Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 21-07-19 | PDF Downloads

MCQ 1

1. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is a CSIR lab
2.  It is located in Bengaluru

Choose correct

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) None

MCQ2

 Colistin is a

1. Cell membrane chemical
2. A vaccine for Ebola
3. An antibiotic
4. Drug for cancer

MCQ 3

Strait of Hormuz is between

1. Iran & Pakistan
2. Iran & UAE
3. Iran & Oman
4. Iran & Qatar

MCQ 4

Recently in news Merck’s Vaccine is tested for

1. A Bacterial disease
2. A Viral Disease
3. A helminth disease
4. A Protozoa Caused disease

MCQ 5

 Organic farming in india is supported under

1. MOVCDNER
2. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
3. MIDH
4. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

(A) 2 only
(B) 2 & 1
 (C) All
(D) 2,3,4

• Government of India has been encouraging/ promoting organic farming under two dedicated Schemes, namely, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015.
• Organic Farming has also been supported under other Schemes viz Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Network Project on Organic Farming under ICAR. Third party certification of organic farming is promoted by Agriculture Processed Food and Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce.

About MOVCDNER:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched this Central Sector Scheme named “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region” (MOVCDNER) for implementation in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
• The scheme aims at development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification and creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative.
• The assistance is provided for cluster development, on/off farm input production, supply of seeds/planting materials, setting up of functional infrastructure, establishment of integrated processing unit, refrigerated transportation, precooling/ cold stores chamber, branding, labelling and packaging, hiring of space, hand holdings, organic certification through third party, mobilization of farmers/processors etc. Total farm area currently under Organic Certification is taken up in an area of 27.70 lakh hectares in the country including 5.98 lakh hectares under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) , 0.639 lakh hectares under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) , 19.38 lakh hectares under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) of APEDA and 1.70 lakh hectares under other initiatives.

MCQ 6

1. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019 amends the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
2. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amend)Act, 2019 proposes to establish the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).

Choose correct
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) none

• Rajya Sabha recently passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
• The Bill amends the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.

Background:

• The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 established the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).
• Functions: AERA regulates tariffs and other charges for aeronautical services provided at civilian airports with annual traffic above 15 lakh passengers. It also monitors the performance standard of services across these airports.
• Why was AERA created, and what is its role?
• To ensure that private airport operators do not misuse their monopoly, the need for an independent tariff regulator in the airport sector was felt. Consequently, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (AERA Act) was passed which set up AERA.

What changes are being proposed in the Bill?

•  The Bill seeks to do two things:
• Definition of major airports: Currently, the AERA Act defines a major airport as one with annual passenger traffic over 15 lakh, or any other airports as notified by the central government. The Bill increases the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports to over 35 lakh.
• Tariff determination by AERA: Under the Act, AERA is responsible for determining the:
•  (i) tariff for aeronautical services every five years, (ii) development fees, and(iii) passengers service fee. It can also amend the tariffs in the interim period. The Bill adds that AERA will not determine: (i) tariff(ii) tariff structures, or(iii) development fees, in certain cases. These cases include those where such tariff amounts were a part of the bid document on the basis of which the airport operations were awarded. AERA will be consulted (by the concessioning authority, the Ministry of Civil Aviation) before incorporating such tariffs in the bid document, and such tariffs must be notified.
• Why is the Act getting amended?
• The exponential growth of the sector has put tremendous pressure on AERA, while its resources are limited. Therefore, if too many airports come under the purview of AERA, it will not be able to perform its functions efficiently.
• How would the Bill affect the regulatory regime?
• Currently, there are 32 major airports (annual traffic above 15 lakh), and AERA regulates tariffs at 27 of these. As per the Bill, AERA will regulate 16 major airports (annual traffic above 35 lakh). The remaining 16 airports will be regulated by AAI. Till 2030-31, air traffic in the country is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 10-11%. This implies that in a few years, the traffic at the other 16 airports will increase to over 35 lakh and they will again fall under the purview of AERA. This may lead to constant changes in the regulatory regime at these airports. The table below provides the current list of major airports:

MCQ 7

1. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a statutory body
2. NSDC was set up by Ministry of Finance 3. It implements Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

 Choose correct

(A) 1 & 2
(B) 2 & 3
(C) 1 & 3
(D) All

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a not-for-profit public limited company incorporated on July 31, 2008 under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding to section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013). NSDC was set up by Ministry of Finance as Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of India through Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) holds 49% of the share capital of NSDC, while the private sector has the balance 51% of the share capital.
• NSDC aims to promote skill development by catalyzing creation of large, quality and forprofit vocational institutions. Further, the organization provides funding to build scalable and profitable vocational training initiatives. Its mandate is also to enable support system which focuses on quality assurance, information systems and train the trainer academies either directly or through partnerships. NSDC acts as a catalyst in skill development by providing funding to enterprises, companies and organizations that provide skill training. It also develops appropriate models to enhance, support and coordinate private sector initiatives. The differentiated focus on 21 sectors under NSDC’s purview and its understanding of their viability will make every sector attractive to private investment

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Film Industry as Kaushal Bharat

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a Public Private Partnership organization. NSDC has facilitated the creation of Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) which are industry led bodies to ensure addressing skill requirements of various sectors.
• There are a total of 37 functional SSCs including the Media & Entertainment Sector Skill Council (MESC). A list of SSCs is at Annexure. SSCs complement the existing vocational education system for the Industry Sector in meeting the entire value chain’s requirements of appropriately trained manpower in quantity and quality across all levels on a sustained and evolving basis.
• MESC has been created for meeting the skilling needs of the film industry. There has been engagement with the film industry under PMKVY in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme through MESC. 52454 people have been enrolled under RPL Best in Class Employers (BICE) in PMKVY. MESC has developed Occupational standards for all its sub-Sectors of Film Industry like Film, Television, Print, Animation, Game, Digital etc. and for other supporting jobs like Hair and makeup, Voice over, Acting, Camera Operation, Direction, Editing, Lighting, Music and sound creation, VFX and DI, Photography, Set designing etc. MESC conducts assessment and certification on these set standards to enable the availability of skilled workforce to the film industry.
• This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri. R. K. Singh in the Lok Sabha today.

MCQ 8

1. The share of Public Sector Steel Companies in total crude steel production in the country is about 80%.
2. There are two steel manufacturing Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel namely Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)

Choose correct

(A) Only 1
 (B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) None
The share of Public Sector Steel Companies in total crude steel production in the country is about 20%.

• As per the Companies Act, 2013, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under Ministry of Steel earmark at least 2% of the average net profits made during the three immediately preceding financial years for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Unspent balance for the previous year, if any, is carried forward to the next year for utilization for the purpose for which it was allocated. Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.(RINL) have even allocated CSR funds during loss years to sustain the momentum of the ongoing committed CSR activities. Funds under Corporate Social Responsibility are not allocated by CPSEs, State/UT-wise.
• The Government has notified National Steel Policy 2017; the policy for providing preference to Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) in Government Procurement and has modified Rule 136(1) (iii) of General Financial Rules to incorporate the principle of life cycle cost analysis. These interventions will help in creation of enhanced demand of steel, which in turn, will lead to enhanced steel production by steel companies which includes Steel PSUs as well, to meet the requirements of the country.

MCQ 9

1. Chandipura virus is Named after the Gujrat village where the virus was first discovered
2. It is discovered only in India
3. Ades Mosquito is a possible vector of it.

Choose correct

(A) 1 & 2
(B) 2 & 3
(C) All
(D) None

Chandipura virus detected in Gujarat.

• Named after the Maharashtra village where the virus was first discovered, the likely vector (carrier) of the virus is the female phlebotomine sandfly. It has been detected in sand flies in Senegal and Nigeria, apart from India. The virus is known to cause inflammation of the brain, and progresses rapidly from an influenzalike illness to coma and death.
• Chandipura virus (CHPV) belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family in the order Mononegavirales of the genus Vesiculovirus. Interestingly, its continuing mutating trend has enhanced its lethality to cause human infections, unlike its genetic cousin, the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).

Symptoms:

•  Sudden high fever accompanied by headaches and altered consciousness. Convulsions. Vomiting and nausea. Unconsciousness

 Key facts:

• The virus predominantly infects children between the ages of 2-16, spreading through the bite of a sandfly, and in some cases, even the mosquito during the monsoon and pre-monsoon season. It is distantly related to the virus that causes rabies and is known to have a case fatality between 55-75 per cent.

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