05 JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. The “Net Zero Emission Roadmap” is released by which of the following?
a) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
b) NITI Aayog
c) International Energy Agency
d) Ministry of Power

Solution: c)

Explanation:
Recently, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) released its Net Zero Emissions
(NZE) Roadmap – named ‘Net Zero by 2050’.
It is the World’s first comprehensive energy roadmap which comes ahead of the
United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 climate change convention in
Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
‘Net zero emissions’ refers to achieving an overall balance between
greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out
of the atmosphere.
Climate pledges by governments till date even if fully achieved would fall well short
of what is required to bring global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
to net zero by 2050 and give the world an even chance of limiting the global
temperature rise to 1.5 °C.
Aim of the Roadmap:
Examine Impact:
To examine the impacts of announced NZE pledges and what they might mean for
the energy sector.
New Energy Pathway:
To develop a new energy-sector pathway towards achieving NZE globally by 2050.
Significance:
It is supposed to provide a pathway to bridge the current gap between rhetoric and
reality in reducing GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions from the energy and industry
sectors.To set out key policy recommendations for governments to act upon in the
near-term, and a long-term agenda for change to achieve net-zero goals, including
with a view to reaching other Sustainable Development Goals.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Central Government is mandated to own the minerals within the
   exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).
2. The State Government does not have any ownership over the mineral in
   India.
   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 entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State List) to the Constitution of India mandates
the state government to own the minerals located within their boundaries.
The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central List) mandates the Central Government
to own the minerals within the exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).

Q3. Which of the following are correctly matched?
Places: Sometimes seen in News Country

1. Gorom Gorom Burkina Faso
2. Sheikh Jarrah Palestine
3. Swat Valley Iran
4. Danakil Depression Djibouti

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 1 and 2 only

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

Solution: a)
Explanation:
Gorom-Gorom- Burkina Faso
Sheikh Jarrah- Palestine

Swat Valley- Pakistan
Danakil Depression- Ethiopia

Q4. If GST needs on certain COVID-19 essential medicines needs to be reduced
and GST Council meeting is constituted to bring this into force. Which of the
following are mandatory for seamless meeting?

1. There should be presence of at least 30% members of GST Council.
2. Voting for resolution should be passed by 75% of council.
3. If prime minister is absent from meeting, the meeting cannot be conducted.

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 1 and 3

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

Solution: c)
Explanation:
 The quorum of GST Council meeting is 50% of members. Hence, statement
1 is not correct.
 Any resolution on increasing or reduction in taxes on any product or service
should be atleast passed by 75% or 3/4th votes in the council. Hence,
statement 2 is correct.
 Presence of Prime Minister does not affect the proceedings of meeting as s/he
is not a part or a member of GST Council. Hence, statement 3 is
not correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. The informal sector’s components are not included in GDP computations.
2. PM Garib Kalyan Yojana is a Micro Credit Scheme for the informal sector
   workers.
3. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a USD 500
   million loan programme to support India’s informal working class.
   Which of the statements given above are not correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 only
   d) 1 and 3 only

Solution: c)
Explanation:
 The informal sector is the part of any economy that is neither taxed nor
monitored by any form of government.
o It is largely characterized by skills gained outside of a formal
education, easy entry, a lack of stable employer-employee
relationships, and a small scale of operations.
o Unlike the formal economy, the informal sector’s components are
not included in GDP computations. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
o India’s estimated 450 million informal workers comprise 90% of its
total workforce, with 5-10 million workers added annually.

 PMGKAY is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to help the poor
fight the battle against COVID-19
o Its nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Finance.
 It was initially announced for a three month period (April, May and June
2020), covering 80 crore ration cardholders. Later it was extended
till November 2020. Statement 2 is not correct.
o However in April 2021, the government had announced its decision
to restart the PMGKAY.

 The scheme aimed at providing each person who is covered under the NFSA
2013 with an additional 5 kg grains (wheat or rice) for free, in addition to
the 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain already provided through the PDS
 The new version of the PMGKAY lacks one of its important
components which was there in 2020 PMGKAY i:e free-of-cost 1 kg pulses
per month to each household covered under the NFSA.
 Recently, the World Bank has approved a USD 500 million loan
programme to support India’s informal working class to overcome the
current pandemic distress. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Q6. With reference to the One Stop Centres (OSCs), consider the following
statements:

1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for addressing the problem of violence
   against women.
2. The Central Government provides 100% financial assistance to the State
   Governments and Union Territories administrations.
   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 Ministry of Women and Child Development will set up One Stop Centres
(OSCs) across 10 countries to provide assistance to Indian women who are
survivors of gender-based violence.
 It is a centrally sponsored scheme for addressing the problem of violence
against women. It was launched in April 2015. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
 One stop centre will be established across the country and at least one OSC
in every mission around the world to provide integrated support and
assistance under one roof to women affected by violence.
 It is funded through Nirbhaya Fund and the central government provides
100% financial assistance to the state governments /Union Territories
administrations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q7. With reference to Harrod-Domar Model of growth, consider the following

statements-

1. It focussed on economic development rather than economic growth.
2. Savings and Capital Output Ratio are important determinants of economic
   growth
3. If Capital Output Ratio is high, it is considered as good for economy.
   Select the correct answer using the code below-

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

Solution: b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 and 3 are not correct.
The Harrod Domar Growth model is a growth model and not a growth strategy!
A model helps to explain how growth has occurred and how it may occur again in
the future. Growth strategies are the things a government might introduce to
replicate the outcome suggested by the model.
Basically, the model suggests that the economy’s rate of growth depends on:
 The level of national saving (S)

 The productivity of capital investment (this is known as the capital-
output ratio) Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The Capital-Output Ratio (COR)
 For example, if £100 worth of capital equipment produces each £10 of annual
output, a capital-output ratio of 10 to 1 exists. A 3 to 1 capital-output ratio
indicates that only £30 of capital is required to produce each £10 of output
annually.
 If the capital-output ratio is low, an economy can produce a lot of output
from a little capital. If the capital-output ratio is high then it needs a lot of
capital for production, and it will not get as much value of output for the
same amount of capital.

Q8. Consider the following statements:

1. India is the second largest producer of milk in the world.
2. India occupies 10% of the world dairy export market.
   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:
 India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk. It produces
around 150 million tonne milk annually. Statement 1 is incorrect.
 Uttar Pradesh is the highest milk producing state in India contributing
around 18% to the total milk production, followed by Rajasthan, Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab contributing 11%, 10%, 8% and 7%
respectively.
 India exports only 0.01% of the world dairy export market. Statement 2 is
incorrect.

Q9. Consider the following statements about Dairy Processing & Infrastructure
Development Fund (DIDF):

1. It has been set up with a corpus with the National Bank for Agriculture and
   Rural Development (NABARD).
2. Only Milk Unions are eligible for borrowing loans from the 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: a)
Explanation:
Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund has been set up with a
corpus of Rs. 8,004 crore with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD). Statement 1 is correct.
Implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National
Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
Objectives of the DIDF scheme: To modernize the milk processing plants and
machinery and to create additional infrastructure for processing more milk.
The Scheme envisages providing loan assistance to State Dairy Federations,
District Milk Unions, Milk Producers Companies, Multi State Cooperatives and

NDDB subsidiaries across the country who are termed as Eligible End Borrowers
(EEBs). Statement 2 is incorrect.

Q10. Recently, the Prime Minister addressed a virtual event to mark the completion
of six years of Digital India. Which of the following government schemes have been
launched under Digital India?

1. Diksha
2. e-NAM
3. e-Sanjeevani
4. DigiBunai
5. PM SVANidhi scheme
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   a) 1, 2 and 3 only
   b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
   d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Solution: d)
Explanation:
Schemes of Digital India programme: Recently, the Prime Minister spoke about
various schemes of Digital India programme, including
 Diksha: DIKSHA stands for Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing. It
is a National Teacher Platform which is currently being used by teachers and
students across the nation to provide school education through distance
mode.
 eNAM: National Agriculture Market or eNAM is an online trading platform
for agricultural commodities in India. The market facilitates farmers, traders
and buyers with online trading in commodities.
 eSanjeevani solution for telemedicine:’ eSanjeevani’, is a web-based
comprehensive telemedicine solution. ‘eSanjeevani’ extends the reach of
specialized healthcare services to masses in both rural areas and isolated
communities.

 DigiBunai: DigiBunai aids the weavers to create digital artwork and
translate the saree design to be loaded to the looms. It is a first of its kind
Open Source software for Jacquard and dobby weaving.
 PM SVANidhi scheme: The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM
SVANidhi) scheme is a micro-credit facility that provides street vendors a
collateral-free loan of Rs 10,000 with low rates of interest for a period of one
year.
 The contact tracing app, Aarogya Setu, has played a key role in containing
the spread of COVID-19 in the country.