1 JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements-

1. Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is 50th Tiger Reserve of India.
2. Project Crocodile was launched after Project Tiger.
3. India has doubled its tiger in less than 10 years and fulfilled the target of St.
   Petersburg Declaration.

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

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

Solution: b)
Explanation:
With 2,967 tigers, India, four years in advance, has achieved the target set in the 2010 St
Petersburg Declaration of doubling tiger population by 2022. India had around 1,400 tigers
in 2006. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Project Crocodile (1975) was launched after Project Tiger (1972). Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve:
 Establishment:
o It was established in February 2021. It was jointly declared by the Centre
and Tamil Nadu governments.
o For this, the Megamalai WLS and the adjoining Srivilliputhur WLS were
clubbed together.
o Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is the fifth Tiger Reserve of Tamil
Nadu, and 51th tiger reserve of India. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
o Kamleng Tiger Reserve is 50th Tiger Reserve in country. It is in sate of
Arunachal Pradesh.

Q2. Consider the following statements

1. Covishield is an inactivated vaccine whereas Covaxin is a live vaccine.
2. Covaxin is the only indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine of 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: b)
Explanation:
India’s Coronavirus Vaccines
Of the two vaccines, COVAXIN is an inactivated vaccine whereas COVISHIELD is a live
vaccine. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
 COVISHIELD: It is the name given to an Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
which is technically referred to as AZD1222 or ChAdOx 1 nCoV-19.
 COVAXIN: It is India’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine. This vaccine has been
found to be safe and no major side effects are expected. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.

Q3. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. It is a World Bank-funded, central sector scheme.
2. It seeks to revive village-level Water User Associations.
   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:
 Atal Bhujal Yojana is a World Bank-funded, central sector scheme aimed at
improving groundwater management and restoring the health of the country’s
aquifers.Hence, statement 1 is correct
 It seeks to strengthen the “institutional framework of administering
groundwater resources and aims to bring about behavioural changes at the
community level for sustainable groundwater resource management”.
 The scheme will be implemented in seven states — Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka,

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh which are over-
exploited and water-stressed areas of the country.

 The Atal Bhujal Yojana seeks to revive village-level Water User Associations
(WUAs). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
 The scheme will strengthen the financial state of the WUAs, including allowing these
bodies to retain a significant portion of irrigation fees.

Q4. With reference to Minor Forest Produce, consider the following statements-

1. It is revised every three years by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
2. It includes all forest derived products except timber wood.
3. The selection of tribal beneficiaries with regard to Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is
   undertaken by TRIFED.

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

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

Solution: b)
Explanation:
MFP includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and includes bamboo, canes,
fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild
fruits, honey, lac, tusser etc. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
It provides both subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests. They
form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines and other consumption items and also
provide cash income through sales.
MSP for MFPs is revised once every three years by the Pricing Cell constituted under the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendra
 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been set up under the program ‘Van Dhan Yojana’
which was launched in 2018, in Chhattisgarh.
 The Van Dhan Vikas Kendra caters to ten Self Help Groups of thirty tribal gatherers
each.
 The selection of the tribal beneficiaries and formation of the SHGs has been
undertaken by the TRIFED. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
 The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras boost the economic development of tribals involved in
the collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and provide a sustainable MFP-based
livelihood in MFP-rich districts.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Kuno National Park:

1. It is located in the Aravalli range of Rajasthan.
2. It is a part of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
3. The African Cheetahs are re-introduced in the Kuno National Park.
   Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

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

Solution: a)
Explanation:
 The Kuno National Park is located in the Vindhyan Hills of Central
India (Madhya Pradesh). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
 It is connected to the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, through parts
of Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chambal and the forest patches of Sheopur but not
a part of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
 In January 2020, the Supreme Court allowed the re-introduction of foreign
Cheetahs into the Palpur Kuno sanctuary on an experimental basis.
o In November 2021, the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh will get
eight cheetahs from Africa under India’s first inter-country big cat
relocation project. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Q6. 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) 1 and 3 only
   c) 1,2 and 3
   d) 2 and 3 only

Solution: d)
Explanation:

 The United States will support an initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
to waive Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) protection for COVID-19
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.

Q7. With reference to recent Indo-China conflict, consider the following statements

regarding Galwan Valley-

1. It is located between Ladakh in East and Aksai Chin (controlled by China) in west.
2. Galwan River which has its source in Aksai Chin passes through the valley.
3. India has successfully acquired Galwan Valley from China.

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

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

Solution: d)
Explanation:
The deterioration in India-China relationship in recent past because of violence in Galwan
Valley.
The valley refers to the land that sits between steep mountains that buffet the Galwan
River.
The river has its source in Aksai Chin, on China’s side of the LAC, and it flows from
the east to Ladakh, where it meets the Shyok river on India’s side of the LAC.
The valley is strategically located between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the
east (currently controlled by China)
At its western end are the Shyok river and the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldie (DSDBO)
road.
Its eastern mouth lies not far from China’s vital Xinjiang Tibet road, now called the G219
highway.

Q8. Consider the following statements about heat waves:

1. Heat waves generally develop over Northwest India and spread gradually eastwards.
2. There should be an absence of moisture in the upper atmosphere for generation
   of heat waves.
   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:
Heat Wave
 A heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather that typically lasts two or more
days.
 To be considered a heat wave, the temperatures have to be outside the historical
averages for a given area.
 Heat waves begin when high pressure in the atmosphere moves in and pushes
warm air towards the ground.
 That air warms up further as it is compressed and one begins to feel a lot hotter.
 Heat waves generally develop over Northwest India and spread gradually eastwards
and southwards but not westwards (since the prevailing winds during the s
eason are westerly to northwesterly).
 Criteria for heat wave in India: Heat wave is considered if the maximum
temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degree Celsius or more for Plains and
at least 30 degree Celsius or more for Hilly regions.
What are favorable conditions for Heat wave?

1. Transportation / Prevalence of hot dry air over a region: There should be a
   region of warm dry air and appropriate flow pattern for transporting hot air over
   the region.
2. Absence of moisture in the upper atmosphere (As the presence of moisture
   restricts the temperature rise).
3. The sky should be practically cloudless (To allow maximum insulation over
   the region).
4. Large amplitude anti-cyclonic flow over the area

Q9. Consider the following statements:

1. A heat dome is a weather phenomenon in which low-pressure atmospheric
   conditions trap air coming in from the Pacific Ocean.
2. It sandwiches the high pressure between areas of low pressure.
   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:
A heat dome is a weather phenomenon in which high-pressure atmospheric conditions
have trapped air coming in from the Pacific Ocean, heating the air column while
compressing it down, like a lid on a saucepan. 1 is incorrect.
This area of atmospheric pressure creates a blocking pattern, sandwiching the high
pressure between areas of low pressure, pushing cooler air away from the heat dome. 2 is
correct.

Q10. NATRAX- the High Speed Track (HST) is the longest such track in Asia. It is located
in:
(a) Indore
(b) Kochi
(c) Mumbai
(d) Lucknow

Solution: a)
Explanation:

 Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises inaugurated NATRAX-
the High Speed Track(HST) in Indore which is the longest such track in Asia. It is a

11.3 km long High Speed Track.
 NATRAX, developed in an area of 1000 acres of land, is a one stop solution for all
sorts of high speed performance tests for widest categories of vehicles from 2
wheelers to heavy tractor trailers.
 The NATRAX centre has multiple test capabilities like measurements of maximum
speed, acceleration, constant speed fuel consumption, emission tests through real

road driving simulation, high speed handling and stability evaluation during
manoeuvred such as lane change, high speed durability testing, etc. and is a Centre
of excellence for Vehicle Dynamics.
 HST is used for measuring the maximum speed capability of high-end cars like
BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Tesla and so forth which cannot be
measured on any of the Indian test tracks.
 Being centrally located in Madhya Pradesh, it is accessible to most of the major
OEMs. Foreign OEMs will be looking at NATRAX HST for the development of
prototype cars for Indian conditions
 Vehicle can achieve max speed of 375 Kmph on curves with steering control and it
has less banking on ovals making it also one of the safest test track globally.
 Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.