[T25] UPSC Mock Round#27: Kepler Retirement, INO NGT-Clearance, psbloansin59minutes DOT com, ACSA Agreement & More

1. Instructions for 25 Mock Prelims-MCQs Set No. 27
2. Economy
3. Yearbook
4. Environment, Disasters
5. Geography
6. Science Technology
7. Books in News

Instructions for 25 Mock Prelims-MCQs Set No. 27

• 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 27th set focuses mainly on current affairs from IndianExpress during October-November 2018. Given the precedence that large chunk of current affairs questions in UPSC prelims are from previous year, it becomes important for the upcoming Prelims-2019.
• So far I’ve set 27 sets x 25 questions each = 675 MCQs. Let’s see if I can cross 1000 before Prelims-2019.

Economy

Q. In 2018-Nov, Ease of Doing Business report was released. Find incorrect statement(s)

1. Singapore has secured first rank in this report published by the World Economic Forum.
2. India’s rank has improved from 100 in 2017 to 77 in 2018.
3. Theme of the report is Reforming to Create Jobs.

Answer Codes:

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

HINT: Country whose present Lady PM had been in news for giving birth to her first child (2018) has secured first rank in this report published by World Bank with the theme “Reforming to Create Jobs” where India’s rank has improved by 23 positions from last year’s 100th rank.

Q. In 2018-Oct, Modi visited his ‘best friend’ Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, and discussed about acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA). This agreement deals with _ _ .

1. Aeroplanes and aviation sector
2. Purchase and repair of bullet trains
3. Shipping vessels for Inland waterways
4. Defense cooperation at Naval bases

HINT: ACSA would permit the Indian Navy (IN) access to a Japanese base in Djibouti, while the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) would be permitted to use India’s military installations on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located in the Indian Ocean.

Q. What is Section 7 of RBI Act that is in controversy during 2018-Oct-Nov?

1. It allows the Government to remove the RBI Governor before expiry of his term.
2. It requires RBI to transfer its profit as dividend to the Government.
3. It empowers RBI to act as public debt manager.
4. It empowers the Government to issue directions to RBI in public interest.

HINT: Halfway in the movie “RAID”, Ajay Devgan’s inept subordinate Lallan Singh suddenly decides to become an upright income tax officer. Urjit Patel is going through similar midlife / GSM4 crisis, and has issued tough directives on NBFC’s liquidity, Weak bank’s capital requirements and lending norms for MSME sector to fix the NPA problem. But, Government feels that easy lending norms will to boost economy, and therefore in public interest RBI should relax above rules.

Q. In 2018-Nov, RBI has issued a notification regarding PCR. What is PCR?

1. Public Credit Resolution
2. Prompt Credit Rectification
3. Public Credit Registry
4. Pan-India Credit Registry

HINT: Public Credit Registry (PCR) aims to capture details of all borrowers (irrespective of loan amount), wilful defaulters and pending legal case database from SEBI, GST, Insolvency Board etc. Such digital registry will help Banks and NBFCs in better scrutiny of future loan applications. RBI issued tender to select a company to build this digital platform. Whether Sundar Yadav will apply for this tender in his open jeep, that remains to be seen.

Q. Speaking of digital portals, in 2018-Nov, Modi is to launch a portal http://www.psbloansin59minutes.com. Find correct objective(s) of this digital portal.

1. This online portal will process the loans to Self-Help Groups (SHG) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) within 59 minutes.
2. This online portal will process home loans under PM Awas Yojana within 59 minutes.
3. This online portal will process agriculture loans for farmers within 59 minutes

Answer Codes:

1. Only 1
2. Only 1 and 2
3. Only 3
4. None of them

HINT: MSME loan ranging from Rs 10 lakh and 1 crore at interest rate starting from 8% will be approved within 59 minutes. Although actual loan amount will be disbursed in 7-8 working days. MSME need not pledge any collateral for this loan, because online portal is directly connected to the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises scheme, so if MSME defaults on loan the concerned Public Sector Bank (PSB) will get refund from that Fund. SHG, home loans and agro is not in the picture.

Q. Speaking of Agro, as of 2018-Nov, which of the following state(s) have permitted the farmers to bypass the APMC markets and allowed farmers to directly sell to buyers?

1. Bihar
2. Maharashtra
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Bihar scrapped APCM act in 2006, whereas Maharashtra passed an ordinance in 2018-Oct, to permit farmers to sale outside APMC market.

Yearbook

Q. Who among the following is conducting the fabled National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-NEET-2019?

1. CBSE under HRD Ministry
2. National Testing Agency (NTA)
3. Medical Council of India
4. National Board of Examinations under the Health Ministry.

HINT: Tempting as it sounds but neither CBSE nor NTA is the right answer. It’s health ministry’s body.

Q. In 2018-Oct, Anupam Kher has resigned as the chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) because he got a role in American TV Show, and he wants to break ego of Priyanka Chopra that “You’re not the only Indian who can get role in American serials.” Anyways, apart from FTII, which of the following is/are also autonomous but “not-statutory” organization(s) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting?

1. Indian Institute of Mass Communication
2. Prasar Bharati
3. Press Council of India

Answer Codes:

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

HINT: Press Council Act, 1965, Prasar Bharati Act 1997.

Q. UN-HABITAT organizes World Habitat Day on 1st October and World Cities day on 31st October. What are the themes for 2018?

1. 1st Oct: World Habitat Day: Municipals Waste Management
2. 31st Oct: World Cities Day: Building sustainable and resilient cities
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: In recent years, UPSC has asked atrangi questions about UN-HABITAT, APMCHUD and other low-profile फटीचर organizations. Both statements right for faster revision. According to UNGA nearly 55% of World population now living in cities.

Q. Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is an agreement likely to be approved by December-2018 in Morocco’s Marrakech. GCM is related to _ _ _ organization.

1. European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council
2. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
3. UN General Assembly
4. Amnesty International

HINT: UNGA deliberating over this since 2017. However, in 2018-Oct, Austria became Diwar’s Amitabh Bacchan and refused to sign it saying “Migration can’t become human right, no one can be given the ‘right to migration’ just because of climate change or poverty in their home country. वरना पूरा बांगलादेश भारत मे ही बस जाएगा।”

Environment, Disasters

Q. In 2018-Nov, Ministry of Environment announced to reduce the Particular matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in India. Find correct statement(s) about this announcement:

1. PM matter will be cut down by 50% in 2022 compared to 2004 as base year.
2. This commitment was made at UNFCCC’s meeting for review meeting India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in 2018.
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: 2019 as base year. PM will be cut down by 30% in next five years. Announcement made at WHO’s first ever Air pollution summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

Q. What is the meaning of PM10?

1. Particulate Matter having size greater than 10 micron
2. Particulate Matter having size of 10 micron
3. Particulate Matter having size less than 10 micron
4. Particulate Matter having size less than 10 milimeters

HINT: PM10 = Particulate Matter having size less than 10 micron (PM10 ). PM2.5= Particulate Matter having size less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5)

Q. Find incorrect statement(s) about the particulate matter (PM)?

1. PM2.5 are considered less dangerous than PM10
2. PM may contain biological components such as pollen, dust mites and fungi.
3. PM can be seen through electron microscope but not simple microscope.

Answer Codes:

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

HINT: In terms of size, PM2.5 < PM10. Smaller the particle- deeper it can get into your lungs and blood stream. Smaller the particle, longer time it remains suspended into air causing haze, smog and other problems that endanger aeroplane landing and vehicular transport. PM could have organic, inorganic, metal, non-metal, biological and synthetic components. Eliminate accordingly. Mind it you’ve to find wrong statement, not the right ones.

Q. In 2018-Oct, a plane of “Lion Air” airlines crashed in sea, resulting in the death of 189 people. This airline belonged to _ _ _ country.

1. Thailand
2. Indonesia
3. Malaysia
4. None of the above

HINT: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went missing in 2014. Thailand was in news because football kids team went missing in a cave. Correct country has the largest Muslim population in the world.

Geography

Q. In 2017-Oct, PM Modi inaugurated “Ro-Ro” service between Ghogha (Bhavnagar district) and Dahej (Bharuch district). In 2018-Oct, CM Rupani inaugurated ‘Ro-Pax’ ship between the same places. What is the utility of this ship and this project?

1. It is an inland waterway service.
2. A Ro-Pax ship carries only passengers and vehicles but not cargo containers.
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT:

• This service connects two places within the Gulf of Khambhat / Cambay. So how can that be called inland waterway?
• Ro-Ro means Roll-on, Roll-off service. It carries wheeled cargo (such as cars, buses, trucks) that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels. This Ro-pax ship carries trucks, buses on bottom floor, cars in second floor and passengers on first floor.
• On a related note for StatePCS exams, Kerala’s Fastest Inland ferry “VEGA 120” was launched in Nov.

Q. Speaking of inland waterways, Modi is to receive the first lot of cargo containers on National Waterways-1, in 2018-Nov. What is NW1?

1. River Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya
2. Tapi-Narmada river system from Gulf of Cambay to Betul.
3. Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad to Haldia
4. Canal system along the Godavari-Krishna river system.

HINT: This waterway passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal. So think which rivers are most apt?

Q. In 2018-Nov, New Caledonia was in news for a referendum. Find correct statement about this place.

1. It is a province of Spain that wants independence.
2. It is a country in the Caribbean group of Islands that has launched Sovereign cryptocurrency after a referendum.
3. It is an overseas territory of Britain that rejected BREXIT referendum.
4. None of the above

HINT: In World Map, New Caledonia is on the right side Eastern side of Australia. It became a French penal colony in the 1850s, presently supplying 25% of global Nickel output. The referendum meant to declare independence from France but it was defeated.

Q. In 2018-Oct, Vice President of India visited Botswana’s capital Gaborone. Find correct statements about the geographical location of this country.

1. It’s a landlocked country.
2. It’s situated in the Western Africa.
3. Much of this country is covered by Kalahari desert.

Answer Codes:

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

HINT: It’s in Southern Africa.

Science Technology: Kepler Retirement

Q. The present 50 pound currency note of England contains an image of Matthews Boulton and James Watt. In 2018-Nov, The Bank of England has asked public nominations for selecting new scientists for new 50 pound bank notes. What is the most notable contribution of James Watt in science?

1. Electricity generator
2. Steam Engine
3. Locomotive Engine
4. Railway Engine

HINT: The thing that is produced on the evaporation of water.

Q. In 2018-Nov, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has upheld the environmental clearance granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO). Find incorrect statement(s) in this regard:

1. It’s being constructed in the state of Kerala.
2. Standard Model of Physics doesn’t recognize the Neutrinos yet.
3. Higgs-Boson particles are called “God particles” whereas Neutrinos are nicknamed “Ghost Particles”.

Answer Codes:

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

HINT: INO is being setup in Theni district of Tamilnadu to detect and study neutrinos, one of the 12 fundamental particles in std. model, are most abundant particles in the universe but amongst the least understood. Neutrinos are nearly massless subatomic particles that have no electric charge and therefore interact rarely with their surroundings, hence often called “Ghost Particles”. Mind it you’ve to find wrong statements.

Q. In 2018-Nov, NASA’s Kepler space telescope was retired. Why?

1. It developed a mechanical malfunction.
2. An asteroid collided with it.
3. It ran out of fuel.
4. Its electronic circuit malfunctioned due to solar winds.

HINT: What will happen to your bike, when petrol prices keep rising but you can’t afford it.

Q. What was the primary objective of NASA’s Kepler space telescope?

1. Study the planets within our solar system.
2. Study the stars within our solar system.
3. Discover the planets outside our solar system.
4. All of the above

HINT: Kepler was NASA’s First Planet Hunter Space Telescope: 2009-2018.

Q. Find the correct pairs:

1. German astronomer Johannes Kepler: laws of planetary motion
2. Italian scientist Bepi Colombo: Studies related to Mercury planet
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

HINT: Both in news because Bepi Colombo mission sent to Mercury, and NASA’s Kepler telescoped retired. Both correct.

Books in News

More important for Non-IAS exams

Q. In 2018-Sept, “Notes of a Dream”: the authorized biography of _ _ _ was released.

1. Anup Jalota
2. Anu Malik
3. A.R. Rehman
4. Ilaiyaraaja

HINT: He has won Oscar for composing the music of Slumdog millionaire.

Q. In 2018-Nov, an autobiography “281 and beyond” is to be released in Market. It’s written by cricketer _ _ _ .

1. MS Dhoni
2. Ricky Ponting
3. VVS Laxman
4. Adam Gilchrist

HINT: VVS Laxman’s 281 runs against Australia in Eden Gardens, Kolkata (2001) has been rated as the greatest Test performance of the last 50 years.

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