27 July 2022: Daily Current Affairs & GK for HAS/HPAS & Allied Services

27 July 2022: Daily Current Affairs & GK for HAS/HPAS & Allied Services 

1. ‘Shantilal Shah Committee’, sometimes seen in the news, was constituted for which of the following purposes?

a) For recommending measures to the government for bringing down India’s greenhouse emissions.

b) For discussing the provisions of the Anti-Defection law and recommending any improvements.

c) For recommending measures to reduce the population of India.

d) For deliberation on the legalization of abortion in the country.

SOLUTION: D

EXPLANATION:

In the 1960s, in the wake of a high number of induced abortions taking place, the Union government ordered the constitution of the Shantilal Shah Committee to deliberate on the legalisation of abortion in the country.

In order to reduce maternal mortality owing to unsafe abortions, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was brought into force in 1971.

2. With reference to Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, consider the following statements:

1. It increased the gestation period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.
2. Pregnancy beyond 24 weeks can be terminated only on the grounds of foetal abnormalities
3. Unmarried women can also access abortion under the Act.

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

SOLUTION: D

EXPLANATION:

Statement 1 is correct: The 2021 Act increased the upper limit of the gestation period to which a woman can seek a medical abortion to 24 weeks from 20 weeks permitted in the 1971 Act.

Statement 2 is correct: If the pregnancy has to be terminated beyond the 24-week gestational age, it can only be done on the grounds of foetal abnormalities if a four-member Medical Board, as set up in each State under the Act, gives permission to do so.

Statement 3 is correct: Unmarried women can also access abortion because it does not mention the requirement of spousal consent.

3. Recently, India’s cybersecurity agency, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team) passed new Virtual Private Network (VPN) rules. In this context, consider the following statements:

1. Firms that provide Internet proxy-like services through VPN technologies as well as corporate entities are covered under the new rules.
2. The rules are applicable only to those entities who are physically present in India.
3. Multiple virtual servers can run on a single physical server using VPN technology.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 3 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 2 and 3 only

SOLUTION: C

EXPLANATION:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Firms that provide Internet proxy-like services through VPN technologies also come under the ambit of the new rule.  Corporate entities are not under the scanner.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The rules apply to “any entity whatsoever” in the matter of cyber and cyber security incidents, regardless of whether they have a physical presence in India or not, as long as they deliver services to Indian users.

Statement 3 is correct:  Multiple virtual servers can run on a single physical server.

4. Consider following statements about Karman line:

1. It is a boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.
2. It is roughly 100 km from earth’s surface.
3. It lies in the lower part of the thermosphere.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) 1 and 2 only

SOLUTION: C

EXPLANATION:

The Karman line (or von Karman line) is an attempt to define a boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. It was defined to be 100 kilometres (54 nautical miles; 62 miles; 330,000 feet) above Earth’s mean sea level. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct.

The Karman Line lies in the lower part of the thermosphere. Hence Statement 3 is correct.

5. Patua paintings belong to which of the following states?

a) Bengal

b) Madhya Pradesh

c) Maharashtra

d) Gujarat

SOLUTION: A

EXPLANATION:

The art form of Bengal, Patua art dates back around a thousand years.

It started out as a village tradition by painters telling Mangal Kavyas or auspicious stories of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

These paintings are done on pats or scrolls and for generations, the scroll painters or patuas have been going to different villages to sing their stories. Most Patuas are Muslims.