ENGLISH Quiz 29-01-2021

1.Who organized the launch of Akash-NG missile from the integrated test range of Odisha?

A.DRDO

B.NASA

C.ISRO

D.HAL

2.Which state government has announced to launch ‘Jail Tourism Initiative’?

A.Madhya Pradesh

B.Maharashtra

C.Karnataka

D.Rajasthan

3.How many satellites did SpaceX launch with one rocket?

A.153

B.167

C.143

D.155

4.In which state a new 3,300 meter long airstrip was constructed near Kuribhar on Purvanchal Expressway?

A.Madhya Pradesh

B.Andra Pradesh

C.Bihar

D.Uttar Pradesh

5.Which country’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned?

A.Itley

B.France

C.Iran

D.Iraq

6.Which program was launched by Election Commission of India?

A.a-EPIC

B.e-EPIC

C.f-EPIC

D.g-EPIC

7.As per the latest World Economic Outlook released by International Monetary Fund (IMF) the Indian Economy will grow by what percent in the FY 2021-22?

A.5 per cent

B.8 per cent

C.5 per cent

D.6 per cent

8.Who inaugurated the ‘Bharat Parv 2021’, a virtual   national festival showcasing the country’s diverse culture, cuisines and handicrafts?

A.Ramnath Kovind

B.M Venkaiah Naidu

C.Prahlad Singh Patel

D.Om Birla

9.Renowned personality Narendra Luther passed away recently, he was a veteran ______.

A.Author

B.Politician

C.Nuclear Scientist

D.Educationist

10.Which Union Ministry has proposed ‘Green Tax’?

A.Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

B.Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

C.Ministry of Power

D.Finance Ministry

11.Consider the following statements related to Global Climate Risk Index 2021 :

1. The Global Climate Risk Index was recently released by Germanwatch-a NGO based in Bonn, Germany.
2. In the index, India has been ranked at Five position among the countries that are most effected by climate change in 2019.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

12.Consider the following statements related to An emerging global risk:

1. The report, titled ‘Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk’ and compiled by United Nations University’s Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health has recently released.
2. By 2050, most people on Earth will live downstream of tens of thousands of large dams built in the 20th century between 1920 and 1970 with a design life of 50 to 100 years, already operating at or beyond their design life.
3. About 55% of the world’s total dams are found in just four Asian countries: China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 are correct

B.1 and 3 are correct

C.2 and 3 are correct

D.All of the above

13.Consider the following statements:

1. GDP to contract 8% in FY21, FICCI survey.
2. The industry body’s annual median growth forecast is based on responses from leading economists representing industry, banking, and financial services sectors.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

14.Consider the following statements:

1. K.-based Cairn Energy major has assured the Indian Govt that it will move to freeze assets including bank accounts in different world capitals
2. if India fails to discuss payment of amount awarded by an international tribunal award of $1.2 billion.
3. This is in the wake of damages against India in the retrospective taxation case.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 are correct

B.1 and 3 are correct

C.2 and 3 are correct

D.All of the above

1.Answer: A

Explanation

Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the successful maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile from Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha.

Akash-NG

• Akash-NG is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system.
• It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The missile has been produced jointly by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) that developed the Missile Systems and the Bharat Electronics (BEL), Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division & Larsen & Toubro that developed the radars, control centers, launcher systems.
• The missile has the capability of targeting the aircraft up to 50-60 km away at altitudes of 18,000 m.
• The missile can neutralize the aerial targets such as the fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles.
• Missile is in operation with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
• It utilizes an integrated ramjet-rocket propulsion system. This propulsion system provides sustained thrust for the missile after initial rocket motor burnout until its interception.
• In December 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the exports of Akash Missile defence system. Following that, the countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Belarus, UAE and Vietnam have shown their interest in Akash missile system.

Characteristic of Akash-NG

• The Akash battery comprises of a single Rajendra 3D passive electronically scanned array radar or Simple the Rajendra Radar and four launchers with three missiles each.
• Each battery can track up to 64 targets and attack up to 12.
• It comprises of a 60 Kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead.
• The missile is capable of protecting the moving convoy of vehicles.
• It provides air defence missile coverage for the area of 2,000 km².

Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA)

• It is also called as the passive phased array.
• PESA is an antenna in which beam of radio waves can be electronically directed to point in different directions in which all the antenna elements are connected with the single transmitter.
• PESA is highly used in radars.

2.Answer: B

Explanation

In a first, the Maharashtra government is set to start ‘jail tourism’ in the state from Pune’s Yerawada prison .Making the announcement state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will inaugurate the initiative at Yerawada Central Jail on the Republic Day.Through this initiative, the state government aims to facilitate people to visit and see the historical prisons in the state as memories of many freedom fighters imprisoned there have been preserved.

Yerawada Central Jail

• It is a famous high-security prison in Yerwada, Pune.
• It is the largest jail in the state of Maharashtra.
• These prisons are one of the largest prisons in South Asia.
• It can hold 5,000 prisoners.
• This jail was built by the British in the year 1871.
• It is protected by high walls and is divided into various security zones and barracks.
• It also contains egg-shaped cells for high-security prisoners.

Mahatma Gandhi in Yerwada Jail

• Mahatma Gandhi spent many years in Yerwada jail in 1932 during India’s freedom struggle.
• When he was jailed in 1932, he sat on an indefinite fast in protest against the communal award for the depressed classes.
• He opened his fast after signing the Poona Pact. Gandhi was released in May 1933.
• He was jailed again in the year 1942 during the Quit India Movement.

Quit India Movement

• Quit India Movement is also known as August Movement.
• This movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee in 1942.
• This movement was started with the aim of ending British rule in India during World War II.

3.Answer: C

Explanation

SpaceX successfully launched its ambitious rideshare mission called Transporter-1, carrying 143 small satellites, and created a new record of launching many satellites from a single rocket. With this launch, SpaceX broke the record set by ISRO in February 2017 for deploying 104 satellites onboard PSLV in a single mission.

Which satellites were launched?

• The 143 satellites that were launched include the commercial and government satellites namely the CubeSats, microsats and 10 Starlink satellites.
• A spacecraft of Nasa was also launched.

Aim of the launch

• SpaceX has launched these satellites with the aim of providing the near-global broadband internet coverage all across the world by the end of 2021.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)

• It is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company.
• It has been headquartered in Hawthorne, California. The agency was founded in the year 2002 by Elon Musk.
• The agency was established with the goal to reduce the space transportation costs in order to enable the colonization of Mars.
• It is the first privately funded liquid-propellant rocket of the world that has reached to the orbit by the launch of Falcon 1 in 2008.

Falcon 9 rocket

• This rocket is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle.
• It has been designed and manufactured by SpaceX.
• The launcher uses cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as propellants.
• The name has been derived from the fictional Star Wars spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon.

Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)

• It is also called as the heliosynchronous orbit.
• This is a polar orbit around a planet. In the orbit, satellite passes over any given point of the planet’s surface at the same local mean solar time.

4.Answer: D

Explanation

In Uttar Pradesh, a new 3,300-metre-long airstrip has been constructed near Kurebhar on Purvanchal Expressway. With this new airstrip, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India having two airstrips on expressways. Uttar Pradesh also has an airstrip on Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

Important facts:

• Earlier, the Indian Air Force had examined Yamuna Expressway and Agra Expressway. Aircraft like Mirage 2000, Jaguar, Sukhoi 30 and Super Hercules had already landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway.
• Uttar Pradesh government is trying to connect the entire northern part of the country with expressways.
• The Hindon and Agra airbases of the Indian Air Force will be able to use the runway of all three expressways if needed.
• Also, these airstrips of Uttar Pradesh can serve the Air Force to respond against China and Pakistan in case of any war.

5.Answer: A

Explanation

Giuseppe Conte resigned as Italian prime minister , hoping to be granted a fresh mandate by the head of state to form a new government after a coalition rupture last week left him without a majority in the Senate.Giuseppe Coante submitted his resignation to the country’s President Sergio Mattarella, who in turn has asked Coante to serve as caretaker until a new government is formed. Significantly, differences have arisen in Italy over the expenses incurred during the Corona crisis. Because of which the Prime Minister had to do this. The Corona epidemic has severely affected Italy. More than 85 thousand people have died in the country so far from Corona.

What can happen next?

• According to the coalition’s major parties – the Center-Left Democratic Party (PD) and the anti-establishment Five Star (M5S), no other person can hold the office of Prime Minister of Italy or elections can be held immediately.
• In addition, Giuseppe Conte can also succeed in persuading other parties to form a new coalition under his leadership.

Giuseppe Conte

• Giuseppe Conte is a lawyer, jurist, professor at the Italian University and politician serving as the Prime Minister of Italy since June 1, 2018.

6.Answer: B

Explanation

Electors will be able to download electronic versions of the Electors Photo Identity Cards (e-EPICs)  as the Election Commission (EC) is set to launch the programme during its National Voters Day celebrations.

What is e-EPIC?

• It is an electronic version of the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
• It is in a secure portable document format (PDF) version.
• The e-EPIC includes a secure QR code with photos and demographics, including serial numbers and part numbers.
• This portable version can be downloaded on mobile or computer.
• This portable ID will be launched in addition to physical or traditional IDs that can be stored digitally.

How will this initiative be started?

• The e-EPIC initiative will be launched in two phases.
• The first phase will take place between 25 to 31 In this phase, new voters will get the voter-ID card by simply downloading the e-EPIC after verification of their mobile number.
• The second phase will be started from 1 February, in which general voters will get Voter-ID.

7.Answer: C

Explanation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pegged the Indian economy to contract by 8 per cent in the current financial year 2020-21, in its latest World Economic Outlook, released on 26 January 2021. The IMF expects GDP of India to rise to 11.5 per cent in the next financial year i.e. 2021-22.

Key Highlights

• The IMF in its update to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) has projected the world economy to contract by 3.5 percent in 2020 and to recover a little faster and grow at 5.5% in 2021.
• The IMF has projected India to be the fastest growing major economy for the next two years, displacing China, which is estimated to grow by 8.1% and 5.6% in the next two years.
• The forecast update also predicts a narrower contraction for the Indian economy in 2020-21 than the previously estimated contraction of 10.3 percent.
• China is predicted to be the only major economy to post-expansion in 2020, it is expected to grow by 2.3% in the current fiscal year.
• IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath said at a virtual press conference after the release of the report that the FY21 upgrade for India is because mobility came back much faster than expected. However, she added saying that India is still 9% below its pre-pandemic projection level, cumulating for FY21 and FY22, even after the projected faster bounce back in FY22.

Background

• The Indian economy is officially projected to contract by 7.7% in FY21 for the first time in 41 years with the National Statistical Organisation assuming 0.6% growth in the second half (October-March) of FY21.
• IMF’s estimate of India’s GDP contraction for 2020-21 is higher than the 7.7% decline estimated by the country’s statistics office and 7.5% fall projected by RBI.
• The Indian economy was severely hit by the strictest national lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated to post the sharpest contraction since data began to be published in 1952.
• However, the lifting of the lockdown has shown a sharp recovery in the economic activities, which were further driven up by festivals.
• After posting a record contraction of 23.9% in the April-June quarter, the Indian economy posted a narrower contraction of -7.5% in the July-September quarter.
• The latest vaccine approvals have raised hopes of a turnaround in the pandemic later this year, renewed waves and new variants of the virus pose concerns for the outlook.

8.Answer: D

Explanation

The annual festival ‘Bharat Parv’, which celebrates the spirit of India, is being organized virtually from 26 January 2021 to 31 January 2021. The Bharat Parv is being organized on the theme of ‘Self-reliant India’ and ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’.

Bharat festival

• The ‘Festival of India’ is organized every year by the Ministry of Tourism.
• It was launched in the year 2016.
• The event is organized in front of the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations.
• The programs are organized with the aim of creating patriotic enthusiasm. It also shows the rich and diverse cultural of India.
• The festival showcases handicrafts, music, dance, handlooms, paintings, literary materials and other features from across the country by Union Ministries and other organizations such as Ministry of Culture, Ministry of AYUSH, Media Units of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Railways, etc. .

Bharat Parva -2021

• Glimpses of the Republic Day parade and a recording of music bands of the armed forces will also be available at the Bharat Parv virtual event. In this event, the Central Institute of Hotel Management and Indian Culinary Institute will also showcase their cooking through video.

9.Answer: A

Explanation

Noted historian, author, poet and retired bureaucrat Narendra Luther has passed. A 1955 batch IAS officer, Luther was closely associated with the history and culture of erstwhile Hyderabad state and its rulers. He had served in various positions before retiring as the chief secretary of the undivided Andhra Pradesh in 1991. He has penned a number of books on the history, heritage and architecture of Hyderabad.

10.Answer: B

Explanation

A ‘Green tax’ will soon be imposed on older vehicles in a bid to clean up the environment by phasing out unfit and polluting vehicles. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has approved the proposal to levy the tax and it will now go to the states for consultation before it is formally notified.

How the vehicles will be taxed?

• Under the Green Tax norms, the transport vehicles older than eight years will be charged with the green tax at the time of renewal of fitness certificate.
• They will be charged at the rate of 10 to 25% of road tax.
• While, the Public transport vehicles like city buses will be paying lower Green Tax.
• However, the vehicles used in farming like tractor and harvestor will be exempted from the tax.

What is Green tax?

• Green tax is also called as the pollution tax or environmental tax.
• The tax is an excise duty on goods that results into the environmental pollutants.
• An economic theory says, that if taxes will be charged on emissions causing pollution will lower the environmental impairment in a cost-effective manner.
• The tax will encourage the behavioural changes in households and firms that are required to reduce the pollution.
• The tax mainly aims to ensure that polluters are duly punished for their pollution creating activities.

 

11.Answer: A       

Explanation

The Global Climate Risk Index was recently released by Germanwatch-a NGO based in Bonn, Germany. In the index, India has been ranked at seventh position among the countries that are most effected by climate change in 2019.

About the Global Climate Risk Index

• The Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) analyses quantified impacts of extreme weather events in fatalities and economic losses.
• The index is based on data from Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE.

Major findings of the Climate Risk Index 2021:

• Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Sudan and Niger was the five African countries among the ten most-affected due to extreme weather in 2019 according to the index.
• Mozambique and Zimbabwe were ranked first and second.
• Malawi was ranked fifth, South Sudan eighth and Niger ninth.
• The index ranked India as the country that suffered the second-highest monetary loss due to climate change in 2019 after Japan.
• It also showed that eight out of the ten countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2019 belong to low to lower-middle-income.
• Five of them fall into the category of Least Developed Countries.

India and the Report

• India ranks seventh among countries most affected in 2019 by climate change.
• It also ranked India as the country that suffered the second-highest monetary loss due to climate change in 2019 after Japan.

The Global Climate Risk Index (CRI)

• The Global Climate Risk Index is annually published by the Germanwatch.
• The index analyses the impact of extreme climate events on the country and the economy.
• It analyses how countries have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events.
• The index is prepared on the basis of data from Munich Re’s NatCatSERVICE.

Germanwatch

• It is a non-profit non-governmental organization that was founded in 1991.
• The NGO is based in Bonn, Germany.
• It was established with the objective of influencing the public policy on trade and environment.

12.Answer: B

Explanation

The report, titled ‘Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk’ and compiled by United Nations University’s Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health has recently released.

According to the report

• By 2050, most people on Earth will live downstream of tens of thousands of large dams built in the 20th century between 1930 and 1970 with a design life of 50 to 100 years, already operating at or beyond their design life.
• About 55% of the world’s total dams are found in just four Asian countries: China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
• Globally there is a trend of decommissioning ageing dams to ensure public safety, escalating maintenance costs, reservoir sedimentation, and restoration of a natural river ecosystem.

Issue with decommissioning

• It will change in the local economy as it impacts Fisheries, agriculture, tourism and hydropower.
• It also impacts the cultural history and heritage of a particular region.
• The report also suggested developing a framework of protocols that will guide and accelerate dam removal.

India and Dam

• There are over 1,115 large dams in India that will be roughly 50 years old in 2025; more than 4,250 large dams in the country will be more than 50 decades old in 2050, and 64 large dams will be more than 150 years old in 2050.
• The report said that approximately 3.5 million people are at risk if India’s Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala, built over 100 years ago.
• In a seismically active area, the dam shows significant structural flaws and its management is a contentious issue between Kerala and the Tamil Nadu States.

Steps Taken In India for Improving Dam Management

Dam Safety Bill, 2019

• Lok Sabha passed it for the surveillance inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (ORIP)

• It will help to improve the safety and operational performance of selected dams.
• Recently, the cabinet approved phase 2 and 3 of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

DHARMA (Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring) software

• It is used to effectively collect and manage asset and health data for all large dams in India.

13.Answer: C       

Explanation

According to the latest FICCI’s Economic Outlook Survey, India’s GDP is expected to contract by 8% in 2020-21.

Background

• The industry body’s annual median growth forecast is based on responses from leading economists representing industry, banking, and financial services sectors.

Key highlights of the survey

For Agriculture

• The median growth forecast for agriculture and allied activities has been pegged at 3.5% for 2020-21.
• “Agriculture sector has exhibited significant resilience in the face of the pandemic.

Industries and Services Sector

• Industry and services sector, which were most severely hit due to the pandemic induced economic fallout, are expected to contract by 10% and 9.2% respectively during 2020-21.
• The industrial recovery is gaining traction, but the growth is still not broad-based.
• The quarterly median forecasts indicate GDP growth to contract by 1.3% in the third quarter of 2020-21.
• The growth is expected to be in the positive terrain by the fourth quarter with a 0.5% growth projection.

14.Answer: D

Explanation

Recently, U.K.-based Cairn Energy major has assured the Indian Govt that it will move to freeze assets including bank accounts in different world capitals, only if India fails to discuss payment of amount awarded by an international tribunal award of $1.2 billion. This is in the wake of damages against India in the retrospective taxation case.

Background

• The three-member tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague that had delivered its verdict on December 21, 2020, had held unanimously in favour of Cairn and against the Indian government, ruling that the tax levied fell afoul of the bilateral investment pact.
• It also awarded Cairn $1.2 billion in damages for the tax authorities’ decision to take by force and subsequently sell the company’s shares, and freeze dividend payments as well as tax refunds, to recover the disputed tax dues.

Assets under Consideration

• The assets already under consideration could include Embassy bank accounts, non-diplomatic premises, Air India planes and state-owned ships in several places including the U.K., Holland, France, Canada, and the U.S.
• The move would be akin to similar action against a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane seized in Malaysia earlier this month over a dispute with an Irish company, or the seizure of a Venezuelan ship ordered by a court in favour of U.S. company ConocoPhillips in 2018.
• Cairn also cited clauses in the U.K.-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, the UNCITRAL arbitration rules, and the New York Convention to which India is a signatory.

Related Information

About the Permanent Court of Arbitration

• It was established by the First International Peace Conference held at The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1899.

Objective

• The objective is “to facilitate the arbitration of international disputes”.

Structure of PCA           

• It consists of an Administrative Council and an International Bureau.
• The Court is not ‘permanent’ in nature; rather it is a Court selected from among a permanent panel of arbitrators.
• Each member is eligible to nominate four persons who have competency in International law and who are of the highest moral reputation and can accept the duties of an arbitrator.
• There are 225 arbitrators, appointed for a six-year term.
• The Administrative Council is composed of diplomatic representatives of the contracting parties accredited to The Hague.
• The President of the Council is the foreign minister of the Netherlands.