2020

CURRENT
AFFAIRS
WEEKLY PRACTICE QUESTIONS

6th July - 11th July

1.Consider the following statements:
1. Astra missile is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Surface
Missile system.
2. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launch system, which has been
developed by the collaboration between India and Russia.
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
Answer-(d)
Explanation:
 Pinaka is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket launch system, which has
been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) for the Indian Army. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
 It is an artillery missile system capable of striking into enemy territory up
to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision.
 Astra missile is developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO).
 It is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM)
system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. It has capability to
destroy the enemy targets which are beyond their visual range. Hence,
Statement 1 is not correct.

2. Consider the following pairs:

National Parks State
1. Kanger Ghati National Park Karnataka
2. Galetha National Park Tamil Nadu
3. Gorumara National Park Chhattisgarh
Which of the above given pairs is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. None of the above
Answer:(d)
Explanation:
National Parks State
1. Kanger Ghati National Park Chattisgarh
2. Galetha National Park Andaman & Nicobar
3. Gorumara National Park West Bengal
Hence, Option (d) is correct.
3. With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
a. It serves as a financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological
Diversity’ and ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change’.
b. It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level.
c. It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and
funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their
environment.
d. Both (a) and (b)
Answer- (a)
Explanation:
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
 GEF was established during the Rio Earth Summit of 1992.
 It is based in Washington DC. United States
 The GEF is jointly managed by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)
 GEF serves as financial mechanism for following conventions:
 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) .
 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).
 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) .
 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
 Minamata Convention on Mercury
Hence, Option (a) is correct.

4. Which of the following state is governed under special provisions of Article

371 -A?
a. Nagaland
b. Manipur
c. Meghalaya
d. Assam
Answer- (a)
Explanation:
 Article 371A makes special provision with respect to the State of
Nagaland to protect the Nagas. Hence, Option (a) is correct.
 Article 371A (13th Amendment Act, 1962)
o Inserted after a 16-point agreement between the Centre and the
Naga People’s Convention in 1960, which led to the creation of
Nagaland in 1963.
o Parliament cannot legislate in matters of Naga religion or social
practices, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of
 civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to
Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land without
concurrence of the state Assembly.

5. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act,
2013, consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)'
only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be
the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home
ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months
thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 3 only
Answer- (b)
Explanation:
 According to Chapter VI of the National Food Security Act (NFS Act),
women of eighteen years of age or above to be head of household for the
purpose of ration cards. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
 Allocation of subsidised food grains ONLY to people below the poverty
line is not mentioned in the bill.Hence Statement 1 is not correct.
 The NFS Act entitled every pregnant woman and lactating mother to
meals, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after child birth.
It specified a calorie count of 600 calories.Hence Statement 3 is not
correct.

6. With reference to Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, consider the following

statements:
1. It is also called Chandrayaan-1.
2. It maps the lunar poles and lunar subsurface.
3. It measures the dielectric constant of the lunar surface for finding
the concentration of metal minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
  Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is a NASA moon mission that
has been in operation since 2009. Hence, Statement 1 is NOT correct.
 The mission particularly focuses on the moon's poles to search for water
or ice that could exist in permanently shadowed craters. Apart from this,
it measures the concentration of metal minerals on the lunar surface and
subsurface. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
 The LRO’s Mini-RF instrument measures dielectric constant within lunar
soil.
o Dielectric constant, an electrical property, is the ratio of the electric
permeability of a material to the electric permeability of a vacuum.
Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

7. Consider the following statements with reference to ‘Compulsory

Licensing’:
1. Compulsory Licencing in India is regulated under the Indian Patent
Act, 1970.
2. It is not permitted under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).
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
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 Compulsory Licensing (CL) allows governments to license third parties
(that is, parties other than the patent holders) to produce and market a
patented product or process without the consent of patent owners.
 Compulsory Licencing is regulated under the Indian Patent Act, 1970.
Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
 Compulsory Licensing is permitted under the WTO’s Trade Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement provided
some conditions are fulfilled. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

8. Consider the following statements:

1. It is the discretion of the Prime Minister to furnish any information
to the President under Article 78 of the Constitution.
2. The President is obliged to act on the advice of the council of
ministers in the exercise of his functions.
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
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
 As per Article 78, following are the duties of the Prime Minister:
o To communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of
Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the union
and proposals for legislation;
o To furnish such information relating to the administration of the
affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President
may call for; and
o If the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the
CoM, any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister
but which has not been considered by the CoM. Hence, Statement
1 is not correct.
 Article 74 provides for the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the
President.
 After the 42nd and 44th constitutional amendment acts, the President
is obliged to act on the advice of the council of ministers in the
exercise of his functions. But in some cases he can act on his own
discretion. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
 His right to ask the Prime Minister to furnish any information
pertaining to the affairs of the union government under Article 78 of the
Constitution is also one of such areas where he can act on his own
discretion.

9. With reference to winter diesel recently developed by the Indian Oil

Corporation (IOC), consider the following statements:
1. It meets the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards of BS-VI
grade.
2. Lower viscosity enables it to remain fluid in freezing conditions.
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
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 The winter diesel was introduced as a technological solution by the IOC
in 2019 in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh, Kargil, Kaza and Keylong,
which face the problem of freezing of diesel in their vehicles in extreme
weather conditions.
  Winter Diesel is a specialised fuel specifically for high altitude
regions and low-temperature regions such as Ladakh, where ordinary
diesel can become unusable.
 Winter Diesel also meets the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
specification of BS-VI grade. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
 Winter Diesel contains additives to maintain lower viscosity by enabling
the fuel to remain fluid in freezing conditions. Hence, Statement 2 is
correct.

10. Consider the following statements regarding CAATSA:

1. It is a United Nations resolution that imposes sanctions on Iran,
Syria and North Korea.
2. It also sanctions against the countries that engage in trade with
China's defense and intelligence sectors.
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
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is
a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea,
and Russia. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
 CAATSA includes sanctions against countries that engage in significant
transactions with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors. Hence,
Statement 2 is not correct.
o Thus, India could face USA sanctions for purchasing the S-400
Triumf missile defense system from Russia under the CAATSA.
 The S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air
missile defence system. China was the first foreign buyer to seal a
government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 for the system.

11. With reference to Lithium, consider the following statements:

1. It is a light inflammable metal which is mainly used in batteries.
2. It is produced through Stellar nucleosynthesis.
3. It is used in treatment of mental health disorders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
 Lithium is a light inflammable metal which is mainly used in lithium-ion
(Li-ion) batteries and has brought a transformation in modern
communication devices and transportation. Hence, Statement 1 is
correct.
 The scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have
provided evidence that Lithium (Li) production is common among low
mass Sun-like stars during their Helium (He) core burning phase (end of
the star’s core hydrogen-burning phase).
o It is produced by the process of Stellar nucleosynthesis, which
means creation of chemical elements by nuclear fusion reactions
within stars. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
 It is also used in treatment of mental health disorders. For example,
Lithium carbonate is a common treatment of bipolar disorder, helping to
stabilize wild mood swings caused by the illness. Hence, Statement 3 is
correct.

12. Consider the following statements regarding trade logistics:

1. Multimodal transportation is a combination of more than one mode
of movement such as rail, road or sea, for end-to-end delivery of
goods.
2. The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) developed by the World
Economic Forum helps countries improve their trade logistics.
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
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 Multimodal transportation refers to a combination of more than one
mode of movement, such as rail, road or sea, for end-to-end delivery of
goods. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
o It facilitates the exporters and gives them a sense of security in
transporting their goods.
 The Logistics Performance Index (LPI), developed by the World
Bank Group (Not World Economic Forum), is an interactive
benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and
opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what
they can do to improve their performance. Hence, Statement 2 is not
correct.

13. With reference to Zoonotic Diseases, consider the following statements:

 1. Zoonotic diseases are caused by germs that spread between
animals and people.
2. Avian, Swine and Camel flu are examples of Zoonotic diseases.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 Zoonotic diseases (also known as zoonoses) are caused by germs that
spread between animals and people.
These are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and
fungi.
o These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people
and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death.
Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
 Avian influenza (or Bird Flu), Swine Flu, Camel Flu (Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome) and recent Covid-19 pandemic are examples of
Zoonotic Diseases. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

14. With reference to PPP models, consider the following statements:

1. In the case of Hybrid Annuity Model, the central government bears
60% of the project cost.
2. Under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction model, the
cost is completely borne by the government.
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
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
 Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided
to undertake performance assessment and ranking of the highways in the
country.
 Apart from overall ranking of all the corridors, separate ranking for
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects will also be
done.
o BOT is a conventional PPP model in which a private partner is
responsible to design, build, operate (during the contracted period)
and transfer back the facility to the public sector.
 o In the case of HAM, the central government bears 40% of the
project cost and the remaining amount is arranged by the
developer.
o Under the EPC model, the cost is completely borne by the
government. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct and statement 2
is correct.

15.With reference to World Bank Group institutions, consider the following

statements:
1. International Development Association (IDA) provides low- or no-
interest loans to low-income countries.
2. The Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA) insures lenders and
investors against political risks.
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

Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership which consists of
five development institutions.
o International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
provides loans, credits, and grants.
o International Development Association (IDA) provides low- or no-
interest loans to low-income countries. Hence, Statement 1 is
correct.
o The International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides investment,
advice, and asset management to companies and governments.
o The Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA) insures lenders and
investors against political risk such as war. Hence, Statement 2 is
correct.
o The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID) settles investment-disputes between investors and
countries.

16. Consider the following statements about Bon Bibi:

1. Bon Bibi is a deity of the forest and the central character of Bon Bibir
Palagaan, a musical drama unique to the Gulf of Mannar.
2. The followers of Bon Bibi are fishermen, crab-collectors and honey-
gatherers who live in the mangroves with wild animals.
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
Answer(b)
Explanation:
Bon Bibi is a deity of the forest and the central character of Bon Bibir Palagaan,
a musical drama unique to the Sundarbans.Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
The followers of Bon Bibi are fishermen, crab-collectors and honey-gatherers
who live in the mangroves with wild animals such as tigers and crocodiles to
earn a livelihood.Hence statement 2 is correct.

17. Consider the following statements about Marmots:

1. Marmot belongs to the squirrel family within the order Rodentia.
2. They are found primarily in the continents of Europe, Asia and
North America.
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
Answer(c)
Explanation:
 Marmot (genus Marmota) belongs to the squirrel family (Sciuridae)
within the order Rodentia. Hence statement 1 is correct.
 Marmots are diurnal (active during the day) and are almost entirely
vegetarian. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
 They are found primarily in the continents of Europe, Asia and North
America. Hence statement 3 is correct.

18. Logistics Performance Index is developed by:

a. UNFCCC
b. WEF
c. World Bank Group
d. IMF
Answer(c)
Explanation:
 The Logistics Performance Index (LPI), developed by the World Bank
Group, is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries
identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance
on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance.
Hence option C is correct.
19. Consider the following statements about International Livestock
Research Institute:
1. The ILRI, in Uganda, is an international agricultural research institute
formed in 1994.
2. It focuses on building sustainable livestock pathways out of poverty
in low-income countries.
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
Answer(b)
Explanation:
 The ILRI is an international agricultural research institute formed in 1994
through the merger of the International Livestock Centre for Africa and
the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases. Hence
statement 1 is correct.
 It is situated in Nairobi, Kenya. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
 It focuses on building sustainable livestock pathways out of poverty in
low-income countries. Hence statement 3 is correct.

20. With reference to Golden Birdwing, consider the following statements:

1. It is a species of migratory bird.
2. It is mostly found in Himalayan region.
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
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
 Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus), a Himalayan butterfly known as has
been recently discovered as India’s largest butterfly after 88 years.
Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
 The female was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the male was from
the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong, Meghalaya. Hence,
Statement 2 is correct.
MAINS QUESTION
1. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context
of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.
(UPSC 2018)
2. A well designed minimum wage system can reduce inequalities in
incomes, bridge gender gaps in wages and alleviate poverty. In the light
of the above statement examine the main provisions of the Code on
Wages Act, 2019. Also explain the concerns associated with it.

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