Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 4-08-19 | Free PDF

MCQ 1

 Innocenti Declarations are related with

1. Nuclear missiles
2. Refugees issues
3. Breastfeeding
4. Vaccines for Major NCDs

• The Innocenti Declaration was produced and adopted by participants at the WHO/UNICEF policymakers’ meeting on “Breastfeeding in the 1990s: A Global Initiative, co-sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (A.I.D.) and the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA), held at the Spedale degli Innocenti, Florence, Italy, on 30 July – 1 August 1990.
• The Declaration reflects the content of the original background document for the meeting and the views expressed in group and plenary sessions.
• Basic nutrition: World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) is celebrated every year to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policymakers, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other organisations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding, says WHO, is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need, which recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth until a baby is six months old. Nutritious complementary foods should then be added while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.
• World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is being observed from 1st to 7th August 2019.
• The focus this year is on protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding.

 Breastfeeding is important because:

• It promotes better health for mothers and children alike.
• It prevents infections like diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections in early infancy and thus reduce infant mortality.
• It decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
• It protects infants from obesity-related illnesses, diabetes and increases the IQ. The correct norms of infant and young child feeding are: 1.Initiation of Breastfeeding within an hour of birth. 2.Exclusive breastfeeding for first six months of life i.e. only breast Milk ‘NO’ other milk, food, drink or water. 3.Appropriate and adequate complementary feeding from six months of age while continuing breastfeeding. 4.Continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond. The objectives of World Breastfeeding Week are:
• To create awareness among the parents about breastfeeding.
• Encourage parents to adopt breastfeeding.
• Creating awareness about the importance of initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and adequate and appropriate complementary feeding.
• Providing advocacy material about the importance of breastfeeding.

 World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA):

• Annually, WABA coordinates and organises the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).
• World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide based on the Innocenti Declarations, the Ten Links for Nurturing the Future and the WHO/UNICEF Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. WABA is in consultative status with UNICEF and an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

MCQ 2

1. SANKALP is a Centrally sector scheme of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
2. SANKALP will provide market relevant jobs to 3.5 crore youth

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D)None

• SANKALP is an outcome-oriented centrally sponsored programme of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with a special focus on decentralised planning and quality improvement.
• It focuses on the overall skilling ecosystem covering both Central & State agencies. SANKALP aims to implement the mandate of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
• Under SANKALP four key result areas have been identified viz: (i) Institutional Strengthening (at National, State & District level); (ii) Quality Assurance Quality Assurance of skill development programs; (iii) Inclusion of marginalised population in skill development; and (iv) Expanding Skills through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
• Further, it was also informed that the Ministry has launched an award to promote skill planning at the district level, namely “District Skill Development Plan (DSDP) Awards”. Under this, 225 districts across the country participated by submitting their DSDPs. Of these, 25 districts were invited to Delhi for presenting their DSDP. The final evaluation is underway and the best DSDPs would be awarded accordingly.
• SANKALP will provide market relevant training to 3.5 crore youth.
• Objective: The Objective of the project is to enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the work force.
• It was informed that all 36 States/ UTs across country have submitted their consent for participation in SANKALP and a total of first year grants released by Ministry to 9 States (namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh).
• In addition to these State grants of Rs 10 lakh each also released to 117 aspirational districts under Aspirational Skilling Abhiyaan. A robust IT system namely “Skill India Portal” has also been developed under SANKALP to capture and converge skill data

MCQ 3

 Recently Union Cabinet has approved setting up of ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at

1. Bengaluru
2. Theni
3. Moscow
4. Florida

• ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU)
• Recently Union Cabinet has approved setting up of ITLU at Moscow, Russia.
• It will enable effective technical coordination for timely interventions on diversified matters with Russia.
• It will support the ongoing bilateral programmes of cooperation in space technology and act on behalf of ISRO.
• It will also helps ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme as it requires development of some of the key technologies.
• The Department of Space has already instituted technical liaison units like ITLU at Washington and Paris.
• The cabinet also approved two pacts between the ISRO and space agencies of Bolivia and Bahrain.

MCQ 4

1. In India, ‘Urea’ is the only controlled fertilizer and is sold at a statutory notified uniform sale price.
2. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves NBS rates for urea fertilizer

Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) for Fertilizers
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves NBS rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
• NBS for Fertilizers is a policy under ‘Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers’.
• This will ensure the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers on affordable price.
• Under the scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers, except for Urea.
• The scheme allows the manufacturers, marketers, and importers to fix the MRP of the Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers at reasonable levels.
• The MRP will be decided considering the domestic and international prices of P&K fertilizers, inventory level in the country and the exchange rates.
• In India, ‘Urea’ is the only controlled fertilizer and is sold at a statutory notified uniform sale price.
• So, NBS aims at ensuring balanced use of fertilizers, improving the agricultural productivity.
• It will also helps for better returns to the farmers and also promotes the growth of the indigenous fertilizers industry.

Expenditure: The expected expenditure for release of subsidy on P&K Fertilizers during 2019-20 will be Rs. 22875.50crore.

Benefits: This will enable the manufacturers and importers to formalize supply contracts for fertilizers and fertilizer inputs and make fertilizers available to the farmers in the year 2019-20.

Background: Government is making available fertilizers, Urea and 21 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers. The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is being governed by NBS Scheme w.e.f 01.04.2010. In accordance to its farmer friendly approach, the Govt is committed to ensure the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers on affordable price

MCQ 5

The major difference in standards between the existing BS-IV and the new BS-VI auto fuel norms is the presence of_________.

1. NO2
2. Sulphur
3. PCH
4. Lead

Armoured and Specialised Vehicles of Armed/ Paramilitary Forces Exempted from BS-VI Emission Norms that will Come into Force in April 2020.

 Need:

The exemption has been granted because these vehicles operate in remote and inhospitable terrains with most challenging operational and environmental conditions.

•  Due to security challenges and requirements of specialized operations, the development of suitable engine compliant with the above norms would require considerable time. It is difficult to maintain ideal transportation and storage conditions of fuel in these conditions. Background: Bharat Stage norms are the automotive emission norms which the automotive manufacturers have to comply to sell their vehicles in India. These norms are applicable to all two wheelers, three wheelers, fourwheelers and construction equipment vehicles. To curb growing menace of air pollution through the vehicles emission, the Government of India has decided to leapfrog from the exiting BS – IV norms to the BS- VI, thereby skipping the BS – V norms, and to implement the BS – VI norms with effect from 1st April 2020. Only those vehicles will be sold and registered in India from 1st April 2020 onwards, which comply to these norms. The norms are stringent and at par with global standards.
• Difference between BS-IV and the new BS-VI:
• The major difference in standards between the existing BS-IV and the new BS-VI auto fuel norms is the presence of sulphur.
• The newly introduced fuel is estimated to reduce the amount of sulphur released by 80%, from 50 parts per million to 10 ppm.
• As per the analysts, the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars is also expected to reduce by nearly 70% and 25% from cars with petrol engines. •
• Why is it important to upgrade these norms?
• Upgrading to stricter fuel standards helps tackle air pollution.
• Global automakers are betting big on India as vehicle penetration is still low here, when compared to developed countries.
• At the same time, cities such as Delhi are already being listed among those with the poorest air quality in the world.
• With other developing countries such as China having already upgraded to the equivalent of Euro V emission norms a while ago, India has been lagging behind.
• The experience of countries such as China and Malaysia shows that poor air quality can be bad for business. Therefore, these reforms can put India ahead in the race for investments too.

MCQ 6

1. Institute of Eminence tag will be given to existing Higher Insts. Only
2. Since the scheme has only provided for (15) Public and (15) Private Institutions, out of 100 total, which are to be given this tag

 Choose correct

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

(D) None

• The UGC, in its 542ndmeeting held on 02nd August 2019 has considered the reports of the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) appointed by Government under the Chairmanship of Shri N Gopalaswami recommending (15) Public institutions and (15) Private institutions for considering to give status of Institutions of Eminence.
• Since the scheme has only provided for (10) Public and (10) Private Institutions, the UGC has examined the list of (15) Public and (15) Private Institutions using transparent and verifiable criteria.
• The following were the principles used for identifying the (10) Public and (10) Private Institutions, from the list of (15) Public and (15) Private Institutions recommended by the EEC:
• Since the thrust of the scheme is to prepare institutions for the global rankings, no existing institution which has NOT figured in any of the global/national ranks shall be recommended for the IoE status.
• Only after exhausting the above criterion, if any slot remains vacant, consideration shall be given to ‘yet to be established (Greenfield)’ proposals.

 What is Institutions of Eminence scheme?

• The institutes of eminence scheme under the Union human resource development (HRD) ministryaims to project Indian institutes to global recognition.
• The selected institutes will enjoy complete academic and administrative autonomy.
• The government will run 10 of these and they will receive special funding.
• The selection shall be made through challenge method mode by the Empowered Expert Committee constituted for the purpose.
• Eligibility: Only higher education institutions currently placed in the top 500 of global rankings or top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are eligible to apply for the eminence tag.
• The private Institutions of Eminence can also come up as greenfield venturesprovided the sponsoring organization submits a convincing perspective plan for 15 years.

MCQ 7

1. The Bill empowers only the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Asst. commissioner or above, to investigate cases.
2. If the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would not be required for seizure of properties

Choose under new UAPA Amendment bill 2019

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Both

 (D)None

• The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
• Who may commit terrorism: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation 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).

MCQ 8

Countries related with Lake Victoria geographically

1. DRC, Tanzania & Kenya
2. DRC, Uganda & Zambia
3. Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
4. Tanzania, DRC & Zambia

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