Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC 2020 / IAS / 20-12-19 | Free PDF

 
MCQ 1

1. Pinaka is a Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 750 kilometres with high precision.
2. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
3. Pinaka is launched via a small battery operated vehicle providing immense mobility in warzones.
4. Pinaka was developed by Lockheed martin of USA

 Choose correct

1. 1 and 4
2. Only 2
3. 1,2,3 and 4
4. None

Pinaka Missile

• Pinaka Missile System developed by DRDO was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast recently.
• It is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision.
• The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation, Control and Guidance System.
• The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
• It is to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range.
• The mission achieved all the objectives including enhancing the range, accuracy and sub-system functionality.

MCQ 2

1. National Committee for the Commemoration Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary was chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
2. The only foreign Prime Minister to be a part of the committee is Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

Choose correct

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

Gandhi Prize

• National Committee for the Commemoration Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary was recently met for the second time.
• The committee is chaired by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• The committee includes Vice-President, PM, the Union Cabinet, Chief Ministers, Gandhians etc.
• The only foreign Prime Minister to be a part of the committee is Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
• He announced setting up of a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize inspired by Gandhi’s thoughts and quotes.
• The price will be given every year.
• The first edition of the Prize would be dedicated to animal welfare.

MCQ 3

1. Operation Twist is the name given to a U.S Federal Reserve monetary policy operation in 2011-12 that involves the purchase  and sale of bonds.
2. Its objective was to make long-term borrowing cheaper and to stimulate the economy.

Choose correct

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

Operation Twist

• Operation Twist is the name given to a S Federal Reserve monetary policy operation in 2011-12 that involves the purchase  and sale of bonds.
• Its objective was to make long-term borrowing cheaper and to stimulate the economy.
• It does not expand the Fed’s balance sheet, making it a less aggressive form of easing.
• RBI have recently decided to launch India’s version of Operation
• Accordingly, RBI will simultaneously buy and sale government securities worth Rs. 10,000 crore each under its open market
• RBI will purchase the longer-term government bonds maturing in 2029 at 6.45% and simultaneously sell short term bonds  maturing in 2020.
• Bond yields have been rising since the RBI unexpectedly left its key repo rate unchanged earlier this month
• Thus, it is an unconventional step by RBI as policy rate cuts are unable to bring down the bank lending rates proportionately.

MCQ 4

1. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a statutory body
2. In 2007, the United Nations awarded INTACH a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council.
3. Intach was involved in restoration of Humayun’s tomb in Delhi.

Choose correct

1. 1 and 3
2. Only 2
3. All
4. None

• The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural
• Heritage (INTACH) is a non-profit charitable organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• In 2007, the United Nations awarded INTACH a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council
• The INTACH Logo, based on the anthropomorphic copper figure from  Shahabad, Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the  enigmatic Copper Hoards of the Ganga  Valley (circa 1800—1700 BC) is the  perceived brand image of INTACH.

• The classic simplicity and vitality of its lines make it a striking example of primitive  man’s creative genius
• The government of India has deployed INTACH to provide consultancy services for Post-Earthquake reconstruction of  11 Cultural Heritage sites in Nepal.
• INTACH will work with Nepal’s Department of Archeology to reconstruct/conserve Cultural Heritage sites as per the  Government of Nepal’s guidelines.

Humayun’s tomb

1. 1562
2. Hamida banu begum
3. Architect ?

• The restoration work on the Mughal emperor’s tomb in Delhi was done by Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which is restoring the much  larger Humayun Tomb complex
• Co-funding from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

MCQ 5

1. GST Council will be a joint forum for the Centre and the States with the Prime Minister will as the Chairperson
2. In its 38th meeting has voted for uniform rate of 28% on lotteries across the country.

Choose correct

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

Recent news

• The all-powerful GST Council, in its 38th meeting has voted for uniform rate of 28% on lotteries across the country.
• To facilitate the setting up industrial parks, the Council has decided that all entities with 20% ownership by central or state  governments will be exempt from GST payable for long-term land  leases from January 1, 2020. Earlier, only entities witha 50% government stake were exempt.

Why do we need a GST Council?

• The predominant responsibility of the GST Council is to ensure to have one uniform tax rate for goods and services across the nation.
• It is the key decision-making body that will take all important decisions regarding the GST.
• It dictates tax rate, tax exemption, the due date of forms, tax laws, and tax deadlines, keeping in mind special rates  and provisions for some states

How is the GST Council structured?

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is governed by the GST Council.
• Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
• Article 279 (1) of the amended Indian Constitution states that the GST Council has to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement  of the Article 279A.

Composition:

• According to the article, GST Council will be a joint forum for the Centre and the States. It consists of the following members:
• The Union Finance Minister will be the Chairperson
• As a member, the Union Minister of State will be in charge of Revenue/Finance
• The Minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State government, as members.
• Article 279A (4) specifies that the Council will make recommendations to the Union and the States on the  important issues related to GST, such as, the goods and  services will be subject or exempted from the Goods and  Services Tax.

MCQ 6

1. India has been the largest troop contributor to UN missions since
2. Indian peacekeepers have received the United Nations Medal for their dedication and sacrifice serving far away from home to  protect civilians and build durable peace in Yemen.

Choose correct

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

• Indian peacekeepers have received the United Nations Medal for their dedication and sacrifice serving far away from home to  protect civilians and build durable peace in South Sudan.

Contributions of India Peacekeepers:

• The soldiers were particularly praised for their efforts to support peace talks between Government and Opposition forces in the  Upper Nile region and establishing the first-ever UNMISS base on  the west bank of the Nile at Kodok.
• Outside of their duties, the peacekeepers have also supported local communities by building veterinary hospitals at Kodok and  Malakal, training cattle-keepers to better care for their livestock  and provided life-saving medical assistance to people in need.
• India has been the largest troop contributor to UN missions since inception.
• So far India has taken part in 49 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 2,45,000 troops and a  significant number of police personnel have been deployed.
• United Nations Peacekeeping was created in 1948.
• Its first mission involved the establishment of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which served to observe  and maintain ceasefire during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:

1. Consent of the parties.
2. Impartiality
3. Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

Global partnership:

• UN peacekeeping is a unique global partnership.
• It brings together the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Secretariat, troop and police contributors and the host  governments in a combined effort to maintain international peace  and security.
• Its strength lies in the legitimacy of the UN Charter and in the wide range of contributing countries that participate and provide  precious resources.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan:

• On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the newest country in the world. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan is the culmination of a six-year peace process  which began with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in
• However, the Security Council determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in  the region and established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South  Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security and to help establish  conditions for development.
• Following the crisis which broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, the Security Council reinforced UNMISS and reprioritized its mandate towards the  protection of civilians, human rights monitoring, and support for the delivery of  humanitarian assistance and for the implementation of the Cessation of  Hostilities Agreement.

MCQ 7
Choose the Facilities and incentives for SEZs:

1. Duty-free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units.
2. Income tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under the Income Tax Act for life
3. Exemption from Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT).

Choose correct

1. 1 only
2. 1 & 3
3. 2 only
4. All

• Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified setting up of Tripura’s first ever Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
• It will be developed by Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) for the industries based on rubber, textile and apparel, bamboo and agri-  food processing.

What are SEZs?

• Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are geographically delineated ‘enclaves’ in which regulations and practices related to business and trade differ from the rest of  the country and therefore all the units therein enjoy special privileges.
• The basic idea of SEZs emerges from the fact that, while it might be very difficult to dramatically improve infrastructure and business environment of the  overall economy ‘overnight’, SEZs can be built in a much shorter time, and they  can work as efficient enclaves to solve these problems.

Facilities and incentives for SEZs:

• Duty-free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units.
• Income tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under the Income Tax Act for first 5 years,
• 50% for next 5 years thereafter and
• 50% of the ploughed back export profit for next 5 years.
• Exemption from Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT).
• Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.

Concerns with present SEZ:

• SEZs in India have not been as successful as their counterparts in many other countries. Several Asian economies, particularly China, Korea,  Malaysia, and Singapore, have greatly benefitted from these zones.
• Most of India’s new generation SEZs came up not for exporting, but for avoiding taxes. Large fiscal sops, in the form of a bunch of reliefs from  central and state taxes, lured developers into building SEZs.
• Most manufacturing SEZs in India have performed below par due to their poor linkages with the rest of the economy. Weak connections of  coastal SEZs with their hinterlands inhibited these zones from utilizing  their full potential.
• States did not match the central SEZ Act with State-level legislation, which rendered the single window system ineffective.
• Lack of a robust policy design, efficient implementation and effective monitoring have seriously jeopardized India’s effort to industrialize  through SEZs.

MCQ 8

1. Sea floor spreading destroys the existing landmass
2. Trenches are created as the result of it

Choose correct

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

• Seafloor spreading is a process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges,  where new oceanic crust is formed  through volcanic activity and then  gradually moves away from the

• Trenches are formed by subduction, a geophysical  process in which two or more  of Earth’s tectonic plates  converge and the older, denser  plate is pushed beneath the  lighter plate and deep into the  mantle, causing the seafloor  and outermost crust (the  lithosphere) to bend and form a steep, V-shaped  depression

MCQ 9
Which of the following do not come under the original jurisdiction of  the Supreme Court?

1. Inter-state water disputes
2. Matters related to the finance commission
3. A suit by a private citizen against the Centre or a state. Choose the correct answer using the codes below:

 Choose correct

1. 1 and 2
2. Only 3
3. 2 and 3
4. All of the above

• Other disputes of commercial nature between the centre and the states; questions of political nature; disputes arising out of a pre-constitutional agreement or  treaty etc. also do not come under original jurisdiction of the SC.
• The Inter-State Water Disputes Act empowers the Central government to set up an ad hoc tribunal for the  adjudication of a dispute between two or more states in  relation to the waters of an inter-state river or river valley.
• the Centre and one or more states
• the Centre and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other between two or more states.

MCQ 10
Consider the following with reference to Parliamentary control over the Budget.

1. Departmental Standing committees have the responsibility to draft and create the annual budget.
2. Estimates Committee can impose cuts on the budget if the government cannot justify expenditure on a particular head.
3. No money from the Consolidated Fund of India can be withdrawn without the consent of the Parliament.

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

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

• Statement 1: It is done by Department of Economic Affairs.
• Statement 2: Estimates Committee only examines the  economic efficiency and rationale behind government  expenditures that too after the budget has been enacted.
• It has no right to suggest cuts.
• Statement 3: A bill needs to be passed by the government for any such withdrawal.

 
 

 

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