Current Affairs MCQs [ 30 Nov and 1 Dec 2017 ] PIB TheHindu IndianExpress & Other leading newspapers

Sumant Kumar, B.Tech NIT Allahabad sumant.magadh@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/SumantKM/

With reference to Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), consider the following statements: 1. ICBMs are self-guided and follow ballistic trajectory to deliver payload to a

predetermined target 2. BrahMos missile is an ICBM

Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans A ICBMs have minimum range of 5500 kms. Brahmos, which is a short range missile, is not ICBM.

Missile Name Origin Type Range Speed

Air-to-air missiles Astra Missile India Air-to-Air Missiles 60 – 80 km Mach 4 +

K-100 Russia & India

Medium Range air-to-air missile 300–400 km Mach 3.3

Surface-To-Air Missiles Akash Missile India Medium-range surface-to-air missile 30-35km Mach 2.5 to

3.5 Barak 8 Isreal

/India Long Range Surface to Air Missile 100 km Mach 2

Defence Missile Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) India Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic

missile Altitude-

80km Mach 5+

Advanced Air Defence (AAD)

India Endo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile

Altitude- 30km

Mach 4.5

Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)

India Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile

Altitude- 120km

Cruise Missiles Nirbhay India Subsonic cruise missile(Ship,

submarine, aircraft and land) 1,000 -1500

km Mach 0.8

BrahMos Russia & India

Supersonic cruise missile(Ship, submarine, aircraft and land)

290 km Mach 2.8 to 3 Mach

BrahMos II India Hypersonic cruise missile(Ship, submarine, aircraft and land)

300km Mach 7

Surface-to-surface Missiles

Agni-I India Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

700-1250 km Mach 7.5

Agni-II India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM)

2,000–3,000 km

Mach 12

Agni-III India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM)

3,500 km – 5,000 km

5–6 km/s

Agni-IV India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM)

3,000 – 4,000 km

Mach 7

Agni-V India Intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM)

5000 – 8000Km

Mach 24

Prithvi I India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical)

150 km

Prithvi II India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical)

350 km

Dhanush India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical)

350 – 600 km

Prahaar(Pragati) India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical)

150 km Mach 2.03

Shaurya India Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)

750 to 1,900 km

Mach 7.5

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles

Sagarika (K-15) India Ballistic Missile 700 – 1900Km Mach 7+ K-4 India Ballistic Missile 3,500–5,000

km Mach 7+

K-5 India Ballistic Missile 6,000 km Anti-Tank Missile

Nag India Anti-Tank Guided Missile 4km 230 m/s Helina(HELIcopter

launched NAg) India Anti-Tank Guided Missile 7-8km

Consider the following statements with regards to Sentinelese tribe: 1. They are

indigenous tribe of the Andaman Islands.

2. They practice primitive agriculture for subsistence.

3. They speak Jarawa language.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only

• The Sentinelese people are an indigenous people of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal. • They inhabit North Sentinel Island, which lies westward off

the southern tip of the Great Andaman archipelago. • They resist contact with the outside world, and are among the

last people to remain virtually untouched and uncontacted by modern civilization.

• Their language remains unclassified and is not mutually intelligible with the Jarawa language of their nearest neighbors.

• They are hunter gatherers and do not practice any form of agriculture.

• The Sentinelese are designated as a Scheduled Tribe. o The 2011 Census of India recorded only 15 individuals (12

males and three females). o Any medium- or long-term effect on the Sentinelese

population arising from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

(d) 1,2 and 3Ans A and resulting tsunami is not known, other than the confirmation obtained that they had survived the immediate aftermath.

Major Tribes in India: Arranged State-wise

o Andhra Pradesh: Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil, Chenchus (Chenchawar), Gadabas, Gond, Goundu, Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda, Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Dabba Yerukula, Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis.

o Arunachal Pradesh: Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong, Momba, Sherdukpen, Singpho. o Assam: Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis, Gangte. o Bihar: Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya, Santhals, Savar. o Chhattisgarh: Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond, Mawasi, Nagasia. o Goa: Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi,Varli. o Gujarat: Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta, Paradhi, Patelia. o Himachal Pradesh: Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba, Lahaulas, Pangwala, Swangla. o Jammu and Kashmir: Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi. o Jharkhand: Birhors, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar. o Karnataka: Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Patelia, Yerava. o Kerala: Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis. o Madhya Pradesh: Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds,Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias. o Maharashtra: Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis. o Manipur: Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Kuki, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou. o Meghalaya: Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba. o Mizoram: Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Synteng. o Nagaland: Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Sema. o Odisha: Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals. o Rajasthan: Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas(Minas), Patelia, Sahariya. o Sikkim: Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas. o Tamil Nadu: Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas. o Telangana: Chenchus. o Tripura: Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte. o Uttarakhand: Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu. o Uttar Pradesh: Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu. o West Bengal: Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar. o Andaman and Nicobar: Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens. o Little Andaman: Jarawa. o North-East: Abhors, Chang, Galaong, Mishimi, Singpho, Wancho.

Increasingly vulnerable ‘chokepoints’ are threatening the security of the global food supply, according to a new report. These critical bottlenecks are increasingly at risk from climate change. Which one of the following is NOT one of the ‘chokepoints’? a) Black Sea ports b) Brazil’s inland road network c) Strait of Malacca d) Northeast passage Ans D

The chokepoints identified are locations through which exceptional amounts of the global food trade pass. • More than half of the globe’s staple crop exports –

wheat, maize, rice and soybean – have to travel along inland routes to a small number of key ports in the US, Brazil and the Black Sea.

• On top of this, more than half of these crops – and more than half of fertilisers – transit through at least one of the maritime chokepoints identified.

Chenchus tribes are found in a) Arunachal Pradesh b) Assam c) Nagaland d) None of the above Solution: d) Chenchus are Adivasi • in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,

Karnataka and Odisha. • They are an aboriginal tribe

whose traditional way of life has been based on hunting and gathering.

• The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family.

• Many Chenchus live in the dense Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh.

Mahasthangarh, the 3rd century BC archaeological site, has been declared as the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) cultural capital for the year 2016-17. Where is it located? a) Pakistan b) Afghanistan c) India d) Bangladesh Solution: d) Mahasthangarh • in Bangladesh. • contains the remains of an ancient city which

was called PundraNagara or PaundraVardhanaPura in the territory of Pundravardhana.

• A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC.

Consider the following about the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). o It is a statutory body setup by

an Act of Parliament. o It was setup to regulate

telecom services including fixation or revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.

o It is authorized to adjudicate a dispute between a service provider and a group of consumers.

Select the correct answer using the codes below. a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution: a)

The entry of private service providers brought with it the inevitable need for independent regulation. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) • established in 1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom

services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.

• TRAI’s mission is to create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country in a manner and at a pace which will enable India to play a leading role in emerging global information society.

• One of the main objectives of TRAI is to provide a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.

• The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance (effective 2000), establishing a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

• TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute o between a licensor and a licensee, o between two or more service providers, o between a service provider and a group of consumers, and o to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or

order of TRAI.

Committee to examine 'Net Neutrality' ? (A) E. Padmanabhan Committee (B) A.K. Bhargava Committee (C) TCA Anant Committee (D) AK Mittal Committee 147. (B) The DOT (Department of Telecom) formed a panel to examine economic impact of implementation of net-neutrality principle on the sector, to charge extra for voice call services like Skype and Viber. Net neutrality principle says that access to Internet or any Internet based service should be without any barrier or discrimination. A six member committee is formed under A.K Bhargava to examine pursuit of net neutrality from public policy objective, its advantages and limitations.

What it means? • Net neutrality is the principle

that ISPs and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication.

• all bits of data are equal, and therefore, should not be discriminated on the basis of content/site/user.

With reference to “Net Neutrality”, recently in news, which of the following statement is/are correct? 1. The term was coined by Tim

Wu who was an American lawyer 2. The idea is to ensure that

Internet service providers do not discriminate content by either charging a fee by incorporating any technical qualifications.

Select the incorrect option using the code given below. 1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans D

• Net neutrality is an interpretive concept.

• The term was coined by Tim Wu — an American lawyer and presently a professor at the Columbia University.

• He views the notion of Net neutrality as signifying an Internet that does not favour any one application over another.

• The idea is to ensure that Internet service providers do not discriminate content by either charging a fee for acting as its carrier or by incorporating any technical qualifications.

The landmark judgement of NALSA v. Union of India, is related to a) Rights of transgender persons. b) Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. c) The conception of compromise in a case of rape or attempt to rape. d) An unwed mother as sole guardian of a child. Solution: a. • In April 2014, the Supreme Court delivered the landmark

judgment of NALSA v. Union of India, which affirmed the fundamental rights of transgender persons.

• The court gave a series of directives to the government to institute welfare measures for transgender persons, including affirmative action.

• It also directed that the Expert Committee Report prepared by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) be implemented.”

Which one of the following is NOT a national mission under the NAPCC = the National Action Plan on Climate Change? a) National Wind Power Mission b) National Mission for a Green India c) National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem d) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Solution: a. The NAPCC (launched in 2008) identifies measures that promote development objectives while also

The eight missions are: 1. National Solar Mission 2. National Mission for

Enhanced Energy Efficiency 3. National Mission on

Sustainable Habitat 4. National Water Mission 5. National Mission for

Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

6. National Mission for a Green India

yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively. o There are eight “National Missions” which form

the core of the National Action Plan.

o They focus on promoting understanding of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation.

7. National Mission fro Sustainable Agriculture

8. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Which among the following is/are part of India"s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? 1. To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 60 to 65 per cent by 2030

from the 2005 level. 2. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2

equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. 3. To build capacities for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate technology in

India. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans B

Some of the salient points of the India's INDC are: • To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and

values of conservation and moderation. • To adopt a climate-friendly and a cleaner path than the one followed hitherto by others at the

corresponding level of economic development. • To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level.

• To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030, with the help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance, including from Green Climate Fund.

• To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

• To better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change, particularly agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, coastal regions, health and disaster management.

• To mobilize domestic and new and additional funds from developed countries to implement the above mitigation and adaptation actions in view of the resource required and the resource gap.

• To build capacities, create domestic framework and international architecture for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate technology in India and for joint collaborative R&D for such future technologies.

Which of the following may contribute in achieving the INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution)? 1. Encouraging use of

public transport. 2. Increasing emission

intensity of GDP. 3. Increasing area under

Mangroves. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans B

India's INDC include reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. The proposals for achieving INDCs are to be based on the following: (a) Sustainable Lifestyles (b) Cleaner Economic Development (c) Reduce Emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (d) Increase the Share of Non Fossil Fuel Based Electricity (e) Enhancing Carbon Sink (Forests) (f) Adaptation (g) Mobilizing Finance (h) Technology Transfer and Capacity Building

According to the latest data (2016) published by the National Crime Records Bureau, o A major chunk of crimes against

Dalits involves the violation of women

o Revenge and sexual exploitation were the two top motives that accounted for cyber-crimes

o Around 40 per cent of all seized fake Indian currency notes

The 2016 NCRB report • a major chunk of crimes against Dalits involves the violation of

women. • More than 12,000 incidents of cybercrime were reported in 2016, a

jump of 6.3% from 2015. Illegal gains and revenge were the two top motives that accounted for cyber-crimes. Sexual exploitation, insulting the modesty of women and causing disrepute constituted 13% of the crimes.

• For the first time, the NCRB included data on the seizure of fake Indian currency notes in its report. In 2016, a total of 2,81,839 fake notes with a face value of ₹15,92,50,181 were seized. Around 40% of these fake notes were seized from Delhi, followed by Gujarat and West Bengal.

were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 only Solution: a.

The latest NCRB data for the year 2016 shows that while overall crimes against women have risen by just about 3%, incidents of rape have gone up by 12%. The majority of cases categorised as crimes against women were reported under ‘Cruelty by husband or his relatives’ (32.6%), followed by ‘Assault on woman with intent to outrage her modesty’ (25%),‘Kidnapping and abduction of women’ (19%) and ‘Rape’ (11.5%).

• The latest NCRB data for the year 2016 has registered a sharp spike in cases of rape against children — even as overall crimes against children have increased. According to the NCRB data for 2016, incidents of rape of children have increased by over 82% compared to 2015.

Which one of the following reports/indices is NOT compiled by the World Economic Forum? a) Global Financial Stability Report b) Global Competitiveness Index c) Global Gender Gap Report d) Global Risks Report Solution: a. The GFSR is compiled by the IMF.

Article 239AA of the Indian constitution is associated with a) Constitution and composition of panchayats b) Administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas c) Extent of laws made by Parliament and by the legislatures of states d) Special provisions with respect to Delhi Solution: d.

Global Competitiveness Index • World Economic Forum's

• assesses competitiveness of countries to provide insight into drivers of their productivity and prosperity.

• GCI scores are calculated on basis of 12 categories called ‘pillars of competitiveness which covers both business and social indicators. o It includes pillars such as institutions, infrastructure, health and primary education, labour market

efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness and market size. • Key Highlights of 2017 GCI

o India ranks 40th among 137 countries in 2017 Global Competitiveness Index

o India has slipped by one position compared to 39th spot in 2016 GCI. o BRICS Countries:

• China (27th)

• Russia (38th)

• India (40th)

• South Africa (61st)

• Brazil (80th). o India remains most competitive country in South Asia. o The report has lauded India’s efforts in information and communications

technology (ICT) sector as it can boost internet economy.

Consider the following pairs: Region of India – Species that can be found here 1. West India– Great Indian Bustard 2. Central India – Sangai 3. South India – Pangolin

Which of the pairs mentioned above is/are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 1 and 3 only c) 2 only d) 2 and 3 only Solution: b. The Great Indian Bustard is the State Bird of Rajasthan (but it can be found as far south as Karnataka). The Sangai is the State Animal of Manipur. The Pangolin can be found all over India (except for the Himalayan regions).

UPSC Prelims 2012 Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass. (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard. (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane). (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal. Ans A o Great Indian Bustard is a Critically

Endangered Species;

o Snow Leopard???

Consider the following statements with reference to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: 1. The Law Commission of India’s draft law – the Protection of Children (Inter-Country Removal and Retention) bill, 2016 is in consonance with it 2. India has not ratified it as it believes the worst affected in cases under the convention will be women who often flee abusive marriages 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 Solution: c.

• The Commission’s draft is in consonance with the principles of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 1980, which seeks to protect a child from the harmful effect of wrongful removal and secure prompt return and reintegration of the child in an environment of his/her ‘habitual residence’.

• “We found that there are more cases of Indian women who return to the safety of their homes in India after escaping a bad marriage.

• Cases of women who are foreign citizens, married to Indian men, going away with their children are far fewer.

• Hence signing the Hague Convention would be to the disadvantage of Indian women.

• Also, a majority of such cases pertain to women instead of men running away,” said a WCD official.

With reference to “Mt Agung”, recently in news, which of the following statement is/are correct?

1. It is an active volcano situated in Lakshadweep.

2. It is also called Gunung Agung Select the correct option using the code given below.

1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans A

With reference to “NIKSHAY”, recently in news, which of the following statement is/are correct?

1. It is a case based monitoring application, developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).

2. Its main function is to monitor Malaria Patients treatment

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans A To monitor Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) effectively, a web enabled and case based

Mount Agung is a volcano in Bali, Indonesia, southeast of Mt Batur volcano, also in Bali. • Gunung Agung is an active volcano, with a

large and deep crater that occasionally emits smoke and ash.

• It is also called Gunung Agung. • Gunung Agung stratovolcano is the highest

point on Bali.

monitoring application called NIKSHAY has been developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC). Its main function is to monitoring of TB Patients Treatment.

With reference to Indian Resource Panel (InRP) , consider the following statements: 1. It is embedded within the Ministry of Environment, Forest

and Climate Change. 2. It is implemented at national level.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C The Indian Resource Panel (InRP) was set up in November 2015. • The InRP is an advisory panel embedded within the Ministry

of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. • Its role is to advise on key barriers to progress on resource

efficiency at national, regional and sectoral levels and give practical suggestions on how to deal with them.

“SIMBEX” is related to which of the following? 1. a joint naval exercise

between India and SriLanka 2. a joint naval exercise

between India and Singapore

3. a joint naval exercise between India and Myanmar.

4. a joint naval exercise between India and Bangladesh

SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises): • It is a joint naval exercise

between Indian and Singapore navies.

• Latest edition i.e. SIMBEX 17, was held in South China Sea in May 2017

With reference to “Malaria”, which of the following statement is/are correct?

Consider the following statements about the Hague Convention 1. The Convention came into force in 1983.

1. It is transmitted by the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito

2. The Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria is neither a virus nor a bacterium

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1. 1 only 2. 2 only 3. Both 1 and 2 4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans C It is transmitted by the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito The Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria is neither a virus nor a bacterium

2. India ratified the convention recently . 3. The convention provides for the prompt return of

children wrongfully retained or removed from their habitual residence

Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1. 1 and 2 only 2. 1 and 3 only 3. 2 and 3 only 4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans B • The Convention came into force in 1983. • Over 90 countries are signatories to it, India is yet to

sign it

• The convention provides for the prompt return of children wrongfully retained or removed from their habitual residence