4 FEB CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Which of the following statements are correct with respect to Food Fortification?

1. Packed foods like pastas, noodles must be fortified mandatorily.
2. Products that are high in fat, salt and sugar will be “excluded” from the fortified processed foods category.
   Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
Food Fortification Notification
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified norms for permissible levels of micronutrients for fortifying processed food products such as breakfast cereals, biscuits, breads, rusks, pasta, noodles, buns and fruit juices.
• Companies that make such products can fortify them with micronutrients voluntarily.
• Also, products that are high in fat, salt and sugar will be “excluded” from the fortified processed foods category.
• The Fortified Processed Food shall provide 15-30% of the Indian adult RDA (Recommended dietary Allowance) of micronutrient, based on an average calorie intake of 600 kcal from processed foods (approximately a third of daily energy requirement for an adult).

Q2. “Catch the Rain Awareness Campaign” was launched recently by which of the following?
a) Krishi Vigyan Kendras
b) National Water Mission
c) National Water Research Institute
d) Both A and B

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
• National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the “JSA II: Catch the Rain” Awareness Generation Campaign recently.
• NWM has launched a campaign Catch the rain” with tag line “catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” in order to nudge all stake-holders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata to store rain water as rains falling in the four/five months of monsoon are the only source of water for most parts of the country.
Some of the activities suggested to be taken up with peoples’ active participation under this campaign are:

1. To make water harvesting pits
2. Rooftop RWHS and check dams
3. Removal of encroachments and de-silting of tanks to increase their storage capacity
4. Removal of obstructions in the channels which bring water to them from the catchment areas
5. Repairs to traditional water harvesting structures like step-wells and using defunct bore-wells and old wells to put the water back to aquifers
   • The collaboration with NYKS is a step to engage people at the grassroots through effective campaigning & IEC activities for implementation of the campaign.

Q3. Consider the following statement with respect to Positive Pay System

1. It is introduced for cheques transactions above Rs 1,00,000 in a bid to enhance safety and eliminate frauds.
2. It is developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1 Only
   b) 2 Only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
Positive Pay System
• Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will introduce the ‘Positive Pay System’ for cheques transactions above Rs 50,000 in a bid to enhance safety and eliminate frauds.
• Under this process, the issuer of the cheque submits electronically (through channels like SMS, mobile app, Internet banking and ATM) certain minimum details of that cheque to the drawee bank, details of which are cross-checked with the presented cheque by Cheque Truncation System (CTS).
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will develop the facility of Positive Pay in CTS, and make it available to participant banks.
• The Positive Pay System will be implemented from January 1, 2021.
• While availing of this facility is at the discretion of the account holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheques for amounts of Rs 5,00,000 and above.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to Himalayan trillium

1. It is found in tropical and Sub tropical climate zones at an altitude from 2,400-4,000 metres above sea level.
2. In India, it is found only in four states.
3. It can be used as an anti-cancer and anti-aging agent.
   Which of the statements given above are correct? a) 1 and 2
   b) 1 and 3
   c) 2 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
Himalayan Trillium
• It is an himalayan herb, often called as Nagchatri in local areas.
• It is found in temperate and sub-alpine zones of the Himalayas at an altitude from 2,400-4,000 metres above sea level.
• In India, it is found in four states only – Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has placed Himalayan trillium in “Endangered” category.
• Its population is expected to decline by at least 50

Q5. Human Freedom Index 2020 was released recently by a) World Health Organization
b) UN Human Rights Council
c) UN Development Programme
d) None of the above

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Human Freedom Index 2020
• It is released by the Cato Institute in the United States and Fraser Institute in Canada.
• The index consists of 76 indicators -personal, civic and economic freedom.
• India is placed at 111 out of 162 countries.
• It is ranked 110 in terms of personal freedom and 105 on economic freedom with an overall score of 6.43 out of 10.
• New Zealand topped in the index, followed by Switzerland and Hong Kong.
• China, Bangladesh and Pakistan are placed at 129, 139 & 140 position respectively.

Q6. Shaheen-IX is a military exercise held between a) Russia and Pakistan
b) China and Pakistan
c) Russia, China and Pakistan
d) None of the above

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
• The Pakistan-China joint air exercise “Shaheen-IX” culminated recently.
• The exercise, ninth in the series, saw the participation of latest aircraft and support elements from the People Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
• It is conducted each year in both countries on an alternate basis.
• India recently hosted the Malabar 2020 naval exercise with the U.S., Japan and Australia.

Q7. Which of the following are reasons of Microclimatic Zones Shifting?

1. Land-use patterns
2. Urban heat islands
3. Disappearing wetlands
4. El-Nino
   Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1 ,3 and 4 only
   b) 1, 2 and 3 only
   c) 2, 3 and 4 only
   d) All of the above

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
Microclimatic Zones Shifting
• Microclimatic zones, or areas where the weather is different from surrounding areas, they are shifting across various districts of India.
• A shift in microclimate zones may lead to severe disruptions across sectors – every 2 degrees C rise in annual mean temperature will reduce agricultural productivity by 1520%.
• Some reasons identified behind this shift in microclimatic zones is change in land-use patterns, disappearing wetlands and natural ecosystems by encroachment, and urban heat islands that traps heat locally.

Q8. Which among the following was the fallout of the Chauri Chaura incident of February 4, 1922?

1. A Chauri Chaura Support Fund was set up to demonstrate genuine sympathy and seek prayashchit (atonement)
2. Leaders like Motilal Nehru, C R Das supported Gandhi’s decision to suspend the Non Cooperation Movement
3. Rise of young Indian nationalists
4. Rise of revolutionary activities
   Choose the correct answer using the code given below a) 3 and 4 only
   b) 1, 3 and 4 only
   c) All of the above
   d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Solution : b)
Explanation :-
About the incident:
• On February 4, 1922, a large crowd of peasants set on fire the police station in Chauri Chaura, killing 22 policemen.
• The town was the scene of a violent incident with far-reaching consequences during the freedom struggle.
The fallout of the incident:
• Raids and repression followed immediately: Lists of volunteers were compiled, and a sessions court quickly sentenced many accused to death, but ultimately 19 of those convicted were sent to the gallows.
• Suspension of the Non Cooperation Movement: Gandhi was deeply disturbed by the incident and condemned the crime of the policemen’s killing.
o A Chauri Chaura Support Fund was set up to demonstrate genuine sympathy and seek prayashchit (atonement).
o Gandhi decided to stop the Non-Cooperation Movement, which had been tainted by unforgivable violence and on February 12, 1922, the satyagraha was formally suspended.
• Disappointment among leaders: The suspension of the movement had made leaders like Motilal Nehru, C R Das, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Bose angry towards Gandhi’s decision.
• Gandhi’s justification: For his unshakeable faith in non-violence, Gandhi said that he would suffer every humiliation, every torture, absolute ostracism and death itself to prevent the movement from becoming violent.
Historians on Gandhian decision to suspend the movement:
• Repression will expose the semi-hegemonic character of the colonial state: Historians such as Bipan Chandra have argued that Gandhi’s strategy of non-violence was based on the premise that the use of repressive force against non-violent protesters would expose and weaken the semi-hegemonic character of the colonial state and incidents such as Chauri Chaura defeated that strategy.
• Withdrawal was inevitable: Withdrawal or shift to a phase of non-confrontation is an inherent part of a strategy of political action that is based on the masses
• Rise of young Indian nationalists: The disillusionment resulting from the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement led many of the younger Indian nationalists to believe that India would not be able to throw off the colonial yoke through nonviolence.
• Rise of revolutionary activities: It was from the these impatient young patriots that some of India’s most beloved revolutionaries – Jogesh Chatterjee, Ramprasad Bismil, Sachin Sanyal, Ashfaqulla Khan, Jatin Das, Bhagat Singh, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Masterda Surya Sen, and many others – were to arise in the years to come.

Q9. Vision 2024, recently in news, is/are
a) Launched as part of the National Rail Plan, for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024.
b) A proposal which is part of the Start-up India Vision 2024, prepared to promote the growth of budding entrepreneurs.
c) To attain a population of 3000 wild rhinos in Assam.
d) Both a and b

Solution : d)
Explanation :-
Option c is incorrect, Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) programme launched by the Assam Forest Department in partnership with WWF-India, aims to attain a population of 3000 wild rhinos in Assam, distributed over seven of its Protected Areas by 2020.

Q10. GOBAR-DHAN Scheme, which aimed at generation of energy from cattle waste and promoting rural livelihood and economy is launched by the a) Ministry of Rural Development
b) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
c) Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
d) None of the above

Solution : c)
Explanation :-
About Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) scheme:
• Launched by: The scheme was first announced in the Budget, 2018 and launched by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
• Objective:
o To positively impact village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste.
o To create new rural livelihood opportunities and enhance income for farmers and other rural people.
• Implementation:
o Implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin):
 The SBM (G) comprises two main components for creating clean villages – creating open defecation free (ODF) villages and managing solid and liquid waste in villages.
 With over 3.5 lakh villages, 374 districts and 16 States or UTsof the country being declared ODF, the stage is set for ODF-plus activities, including measures to enhance Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM).
 The GOBAR-DHAN scheme, with its focus on keeping villages clean, increasing the income of rural households, and generation of energy from cattle waste, is an important element of this ODF-plus strategy.

Q11. Consider the following statements:

1. Lithium does not react with water.
2. It’s the lightest of all metals.
   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 : b)
Explanation :- Lithium
• Lithium (Li) is a chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements.
• It is a soft, silvery metal.
• Lithium has unique chemical properties.
o It reacts vigorously with water.
o It’s the lightest of all metals, heat resistant, and capable of storing substantial amounts of energy in batteries.
Uses of Lithium
• The well-known uses of Lithium are in o Lithium ion batteries,
o lubricating grease, o high energy additive to rocket propellants, o optical modulators for mobile phones and o as convertor to tritium used as a raw material for thermonuclear reactions i.e.
fusion.
Extraction of lithium
• It is generally done either through o solar evaporation of large brine pools o by hard-rock extraction of the ore

Q12. Consider the following statements:

1. DNA can be extracted from the saliva, hair, blood samples but not from nail scraping.
2. Majority of human DNA sequences are the same in every person. 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 : b)
Explanation :-
Deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly known as DNA, is the hereditary complex molecule present in humans and almost all other organisms.
• Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, some of the DNA is unique that makes it possible to distinguish one individual from another. Statement 2 is correct.
• DNA can be extracted from the saliva, hair, blood samples, any small amount of the muscles or tissues of a person, nail scraping. Statement 1 is incorrect.

Q13. With reference to groundhog (Marmota monax), consider the following statements:

1. It is native only to India.
2. It is listed as endangered on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 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 :-
On February 2, the United States and Canada marked Groundhog Day, an annual tradition in which a groundhog predicts whether winter will continue or give way to spring soon. This year, the groundhog, called “Punxsutawney Phil”, has predicted a longer winter.
• The groundhog (Marmota monax) is also known as a woodchuck.
• It is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.
• It is native to North America.
• IUCN Status is Least Concern.
• If on February 2, the day is sunny and the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its own shadow, it is said to predict six more weeks of winter.
• On the other hand, if the day is cloudy and the animal’s shadow can’t be seen, it is taken to be a sign of milder weather in the following weeks, indicating an early spring season. Hence both statements are incorrect.

Q14. MetroNeo, recently seen in news, is to be adopted for the first time in the country in which of the following city?
a) Nashik
b) Kozhikode
c) Panaji
d) Coimbatore

Solution : a)
Explanation :-
By making a sizeable budgetary allocation for MetroNeo in the Union Budget, the central government has paved the way for the innovative system of mass transport, which could soon be replicated across the country.
• To be adopted for the first time in the country in Maharashtra’s Nashik, MetroNeo is a comfortable, rapid, energy-efficient and less noisy transport medium.
• The central government recently urged all state governments to consider using MetroNeo technology in their tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• The MetroNeo service consists of electric bus coaches – their lengths varying from 18 to 25 metres – with a carrying capacity of 200 to 300 passengers at a time.
• The buses will have rubber tyres and draw power from an overhead electric wire with 600750 V DC supply, similar to railways or trams.
• The buses will be air-conditioned, with automatic door closing system, level boarding, comfortable seats, passenger announcement system, and an information system with electronic display. The stations will be similar to other Metro rail stations.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q15. With reference to Aero India 2021, consider the following statements:

1. Aero India is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held in Delhi.
2. It is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence. 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 Inaugural ceremony for Aero India 2021, Asia’s largest Aerospace and Defence Exhibition is being held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru between February 03-05, 2021.
• Aero India is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held in Bengaluru, India at the Yelahanka Air Force Station.
• It is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence.
• The first edition of the air show was held in 1996.
• Aero India 2021 is the 13th edition of Aero India. This year Aero India 2021 has been organised in hybrid mode with a concurrent virtual exhibition to encourage maximum participation.
• The Yelahanka Air Force Station is an Indian Air Force airfield in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The main role of this airfield is to train pilots to fly transport planes. Hence only statement 2 is correct.

---