Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 08-11-19

Table of Contents

MCQ 1

Navodaya Vidyalayas are run by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Human Resource Development
Shala Siddhi is a e-Governance school automation and management system for NVS

Choose correct

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

The National Programme on School Standards and Evaluation (NPSSE), known as Shaala Sidhdhi is a comprehensive instrument for school evaluation leading to school improvement. Developed by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), it aims to enable schools to evaluate their performance in a more focused and strategic manner and facilitate them to make professional judgments for improvement.
The Central Government has launched the following mechanisms for the monitoring of quality of education in Government schools:

ShaGun Portal

Together with showcasing success stories and providing a platform for all stakeholders to learn from each other, and instill a positive competitive spirit among all the States and UTs, ShaGun also measures state-level performance and progress against key educational indicators. This enables the Government of India and the State and UT Departments of education to conduct real-time assessments which normal paper-based monitoring mechanisms did not allow.

Amendment to Rules under RTE act

The central government has amended the rules under the RTE Act to include the reference for class-wise, subject-wise Learning Outcomes. These references of learning outcomes have set a benchmark for student’s capabilities to be achieved in each subject & class.

Shaala Siddhi

Shaala Siddhi is a School Standards and Evaluation Framework which enables the schools to self evaluate based on seven key domains. It has been developed by National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA).

PINDICS

Performance Indicators for Elementary School Teachers (PINDICS) is a framework for assessing teacher performance and providing constructive feedback for further improvement. It has been developed by NCERT.

National Achievement Survey

National Achievement Surveys has been carried out by NCERT to assess learning achievement of children in Classes – III, V, VIII, and X.

MCQ 2

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) along with the CSIR has launched IndAIR portal
It will monitor real time pollution data in all tier-1 cities simultaneously

Choose correct

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

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) along with the CSIR has launched India’s first web repository documenting air quality studies done in the last 60 years.

IndAIR

The IndAIR has archived approximately 700 scanned materials from pre-Internet era (1950-1999), 1,215 research articles, 170 reports and case studies and 100 cases.
It aims to provide the history of air pollution research and legislation.
Such a repository on air pollution is one of the first in the world.

Why we need such a repository?

Though air pollution is one of the most widely deliberated issues, little is known about it in India as far as the statistics or the history is concerned.
The general belief has been that not much is being done to tackle the problem.
IndAIR will help the academicians understand the issue better and also enable policymakers to frame legislation that encourages development.

MCQ 3

Voyager 1 has entered the interstellar space recently, till date the only man made object to do so
Heliopause is the area between Uranus & Neptune

Choose correct

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

The Voyager program is an American scientific program that employs two robotic probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, to study the outer Solar System. The probes were launched in 1977 to take advantage of a favorable alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Although their original mission was to study only the planetary systems of Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 2 continued on to Uranus and Neptune. The Voyagers now explore the outer boundary of the heliosphere in interstellar space; their mission has been extended three times and they continue to transmit useful scientific data. Neither Uranus nor Neptune has been visited by a probe oth er than Voyager 2.
On 25 August 2012, data from Voyager 1 indicated that it had become the first manmade object to enter interstellar space, traveling “further than anyone, or anything, in history”. As of 2013, Voyager 1 was moving with a velocity of 17 kilometers per second (11 mi/s) relative to the Sun.
On 5 November 2018, data from Voyager 2 indicated that it also had entered interstellar space.
On 4 November 2019, scientists reported that, on 5 November 2018, the Voyager 2 probe had officially reached the interstellar medium (ISM), a region of outer space beyond the influence of the Solar System, and has now joined the Voyager 1 probe which had reached the ISM earlier in 2012
What Voyager 2 Learned After Spending a Year in Interstellar Space
Only two of humanity’s spacecraft have left the Solar System: NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Voyager 1 left the heliosphere behind in 2012, while Voyager 2 did the same on Nov. 5th, 2018. Now Voyager 2 has been in interstellar space for one year, and five new papers are presenting the scientific results from that one year.
It’s remarkable that these instruments, designed and built decades ago, are still functioning and collecting new data.
It’s taken decades for Voyager 2 to reach the heliopause, the demarcation between interstellar space and our Solar System. As only the second spacecraft to reach it, Voyager 2 is in a position go give us unique scientific insights into this region. They’re unique because Voyager 1 left the heliosphere at a different location, six years prior. Voyager 2’s data is also unique because one of its instruments, used to measure plasma, is still operating while the counterpart instrument on Voyager 1 stopped functioning decades ago.

Voyager 1 found a surprise when it left the heliosphere. The magnetic field just beyond the heliopause is parallel to the field inside the heliosphere. At the time, scientists couldn’t say if that was just an anomaly. But now Voyager 2 has detected the same magnetic alignment.
The Voyager probes were never meant to last this long. Their journey has been remarkable, and has taught us a lot. Before they reached the heliopause, scientists thought that the solar wind would fade away gradually. But instead, we know that there’s more of a distinct boundary, indicated by lower temperature and increased density.
The Voyager probes have revealed other surprises. In 2011 they showed us that the heliopause is not a smooth region. It contains magnetic bubbles that likely form when the Sun’s magnetic field is warped at the edge of the Solar System.

MCQ 4

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organization of seven nations of South Asia only
BIMSTEC Permanent Secretariat is at New Delhi, was opened in 2014 as India provides 33% of its expenditure.

Choose correct

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

Ministry of Shipping

Shri Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates the first ever ‘BIMSTEC Ports’ Conclave’ in Vishakhapatnam, AP
MoUs signed for furthering Trade Cooperation between 3 Indian Ports and Port Authority of Thailand (Rangong Port)
The first ever BIMSTEC Conclave of Ports, being held at Vishakhapatnam on 7-8 November, 2019 was inaugurated by Minister of State for Shipping(I/C), Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today. The conclave aims at providing a platform to strengthen maritime interaction, port-led connectivity initiatives and sharing best practices among member countries. Providing Connectivity is one of the key priorities among BIMSTEC countries.
While inaugurating the Conclave , Shri Mansukh Mandaviya reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR(Security and Growth for All in the Region) highlighting the motto of “ Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth)” that provides Peace, Prosperity and Security for all in the Region.The Minister also expressed that India is keen on forging deep relations with BIMSTEC Member States. The first BIMSTEC Conclave of Ports will go a long way in promoting the same, the Minister added.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement, Govt of Andhra Pradesh Shri M S Rao, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Information Technology, Govt of Andhra Pradesh Shri MG Reddy along with Member of Parliament from Vishakhapatnam Shri M.V.V. Satyanarayana also attended the Conclave.
Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between Ranong Port (Port Authority of Thailand) and the Port Trusts of Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata during the Conclave today. These MoUs will contribute to BIMSTEC objectives of strengthening connectivity and is part of India’s Act East Policy. These MoUs will enhance connectivity between ports on Thailand’s West Coast and Ports on India’s East Coast i.e. Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata. These MoUs will enhance economic partnership by cutting down the sea travel time between India and Thailand from 10- 15 days to 7 days.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organization of seven nations of South Asia and South East Asia, housing 1.5 billion people and having a combined gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion (2018).
The BIMSTEC member states—Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Nepal and Bhutan —are among the countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal.
Fourteen priority sectors of cooperation have been identified and several BIMSTEC centres have been established to focus on those sectors.
A BIMSTEC free trade agreement is under negotiation.
Leadership is rotated in alphabetical order of country names. The permanent secretariat is in Dhaka.
On 6 June 1997, a new sub-regional grouping was formed in Bangkok under the name BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
Following the inclusion of Myanmar on 22 December 1997 during a special Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, the Group was renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
In 1998, Nepal became an observer. In February 2004, Nepal and Bhutan become full members.
On 31 July 2004, in the first Summit the grouping was renamed as BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
There are 14 main sectors of BIMSTEC along technological and economic cooperation among south Asian and southeast Asian countries along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Trade & Investment
Transport & Communication
Energy
Tourism
Technology
Fisheries
Agriculture
Public Health
Poverty Alleviation
Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime
Environment & Disaster Management
People-to-People Contact
Cultural Cooperation
Climate Change
Sectors 7 to 13 were added at the 8th Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka in 2005 while the 14th sector was added in 11th Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi in 2008.

MCQ 5

A diet was designed by the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health, in the earlier part of 2019 and would have put an end to food unsustainability and malnutrition issues if applied (along with better farming practices and reduced food waste/loss) to the estimated 10 billion-strong world population of 2050. How much is the cost per day for it ?

(A) 1.90$
(B) 0.90$
(C) 2.84$
(D) 2.10$

The EAT-Lancet plan
The EAT-Lancet reference diet comprises a whole lot of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and unsaturated oils, seafood and poultry, with little red or processed meat, refined flour, added sugar, and starchy vegetables.
The current study had three aims: compare diet cost to national per capita household income; find the proportion of people who cannot afford the most budget-friendly version of the EAT-Lancet diet because it takes more than their per capita income; and compare the affordability of this reference diet to that of the lowest-cost nutritionally adequate diet. Estimating how much the diet would cost for a typical earth-dweller in 2011, the team calculated a global median of $2.84, which comes to almost 90% of the daily per capita income of a low-income household in a developing country. This is obviously more than people can spend on food on a daily basis. In fact, the diet is out of reach for 1.58 billion people who have a total income that is less than this.

MCQ 6

Article 102 in The Constitution Of India talks about Disqualifications for membership 2. Office of profit is well defined in it.

Choose correct

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

Article 102 in The Constitution Of India

Disqualification s for membership

A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament a)

(a) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder
(b) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; c) (c) if he is an undischarged insolvent;
(d) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State;
(e) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament Explanation For the purposes of this clause a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State by reason only that he is a Minister either for the Union or for such State

(2) A person shall be disqualified for being a member of either House of Parliament if he is so disqualified under the Tenth Schedule

MCQ 7

Samudra Shakti’is a joint naval exercise between

India-Thailand
India-Sri Lanka
India-Indonesia
India-Uzbekistan

Ministry of Defence

Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti Progresses in the Bay of Bengal

INS Kamorta, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette is jointly exercising with Indonesian Warship KRI Usman Harun, a multi-role Corvette in the Bay of Bengal as part of the ongoing Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ from 06 Nov to 07 Nov19. The joint exercises include manoeuvres, Surface Warfare exercises, Air Defence exercises, Weapon firing drills, Helicopter Operations and Boarding Operations. KRI Usman Harun arrived Visakhapatnam on 04 Nov 19 to participate in the second edition Ex ‘Samudra Shakti’. The Harbour Phase which was conducted on 04 and 05 November included professional interactions in the form of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), cross deck visits, simulator drills, planning conferences, sports fixtures and social interactions. His Excellency Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Indonesian Ambassador to India witnessed some of the activities of the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam. The Ambassador held discussions with Vice Adm Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC along with Indonesian Navy Delegation headed by Cmde Yayan Sofiyan, Commander of Security Task Force of Indonesian Fleet Command on issues of mutual maritime interest in the region.