PPSC: GS Head 3. Current Events of national and international importance.

The World Health Organization has declared Africa wild polio-free. The disease is now found only in which of the following countries :

Which of the following statements are correct ? 1. The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 provides for the regulation of use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of certain persons. 2. DNA is made up of 26 pairs of chromosomes and provides instructions for building an entire organism and proteins. 3. DNA is composed of two chains, which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth. 4. Under the Bill, DNA profiling is allowed only in respect of criminal matters. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Recently, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry launched National GIS-enabled Land Bank System. Which of the following statements are correct about the system ? 1. The platform is created to provide database of industrial clusters over South India. 2. The information available on the platform includes information about forest, drainage, raw material heat maps (agriculture, horticulture, mineral layers) and multiple layers of connectivity. 3. It will help India in achieving its target of 5 trillion USD economy in five years by providing transparent mechanism of land identification and procurement. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Consider the following statements : 1. Pratheeksha is India's first Marine Ambulance launched by Kerala Govt. 2. It aims to save the endangered Indian Mackerel and Olive Ridley Turtles from poachers off the Kerala Coast. Choose the incorrect statement(s) :

ICMR published "National Guidelines for Gene Therapy Product Development and Clinical Trials". Which of the following statements are correct about Gene Therapy Product (GTP) ? 1. It is defined as any biological entity, having the required gene, that could introduce modifications in the genome for therapeutic benefit. 2. GTPs work by repairing, replacing or deactivating dysfunctional disease-causing genes to restore normal function. 3. As per the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules (2019), the GTPs falls under 'new drug' and shall always be deemed as 'new drug'. 4. Thalassemia, Gaucher's disease, Sickle cell anaemia and Haemophilia fall under the genetically inherited disease category. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Prime Minister of India mentioned the mega plan of "One Sun, One World, One Grid" project in the Independence Day address. Which of the following statements are correct about the project ? 1. It is a transnational electricity grid supplying solar power project. 2. The idea of the project was first introduced in 2018 during the first assembly of International Solar Alliance. 3. China was the only member country to resist this proposal during the ISA meet. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Government of India has constituted National Council for Transgender Persons. Which of the following statements are correct about the Council ? 1. The Council will be headed by the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. 2. The Council is a statutory body found under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. 3. State level and District level councils for each State will be set up under this act to address the grievances of transgenders at grassroot level. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently published the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020. Which of the following statements are correct about EIA ? 1. It predicts the effect of a proposed industrial/infrastructural project on the environment. 2. It prevents the proposed activity/project from being approved without proper oversight or taking adverse consequences into account. 3. It compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits. 4. As per the new notification, Coal and non-Coal mineral prospecting and solar photovoltaic projects do not need prior environmental clearance. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Recently 'Decarbonising Transport in India' project was launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF). Identify the incorrect statement.

The United Nations Environment Programme and International Energy Agency jointly released a 'Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report' (CEPSR). Which of the following is/are correct about the report ? 1. It is based on assessment of development and climate benefits of efficient and climate-friendly cooling. 2. It lays out actions that can be taken to deliver efficient and climate-friendly cooling for all. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Recently, the 15th India-European Union Summit was held through a virtual medium. Which of the following are correct about the summit ? 1. 'India-EU Strategic Partnership : A Roadmap to 2025' was adopted to guide cooperation between India and the EU over the next five years. 2. Adopted declarations on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. 3. An agreement between India-Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community) on research and development cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy was signed on the eve of the summit. 4. An agreement between Europol and CBI signed to combat terrorism and organized crime. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Union Cabinet recently approved the New Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Which of the following statements are correct about the policy ? 1. Compulsory allocation of 4% of the GDP in Education sector by the Union Govt. 2. Aims to bring the uncovered age group of 3 - 6 years under school curriculum. 3. Gross enrolment ratio in Higher Education to be raised to 50% by 2030. 4. The policy envisages to set up Gender Inclusion Fund. 5. The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) to be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on use of technology to enhance learning. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) released a report titled 'Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region'. Which of the following statements are true ? 1. It is a first ever attempt to document and assess climate change in different parts of India. 2. It highlights the observed and projected changes in various climatic dimensions over the Indian region, their impacts and various policy actions to deal with the regional climate change. 3. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is located at Coimbatore. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), a community-based functionary under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), have been supporting delivery of health care services to the last mile, especially during COVID-19. Which of the following are the primary duties of ASHAs ? 1. It counsels women on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, immunization, contraception and prevention of common infections. 2. ASHA takes steps to create awareness and provide information to the community on determinants of health such as nutrition, basic sanitation and hygienic practices. 3. It works with the Village Health and Sanitation Committee of the Gram Panchayat to develop a comprehensive village health plan. 4. ASHA provides primary medical care for minor ailments such as diarrhea, fevers, and first aid for minor injuries. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Government of India announced linking of Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland through Optical Fibre Cable link. Which of the following statements is/are true ? 1. The submarine optical fibre cable link will connect 11 islands of Lakshadweep with Kochi in mainland India. 2. The project will be executed in PPP mode through a joint venture of BSNL and RIL.

India's first gas exchange, the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), was launched as a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Energy Exchange. Which of the following statements are correct ? 1. It is a digital trading platform that will allow buyers and sellers to trade both in the spot market and in the forward market for imported natural gas. 2. It will allow trade across three hubs — Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. 3. Imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) will be regassified and sold to buyers through the exchange, removing the requirement for buyers and sellers to find each other. 4. Only inter-governmental trade in domestically produced natural gas is allowed on the gas exchange. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Consider the following statements : 1. Angola and Nigeria are one of the largest crude oil suppliers of the sub-Saharan region. 2. India and Angola signed a bilateral energy cooperation agreement under the framework of India-Africa Forum. Which among the above statements is/are incorrect ?

Recently, Pan-India Real Time Market in electricity was launched. Which of the following statements are correct about the market ? 1. Real time market is an organized market platform enabling buyers and sellers to meet their energy requirement closer to real time operation. 2. The auctions will be held 50 times a day. 3. It became operational on two platforms : Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) and Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL). Select the correct answer using the code given below :

National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) announced the commencement of trading in the country's first agriculture futures index called :

Consider the following statements : 1. Ezulwini consensus calls for a more democratic security council with a permanent seat to Egypt, Turkey and South Africa. 2. During the recent India – AU Summit, Uniting for Consensus grouping (UfC) strongly supported India's claim to a permanent seat in the UNSC. Choose the correct statement(s) :

India recently announced a second phase of Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for African countries. Choose the correct statements among the following : 1. The grouping of Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso and Chad is popularly called Cotton-4. 2. Cotton crop is best grown commercially in Red and Lateritic soils in India. 3. The Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. releases MSP for Fair Average Quality grade Kapas before the start of season.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recently recognized Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) as a part of World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS). Choose the correct statement(s) among the following : 1. India has become the fourth country in the world to have its independent navigation satellite system recognized by IMO. 2. IRNSS provides both Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). 3. IRNSS, like GLONASS and GPS, is a global navigation system.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has prepared a draft standard for the supply of piped drinking water, named as "Drinking Water Supply Quality Management System-requirements for piped drinking water supply service". Which of the following statements are the key features of the draft ? 1. After treatment the drinking water should conform to Indian Standard (IS) 10500. 2. Adoption of District Metering Area concept to control leakages. 3. Water audit should be conducted on quarterly basis. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Hydropower sector cooperation is the flagship area of Indo-Bhutan bilateral relations. Choose the correct statement(s) among the following with regard to India's investment in the hydropower sector in Bhutan : 1. The Mangdechhu hydroelectric project is a run-of-river power plant being built with Indian assistance in central Bhutan. 2. The Kholongchu project is a first Indo-Bhutan joint venture hydroelectric project to be implemented by Kholongchu Hydro Energy Limited. 3. The Chukha HEP, Kurichhu HEP and Tala HEP are the hydroelectric projects of Bilateral Cooperation between India and Bhutan.

Consider the following statements regarding 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme. 1. The scheme allows portability of food security benefits for migrant workers in other States. 2. Aadhar linkage of ration cards of migrant workers is not mandatory for availing benefits in other States. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

Consider the following statements regarding Styrene gas leakage from LG Polymers Plant in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh : 1. Styrene gas that is used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins is normally stored as liquid in factories. 2. Short exposure to Styrene gas results in irritation of mucous membrane and eye, gastrointestinal effects and inhalation problems and long term exposure to the gas causes damage to central nervous system and fatality as well. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

JIGYASA programme of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a/an

Read the following and choose the correct statement(s) : 1. The Pacific nation of Palau became the first country to ban "Coral reef-toxic" sunscreens. 2. Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that are present in most of the sunscreens, absorb UV light and are thus harmful to the Corals. Choose the correct option :

Read the following and choose the correct statement(s) : Statement I : The Himachal Pradesh State Government is to develop India's first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre of India. The Centre is to be developed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Statement II : Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) is an inter-governmental alliance of all 12 snow leopard range countries. Choose the correct option :

Choose the correct statement(s) : Statement I : Corals are an endangered marine species and protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Statement II : Rhizangiidae, Caryophylliidae and Dendrophylliidae are the names of Coral families, recently in news as the Maharashtra government gave permission to translocate some coral colonies in order to build a coastal road to ease traffic congestion. Choose the correct option :

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability and plight of sex workers across the world. Which among the following statements are true about the recent advisory related to sex workers issued by NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) ? Statement I : NHRC advised to change the current statutory status of sex workers from 'informal workers' to 'Women at work'. Statement II : The advisory says that such workers may be provided benefits on humanitarian grounds that are entitled to informal workers. Choose the correct option :

Consider the following statements : 1. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill 2020 seeks to amend The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971. 2. The Bill sets up State level Medical Boards to decide if a pregnancy may be terminated after 24 weeks in case of substantial foetal abnormalities. 3. The Bill specifies that survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women like differently abled women and minors will now be able to opt for abortion up to 28 weeks on the advice of two doctors. Choose the correct statement(s) :

Consider the following statements : 1. Odisha recently launched "Drink from the tap Mission-Sujal" to ensure the supply of quality drinking water to the people. 2. Odisha achieved the target of 100 percent household water supply connections in 2020. Choose the correct statement(s) :

As part of 'Vaccine Maitri' policy which of the following countries became first recipients of the Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccine.

Recently again in controversy, Jallikattu, is the bull taming traditional sport of which Indian State ?

Which among the following nations, owing to its steady economic growth, has recently graduated from the UN's official list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) ?

In view of a recent Supreme Court order, consider the following features of coastal regulation zones in India as per the CRZ Notification : 1. CRZ-1 : Exploration and extraction of natural gas is permitted selectively. 2. CRZ-2 : Unauthorized structures are allowed to be constructed in this zone. 3. CRZ-4 : Fishing is permitted in this zone. Choose the correct matches :