MAY 25 CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to Indian Polity, consider the following statement

about Central Bureau of Investigation-

1. It has its origin from Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946.
2. It was conferred a statutory status in 2003.
3. The chief of CBI is selected by a selection committee consisting Prime
   Minister, Home Minister and Senior-most Chief Judge of Supreme Court.

Select the correct answer using the code below-

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

Solution: c)

Explanation:
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating police
agency in India.
 It functions under the superintendence of the Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry
of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India – which falls
under the prime minister’s office.
 However for investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption
Act, its superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
 It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on
behalf of Interpol Member countries.
 Its conviction rate is as high as 65 to 70% and it is comparable to the best
investigation agencies in the world.
 CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police
Establishment Act, 1946.
 In 1963, the CBI was established by the Government of India with a view to
investigate serious crimes related to defence of India, corruption in high
places, serious fraud, cheating and embezzlement and social crime,
particularly of hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in essential
commodities, having all-India and inter-state ramifications.
 With the passage of time, CBI started investigations in conventional crimes
like assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, crimes committed by
extremists, etc.
Director of CBI
 Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police
Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation.
 Till 2014, the CBI Director was appointed on the basis of the DSPE Act, 1946.
 In 2003, DSPE Act was revised on Supreme Court’s recommendation in
the Vineet Narain case. A committee that had members from Central
Vigilance Commission, Secretaries from Home Ministry, Ministry of Personnel
and Public Grievances would send recommendations to Central Government
for the appointment of CBI Director.
 In 2014, the Lokpal Act provided a committee for appointment of CBI
Director:
o Headed by Prime Minister
o Other members – Leader of Opposition/ Leader of the single
largest opposition party, Chief Justice of India/ a Supreme Court
Judge.
o Home Ministry sends a list of eligible candidates to DoPT. Then, the
DoPT prepares the final list on basis of seniority, integrity, and
experience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases, and sends it
to the committee.

Director of CBI has been provided security of two year tenure, by the CVC Act,
2003.

Q2. Consider the following statements-

1. Conventional Vaccines include live attenuated/weakened virus

whereas Gene Based Vaccine use part of virus’ own genes.

2. Traditional/Conventional Vaccine does not require refrigeration where as
   Gene-Based Vaccine can be stored at room temperature without losing their
   activity and more stable at warm climate.
   Which of the above statement/(s) is/are incorrect?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: b)

Explanation:
What are mRNA vaccines?
 mRNA vaccines trick the body into producing some of the viral proteins itself.
 They work by using mRNA, or messenger RNA, which is the molecule that
essentially puts DNA instructions into action.
 Inside a cell, mRNA is used as a template to build a protein.
How it works?
 To produce an mRNA vaccine, scientists produce a synthetic version of the
mRNA that a virus uses to build its infectious proteins.
 This mRNA is delivered into the human body, whose cells read it as
instructions to build that viral protein, and therefore create some of the
virus’s molecules themselves.
 These proteins are solitary, so they do not assemble to form a virus.
 The immune system then detects these viral proteins and starts to produce
a defensive response to them.
Traditional Vaccines requires refrigeration whereas mRna vaccines does not
require refrigeration.

Q3. The Doha peace talks, currently in the news, are related to
a) WTO trade negotiations
b) Food subsidy limit on developing nations
c) Afghanistan conflict
d) India-Pakistan conflict

Solution: c)

Explanation:
The U.S.-Taliban peace deal was signed in Doha between the U.S and the Taliban.
 However, the peace talks stalled and there was a stalemate.
 The US-Taliban peace deal was a three-way negotiation whereby the US
negotiated with the Taliban who were brought to the negotiating table by
Pakistan and this Doha outcome was to be accepted by the Afghan
Government.

Q4. Match the following items
Name State

1. Channapatna Toy A. Karnataka
2. Nirmal Toy B. Andhra Pradesh
3. Etikoppaka Toy C. Telangana
4. Laiphadabi D. Manipur
   E. Assam

Select the correct answer using the below
a) 1-A 2-C 3-D 4-B
b) 1-A 2-C 3-E 4-D
c) 1-A 2-C 3-B 4-D
d) 1-B 2-C 3-A 4-E

Solution: c)

Explanation:
India contributes only 0.5% of toy production in world whereas China
produces 75% of world Toys.
Channapatna Toy- Karnataka
Kinnal Toy- Telangana
Etikopakka Toy- Andhra Pradesh
Laiphadabi- Manipur
Asharikandi Terracotta Toys- Assam

Q5. Consider the following statements-

1. “Minimum Export Price” is usually imposed on Agri-commodities to restrict

the volume of exports from country.

2. It involves fixing a floor price below a which an exporter cannot sell goods
   outside the country.
3. Stronger Rupee helps India to remain in Export Surplus in Rice and Onion.

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: a)

Explanation:
How does Minimum Export Price (MEP) work?
 MEP involves “fixing a floor price” below which an exporter shall not sell the
product to an overseas customer.
 Usually imposed on commodities such as “onion and basmati rice”, it
hopes to restrict export volumes, curtail domestic prices and enhance forex
earnings.
 While the government stipulates a MEP from time to time, in market parleys
it is largely seen as an outdated concept as it gets easily circumvented.
 The system is duped easily by invoicing at or above MEP for the record but
actually pricing and selling the good at prevailing market price.
 Depending on the pre-agreed arrangements, the price differential is later
adjusted through future transactions or quality claims.
 With exporters having mastered this route, MEP has become an ineffective
instrument to restrict commodity export or contain domestic price rise.
What is the alternative?
 Rather than MEP, imposing an export duty could be an effective alternative,
which will augment exchequer revenue and eliminate circumvention.
 But it is the Finance Ministry, and not the Commerce Ministry, that will take
the decision to impose or vary the rate of duty.
 For such action, the Finance Ministry will have to consider all sensitivities
relating to export of essential and politically touchy commodities like onion.
 Also, it has to closely track market developments so as to be proactive in
making ciritical decisions.
What is the larger picture?
 For promoting export of agri-commodities, the country should produce
‘genuine export surplus’.
 Barring a limited number of commodities such as basmati rice and cotton,
there are not many commodities that are in real surplus here.
 Hence, Agri export form India has often primarily been a play on currency,
where a weaker rupee helps boost exports.
 Hence, the Commerce Ministry’s new agri-export push should not be a
standalone policy that merely tinkers with certain procedural aspects.
 Rather, it must be all encompassing and provide a holistic solutions from
farm to ship to enjoy sustained success.

Q6. Consider the following statements-

1. India is the Second largest producer of groundnut in world.
2. No Asafoetida (Heeng) is cultivated in India.
3. National Mission on Oil seeds and Oil Palm was launched primarily to
   augment the availability of Oils and reduce import bill.

Select the correct answer using the code below-
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1 only

Solution: a)

Explanation:
India is the second largest producer of Ground nut in world, followed by China.
Saffron and Heeng (asafoetida) are the most valuable spices of the world and
widely used in Indian cuisine since time immemorial. In India, the annual demand
for Saffron spice is 100 tons per year but its average production is about 6-7 tons
per year. Hence a large amount of Saffron is being imported. Similarly, there is
no production of heeng in India and currently about 1200 tons of raw heeng
worth Rs 600 crore is being imported from Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan.
To increase the production of these two spices in India, the Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) and the Department of Agriculture,
Government of Himachal Pradesh, have forged strategic and implementation
partnership based on their mutual strengths. This partnership is expected to
provide immense benefits to Himachal Pradesh by way of increased farm income,
livelihood promotion, and rural development. To facilitate this development, a
number of steps will be undertaken such as transfer of innovations by means of
capacity building, skill development, and other extension activities of prospective
farmers and officers of the Department of Agriculture.

Q7. With reference to TAPI Pipeline, consider the following statements-

1. It starts from Galkynysh Fields from Turkmenistan and Ends in Quetta,

Pakistan.

2. It is a part of Ashgabat Agreement.
3. It has been recently completed.

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

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

Solution: d)

Explanation:
TAPI began to take form when a memorandum of understanding was signed on 15
March 1995 regarding a pipeline between the governments of Pakistan and
Turkmenistan. The Central Asia Gas Pipeline (CentGas for short), LTD was formed
in August 1996 for the construction of the pipeline. It was incorporated through
formal signing ceremonies in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan by several international oil
companies with the Government of Turkmenistan.
A new deal was signed on 27 December 2002 by the governments of Turkmenistan,
Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2005, the Asian Development Bank submitted the
final version of a feasibility study designed by British company Penspen. The
project has drawn strong US support as it would allow the Central Asian republics
to export energy to Western markets “without relying on Russian routes”.
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan came to an agreement to buy natural gas from
Turkmenistan. The agreement between them was signed on April 24, 2008, in
Ashgabat. Although by 2012, the governments of India and Afghanistan had yet to
decide on the transit fee for the gas passing through Afghan territory. This was the
same problem with the Indian and Pakistani governments regarding the transit fee
for the pipeline passing through Pakistani territory as the fee structure would be
modelled on the basis of an Indo-Afghan agreement.
Construction on the project started in Turkmenistan on 13 December 2015 and
was completed by mid-2019. Construction on the Afghan side started on February
24, 2018, while construction on Pakistan began to start by October 2019 and is on
schedule.

Q8. With reference to the Tundra Climate Regions, consider the following
statements:

1. Decomposed plant matter is found in large quantity in the soils of the Arctic
   tundra.
2. Tundra type climatic conditions do not exist in the Antarctic region.
3. Usually in the month of July, the amount of precipitation increases in the
   parts where tundra climate prevails.

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

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

Solution: d)

Explanation:
 The tundra climate occupies arctic coastal fringes and is dominated by polar
(cP, mP) and arctic (cA) air masses.
 Winters are long and severe. The nearby ocean water moderates winter
temperatures so they don’t fall to the extreme lows found in the
continental interior.
 The term tundra describes both an environmental region and a major class
of vegetation. Soils of the arctic tundra are poorly developed and consist of
freshly broken mineral particles and partially decomposed plant matter.
 The Antarctic Peninsula also belongs to the tundra climate.
 The latitude range for this climate is 60° to 75° N and S, except for the
northern coast of Greenland, where tundra occurs at latitudes greater than
80° N.
 In this region, the total annual precipitation is small. Increased

precipitation beginning in July is explained by the melting of the sea-
ice cover and warming of ocean water temperatures. This increases the

moisture content of the local air mass, allowing more precipitation.

Q9. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY),
consider the following statements:

1. It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant women and lactating
   mothers of 19 years of age or above.
2. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child
   Development.
3. The PMMVY beneficiaries are not eligible to receive cash incentive under
   Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 2 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: c)

Explanation:
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit Centrally
Sponsored Scheme.
 PMMVY is a conditional cash transfer scheme for Pregnant Women and
Lactating Mothers (PW& LM) of 19 years of age or above. It is to meet
enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss during
childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good
nutrition and feeding practices.
 PMMVY is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development.
 The eligible beneficiaries of PMMVY can also receive cash incentive under
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).

Q10. Which of the following is/are not true regarding Expansionary policy?

1. Increase in government spending
2. Increase in lending rates
3. Increase in tax rates
4. Seeks to boost aggregate demand
   Choose the correct option using the codes below:
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1,2 and 3 only
   d) 1,2,3 and 4

Solution: b)

Explanation:
Expansionary or loose policy is a form of macroeconomic policy that seeks to
encourage economic growth. Expansionary policy can consist of either monetary
policy or fiscal policy (or a combination of the two).
The basic objective of expansionary policy is to boost aggregate demand to make
up for shortfalls in private. It is intended to boost business investment and
consumer spending by injecting money into the economy either through direct
government deficit spending or increased lending to businesses and consumers.
Expansionary fiscal policy includes tax cuts, decrease in lending rates, transfer
payments, rebates, and increased government spending on projects such as
infrastructure improvements.