07 September 2022: Daily Current Affairs & GK for HAS/HPAS & Allied Services
1. Dark sky reserve is majorly related to which of the following?
1. Light pollution
2. Astronomy
3. Particulate matter model of physics
Select the correct option using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION:
- Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh in the next three months.
- Hanle, which is about 4,500 metres above sea level, hosts telescopes and is regarded as one of the world’s most optimal sites for astronomical observations. However, ensuring that the site remains well-suited for astronomy implies keeping the night-sky pristine, or ensuring minimal interference to the telescopes from artificial light sources such as electric lights and vehicular lights from the ground.
- A Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference. The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves, depending on the criteria they meet. Several such reserves exists around the world but none so far in India.
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-to-have-first-astronomy-dark-reserve-in-ladakh/article65849890.ece
2. Which of the following statement(s) regarding linguistic minorities in India is/are correct?
1. Constitution of India has defined the term ‘linguistic minority’ in Article 350A.
2. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is an officer appointed by the President of India to safeguard the rights of linguistic minorities.
Select the correct option using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION:
- The term Minority is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognises only religious and linguistic minorities. The linguistic minority can be described as those minorities residing in the territory of India, or any part thereof, which have a distinct language or script of their own.
- About 36.3 million of India’s 1.2 billion strong population ( as per the Census of 2011) speak an “absolute minority language”, a language which in every of India’s 28 States forms a minority.
- Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is an officer appointed by the President of India to safeguard the rights of linguistic minorities. It is a constitutional post created on the recommendation of the States Reorganization Commission (1953-55). The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 inserted a new Article 350-B in Part XVII of the Constitution.
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cannot-question-choice-of-minority-educational-institution-delhi-hc/article65849411.ece
3. Which of the following statement(s) regarding ‘Zero FIR’ is/are correct?
1. These are first information reports which are given serial number zero by the first recipient police station.
2. Zero FIRs can be filed in any jurisdiction regardless of the area where a crime was committed.
Select the correct option using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION:
- Zero FIR is an FIR that can be filed in any police station, irrespective of the jurisdictional limitations and location of the incident. The respective police station gives the FIR serial number zero and immediately transfers the documents over to the concerned jurisdiction.
- It was initially highlighted after the Nirbhaya Case, 2012. Zero FIRs may be registered on the basis of a woman’s statement at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction. This means women can file an FIR at any police station and the complaint is required to be registered on the basis of the woman’s complaint verbatim.
- The police officers who fail to comply with the registration of Zero FIR may invite prosecution under Section 166A of IPC and also departmental action.
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/yet-to-receive-zero-fir-against-ias-officer-filed-by-bjp-mp-deogarh-sp/article65858016.ece
4. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is named after the former President of which country?
a) Malaysia
b) Thailand
c) Philippines
d) Taiwan
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION:
- The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957. It is considered Asia's premier prize and highest honour- the ‘Nobel Prize counterpart of Asia’.
- It is named after Ramon Magsaysay, the third president of Philippines. Awardees are presented with a certificate, a medallion of Ramon Magsaysay’s image and cash prize.
It’s awarded for significant achievements in any of the following fields:
- Government service
- public service
- community leadership
- journalism
- literature and creative communication arts
- peace and international understanding
- Emergent Leadership.
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-controversy-over-kk-shailajas-nomination-for-the-ramon-magsaysay-award/article65856830.ece
5. Which of the following statement(s) regarding Cheetah is/are correct?
1. It's the fastest terrestrial animal.
2. IUCN Red List status of Asian cheetah is Endangered.
3. IUCN Red List status of African cheetah is Vulnerable.
Select the correct option using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION:
- The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, with ancestors that can be traced back over five million years to the Miocene era.
- The cheetah is also the world’s fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.
- IUCN status of:
- African cheetah: Vulnerable (VU)
- Asian cheetah: Critically Endangered (CR)
- Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pm-modi-to-visit-madhya-pradesh-for-cheetah-reintroduction-programme-cm-chouhan/article65856513.ece
6. ‘Extended Fund Facility’ term which is often in news, is related to which organization
a) World Bank
b) New Development Bank
c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
d) Asian Development Bank
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION:
- Extended Fund Facility is a lending facility of the Fund of the I International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- It was established in 1974 to help countries address medium- and longer-term balance of payments problems. The EFF is prescribed for a country who is suffering from balance of payment problem caused by structural weaknesses and who need fundamental economic reforms. The use of the facility has increased substantially in the recent crisis period.
- Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/world/sri-lanka-and-imf-reach-preliminary-agreement-for-2-9-billion-loan-8124301/
7. Recently, India’s meeting for ‘Joint River Commission’ framework was held with which of the following countries?
a) Sri Lanka
b) Maldives
c) Myanmar
d) Bangladesh
ANSWER: D
EXPLANATION:
- Recently, the 38th Meeting of Ministerial level Joint Rivers Commission of India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi on 25th August 2022.
- The Joint Rivers Commission framework is between India and Bangladesh which was constituted in the year 1972 as a bilateral mechanism to address issues of mutual interest on common / border / transboundary rivers.
- Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/neighbourhood-first-bangladesh-pm-to-visit-india-focus-on-deepening-ties/2654504/
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854557
