[T25] UPSC Mock Round#24: Current Affairs Sep-Oct-2018: Global Huger Index, Human Capital Index, Cyclone titli, PM-AASHA & More

1. Instructions
2. Polity and International Relations (IR)
3. Agriculture
4. Economy: Banking, Finance, Taxation
5. Economy: Global Reports
6. Environment & Disasters
7. Science-Tech & Public health
8. Persons, Books, Awards, Sports

Instructions

• Timelimit: 30 minutes. 2 Marks for correct answer; -0.66 marks for wrong answer.
• Mitron, my [T25] series contains 25 Mock MCQ primarily aimed at UPSC IAS/IPS Civil Service exam aspirants.
• I usually don’t give direct answer below the MCQs but indirect hints. Because, then you’ve to read the MCQ again & apply logical reasoning skills. This will improve your mental faculties compared to a scenario where direct answers are spoon-fed.
• This 24nd set focuses mainly on the current affairs from September-October-2018. That means so far I’ve set 24 sets x 25 questions each = 600 MCQs. Let’s see if it crosses 1000 before Prelims-2019.

Polity and International Relations (IR)

Q. In 2018-Oct, Tushar Mehta has been appointed as Additional Solicitor General. Find wrong statement(s) related to this post?

1. His tenure and remuneration are not fixed by the Constitution.
2. Attorney General, Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General- all three are constitutional posts.
3. Union Government can appoint more than one Additional Solicitor General at a time.

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Only 1 and 3
4. Only 2 and 3

HINT:

• Only the office of the AG is created by the Constitution. In other words, Article 76 does not mention about the solicitor general and additional solicitor general. Ref chapter No. 50 on Attorney General in lx.
• Union can have more than one additional SG at a time. Read this list.
• And Mind it- you’ve to find WRONG statements not the CORRECT statements! क्यी बार लोग उत्साह मे गलत सर्कल मार्क कर देते है।

Q. In the “Joseph Shine vs Union of India” judgement in 2018-Sept, Supreme court struck down Section 497 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). This judgement deals with:

1. Homosexuality
2. Adultery
3. Wives filing bogus complaints of Dowry & mental harassment
4. Immediate arrest in atrocities against SC/ST

HINT: Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code punishes a man for having consensual sex with a married woman. SC ruled that adultery can be a ground for divorce but not a criminal offense.

Q. In 2018-Oct, India won election to UN Human rights council. Find incorrect statement(s)

1. UNHRC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
2. This is the first time India became member to this organization.
3. India’s tenure will last for five years.

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1
2. Only 1 and 2
3. Only 2 and 3
4. Only 3

HINT: Fifth time India is elected to the Geneva-based Council for a tenure three years. तो सोचो गलत वाक्य क्या है?

Agriculture

Q. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare’s “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan” (PM-AASHA) was approved in 2018-Sept. What are the feature(s) of this mission?

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS): physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and Copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies.
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): The difference between the MSP and the selling/modal price of oilseeds will be paid to farmers’ bank accounts.
3. Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS): private agencies will be selected for procuring the commodities at MSP.
4. All of the above.

HINT: For faster revision, all statements are correct.

Q. In 2018-Aug, NABARD had released All India rural financial inclusion survey 2016-17. According to this report, agriculture cultivation generates approximately _ _ % of income for a rural household.

1. more than 85%
2. 75%
3. 50%
4. less than 25%

HINT: Last year, UPSC examiner asked a random NSSO-survey report related to agro. Click me to see that MCQ. You’re not expected to solve it because cut-off is not 200 out of 200 marks. Same goes for this mock test! Anyways, according to this NABARD report, average monthly income of a rural household is 8,059 rupees. The sources of income for rural households in descending order are: wage-labour > service to Government or private sector > cultivation (23%) > other enterprises > livestock rearing.

Economy: Banking, Finance, Taxation

Q. In 2018-Sep, RBI shortlisted IT firms for its CIMS project. What is the objective of this CIMS project?

1. Effective monitoring of the currency printing and currency circulation data.
2. Effective monitoring of NPA resolution in Indian banks.
3. Effective monitoring of BASEL-III implementation in Indian banks.
4. Collecting, analyzing and disseminating the data about the banks and NBFCs regulated by RBI.

HINT: CIMS stands for centralised information and management system. So, think which option is most suitable?

Q. In 2018-Oct, Government of India decided to shut down a sick public sector enterprise (PSE) ‘Biecco Lawrie Limited (BLL), Kolkata’. This company was associated with _ _ _ sector.

1. Coal Mining
2. Exploration of crude oil and gas
3. Generators and Heavy machineries
4. Switchgear and Lubes

HINT: Started during British-raj (1919). It’s involved in Switchgear Manufacturing, Electrical Repair, Lubricant blending. The Net worth of the Company is ₹ minus 79 crore and accumulated loss are ₹ (-) 154 crore. तो सोचो ये कितनी वाहियात और बकवास किस्म की कंपनी होगी!!?

Q. In 2017, a task force was formed to prepare new direct tax legislation to replace the Income Tax Act 1961. This task force was supposed to submit the report in 2018-Sep. Who is the chairman?

1. Arbind Modi, former member of Central Board of Direct taxes
2. NK Singh, former IAS officer
3. Y V Reddy, former RBI governor
4. Arvind Subramanyam, former Chief economic advisor

HINT: It is in news because report not submitted on deadline due to their internal issues in coordination. Narendra Arbind Modi is the chairman. NK Singh chairman of with 15th Finance Commission and FRBM Review panel, Y V Reddy was chairman of 14th Finance Commission and Arvind Subramanyam has resigned from CEA post with hopes of becoming World Bank chief economist.

Economy: Global Reports

In last 3 years, UPSC examiner has cultivated habit of asking atleast one Global report MCQ each year in recent exams. Example: last Prelims’s Rule of Law Index MCQ.

Q. Global hunger Index was released on 2018-Oct. Find incorrect statement:

1. It measures four indicators: UNDERNOURISHMENT, CHILD WASTING, CHILD STUNTING and CHILD MORTALITY.
2. Theme of the report is “FORCED MIGRATION AND HUNGER”.
3. Central African Republic (Capital: Bangui‎) has secured the lowest rank.
4. This report is published by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

HINT: India secured 103rd rank out of 119 countries. Annual Report started since 2006 by IFPRI but in 2018 it stepped aside. So, latest report co-published by German NGO Welthungerhilfe and Irish NGO Concern Worldwide. To learn theory of Hunger Index, watch my youtube lecture.

Q. Human Capital index (HCI) was released in 2018-Oct. Find correct statement:

1. It’s prepared by UNDP.
2. It’s prepared annually since 1990.
3. It measures countries on five parameters – child survival, school enrollment, quality of learning, healthy growth and adult survival.
4. India secured 100th rank, while Norway secured first rank.

HINT: World Bank’s inaugural (=first time released) HCI index has placed India at 115 out of 157 countries. Singapore first rank. India’s HCI score is 0.44, which means a child born in the country today will be only 44 per cent as productive. Then think, which is the correct statement? By the way (BTW) India got 100th rank in World Bank’s Ease of doing biz. report.

Q. The latest Human Development Index (HDI) was released in 2018-Sep. Find incorrect statement:

1. Norway secured first rank while Niger secured the last rank.
2. It’s prepared by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based on the formula designed by American economist Morris David Morris.
3. India’s rank improved by one position from 131 in last report to 130 in the latest report.

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT: Morris David Morris is associated with Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) whereas HDI formula based on Indian economist Amartya Sen and Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq . Other statements are correct. You can learn more of its theory at my Youtube video on this link.

Q. Nobel Prize-2018 for Economics is given to American economists William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer. Find correct statement(s) about this award.

1. 2018’s prize is given for the research on climate change and technological innovations in long-run macroeconomic analysis.
2. Economics Nobel prize is given by Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank), whereas Peace Prize winners are selected by Swedish Parliament.
3. All six Nobel prize categories (physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics) have equal monetary reward.
4. All of the above

HINT: In his will, Alfred Nobel tasked the Parliament of Norway with selecting the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize because at the time, Norway and Sweden were in a loose personal union. Economics Nobel carries reward of 9 million Swedish krona, whereas other categories carry 10 million. Then think, which is the correct statement?

Environment & Disasters

Q. Find correct statement(s) about Cyclone Titli and Cyclone Ockhi:

1. Both occurred in 2018.
2. Both originated in the Bay of Bengal.
3. Neither of these cyclones had any meteorological affect on Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 3
4. None of the given statements

HINT: Ockhi originated in Arabian Sea in 2017, causing heavy rains in Gujarat and Maharashtra, devastated Tamilnadu, Kerala, and SriLanka. Whereas Titli originated in Bay of Bengal in 2018, devastated Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. And Mind it, you’ve select right statements.

Q. Find correct statement about the first “National Environment Survey of India” of the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)?

1. It’ll be released on 31st December 2018.
2. It is being conducted under the requirements of Paris agreement of UNFCCC.
3. It covers all districts of India.
4. It’ll cover data related to flora-fauna, air, water, soil, waste, pollution and hazardous substances.

HINT: First survey will be carried out in 2019, will cover only 55 districts in the first year. Not compelled under Paris agreement to carry such survey.

Q. Find incorrect statement about Green skill development programme (GSDP) launched in 2018?

1. It’s launched by the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
2. Persons applying for GSDP courses are given training at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
3. All courses of GSDP are compliant with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
4. None of the above

HINT: UPSC examiner’s affection for NSQF is well known. In last five years, twice he has asked this term. Anyways,

• GSDP launched by MoEFCC in 2018-May.
• Program training is given by Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and their respective regional offices.
• All courses are NSQF compliant. The skilling programmes cover diverse fields such as pollution monitoring (air/water/soil), Sewage Treatment Plant, Effluent Treatment Plants and Common Effluent Treating Plants (STP/ETP/CETP) operation, waste management, forest management, water budgeting, auditing, conservation of river dolphins, wildlife management, para taxonomy, including Peoples’ Biodiversity Register (PBRs), mangroves conservation, bamboo management and livelihood generation.
• Mind that you’re asked to find wrong statement, so #1 is not the answer.

Science-Tech & Public health

Q. In 2018-Oct, there have been news of some people from Gujarat and Rajasthan reporting positive for Zika virus. What is this disease?

1. Zika virus is spread by different species of Aedes mosquitoes.
2. Zika virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion and sexual intercourse.
3. Zika virus was first found in among the pig farmers of a village in Malaysian peninsula.

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them

HINT: Nipah virus first found in Malaysia. Zika Virus first found in rhesus monkey the Zika forest of Uganda. Eliminate accordingly.

Q. In 2018-Oct, Astronomers found a large exomoon orbiting the exoplanet Kepler-1625b. So, what is the meaning of this term “exoplanet”?

1. Any planet that has some characteristics of a star.
2. Any planet that doesn’t orbit around a star.
3. Any planet that is not part of our milky way galaxy.
4. Any planet that is not part of our solar system.

HINT: All of the planets in our solar system orbit around the Sun. Planets that orbit around other stars are called exoplanets. REF: NASA.

Q. late physicist Stephen Hawking’s essay is to be published in 2018-Oct. In this essay he wrote “new race of superhumans could develop from wealthy people choosing to edit their and their children’s genes using DNA-Editing tools. Such mutants designer babies and superhumans could destroy rest of humanity”. Which of the following tools could he be referring to?

 

1. Diode Laser
2. Belle-II
3. CRISPR — Cas9
4. Cantilever

HINT: Last year, UPSC had mentioned this term in one of the Sci-Tech MCQs. CRISPR/Cas9 DNA-editing system was invented six years ago, allowing scientists to modify harmful genes or add new ones. तो फिर रईस लोग ऐसे ज्ञानी बच्चे पेदा कर सकते है जो की बिना कोचिंग के भी यूपीएससी पास कर लेंगे और उनसे टक्कर लेने के लिए गरीब लोग डबल ज़ोर से कर्जा लेकर लाखो रुपए की कोचिंग जॉइन करके अपने और गरीब बनाएँगे। Thus, it can widen the rich-and-poor divide even further.

Persons, Books, Awards, Sports

Following Questions more relevant for Non-IAS exams.

Q. Youth Olympic Games are being played in 2018-Oct. Find incorrect statement about it

1. Venue: Buenos Aires, Argentina
2. Motto: Feel the future
3. Mascot: young Yaguareté (Jaguar) named “Pandi”
4. Age limit: 6 to 14 years

HINT: 6 to 14 years is the age for right to education act in India. For Youth Olympics the age limit is 14 to 18 years. वेसे भी 6 साल वाले खिलाड़ी को “यूथ” केसे बोल सकते है!?

Q. Find correct statement(s) about the World Tourism Day celebrated by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) celebrated on 27th September.

1. World Tourism Day 2018’s theme was “Tourism & Digital Transformation”.
2. World Tourism Day 2018 celebration were held at Hungary (Capital: Budapest).
3. World Tourism Day 2019 celebration will be held in India.
4. All of the above.

HINT: for faster revision, all correct.

Q. India’s Ministry of Tourism annually presents National Tourism Awards. Latest awards (for 2016-17) were announced on World Tourism Day on 27th September 2018. Which of the following pair(s) is/are correct?

1. Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Mandu (Madhya Pradesh): jointly declared as the ‘Best Heritage City’.
2. Qutub Minar: Award for best monument for differently-abled tourists.
3. Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism: Andhra Pradesh.
4. All of the above

HINT: Best state award had two categories: A) J&K and North East: where Sikkim got best award, and B) Rest of India where Andhra Pradesh got best award. However, if we don’t engage in hairsplittery over words, it is safe to say Andhra Pradesh got best state award. Then all pairs are correct.

Q. In 2018-Oct, United Nation General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa said she’ll install the portrait of Vijayalakshmi Pandit in her office. Who was Vijayalakshmi Pandit?

1. She was the niece of Jawaharlal Nehru.
2. She was the first woman to become the President of UNGA.
3. She was also known as the ‘Nightingale of India’ due to her renowned poetries.
4. All of the above.

HINT: She was PM Nehru’s sister, and Sarojini Naidu is known as the ‘Nightinagle’.

Q. In 2018-Oct, Nikki Haley resigned from a diplomatic post. Find correct statement about this lady:

1. She resigned from the post of United States Ambassador to the European Union.
2. She can never become President of USA since she is not a ‘natural-born citizen’ of USA.
3. She has previously served as Governor of South Carolina.
4. She was the first Hindu ever elected to the U.S. Congress.

HINT: She was US ambassador to UN. She is natural-born citizen of USA. Her parents are Indian-American. Tulsi Gabbard is the the first Hindu to be elected to US Congress, Tulsi also happens to be the first person to take oath on Gita during her Congress swearing in ceremony.

Q. Newly released memoir / autobiography “Devil’s advocate: the untold story (Buy on Amazon)” is written by which of the following present or former journalist / TV reporter?

1. Vinod Dua who is accused of hashtag Metoo
2. MJ Akbar who is accused of hashtag Metoo
3. Ravish Kumar
4. Karan Thapar

HINT: He shares common surname with noted lady-historian Romila T _ _ .

Q. In 2018-August to September, following persons died. Find incorrect pair:

1. Annapurna Devi: Hindustani classical music, surbahar (bass sitar) player and wife of Pandit Ravi Shankar.
2. Kofi Annan: two times UN Secretary General, won Nobel Peace Prize, hailed from Ghana.
3. Anna Malhotra: India’s first lady IAS officer.
4. None of the above

HINT: For faster revision, All three are correctly paired.

Visit Mrunal.org/prelims for Previous Rounds of [T25] Mock MCQ Question / Answers.