Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 20-09-19

Table of Contents

MCQ

1 Global Risks Report is published by

WEF
WB
IMF
None of the above

Risks Report 2019

Report release by World Economic Forum (WEF)
It describes changes occurring in the global risks landscape from year to year and identifies global catastrophic risks.
The report also examines the interconnectedness of risks and considers how the strategies for the mitigation of global risks might be structured.
The top-five risk trends identified by the Survey are :

changing climate;
rising cyber dependency;
increasing polarisation of societies;
rising income and wealth disparity; and
increasing national sentiment.

MCQ 2

Global Hunger Index is published by

FAO
WHO
International Food Policy Research Institute
Cornell university

Global Hunger Index 2018

India ranked 103/119
India slipped by 3 ranks i.e. from rank 100 in 2017
Index is released by Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
At least one in five Indian children under the age of five are ‘wasted,’ which means they have extremely low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition.
The only country with a higher prevalence of child wasting is the war-torn nation of South Sudan.
India has shown improvement in three of the indicators over the comparable reference years. The percentage of undernourished people in the population has dropped from 18.2% in 2000 to 14.8% in 2018. The child mortality rate has halved from 9.2% to 4.3%, while child stunting has dropped from 54.2% to 38.4% over the same period.

MCQ 3

Akademik Lomonosov is a

Space scientist
Nuclear submarine
Solar powered
None

Russian-built Floating Nuclear Plant

“Akademik Lomonosov”, the first floating nuclear plant to be built in the world completed its 5000-km journey.
It cause an excitement in the energy sector, but sparking fears among environmentalists over the safety of the Arctic region.
The floating plant contains two nuclear reactors of 35 MW each.
It is a small plant compared to conventional land-based nuclear projects.
The plant will supply electricity to the Chukotka region, where important Russian national assets such as oil, gold, and coal reserves are located.
Environmental groups such as Greenpeace Russia have criticized the project as a “Chernobyl on Ice” and a “Nuclear Titanic”.
Activists fear that any accident aboard the plant could cause great damage to the fragile Arctic region.
A recent nuclear accident in Russia after which there was a brief spike in radiation levels has added to the fears.
The radiation fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan is also cited as a reason to not rush into such projects.

MCQ 4

ASTRA is an important anti-tank missile
The Astra missile is developed as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Choose correct

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

Astra Missile
Air-to-Air missile, ASTRA, has been successfully flight tested from Su-30 MKI as a part of User trials.
It was indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO.
It is capable of engaging targets of different ranges and altitudes.
It is beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Astra missile with a range of over 70 kms.
Modifications of the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets to accommodate Astra missiles has been carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The main purpose of astra is to replace the R77 from IAF.
Being a 5th Generation missile, it would provide true beyond visual range capability with greater strategic depth.
It is smoke free, having two way data link, it provides very less chances to enemy to be alert about it.
DRDO carried out mission analysis, system design, simulation and post-flight analysis of the weapon system.
Astra (Sanskrit:holy arrow) is an all weather beyond-visual-range airto-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, India. It is the first air-to-air missile developed by India.
It features mid-course inertial guidance with terminal active radar homing. Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets at a distance of 20 km (12 mi) and long-range targets up to a distance of 80 km (50 mi).
Astra will be integrated with HAL Tejas, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Mirage 2000 and Mikoyan MiG-29 in future. Limited series production of Astra missiles began in 2017

MCQ 5

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics northwards into the North Atlantic.
It is weakening the monsoon system in India

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

Since the past 15 years, Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) has been weakening — a development that could have dramatic consequences for Europe and other parts of the Atlantic rim. Warming up of Indian Ocean is said to be a key driver behind this.

How it affects?

Warming in the Indian Ocean generates additional precipitation, which, in turn, draws more air from other parts of the world, including the Atlantic.
The higher level of precipitation in the Indian Ocean will reduce precipitation in the Atlantic and increase salinity in the waters.

What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation?

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics northwards into the North Atlantic.
It aids in distributing heat and energy around the earth, as the warm water it carries releases heat into the atmosphere, and in absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon. How does the AMOC work? • The AMOC is a large system of ocean currents, like a conveyor belt, driven by differences in temperature and salt content – the water’s density.
As warm water flows northwards it cools and some evaporation occurs, which increases the amount of salt. Low temperature and a high salt content make the water denser, and this dense water sinks deep into the ocean.
The cold, dense water slowly spreads southwards, several kilometres below the surface. Eventually, it gets pulled back to the surface and warms in a process called “upwelling” and the circulation is complete.

MCQ 6

The President can dismiss a Cabinet Minister, who is also a MP, with

a) Consent from the Speaker
b) The recommendation of the Prime Minister
c) A show cause note issued to the Judiciary
d) The application of Doctrine of Pleasure of the President

All of the executive authority vested in the President are, in practice, exercised by the Prime Minister with the help of the Council of Ministers.
So, to dismiss a minister, including cabinet ministers, the President requires the consent of the Prime Minister.
Without PM’s advice, it would be unconstitutional to remove a minister.

MCQ 7

Drugs Consultative Committee (“DCC”) has recommended a complete ban on the manufacture and import of ENDS under sections 26A and 10A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
the Delhi High Court and the Bombay High Court in their orders dated 18 March 2019 and 25 July 2019 respectively have held that ENDS are not drugs and therefore cannot be banned under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

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

Cabinet approves Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019.

Upon promulgation of the Ordinance:

Any production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution or advertisement (including online advertisement) of ecigarettes shall be a cognizable offence.
It shall be punishable with an imprisonment of up to one year or fine up to Rs. 1 lakh or both for the first offence; and imprisonment of up to three years and fine up to Rs. 5 lakh for a subsequent offence.
Storage of electronic-cigarettes shall also be punishable with an imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs 50,000 or both.
The owners of existing stocks of e-cigarettes on the date of commencement of the Ordinance will have to suomoto declare and deposit these stocks with the nearest police station.

Implementation:

The Sub-Inspector of Police has been designated as the Authorized Officer to take action under the Ordinance.
The Central or State Governments may also designate any other equivalent officer(s) as Authorized Officer for enforcement of the provisions of the Ordinance.
What are Electronic-cigarettes?
Battery-operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine, which is the addictive substance in combustible cigarettes.
These include all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like devices.
Their use has increased exponentially and has acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children.
Apart from nicotine, e-cigarettes may also be used for delivery of other psychoactive substances.
Widespread use and unchecked proliferation of e-cigarettes and the like devices would seriously undermine and derail Government’s efforts to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use.
The decision to prohibit e-cigarettes will help protect population, especially the youth and children, from the risk of addiction through E-cigarettes.
Enforcement of the Ordinance will complement government’s efforts for tobacco control and will help in reduction of tobacco use and reduction in associated economic and disease burden.
The WHO has also urged member countries to take appropriate steps including prohibiting these products.
Drugs Consultative Committee (“DCC”) has recommended a complete ban on the manufacture and import of ENDS under sections 26A and 10A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Interestingly, the Delhi High Court and the Bombay High Court in their orders dated 18 March 2019 and 25 July 2019 respectively have held that ENDS are not drugs and therefore cannot be banned under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and hence no proceedings can be initiated against the manufacturers, sellers and importers of ENDS.
There is, therefore, a clear inconsistency and conflict when it comes to the stand taken by the Central government and the courts.

MCQ 8

Accessible India Campaign is related to E-Vehicles Induction asap
It is a campaign by ministry of heavy industry

Choose correct

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

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has developed a Management Information System (MIS) for stakeholders of Accessible India Campaign (AIC).
The portal will bring all the nodal ministries, and States/UTs on a single platform for monitoring the progress being made against each target of AIC.
What is it? Accessible India Campaign (AIC) is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Aim: The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier free and conducive environment for Divyangjans all over the country. The campaign has the vision to build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) so that they can lead productive, safe and dignified lives.
Implementation: For creating universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, the campaign has been divided into three verticals: Built Environment; Transport and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.

Targets:

Completing accessibility audit of at least 25-50 most important government buildings in 50 cities and making them fully accessible by the end of this year.
Making 50% of all the government buildings of NCT and all the State capitals fully accessible by December 2018.
Completing accessibility audit of 50% of government buildings and making them fully accessible in 10 most important cities/towns of States not covered in targets (i) and (ii) by December 2019. Accessible India Campaign is in line with the Article 9 of UNCRPD(UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) to which India is a signatory since 2007