UPSC CSE Prelims Exam 2022 MCQs Set 74

Q) The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of:

IBSA
BRICS
BIMSTEC
SCO

Answer: 4

The Union Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed in June 2019.
The Member States of the Shangai Cooperation Organization consists of eight countries: India, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan.

The Agreement will:

Provide an opportunity for the Member States to share new innovations and best practices in the field of Mass Media.
Boost equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between associations in the field of Mass Media.

Q) Consider the following statements with regard to the President of United Nations General Assembly

The PGA’s office is the highest office in the UN System, and reflects the collective goodwill of 193 UN member-states
This is a post held on an annual basis, rotated among various regional groupings
2021-22 presidency occupied by Maldives for the first time

Select the CORRECT statements using the codes given below

1 and 2
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Answer: 4

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid was elected president of the 76th UNGA with an overwhelming majority — he received 143 votes out of 191 ballots cast, while Afghanistan’s former Foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul got 48 votes.
This is a post held on an annual basis, rotated among various regional groupings. The 76th session (2021-22) is the turn of the Asia-Pacific group. This is the first time Maldives will occupy the office of PGA.
The PGA’s office is the highest office in the UN System, and reflects the collective goodwill of 193 UN member-states.
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
The UNGA also makes key decisions for the UN, including: appointing the Secretary -General on the recommendation of the Security Council electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council approving the UN budget

Q) The Atlantic Charter was in news. It was signed between:

Russia and UK
USA and UK
USA and Russia
Sweden, Finland and Norway

Answer: 2

US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Johnson signed a new version of the ‘Atlantic Charter’ during the former’s first overseas visit since assuming the Presidency.
The original document, over 80 years old today, was a historic declaration of cooperation between the two countries and the foundation for their ‘special relationship’ for decades to come.
While the new Atlantic Charter is written for the world of today, it still speaks to commonalities between the long-time allies that may have been lost in recent decades..
US President Franklin Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in 1941 in Newfoundland, Canada to discuss what would eventually translate into the Atlantic Charter.

Q) “Democracies 11” is a joint statement signed by:

G7
G20
India
South Korea

Select the CORRECT answer using the codes given below

1 and 2
1 Only
1, 3 and 4
2 Only

Answer: 3

India signed off on a joint statement by G-7 and guest countries on “open societies” that reaffirm and encourage the values of “freedom of expression, both online and offline, as a freedom that safeguards democracy and helps people live free from fear and oppression”.
The joint statement was signed by the G-7 countries, and India, South Korea, Australia and South Africa, with host British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling them “Democracies 11”.
The ‘Open Societies Statement’ was adopted at the end of an outreach session titled ‘Building Back Together—Open Societies and Economies’.

Q) Recently, Indian Prime Minister virtually inaugurated a ‘Zen Garden – Kaizen Academy’ at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) in Gujarat. It will propagate the work culture of:

Australia
Norway
Japan
Switzerland

Answer: 3

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated a Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at AMA, Ahmedabad via video conference.
Terming the dedication of the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy, as a symbol of ease and modernity of India-Japan relationship, the Prime Minister thanked leaders of Hyōgo Prefecture specially the Governor ToshizōIdo and Hyōgo International association for their contribution in the establishment of the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy..
Pointing to the similarities between ‘Zen’ and Indian ‘Dhyan’, the Prime Minister dwelled on the emphasis on inner peace along with outer progress and growth in the two cultures.

Q) With regard to the SIPRI Yearbook 2021, consider the following statements

It assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security
According to it, the number of nuclear warheads which are ready and deployed have increased globally

Select the CORRECT statement(s) using the codes given below

1 Only
2 Only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: 3

According to a recent report published in the SIPRI SSYearbook 2021, the number of nuclear warheads which are ready and deployed have increased globally.
The SIPRI Yearbook is released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which researches international armament and conflict.
The SIPRI “Yearbook 2021” assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security.

Q) The Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Select the CORRECT statement(s) using the codes give below

1 and 2
1 and 4
2 and 3
1, 2 and 4

Answer: 1

Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched its programme in Seychelles.
India was chosen as the Partner Administration and has provided Tax Expert for this programme.
This programme is the sixth TIWB programme which India has supported by providing Tax Expert.
It aims to aid Seychelles in strengthening its tax administration by transferring technical know-how and skills to its tax auditors through sharing of best audit practices. The focus of the programme will be on Transfer Pricing cases of tourism and financial services sectors.

Q) EX- DUSTLIK’s is a joint training exercise that is conducted between the armies of India:

Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan

Answer: 4

EX- DUSTLIK’s is a joint training exercise that is conducted between the armies of India and Uzbekistan. The 3rd edition of this exercise conducted at Yangiarik, Uzbekistan.
Ex-DUSTLIK’s last edition was conducted in March 2021 in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.
To take part in this exercise, the Indian contingent is represented by a platoon strength of Grenadiers Regiment.

Q) A “Green Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated in which of the following countries?

South Africa
Indonesia
Maldives
Madagascar

Answer: 4

A “Green Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
The Green Triangle was inaugurated as a part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence. It was jointly inaugurated by the Mayor of Antananarivo Naina Andriantsitohaina and India’s Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar at a special ceremony.
Earlier, a special ceremony was organized by Indian Embassy to unveil the plaque of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. It was unveiled through lightning of lamp by Madagascar’s Minister of Communication and Culture and India’s Ambassador to Madagascar.

Q) Consider the following statements with regard to the Geneva Conventions

It codify the ethical and legal international standards for humanitarian treatment of persons impacted by war
Geneva Conventions are a set of four treaties and three additional protocols, which focus on the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war (POW)
The Geneva Conventions and all its protocols are ratified by 196 countries, including all member states oan United Nations

Select the CORRECT statements using the codes given below

1 and 2
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Answer: 1

The 2022 Russia-Ukraine war has once again put the spotlight on the Geneva conventions, especially the fourth Convention.
The Geneva Conventions codify the ethical and legal international standards for humanitarian treatment of persons impacted by war. Geneva Conventions are a set of four treaties and three additional protocols, which focus on the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war (POW).
The Geneva Conventions are ratified by 196 countries, including all member states on United Nations. However, three additional Protocols are not ratified by all countries. For example, the third protocol is only ratified by 79 countries. Further, in 2019, Russia withdrew its declaration under Article 90 of Protocol 1.

Fourth Geneva Convention:

It protects civilians, including those in occupied territory. The other three Geneva Conventions were concerned mainly with combatants. But World War II demonstrated the importance of protecting civilians during wartime.