    launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th
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    November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the Conference of the Parties
    (COP-21), with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the
    tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.
    One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): It focuses on a framework for
    facilitating global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of interconnected
    renewable energy resources (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly shared.
    National Solar Mission: It is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
    Suryamitra Skill Development Programme: To provide skill training to rural
    youth in handling solar installations.
    Q10. The term “Karez System” sometimes seen in news is related to which of the
    following?
    a) Water Harnessing Technology
    b) Artillery System
    c) Cyber-Security strategy
    d) Cultivation of crops without water and soil
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    The Karez System of Afghanistan is in threat whereas a similar system named
    Surangam in South India is thriving.
     Surangams resemble the karez System both in structure and spread.
     Karez System:
    o The karez system is a legacy of its Persian cultural moorings. It has
    suffered extensive damage in 43 years of war and stares at an
    uncertain future under the Taliban’s second regime.
    o Karez is a water harnessing technology in which groundwater is
    brought to the surface by a tunnel.
    o In this system, no mechanical pump or lift is used. Gravity alone
    brings the water from the underground source.
    o The technology originated in Persia/Iran and was widely used during
    the medieval period.