26 AUGUST CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to the ‘Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), consider the following
statements:

1. It has the power to recall the unsafe goods and services from market.
2. It can impose penalties on manufacturers or publishers for misleading advertisements.
3. It has authority to file Suo-motu complaints on behalf of consumers.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1,2 and 3
   Solution: d)
   Explanation:
   All statements are correct.
    The new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force on 20th July 2020 and it will
   empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified
   rules and provisions.
    The new act will be swift and less time consuming compared to the older Consumer
   Protection Act, 1986 in which single-point access to justice was given making it a timeconsuming exercise.
    The old act provided for a three-tier consumer dispute redressal machinery at the National
   (National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission), State and District levels.
   It is empowered to:
    Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute
   complaints/prosecution.
    Order recall of unsafe goods and services.
    Order discontinuance of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.
    Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
   Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Marburg Virus1. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.
4. It is highly virulent disease which causes haemorrhagic fever.
5. human-to-Human transmission is not possible.
   Select the correct answer using the code below-
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   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 2 and 3 only
   d) 1,2 and 3
   Solution: a)
   Explanation:
   Statement 3 is not correct.
   About Marburg virus
    Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever.
    Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent disease that causes haemorrhagic fever, with a
   fatality ratio of up to 88%.
    It is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease.
    The virus is passed from animal hosts to humans, like the coronavirus.
    Two large outbreaks that occurred simultaneously in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany,
   and in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1967, led to the initial recognition of the disease.
    The outbreak was associated with laboratory work using African green monkeys
   (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
    The worst epidemic was in Angola in 2005, with 252 infections and a 90?ath rate.
    This epidemic apparently spread through the reuse of contaminated transfusion
   equipment in a paediatric ward.
   Symptoms
   Symptoms include headache, vomiting blood, muscle pains and bleeding through various orifices.
   Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic signs within seven days. Case fatality rates have varied
   from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks depending on virus strain and case management.
   Transmission
    Rousettus aegyptiacus, fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, are considered to be natural
   hosts of Marburg virus.
    The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans
   through human-to-human transmission.
    Once an individual is infected with the virus, Marburg can spread through human-tohuman transmission via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily
   fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
   Treatment and vaccines
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   Currently there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for MVD. However, supportive
   care rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improves
   survival.
   Ebola virus
    Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a rare but
   severe, often fatal illness in humans.
    Occasional outbreaks of this disease occur mostly on the African continent.
    EVD most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas,
   and chimpanzees).
   Q3. With reference to Blue-Dot Network, consider the following statements1. It is a multi-stakeholder to bring together government, private sector to promote high
   quality infrastructure.
6. It would offer loans and finance for development of project.
7. Blue Dot Certificates are recognised as seal of approval for major infrastructure letting
   people know that project are not exploitative and sustainable.
   Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 3 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 and 2 only
   d) 1 only
   Solution: a)
   Explanation:
   Statement 2 is not correct.
   Blue Dot Network:
    The BDN was formally announced on 4th November 2019 at the Indo-Pacific Business
   Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. It is led by the USA along with Japan and Australia.
    It is a multi-stakeholder initiative to bring together governments, the private sector and civil
   society to promote high-quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development.
    It is expected to serve as a globally recognized evaluation and certification system for
   roads, ports and bridges with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
    Infrastructure projects would be graded on debt, environmental standards, labour
   standards etc.
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    This system would apply to projects in any citizen-centric country where citizens would
   like to evaluate such projects.
    It is planned as a direct counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
    However, unlike the BRI, the BDN would not offer public funds or loans for the project.
    Blue Dot certification: BDN will serve as a globally recognized seal of approval for major
   infrastructure projects, letting people know that projects are sustainable and not
   exploitative.
   Q4. The recently launched scheme, SPARC aims to
   a) address the development deficit in the minority areas
   b) improve the research ecosystem in the educational institutions
   c) address the woes of the thermal power sector
   d) address the credit issues with start-ups
   Solution: b)
   Explanation:
   The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) aims at improving the
   research ecosystem of India’s Higher Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research
   collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world from 28 selected
   nations to jointly solve problems of national and/or international relevance.
   The scheme proposes to enable productive academic cooperation by supporting the following
   critical components that can catalyze impact making research, namely:
    Visits and long-term stay of top international faculty / researchers in Indian institutions to
   pursue teaching and research
    Visits by Indian students for training and experimentation in premier laboratories
   worldwide
    Joint development of niche courses, world-class books and monographs, translatable
   patents, demonstrable technologies or action research outcomes and products
    Consolidation of Bilateral cooperation through academic and research partnerships
   through Indo-X Workshops in India
    Publication, Dissemination and Visibility through a high profile annual international
   Conference in India
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   Q5. Consider the following statements:
8. CNG fuel is less efficient than Petrol
9. CNG fuel is cheaper than petrol.
10. Both Petrol and CNG can be adulterated
    Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 1 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    CNG burns most efficiently, unlike petrol or diesel, in the automobiles and very little of it is left
    unburnt. 1 is incorrect.
    CNG is cheaper than petrol or diesel. 2 is correct.
    CNG cannot be siphoned off by thieves and adulterated like petrol or diesel. 3 is incorrect.
    About CNG.
    Compressed natural gas (CNG) (methane stored at high pressure) is a fuel that can be used in place
    of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). CNG combustion produces fewer
    undesirable gases than the aforementioned fuels. In comparison to other fuels, natural gas poses
    less of a threat in the event of a spill, because it is lighter than air and disperses quickly when
    released.
    CNG is made by compressing natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane (CH4), to less than
    1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard
    containers at a pressure of 20–25 MPa (2,900–3,600 psi), usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes
    Q6. “A carbon credit is a tradeable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of
    carbon or carbon dioxide equivalent” The concept of carbon credit came into existence from which
    one of the following?
    a) Kigali Agreement
    b) Montreal Protocol
    c) Kyoto Protocol
    d) Earth Summit
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    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    A carbon credit is a tradeable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of
    carbon or carbon dioxide equivalent. One carbon credit is equal to one ton of carbon
    dioxide, or in some markets, carbon dioxide equivalent gases. The mechanism was formalized in
    the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement between more than 170 countries, and the market
    mechanisms were agreed through the subsequent Marrakesh Accords.
    Q7. With reference to Lithium – Ion cell technology, consider the following statements:
11. It is an electrochemical energy storage technology.
12. It exhibits high voltage, high energy density, long life cycle and high storage characteristics.
13. It finds wide applications in electronic gadgets, tele-communication as well as in aerospace.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 2 only
    d) 1,2 and 3
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell technology is one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage
    technologies owing to its high voltage, high energy density, long life cycle and high storage
    characteristics. It finds wide applications in electronic gadgets, tele-communication and industrial
    applications as well as in aerospace. Recent progresses in Li-ion battery technology have made it
    the favourite power source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space
    Centre (VSSC) has successfully developed and qualified lithium ion cells of capacities ranging from
    1.5 Ah to 100 Ah for use in satellites and launch vehicles. With the successful deployment of
    indigenous lithium ion batteries in various missions of ISRO, VSSC is planning to transfer this
    technology to the industries to establish production facilities for producing lithium ion cells to cover
    the entire spectrum of power storage requirements of the country.
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    Q8. Which of the following best describes the term “Blue Carbon” in context of environment?
    a) It is the total amount of carbon needed to sustain life on earth
    b) It is the carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems
    c) It is the total amount of carbon trapped in Polar region of earth
    d) It is the amount of Carbon which falls on the surface of earth as acid rain
    Solution: b)
    Explanation:
    Blue carbon is simply the term for carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal
    ecosystems. Sea grasses, mangroves, and salt marshes along our coast “capture and hold” carbon,
    acting as something called a carbon sink. These coastal systems, though much smaller in size than
    the planet’s forests, sequester this carbon at a much faster rate, and can continue to do so for
    millions of years. Most of the carbon taken up by these ecosystems is stored below ground where
    we can’t see it, but it is still there. The carbon found in coastal soil is often thousands of years old!
    Q9. Which of the following are India’s commitment to achieve Paris Agreement?
14. To reduce its emissions by 30-32%
15. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3.0 Billion tonnes through tree and forest cover.
16. Increase it’s cumulative electricity generation installed capacity from non-fossil energy
    resources to 40%.
    Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 only
    c) 2 and 3 only
    d) 1,2 and 3
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    India’s Commitment
     International Commitments: In order to achieve its Paris commitment, India needs to
    ensure that it has a few things in place by 2030.
    o Increasing its cumulative electricity generation installed capacity from non-fossil
    energy sources to 40%;
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    o Lowering emissions intensity (not emissions per se) of its GDP by 33-35 per cent
    compared to 2005 levels.
    o Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5- 3 billion tonnes through additional forest
    and tree cover.
     Besides these international commitments, the government has also set ambitious
    domestic targets for renewable energy, air quality and others.
    Q10. Which of the following Indus Valley Civilisation Sites are situated in Pakistan?
17. Mohenjo-Daro
18. Harappa
19. Chanhudaro
20. Rangpur
21. Lothal
    Select the correct answer using the code belowa) 1,2,3 and 5 only
    b) 2,3, and 4 only
    c) 1,2 and 3 only
    d) 1,2,3,4 and 5
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
     Indus civilization, also called Indus valley civilization is the earliest known urban culture of
    the Indian subcontinent.
    o It is also called Harappan Civilization after the first city to be excavated, Harappa
    (Punjab, Pakistan).
     Among the world’s three earliest civilizations—the other two are those
    of Mesopotamia and Egypt—the Indus civilization was the most extensive.
     Time Period:
    o It was established around 3300 BC. It flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC. It
    started declining around 1900 BC and disappeared around 1400 BC.
     Geographical Extent:
    o Covered Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Western Uttar
    Pradesh.
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    o It extended from Sutkagengor (in Balochistan) in the West to Alamgirpur (Western
    UP) in the East; and from Mandu(Jammu) in the North to Daimabad (Ahmednagar,
    Maharashtra) in the South. Some Indus Valley sites have also been found as far
    away as Afghanistan.
    Important Sites:
     Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur,
    Surkotda (Gujarat), Banawali (Haryana), Ropar (Punjab).
     In Pakistan: Harappa (on river Ravi), Mohenjodaro (on Indus River in Sindh), Chanhudaro
    (in Sindh).