07 MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Oxygen Enrichment Unit is developed by

a) Bharat Biotech

b) CSIR-NCL

c) IIT, Bombay

d) Both a and b

Solution: b)

Explanation:

Oxygen Enrichment Unit (OEU): It is developed by scientists of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), and will help reduce the requirement of ventilators and oxygen cylinders in homecare, villages and remote places. Oxygen enrichment units have special significance in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Patient recovery can be faster with supplemental oxygen in early stages.

Q2. In which of the following countries Proceedings of the Supreme Courts are broadcast live?

1. Brazil
2. Canada
3. England
4. Germany

Select the correct code

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 4 only

c) 1, 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution: d)

Explanation:

Global examples

• In Australia, proceedings are recorded and posted on the high court’s website.
• Proceedings of the Supreme Courts of Brazil, Canada, England and Germany are broadcast live.
• The Supreme Court of the US does not permit video recording, but oral arguments are recorded, transcribed, and available publicly.
• And democracies aside, in China, court proceedings are live-streamed from trial courts up to the Supreme People’s Court of China.
• In October 2020, the Gujarat High Court has become the first Court to live stream judicial proceedings on YouTube channel.

Q3. What is the GST rate payable on Oxygen concentrators in India?

a) 28%

b) 12%

c) 5%

d) 0%

Solution: b)

Explanation:

GST on oxygen concentrators

● Oxygen concentrators received as gifts or ordered online from overseas would attract Goods and Services Tax (GST), but the GST rate payable was reduced from 28% to 12% by the Finance Ministry recently.

● The government had notified changes to the foreign trade policy to allow the import of oxygen concentrators for personal use through e-commerce portals, post or courier till July 31, 2021.

Q4. India Energy Outlook 2021 was released by

a) World Economic Forum

b) International Energy Agency

c) UN Energy

d) None of the above

Solution: b)

Explanation:

India Energy Outlook 2021

● Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the India Energy Outlook 2021 Report which explores the opportunities and challenges ahead for India as it seeks to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for a growing population.

● India will make up the biggest share of energy demand growth at 25% over the next two decades, as it overtakes the European Union as the world’s third-biggest energy consumer by 2030.

● Presently, India is the fourth-largest global energy consumer behind China, the United States and the European Union.

● India’s energy consumption is expected to nearly double as the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expands to an estimated USD 8.6 trillion by 2040 under its current national policy scenario.

● Prior to the global pandemic, India’s energy demand was projected to increase by almost 50% between 2019 and 2030, but growth over this period is now closer to 35%.

Q5. It emanates from the requirement to meet the fiscal needs of the States on their revenue accounts that remain to be met, even after considering their own tax and non-tax resources and tax devolution to them.

Which of the following does the above paragraph refer to?

a) Revenue Deficit

b) Revenue Expenditure

c) Revenue deficit grants

d) None of the above

Solution: c)

Explanation:

Revenue Deficit Grants to States

● Recently, the government accepted the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendation to maintain the States’ share in the divisible pool of taxes to 41% for the five-year period starting 2021-22.

● It has recommended post-devolution revenue deficit grants amounting to about Rs. 3 trillion over the five-year period ending FY26.

● The number of states qualifying for the revenue deficit grants decreases from 17 in FY22, the first year of the award period to 6 in FY26, the last year.

● Revenue Deficit is defined as the difference between revenue or current expenditure and revenue receipts that includes tax and non-tax.

● Revenue deficit grants emanate from the requirement to meet the fiscal needs of the States on their revenue accounts that remain to be met, even after considering their own tax and non-tax resources and tax devolution to them.

Q6. Consider the following statements about India’s bilateral investment treaty:

1. It stipulates that the aggrieved investor should use all local remedies as well
   as negotiations and consultations initiating arbitrations against the host
   State.
2. Investors cannot use outside remedies in any condition.
   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: a)

Explanation:
Only statement 1 is correct.
About bilateral investment treaty (BIT)
 A stable political and legal environment, assurances against taking away of
the investment value through legislative or administrative acts, transparent
public policy measures, and speedy access to justice are strong guarantees
for foreign investors.
 A bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between two countries plays a key role in
offering these guarantees on an international plane.
 In 2015, India replaced the investor-centric 2003 Model BIT with a
State-centric model. India terminated BITs with 58 countries in 2017.
 The Model BIT stipulates that the aggrieved investor should use all local
remedies as well as negotiations and consultations initiating arbitrations
against the host State.
 Investors can use outside remedies only five years after resorting to all
domestic arrangements.

Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. Patents give innovating firms a short-term monopoly on production to cover
   the costs of development and encourage investment.
2. Relaxing patent norms for Covid-19 vaccines will allow more manufacturers
   to produce the life-saving vaccines.
   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:
Both statements are correct.
Intellectual Property Rights
 Intellectual property describes creations, such as inventions, which are
protected by patents, copyrights and trademarks.
 These prevent copying and allow the originator to be financially rewarded.
 Patents give innovating firms a short-term monopoly on production to cover
the costs of development and encourage investment.
Covid-19 vaccines
 Many developing countries have argued that rules requiring countries to
protect patents and other forms of intellectual property are an obstacle to
increasing the production of vaccines and other products needed to tackle
the pandemic.
 Proposal: The idea was originally proposed by India and South Africa,
who have been leading a group of about 60 countries at the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
o The group is pushing for the temporary removal of intellectual property
protections on vaccines.
Benefits: Supporters of the plan say it will allow more manufacturers to produce
life-saving vaccines.

Q8. Dahla Dam, recently seen in news, is present in which of the following
countries?
a) China
b) India
c) Afghanistan
d) Bangladesh

Solution: c)

Explanation:
The Taliban has captured Afghanistan’s second-biggest dam after months of fierce
fighting in its former bastion of Kandahar. Dahla Dam, which provides irrigation to
farmers via a network of canals as well as drinking water for the provincial capital,
is now under Taliban control.
The Dahla Dam, also known as Arghandab Dam, is located in the Shah Wali Kot
District of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. It was constructed in 1952, it is said
to be the second largest dam in Afghanistan. It is built on the Arghandab
River. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q9. With respect to “Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)”, consider the following statements:

1. It was negotiated at the end of the Doha Round of the General Agreement on
   Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
2. It is an international legal agreement between all the member nations of the
   World Trade Organization (WTO).
3. It establishes minimum standards for the regulation by national governments of
   different forms of intellectual property (IP) as applied to nationals of other WTO
   member nations.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: b)

Explanation:
The United States will support an initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
to waive Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) protection for COVID19 vaccines.
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is
an international legal agreement between all the member nations of the World
Trade Organization (WTO). It establishes minimum standards for the regulation by
national governments of different forms of intellectual property (IP) as applied to
nationals of other WTO member nations. It was negotiated at the end of the
Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) between
1989 and 1990 and is administered by the WTO. Hence, option (b) is the correct
answer.

Q10. With reference to the Unique Disability ID (UDID), consider the following statements:

1. It is not mandatory for the State/UT authorities to issue certificate of disability
   through online mode.
2. The UDID project is under implementation since 2016.
   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: b)

Explanation:
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),
Government of India has made it mandatory for all States/UTs to grant certificate
of disability through online mode only using UDID portal w.e.f. 01.06.2021.
 The Central Government notified the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules,
2017 under RPwD Act, 2016 on 15.06.2017.
 Rule 18(5) mandates the Central Government to appoint a date making it
mandatory for the State/UT authorities to issue certificate of disability through
online mode.
 The UDID project is under implementation since 2016.
 Concerned authorities of all States/UTs have been imparted training by DEPwD
for working on the UDID portal (www.swavlambancard.gov.in).
 The States/UTs have been given adequate time to convert to online mode. It will
ensure complete digitization of certification of disability from 01.06.2021, besides
providing a viable mechanism for cross-checking genuineness of the certificate to
achieve pan-India validity, and simplifying the process for the benefit of
Divyangjan.
 Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.