Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC 2020 / IAS / 19-12-19 | Free PDF

 
MCQ 1

1. Caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis) is a fungal parasite of  wheat that belongs to the ghost moth.
2. It is locally known as Kira Jari (in India), Yartsagunbu (in Tibet) and  Yarsagumba (in Nepal).

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

• Himalayan Gold
• In the Himalayas, the reliance of local communities on the trade and collection of Himalayan Gold, caterpillar fungus has become extremely  popular in recent decades.
• Caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis) is a fungal parasite of larvae (caterpillars) that belongs to the ghost moth.
• It has been used in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine as a tonic, as a therapeutic medicine for lung, liver and kidney problems.
• In the recent times, it has widely traded as an aphrodisiac (stimulating sexual desire) and a powerful tonic, often called the ‘Himalayan Viagra’.
• It is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, including the adjoining high Himalaya (3,200-4,500 metres above sea level).
• It is locally known as Kira Jari (in India), Yartsagunbu (in Tibet) and Yarsagumba (in  Nepal).
• It has been found in alphine meadows of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Askot Wildlife  Sanctuary, Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve  and Dehan-Debang Biosphere Reserve.
• The harvesting of fungus starts at the beginning of May and lasts till the end of June.
• It depends on factors such as weather, snow cover on the pasture and elevation of  collection sites.
• TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network reported that the illegal trading of it  is also a significant issue

TRAFFIC

• TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a leading non- governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals  and plants.
• It is a strategic alliance of IUCN and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
• Its mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
• It plays a vital role in tackling illegal wildlife trade through conducting research and analysis, advocacy and awareness work and by supporting  remedial action against illegal wildlife trade.

MCQ 2

1. CHEOPS Satellite is launched by NASA
2. Its aim is to measure size of known transiting exoplanets and  search for transits of exoplanets previously discovered via radial  velocity.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

CHEOPS Satellite

• CHEOPS – CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite is a new telescope going to be launched by European Space Agency.
• Unlike, NASA’s Kepler and TESS mission, it is a follow-up mission for the study of exoplanets rather than a discovery machine.
• Thus, it will help in determining planet sizes and other information.
• It will lift-off as a secondary passenger on a Soyuz-Fregat rocket.
• Its aim is to measure size of known transiting exoplanets and search for transits of exoplanets previously discovered via radial velocity.
• It is the first mission dedicated to searching for exoplanetary transits by performing ultra-high precision photometry on bright stars already known to  host planets.
• The Mission objectives are,
• Use ultra-high precision photometry to measure accurate sizes of a large sample of Earth to Neptune sized planets,
• Seeks to measure light curves of hot Jupiters to see how energy is transported in planetary atmospheres,
• Combine CHEOPS size measurements with existing planet masses to constrain their composition and internal structures.
• Identify prime targets to search for the fingerprints of key molecules in the planets’ atmospheres using future observatories on Earth.

MCQ 3

1. NASA’s Juno probe was launched in 2016 to reveal the story of all  Jovian planets’ formation and evolution
2. Jovian moon Io is the most volcanic body in our solar system.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

• The Jovian planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
• They orbit far from the sun.
• These planets have no solid surfaces and are essentially large balls of gas composed primarily of hydrogen and helium.
• They are much larger than the terrestrial planets (Earth, Mercury, Venus, and Mars)
• NASA’s Juno probe was launched in 2016 to reveal the story of Jupiter’s formation and evolution.
• When Juno first arrived in Jupiter, it discovered giant cyclones encircling the planet’s poles (9 in the north and 6 in the south).
• Each is nearly as wide as the continental US.
• It was discovered using data from Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM)
• It has recently discovered a new cyclone on Jupiter’s South pole on its 22nd flyby of the planet.
• Now the South Pole has 7 cyclones.

Juno and Jupiter Volcanic Plumes

• NASA’s solar-powered Juno spacecraft has sent new images of volcanic plume on Jupiter’s moon Io.
• Jovian moon Io is the most volcanic body in our solar system.
• The images can lead to new insights into the gas giant’s interactions with its five
• Juno will improve our understanding of the solar system’s beginnings by revealing the origin and evolution of Jupiter.
• Juno will determine how much water is in Jupiter’s atmosphere Look deep into Jupiter’s atmosphere to measure composition, temperature, cloud motions and  other properties Map Jupiter’s magnetic and gravity fields, revealing the  planet’s deep structure Explore and study Jupiter’s magnetosphere near the  planet’s poles, especially the auroras – Jupiter’s northern and southern lights.

MCQ 4

1. Tansen Samaroh is a popular classical music festival in Uttar  Pradesh.
2. Tansen was one of the nine gems in the court of one of the  greatest Mughal rulers of India, Emperor Shahjahan.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

Tansen Samaroh

• It is a popular classical music festival in Madhya Pradesh.
• It is a five-day festival celebrated every year in the memory of one of the most eminent singers of Indian history, ‘Mian Tansen’.
• It begins with traditional style in Gwalior with the recitations of Harikatha and Milad.
• It is organized by Ustad Alauddin Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy, under the Madhya Pradesh culture department.
• Noted vocalist Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas will be presented the National Tansen Award for 2019 which is given to outstanding exponents of Hindustani  classical music.
• Tansen was one of the nine gems in the court of one of the greatest Mughal rulers of India, Emperor Akbar.

Navratnas of Akbar

Raja Birbal

1. He played the role of court jester in the court of Akbar.
2. His real name was Maheshdas and the name Raja Birbal was given  by Akbar.
3. He was a great singer and poet in the Mughal Court of Akbar the  Great. He was a master in Sanskrit, Persian and Hindi language.
4. He also gave military and administrative services to Akbar and died  in the battle while subduing the unrest amongst Afghani tribes in  North-west India.

Tansen

1. Ramtanu was his birth name and was a disciple of Swami Haridas in starting and later on he learned music from Hazrat Muhammad Ghaus.
2. He was a musician in Akbar’s court and is remembered for his epic Dhrupad compositions, creating several new ragas, as well as for writing two classic books on music- Sri Ganesh Stotra and Sangita Sara.

Abul Fazal

1. His real name was Shaikh Abu al-Fazal ibn Mubarak also known as Abu’l-Fazl, Abu’l Fadl and Abu’l-Fadl ‘Allami.
2. He was the author of Akbarnama and Ain-I-Akbari. He also translated the Bible in Persian language.

Faizi

1. His real name was Shaikh Abu al-Faiz ibn Mubarak, popularly known by his pen-name, Faizi was a poet laureate and Abul Fazal’s brother.
2. He was one of the Navratnas of Akbar and was given the status of Malik-ush-Shu’ara (Court Poet) by Akbar.
3. He translated “Lilavati (Sanskrit work in Maths by Bhaskaracharya)”, into Persian.

Raja Man Singh

1. Raja Man Singh was the Raja of Amber and was one of the famous Navaratnas of the royal court of Akbar.
2. He was a general in Akbar’s army and was the grandson of Akbar’s father-in-law Bharmal.
3. He fought many battles including the historic battle of ‘Haldighati’ against Maharana Pratap.

Raja Todar Mal

1. He was the Finance Minister of the Mughal empire during Akbar’s reign and was one of the Navaratnas in Akbar’s court.
2. He introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey and  settlement system, revenue districts and officers.This system of  maintenance by Patwari is still used in Indian Subcontinent which was  improved by British and Government of India.

Mullah Do Piaza

1. He acted as an advisor to Akbar.

Fakir Aziao-Din

1. He was a sufi mystic and an advisor.
2. He used to give Akbar advice on religious matters.

Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana

1. He was the son of Bairam Khan and Akbar’s trusted guardian and
2. Known for his Urdu couplets and his books on astrology.
3. He translated Babar’s memoirs, Baburnama from Chagatai language to Persian language.
4. He he wrote two books on astrology- Khetakautukam and

MCQ 5

1. The PMGSY-III Scheme involves consolidation of Through Routes  and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin  Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and  Hospitals.
2. It’s a wholly centrally funded scheme

 Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

• Phase III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has  been launched.
• Features of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-lll (PMGSY-III):
• Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States.
• It involves consolidation of Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools  and Hospitals.
• The funds would be shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern states and Himachal Pradesh &  Uttarakhand for which it is 90:10.
• A total of 5,99,090 Km road length has been constructed under the scheme since  inception till April, 2019 (inclusive of PMGSY-I, PMGSY-II and RCPLWEA Scheme.

PMGSY-I:

• PMGSY was launched in December, 2000 with an objective to provide single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East, hill,  tribal and desert areas as per Census, 2001) for overall socio-economic development of the areas.

Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Area (RCPLWEA):

• Launched in the year 2016 as a separate vertical under PMGSY to provide all-weather road connectivity with necessary culverts and cross-drainage structures in 44 districts (35 are worst LWE affected districts and 09 are  adjoining districts), which are critical from security and communication point of view. Under the Scheme, 5,066  Km road length has been sanctioned.

MCQ 6

1. In USA The House of Representatives (Lower House) has the “the  sole power of impeachment” while the Senate (Upper House) has  no role in it.
2. If the president is found guilty & removed, the Vice President also  has to step down too.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

 

• Donald Trump has become the third President to be impeached by the US House.
• He was accused of enlisting foreign government to investigate political rival before 2020 election.

So far only two American presidents have been impeached.

• 1998 – President Bill Clinton was impeached on charges of sexual relationship with his intern.

However, the senate acquitted him.

• 1868 – President Andrew Johnson was impeached. He was acquitted by one vote in the Senate.
• In 1974, President Nixon resigned over water gate corruption The judiciary committee approved the articles of  impeachment before the house could even pass them.

What is Impeachment?

• Impeachment is a provision that allows Congress to remove the President of the United States.

Under the US Constitution:

• The House of Representatives (Lower House) has the “the sole power of impeachment” while the Senate (Upper House) has “the sole power to try all impeachments”.
• The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court has the duty of presiding over impeachment trials in the Senate.

Grounds for impeachment:

• The President can be removed from office for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”.
• Essentially, it means an abuse of power by a high-level public
• This does not necessarily have to be a violation of an ordinary criminal statute.
• Historically, in the US, it has encompassed corruption and other abuses, including trying to obstruct judicial proceedings.
• It begins with an investigation by a House committee.
• If they find that there is enough evidence of wrongdoing, it will refer the matter to the full House.
• HOUSE VOTE: When the full House votes, if one or more of the articles of impeachment gets a majority vote, the President is impeached. Next, the  proceedings move to the Senate.
• SENATE TRIAL & VOTE: The Senate holds a trial, overseen by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. A team of lawmakers from the House,  known as managers, play the role of prosecutors. The President has  defence lawyers, and the Senate serves as the jury. If at least two-thirds  of the Senators present find the President guilty, he is removed and the  Vice President takes over as President.

MCQ 7

1. The Ministry of Railways has granted in-principle approval for  the ‘Silver Line’ project, a proposal of the NE states.
2. It aims to connect major districts and towns with semi high-speed  trains that will run on their own tracks.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

• The Ministry of Railways has granted in-principle approval for the ‘Silver Line’  project, a proposal of the Kerala government.

About the Project:

• It involves laying of semi high-speed trains between the two corners of the state of Kerala.
• It is 532- km long. The corridor will be built away from the existing line between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur.
• It aims to connect major districts and towns with semi high-speed trains that will run on their own tracks.
• The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail), a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Kerala government to execute projects on a  cost-sharing basis, will be the nodal agency.

MCQ 8

1. Total Fertility Rate is the number of children born or likely  to be born to a woman in her lifetime.
2. A TFR of 2 is seen as replacement level fertility.

Choose correct

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both
4. None

Total Fertility Rate

• It is the number of children born or likely to be born to a woman in her lifetime.
• A TFR of 2.1 is seen as replacement level fertility.
• According to National Family Health Survey, India’s current overall total fertility rate is 2.18.
• Bihar and UP have the highest TFR among the major
• Population is falling in many states including Andhra
• AP is one of the several Indian states where the TFR has fallen below replacement rate 2.1.

MCQ 9
Galapagos Island is near to

1. IDL
2. Equator
3. Tropic of Cancer
4. Tropic of Capricorn

• They are a part of the Republic of Ecuador, arean archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean
• The islands are known for their large number of endemic species and were studied by Charles Darwin
• His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

MCQ 10
Consider the following statements about the Election Commission of India (ECI).

1. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
2. It enjoys the same kind of independence that the judiciary enjoys.
3. Once appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner is fully answerable to the  government for its powers and responsibilities.

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1 and 2 only

• The ECI is an independent body.
• It is not answerable to the government.
• Answerability on day to day matters and even major policy decisions can tend to erode autonomy.
• Its autonomy is central to the Indian democracy.
• Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• ECI commissioners enjoy security of tenure, salary charged on Consolidated Fund of India, independence from government interference, difficult  process of impeachment etc.
• Hence, they enjoy similar independence as judges do.

What is ECI?

• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election  processes in India.
• The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice  President in the country.

Background

• Part XV of the Indian constitution deals with elections, and establishes a commission for these matters.
• The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950.
• Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the commission and the member.

Structure of the Commission

• Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it has been made a multi- member body.
• The commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election
• The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.
• At the state level election commission is helped by Chief Electoral Officer who is an IAS rank Officer.
• The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
• They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is
• They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge for by Parliament.

Procedure of Removal

• Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, CEC, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) may be Removed from office through a motion  adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘Proven misbehaviour or incapacity’.
• Removal requires special majority of 2/3rd members present and voting supported by more than 50% of the total strength of the house.
• The Constitution does not use the word ‘impeachment’, for the removal of the judges, CAG, CEC.
• The term ‘Impeachment’ is only used for removing the President which requires the special majority of 2/3rd members of the total strength of  both the houses which is not used elsewhere.

 
 

 

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