PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS – 17/08/24

01.With reference to the United Nations Statistical Commission,consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1946, bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
2. It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities.
3. It is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: (d) None

In News:Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) undertook the work related to setting up of milestones for SDG national indicators in consultation with the line ministries.

Explanation:

Review of milestone setting for SDGs National Indicators:

• The “Review of milestone setting for SDGs National Indicators” was organized mainly to take stock of the status of milestone setting for the SDG National Indicators as per the latest SDGs-NIF as well to sensitize the different Ministries/Departments about the recent developments on the front of 2025 Comprehensive Review of the SDGs Global Indicator Framework.
• India is a member of the United Nations Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) for the 2023-2025 term and is representing South Asia in the Expert Group through MoSPI. 
• The Global Indicator Framework was comprehensively reviewed in 2020, and the next comprehensive review is scheduled for 2025 during the 56th session of the UN Statistical Commission (UNSC), of which India is also a member.
• The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1946, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2046040

02.With reference to the Green Tug Transition Program,consider the following statements:

1. It is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian Major Ports.
2. It is a key initiative under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

In News: Greening in India gets a boost with Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) SOP launched by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

Explanation:

Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP):

• This landmark initiative is set to drive the transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener, more sustainable alternatives, marking a major step in India’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of its maritime sector.
• The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) as a key initiative under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’.Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The program, announced on May 22, 2023, by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• The GTTP is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian Major Ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternative fuels.Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Four Major Ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—will procure or charter at least two green tugs each, based on standardized designs and specifications issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC). 

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2045946

03. ‘BHAVISHYA’ is a initiative of Central government related to 

1. Centralized software for power grids
2. Centralized process centres for cyber security
3. Centralized fuel processing unit in Nuclear power plants
4. Centralized pension processing software

Answer:  (d) Centralized pension processing software

In News:BHAVISHYA – Promoting Digital Empowerment and Ease of Living for Pensioners

Explanation:

• To overcome the problems of delay & clerical errors in processing the pension cases, as well as financial loss and harassment to the pensioners, the DOPPW introduced a unique innovative centralized pension processing software called ‘Bhavishya’ for all central government Ministries/Departments. Hence option(d) is correct.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2046070

04.With reference to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission,consider the following statements:

Statement -I:

It is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

Statement -II: 

The Commission is headed by only retired judges of the Supreme Court of India or a retired Chief Justice of the High Court not by the sitting judges.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
2. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
3. Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
4. Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct

Answer:  (c)Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect

In News:Why national consumer commission directed Goibibo, not Jet Airways, to issued refund after flight cancellation

Explanation:

• A family of three had to abandon their travel plans to Edmonton, Canada when Jet Airways went bankrupt and ceased operations in April 2019.
•  Five years later, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (henceforth, the National Commission) ordered Goibibo, the online travel agency through which the tickets were booked, to issue a refund.
• The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), India is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.Hence statement 1 is correct.
•  Its head office is in New Delhi. 
• The Commission is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, in terms of Rule 3(12)(a) of the Tribunal(Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021.Hence statement 2 is incorrect. 
• Section 21 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 posits that the National Commission shall have jurisdiction:- to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have Appellate and Revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be.
  Section 23 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986, provides that any person aggrieved by an order of NCDRC,  may prefer an Appeal against such order to the Supreme Court of India within a period of 30 days.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/national-consumer-commission-goibibo-jet-airways-refund-9518049/

05.Nord Stream 1 is a underwater gas pipeline running between

1. Russia and Netherland 
2. Russia and Belgium
3. Netherland and belgium
4. Russia and Germany

Answer:  (d) Russia and Germany

In News:The Americans or the Ukrainians? Who blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines?

Explanation:

• Almost two years after the September 2022 bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea, it remains unclear who sabotaged the pipes.
•  The destruction of the pipelines that supplied natural gas from Russia to Germany exacerbated the energy crisis in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• On August 14, The Wall Street Journal published what it claimed was the “real story” of the sabotage: that a “handful” of Ukrainian patriots with “the guts to risk their lives for their country”, defied a restraining order from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to carry out the action.
• Nord Stream 1 is a 1,224 km underwater gas pipeline running from Vyborg in northwest Russia to Lubmin in northeastern Germany via the Baltic Sea.Hence option(d) is correct.
• The majority owned by the Russian energy giant Gazprom, it is the primary network through which gas reaches Germany. 

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/nord-stream-gas-pipelines-explosion-9517908/

06.With reference to Small Satellite Launch Vehicle,consider the following statements:

Statement -I:

It is a three-stage Launch Vehicle configured with two  Solid Propulsion Stages

Statement -II: 

It also has a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage, which can help adjust the velocity as it prepares to place the satellite.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
2. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
3. Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
4. Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct

Answer:  (d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct

In News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Friday (August 16).

Explanation:

•  The SSLV-D3 placed the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 precisely into orbit.
• It also marks the completion of ISRO/Department of Space’s SSLV Development Project.
• New Space India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and India’s private space industry can now produce SSLVs for commercial missions

SSLV:

• ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a three-stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages.Hence statement 1 is correct. 
• It also has a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage, which can help adjust the velocity as it prepares to place the satellite.Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• Essentially, the aim behind SSLVs is to produce low-cost launch vehicles with short turnaround times and minimal infrastructural requirements. The SSLV can launch satellites weighing up to 500kg and accommodate multiple satellites.
• Before SSLVs, smaller payloads had to be sent into Space using other launch vehicles carrying multiple, bigger satellites. 
• They depended upon the launch schedules of those satellites.

Other launch vehicles:

• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation of Indian satellite launch vehicles. first used in 1994. More than 50 successful PSLV launches have taken place to date. It has also been called “the workhorse of ISRO” for consistently delivering various satellites into low earth orbits (less than 2,000 km in altitude) with a high success rate. 
• The PSLV-XL can carry around 1,860 kg of payload.
•  Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLVs) have been instrumental in launching communication satellites in the geosynchronous transfer orbit. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), telecommunications satellites are usually placed in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).
• It is a circular orbit 35,786 kilometres above Earth’s equator.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/isro-sslv-launch-vehicle-features-9517682/

07. Consider the following pairs:

Silk Type                         Producing  State

1. Molakalmuru Sarees   –   Andhra Pradesh
2. Ilkal Sarees                 –   Karnataka
3. Eri                                  –   Assam

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (b) Only two

In News:NEHHDC achieves Oeko-Tex Certification for Eri Silk, marking a milestone for Northeast’s unique vegan silk

Explanation:

Types of Silks:

• Eri Silk is renowned as the world’s only vegan silk, where, unlike other silks, the moth inside the cocoon is not killed. Instead, the moth naturally exits the cocoon, leaving it behind for us to use. 
• This ethical and eco-friendly process sets Eri Silk apart, making it a symbol of compassion and sustainability in the textile industry.
• The Oeko-Tex certification, a rigorous standard that ensures textiles are tested for harmful substances and produced in environment friendly conditions, is a significant endorsement for Eri Silk.
•  This achievement further cements the silk’s status as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Assam, highlighting its authenticity and regional importance.
• India has the unique distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial silks, namely, mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri and muga, of which muga with its golden yellow glitter is unique and prerogative of India.
• Mulberry sericulture is mainly practised in states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradhesh, Assam and Bodoland (Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts of Assam), West Bengal, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu who are the major silk producing states in the country.
• North East has the unique distinction of being the only region producing four varieties of silk viz., Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Muga and Eri. Overall NE region contributes 18% of India’s total silk production.
• Molakalmuru taluk is in Chitradurga District-about 250 Kms from Bangalore. The main occupation of the people is weaving next to agriculture.
•  Most of the weavers of Molakalmuru belong to Sokulasali, Pattasali and Padmasali communities.
• Ilkal is a medium-sized town 60 km away from Bagalkot in Karnataka. It is an ancient weaving centre.
•  Weaving seems to have started in the 8th century AD. The growth of these sarees is attributed to the patronage provided by the local chieftains in and around the town Bellary.Hence option(b) is correct.
•  The major item manufactured is Ilkalsaree; There are two types of Ikal sarees-one is made with silk warp and cotton weft and the other is made with silk both in warp and weft.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2046099

08. Consider the following:

1. Electro Optical Infrared Payload
2. Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload
3. SiC UV Dosimeter

How many of the above payloads are carried by  Earth Observation Satellite ‘EOS-08’?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer:  (c) All three

In News:ISRO launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08

Explanation:

• ISRO’s latest Earth Observation Satellite ‘EOS-08’  launched by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 today at 9:17 hrs from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota.
• The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites.
• Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads: Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and SiC UV Dosimeter.Hence option(c) is correct.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2045802

09. Consider the following statements:

1. The National Coal Index is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels.
2. National Coal Index considers prices of coking and non-coking coal of various grades transacted in the regulated and non-regulated sectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor  2

Answer:  (d) Neither 1 nor  2

In News:National Coal Index Shows Decline of 3.48% in June, 2024

Explanation:

• The National Coal Index (Provisional) has shown a significant decline of 3.48 % in June 2024 at 142.13 points compared to June 2023, where it was at 147.25 points. This notable decrease indicates sufficient availability of coal in market to meet the growing demands.
• The National Coal Index (NCI) is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels, viz. Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices. Hence statement 1 is correct. 
•  It considers prices of coking and non-coking coal of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.Hence statement 2 is correct. 
• Established with the base year as FY 2017-18, NCI serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights of price fluctuations.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2045928

10.With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?(2019)

1. The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
2. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
3. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
4. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

Ans: The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.

Explanation

• The Land reform constitutes the most important measures to improve the economic con­dition of agricultural tenants.
• The Land reforms program in post-Independence India has evolved through different phases and these include Abolition of Intermediaries, Tenancy reforms, consolidation of holdings and determination of holdings per family, imposition of ceilings with fewer exemptions, and to distribute surplus land among landless peoples. Hence Option (b) is correct.