Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 08-09-19

Table of Contents

MCQ 1

IMD uses 5 colour codes to indicate various categories of alerts, from blue to Red
Extremely heavy rainfall is more than 100 mm in 24 hours

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

IMD Colour-Codes
The ‘India Meteorological Department’ (IMD) issued a ‘Red’ alert for Mumbai due to continuous downpour across the city.
IMD uses 4 colour codes to indicate various categories of alerts, from Green to Red.
Green (All is well)
No action needs to be taken by the authorities.
The forecast is of light to moderate rain.
Yellow (Be Aware)
Authorities are advised to “Be updated” on the situation.
It also suggests that the weather could change for the worse.
Orange/Amber (Be prepared)
Authorities are expected to “Be prepared”.
The forecast is of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
It is also a sign for people to prepare for evacuation.
Red (Take Action)
Authorities to “Take action”.
The forecast is for extremely heavy rainfall.
Extremely bad weather conditions, certainly going to disrupt travel and power and has significant risk to life.
These alerts are universal in nature and are also issued during floods.
Rainfall levels (according to IMD),
Moderate – 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm rain in 24 hours
Heavy – 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours
Very heavy – 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours
Extremely heavy – more than 204.5 mm in 24 hours.

MCQ 2

He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906
He set up the ‘Gyan Prasarak Mandali’ (Society for Promotion of Knowledge) for the education of Indians.
He acted as a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He was

(A) Gopal krishan Gokhale

(B) MG Ranade

(D) Dada bhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji birth anniversary
September 4, 2019 was the 194th birth anniversary of ‘Dadabhai Naoroji’.
“Grand Old Man of India”, was among the first leaders who stirred national consciousness in the country.
He was closely involved with the Indian National Congress in its early phase.
His first agitation, in 1859, concerned recruitment to the ‘Indian Civil Service’ (today’s IAS).
In 1865 and 1866, Naoroji helped in founding the ‘London Indian Society’ and the ‘East India Association’ respectively.
The two organisations sought to bring nationalist Indians and sympathetic Britons on one platform.
In 1885, Naoroji became a vice-president of the Bombay Presidency Association.
He was nominated to the Bombay legislative council and helped form the Indian National Congress (INC).
He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
He was the first Asian to become a ‘British MP’ when he was elected to the House of Commons in 1892.
In the British Parliament, Naoroji worked to bring Indian issues to the fore.
A moderate himself, Naoroji acted as a liaison between nationalist Indians and British parliamentarians.
In 1893, he helped form an Indian parliamentary committee to attend to Indian interests.
Naoroji was a vocal critic of the colonial economic policy in India.
He was the key proponents of “Drain Theory”, disseminating it in his book “Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India”.
He argued that imperial Britain was draining away India’s wealth to itself through exploitative economic policies.
He set up the ‘Gyan Prasarak Mandali’ (Society for Promotion of Knowledge) for the education of Indians.
He acted as a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

MCQ 3

India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of the banana fruit
A new study has found that climate change has lowered Banana yield over the last several decades.

Choose correct

(A)Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

Climate change and Bananas
A new study has found that climate change has benefited Bananas over the last several decades.
It also predicted that the trend will reserve, with climate change eventually causing a negative impact.
Bananas are recognized as the most important crop, providing food, nutrition and income for millions across the globe.
It thrive in warmer climates and India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of the fruit crop.
The study found that 27 countries, accounting for 86% of the world’s dessert banana production.
These countries have, on an average seen increased crop yield since 1961 by 1.37 tonnes/hectare every year.
It was due to the changing climate resulting in more favourable growing conditions.
In India, data from the National Horticulture Board show broadly consistent yields in 6 years.
The study says the gains in these 27 countries could be significantly reduced by 2050 to 1.19-0.59 tonnes/hectare.
The study predicts that 10 countries, including India could see a significant decline in crop yields.
On the other hand, that some countries including Ecuador (the largest exporter), Honduras and a number of African countries may see an overall benefit in crop yields.

MCQ 4

James Webb Space Telescope is composed of 18 hexagonal mirror segments which combine to create a 30 meter diameter mirror
It is a collaboration of NASA, ISRO & JAXA

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been fully assembled.
It is the successor to the ‘Hubble observatory’ and is scheduled to launch into space in March 2021.
The JWST won’t just replace Hubble, it will massively expand our ability to observe distant objects.
Once put in space, the telescope will explore the cosmos, planets and moons within our solar system.
It will also explore the most ancient and distant galaxies using infrared light.
It is funded by NASA in conjunction with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
It will also have the power to analyse the atmospheres of many the new planets, for the potential for life.

MCQ 5

India was the first country in the world to open a consulate in Vladivostok.
Indian Prime Minister attended the 1st ‘Eastern Economic Forum’ (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia.

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

Eastern Economic Forum (EEF)

Indian Prime Minister attended the 5th ‘Eastern Economic Forum’ (EEF) in Vladivostok, Russia.
PM announced India would extend a $1 billion line of credit towards the development of the Russian Far East.
India was the first country in the world to open a consulate in Vladivostok.
Engaging closely with East Asia was in line with India’s policy goal of “Act East”.
This gives a new dimension to our economic diplomacy.
Among the participants in the Summit are India, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
In the last five years as many as 17 different countries have invested in the Far East.
The region has its investment-friendly approach and vast reserves of natural resources.
With this, it has the potential to strengthen India-Russia economic partnership in areas like,
Energy, tourism, agriculture, diamond mining and alternative energy.
Lack of manpower is one of the main problems faced by the Far East.
Given this, Indian professionals like doctors, engineers and teachers can help in the region’s development.
For India, there is immense potential for mid-sized and small businesses.
The two countries agreed for the Chennai-Vladivostok sea route.

EEF

EEF was established by a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, in 2015.
It aims to support economic development of Russia’s ‘Far East’. and to expand international cooperation in Asia-Pacific region.
It takes place each year in Vladivostok.
It serves as a platform for the discussion of key issues in,
World economy, regional integration and the development of new industrial and technological sectors.
The ‘Far East’ is the easternmost part of Russia.
The macro-region borders 2 oceans, the Pacific and the Arctic, and 5 countries,
China, Japan, Mongolia, the United States and the N.Korea.
The Far East is rich in natural resources like diamonds, stannary, gold, tungsten, fish and seafood.
About 1/3rd of all coal reserves and hydro-engineering resources of the Russia are available here.

Chennai to Vladivostok Sea route

A Memorandum of Intent was signed to open a full-fledged maritime route between Russia’s eastern port city and Chennai.
This would allow India access to Russia’s Far East in 24 days, compared to 40 days taken by current route via Suez Canal.
This would also open new opportunities for India, like the India-Russia-Vietnam trilateral cooperation.
In Russian, ‘Vladivostok’ is ‘Ruler of the East’, located on the Golden Horn Bay to north of North Korea and a short distance from Russia’s border with China.
It is the largest port on Russia’s Pacific coast.
Automobiles are a major item of import at the port, from where they are often transported further inland.
India is building nuclear power plants with Russia’s collaboration in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu.
The opening of a sea route is likely to help in the project.
A vibrant sea route will help in the upscaling of trade relations between the two nations.
It will also increase India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific, and especially the South China Sea.

MCQ 6

Suktagendor – Gujrat
Burzahom – Kashmir
Daimabad – Maharashtra
Chanhudaro – Sindh

Choose correct matches

(A) 1 & 4

(B) 3 & 4

(D) 2,3,4

MCQ 7

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 does not include any International treaty
Now If the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of properties that may be connected with terrorism.

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019:

The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Who may commit terrorism: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organization as a terrorist organization if it: (i) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (ii) prepares for terrorism, (iii) promotes terrorism, or (iv) is otherwise involved in terrorism. The Bill additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.
Approval for seizure of property by NIA: If the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of properties that may be connected with terrorism.
Investigation by NIA: Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.
Insertion to schedule of treaties: The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979). The Bill adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

Why is it being opposed?

It empowers officials to brand any person ‘a terrorist‘, without following due process.
It does not provide any legal consequence in case an individual is designated a terrorist.
The only statutory remedy available to such a person is to make an application before the Central Government for de-notification, which will be considered by a Review Committee constituted by the Government itself.
An official designation as a terrorist will be akin to ‘civil death’ for a person, with social boycott, expulsion from job, hounding by media, and perhaps attack from selfproclaimed vigilante groups following.
The law could target minorities or a section of people thereby affecting their cultural rights.
Indefinite Imprisonment without Trial:Even if the person is eventually acquitted of the charges, the delays in conducting judicial proceedings mean the case may only get heard several years after their arrest – failure to get bail means they have to spend the entire time in jail.

MCQ 8

Fourth Indian Ocean Conference 2019 was recently held in New Delhi
It is an annual effort to bring together navies chiefs of countries

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(D) None

Fourth Indian Ocean Conference 2019 was recently held in Male, capital of Maldives.
Theme: ‘Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges’.
About Indian Ocean Conference:
Initiated by India Foundation along with its partners from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
It is an annual effort to bring together Heads of States/Governments, Ministers, Thought Leaders, scholars, diplomats, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the region.

Why is the Indian Ocean important?

It enjoys a privileged location at the crossroads of global trade, connecting the major engines of the international economy in the Northern Atlantic and AsiaPacific. This is particularly important in an era in which global shipping has burgeoned.
Indian Ocean is also rich in natural resources. 40% of the world’s offshore oil production takes place in the Indian Ocean basin.
Fishing in the Indian Ocean now accounts for almost 15% of the world’s total.
Mineral resources are equally important, with nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and iron, and massive sulphide deposits of manganese, copper, iron, zinc, silver, and gold present in sizeable quantities on the sea bed.
Indian Ocean coastal sediments are also important sources of titanium, zirconium, tin, zinc, and copper.
Additionally, various rare earth elements are present, even if their extraction is not always commercially feasible.