04 August 2022: Daily Current Affairs & GK for HAS/HPAS & Allied Services

04 August 2022: Daily Current Affairs & GK for HAS/HPAS & Allied Services

1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

1. It is an executive, non-statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
2. It is responsible for advising the Central and State governments on matters related to the prevention, improvement, and control of Air and Water pollution.
3. It is also running the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a. 1 only

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 3 only

d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Responsible for Air and Water Quality Monitoring Services and any other pollution-related issues

 

2. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?

1. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
2. It comprises 10 members, 5 permanent and 5 non-permanent.
3. The non-permanent members are elected for 5 years on a rotation basis from different regions of the world.

Select the correct option answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 only

D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: A

Explanation:

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations, established by the UN Charter in 1945. It comprises 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
• The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China, and the United Kingdom.
• Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis.
• India, for the eighth time, entered the UNSC as a non-permanent member last year (2021) and will stay on the council for two years i.e. 2021-22.
• It is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to UN Charter.
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions; it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

 

3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)?

1. It is a constitutional body.
2. CVC is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. Its responsibilities include curbing corruption in public offices and monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government and advising various authorities in Central Government organizations.

Select the correct option answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 only

D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Central Vigilance Commission is the apex vigilance institution established in 1964 on the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. In 2003, the Parliament enacted CVC Act conferring statutory status on the CVC.
• The CVC is not controlled by any Ministry/Department. It is an independent body that is only responsible to the Parliament.

 

Ques:4. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance?

1. Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971 that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
2. World wetlands day is celebrated every June 5th.
3. India has the largest area under Ramsar Wetland.

Select the correct option answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 only

D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: A

Explanation:

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated on the 2nd of February across the globe, marking the day of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
• The UK has the number of Ramsar sites and Bolivia has the largest area under Ramasar wetlands.

 

5. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding India’s commitment towards climate action announced by the Prime Minister at the 26th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Glasgow in 2021?

1. India pledged to reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
2. India pledged to meet all of its energy requirements from Renewables (RE) by 2030.
3. India committed to generating 500 GW of non-fossil energy by 2030.

Select the correct option answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 only

D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: c

Explanation:

• India at UNFCCC CoP-26 at Glasgow 2021 announced its enhanced climate commitments — the “Panchamrit”:
• India will get its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030
• India will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements till 2030 with renewable energy
• India will reduce its projected carbon emission by one billion tonnes by 2030
• India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 45 percent by 2030
• India will achieve net zero by 2070

 

6. Consider the following statements, concerning the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) recently seen in the news

1. It aims to secure supply chains of critical minerals to support economic prosperity
2. India is a founding member of the group along with China.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)  is a US-led partnership to secure supply chains of critical minerals which   aims to reduce  dependency on China while ensuring the economic prosperity
• Statement 2 is not correct: India is not a founding member of the group and currently, India and China are not part of the group. Besides the US, the MSP includes Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission.

 

7. Consider the following statements, about recently passed The National Anti-Doping Bill

1. It establishes the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) as a statutory body to monitor anti-doping activities.
2. Anti-doping rules under the bill, not only for athletes but also for athlete support personnel.
3. It doesn’t provide for the appeal mechanism to hear appeals against decisions of the Disciplinary Panel against doping activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:  Recently, Rajya Sabha passed the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 unanimously by a voice vote and Lok Sabah has already passed the bill.

Statement 2 is correct: The Bill aims to prohibit athletes, athlete support personnel, and other persons from engaging in doping.

An important provision of the Bill:

Statement 1 is correct: To set up National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) as a statutory body headed by a Director General appointed by the central government. The Functions of the Agency include planning, implementing, and monitoring anti-doping activities, and investigating anti-doping rule violations.

Statement 3 is not correct:

• The bill provides to set up National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports:
• I will also oversee the activities of NADA and issue directions to it. 
• The Board will constitute a National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel for determining the consequences of anti-doping rule violations. 
• The Board will constitute a National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel to hear appeals against decisions of the Disciplinary Panel.

 

8. Which of the following is not part of India’s climate action ‘Panchamrit’ commitment?

(a) To reach 500GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

(b) Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 percent by 2030, over 2005 levels.

(c) Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2040.

(d) To achieve 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030

Answer: C

Explanation: (Panchamrit) is India’s climate action committee which was announced by the Indian Prime Minister @ COP-26, 2022 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was held in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

(Panchamrit) of India’s climate action includes:

• To reach 500GWNon-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
• To achieve 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
• Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
• Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 percent by 2030, over 2005 levels.
• Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070 (NOT 2040)

 

Ques:9. Which organization or ministry approves the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops?

(a) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

(b) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare

(c) Ministry of Finance

(d) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

Answer: D

Explanation: To ensure the remunerative price of the product to farmers, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister approves and announces the MSP at the beginning of the sowing season of crops at the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

 

Ques:10. Which of the following is/are the health and environmental advantages of pulses?

1. They provide high protein content, are low in fat, and rich in soluble fiber which helps in controlling cholesterol and blood sugar
2. They have nitrogen-fixing properties which improve soil fertility and enhance the production of crops.

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: India is the largest producer (25% of global production), the consumer (27% of world consumption), and the importer (14%) of pulses in the world.

Statement 1 is correct: Pulses have high protein content which makes them an ideal source of protein.

Health Benefits: Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar.

Statement 2 is correct: Environmental benefits: 

Pulses have nitrogen-fixing properties which improve soil fertility and increase and extend the productivity of the farmland. By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can also promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity, while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay.