Current Affairs July 2012 (21-26)
1. Which international forum is also known as 'Outreach Five(O5)'?
[A]G8+5
[B]BRICS
[C]Mercosur
[D]Permanent members of UN Security Council
Lately, both France and the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group to include five developing countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5.
2. Consider the following major Stock indices of the world :
1.Dow Jones : New York
2.Nikkei : Singapore
3.FTSE : London
Which among the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 3
[C]1 and 3
[D]1, 2 and 3
Nikkei : Japan
3. Which country has recently been suspended as the member of 'Mercosur'?
[A]Paraguay
[B]Argentina
[C]Brazil
[D]Uruguay
Paraguay was suspended for violating the Democratic Clause of the Ushuaia Protocol of 24 July 1998 and full membership for Venezuela was approved on June 29, 2012 by member countries Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
4. Which among the following nations is not one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 ?
[A]India
[B]Pakistan
[C]Azerbaijan
[D]Gautemala
5. 'Energy Statistics' is one of the annual publications of which among the following organisations?
[A]The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI)
[B]Central Statistical Organisation(CSO)
[C]Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE)
[D]National Statistical Commission
1.Agriculture
2.Industries
3.Services
Arrange the above in descending order according to their share in sectorwise GDP composition:
[A]1-2-3
[B]2-1-3
[C]3-1-2
[D]3-2-1
India's large service industry accounts for 57.2% of the country's GDP while the industrial and agricultural sectors contribute 28.6% and 14.6% respectively. Agriculture is the predominant occupation in Rural India, accounting for about 52% of employment. The service sector makes up a further 34%, and industrial sector around 14%.
7. Consider the following Statements:
1.The economy of India is the eleventh largest in the world by nominal GDP.
2.India is the third-largest economy in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity(PPP).
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
[A]World Bank
[B]International Monetary Fund
[C]World Trade Organisation
[D]Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)
1. It
provides a mechanism for investigation against judges.
2.The bill safeguards the independence of Judiciary.
3.It limits the scope of Judicial review.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 3
[C]1 and 3
[D]2 and 3
1.The frigate is third in the series of
stealth warships after 'INS Shivalik' and 'INS Satpura'.
2.It is designed and built by the Indian Shipyard Mazagaon Dock Ltd.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
1. Which international forum is also known as 'Outreach Five(O5)'?
[A]G8+5
[B]BRICS
[C]Mercosur
[D]Permanent members of UN Security Council
Lately, both France and the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group to include five developing countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5.
2. Consider the following major Stock indices of the world :
1.Dow Jones : New York
2.Nikkei : Singapore
3.FTSE : London
Which among the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 3
[C]1 and 3
[D]1, 2 and 3
Nikkei : Japan
3. Which country has recently been suspended as the member of 'Mercosur'?
[A]Paraguay
[B]Argentina
[C]Brazil
[D]Uruguay
Paraguay was suspended for violating the Democratic Clause of the Ushuaia Protocol of 24 July 1998 and full membership for Venezuela was approved on June 29, 2012 by member countries Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
4. Which among the following nations is not one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 ?
[A]India
[B]Pakistan
[C]Azerbaijan
[D]Gautemala
India (1 January 2011 – 31 December 2012)
The Ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1 January, with five replaced each year. The members are chosen by regional groups and confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly.
The Ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1 January, with five replaced each year. The members are chosen by regional groups and confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly.
5. 'Energy Statistics' is one of the annual publications of which among the following organisations?
[A]The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI)
[B]Central Statistical Organisation(CSO)
[C]Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE)
[D]National Statistical Commission
6. Consider the following
sectors of Indian
economy:
2.Industries
3.Services
Arrange the above in descending order according to their share in sectorwise GDP composition:
[A]1-2-3
[B]2-1-3
[C]3-1-2
[D]3-2-1
India's large service industry accounts for 57.2% of the country's GDP while the industrial and agricultural sectors contribute 28.6% and 14.6% respectively. Agriculture is the predominant occupation in Rural India, accounting for about 52% of employment. The service sector makes up a further 34%, and industrial sector around 14%.
7. Consider the following Statements:
1.The economy of India is the eleventh largest in the world by nominal GDP.
2.India is the third-largest economy in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity(PPP).
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
8. The 'Ease of Doing Business'
Index is brought out by the ____________ :
[B]International Monetary Fund
[C]World Trade Organisation
[D]Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)
9. Consider the following
Statements regarding the 'Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill':
2.The bill safeguards the independence of Judiciary.
3.It limits the scope of Judicial review.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 3
[C]1 and 3
[D]2 and 3
10. Consider the following
Statements regarding 'INS Sahyadri' :
2.It is designed and built by the Indian Shipyard Mazagaon Dock Ltd.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
11. The RBI Governor,D.Subbarao has proposed 'Producer Price Index (PPI)' for
measuring Inflation instead of WPI and CPI because:
1.The present structure of measuring inflation (WPI and CPI) and does not capture the price movement of services.
2.WPI is a hybrid of consumer and producer price quotes.
3.PPI measures price changes from the perspective of the seller.
Choose the correct option:
[A]1 and 2
[B]1 and 3
[C]2 and 3
[D]1, 2 and 3
[A]Illegal mining
[B]honour killings
[C]Air-Force plane crashes
[D]misappropriation of stamp revenue
[A]Francis Fanthome
[B]Derek O' Brien
[C]Ingrid Mcleod
[D]Charles Dias
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien perhaps became the first Anglo-Indian to vote in the presidential poll. Lok Sabha, the House of 545 members, has two nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community. Some state Assemblies also have provisions for nominated members from the community. Nominated members of Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha are not eligible to vote for electing the President. The electoral college comprising MPs, MLAs and MLCs votes for the same. O'Brien could vote as he is not a nominated member and has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. He cast his ballot in Kolkata along with other Trinamool MPs of the state as they made a special request to do so in the West Bengal capital instead of in Delhi.
1.The planet is a 'Superearth'.
2.It lies in the 'Goldilocks Zone'.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
The planet exists in a band of perpetual twilight near its orbiting star known as the ‘Goldilocks Zone’, also called the habitable zone or life zone-an area near earth that is not too hot or cold, but is just right for sustaining life.
15. Recently,a new Russian research project named ________ has offered 'cybernetic immortality' to the world's billionaires by transplanting their brains into robot bodies.
[A]Avatar
[B]Inception
[C]Cyberdrome
[D]Cube
Dmitry Itskov, a Russian entrepreneur claims to have hired 30 scientists to reach this goal and aims to transplant a human brain into a robot body within 10 years. He has contacted a list of billionaires with a proposal for funding his quest for immortality, which Itskov refers to as 'cybernetic immortality' and the 'artificial body'.
[A]Kamlesh Sharma
[B]Hardeep Singh Puri
[C]Vinay Kumar
[D]Prakash Gupta
[A]Microsoft
[B]Apple
[C]Linux
[D]Google
[A]Chevron Corporation (US)
[B]Rosneft (Russia)
[C]ExxonMobil (US)
[D]Gazprom (Russia)
[A]Cycling
[B]Equestrian
[C]Boxing
[D]Wrestling
USA Cycling will reward gold medalists at the London Games with up to $100,000 in bonus money, creating the richest known Olympics financial incentive program offered by any cycling organization in the world. The new program is called the "London 100K Challenge".
20. 'Red Coral Kukri' which has recently been discovered at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh is a rare Indian ______ species.
[A]Snake
[B]Frog
[C]Lizard
[D]Newt
1.The present structure of measuring inflation (WPI and CPI) and does not capture the price movement of services.
2.WPI is a hybrid of consumer and producer price quotes.
3.PPI measures price changes from the perspective of the seller.
Choose the correct option:
[A]1 and 2
[B]1 and 3
[C]2 and 3
[D]1, 2 and 3
12. M B Shah Commission was constituted to investigate the cases of _________
:
[B]honour killings
[C]Air-Force plane crashes
[D]misappropriation of stamp revenue
13. Who among the following has become the first Anglo-Indian to vote in the
presidential poll?
[B]Derek O' Brien
[C]Ingrid Mcleod
[D]Charles Dias
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien perhaps became the first Anglo-Indian to vote in the presidential poll. Lok Sabha, the House of 545 members, has two nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community. Some state Assemblies also have provisions for nominated members from the community. Nominated members of Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha are not eligible to vote for electing the President. The electoral college comprising MPs, MLAs and MLCs votes for the same. O'Brien could vote as he is not a nominated member and has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. He cast his ballot in Kolkata along with other Trinamool MPs of the state as they made a special request to do so in the West Bengal capital instead of in Delhi.
14. Astronomers have claimed to have discovered a planet known as 'Gliese
581g' that may be capable of supporting human life. In this context,consider the
following Statements:
2.It lies in the 'Goldilocks Zone'.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
The planet exists in a band of perpetual twilight near its orbiting star known as the ‘Goldilocks Zone’, also called the habitable zone or life zone-an area near earth that is not too hot or cold, but is just right for sustaining life.
15. Recently,a new Russian research project named ________ has offered 'cybernetic immortality' to the world's billionaires by transplanting their brains into robot bodies.
[A]Avatar
[B]Inception
[C]Cyberdrome
[D]Cube
Dmitry Itskov, a Russian entrepreneur claims to have hired 30 scientists to reach this goal and aims to transplant a human brain into a robot body within 10 years. He has contacted a list of billionaires with a proposal for funding his quest for immortality, which Itskov refers to as 'cybernetic immortality' and the 'artificial body'.
16. Who among the following is India's permanent representative to the United
Nations (UN)?
[B]Hardeep Singh Puri
[C]Vinay Kumar
[D]Prakash Gupta
17. 'SkyDrive' is the cloud computing service of ________
:
[B]Apple
[C]Linux
[D]Google
18. Which among the following oil giants has bought 80% stake in Reliance
Industries Limited’s (RIL’s) two oil blocks in Kurdistan region of Iraq for an
undisclosed amount?
[B]Rosneft (Russia)
[C]ExxonMobil (US)
[D]Gazprom (Russia)
19. 'London 100K challenge' is related to which among the following Olympic
sports?
[B]Equestrian
[C]Boxing
[D]Wrestling
USA Cycling will reward gold medalists at the London Games with up to $100,000 in bonus money, creating the richest known Olympics financial incentive program offered by any cycling organization in the world. The new program is called the "London 100K Challenge".
20. 'Red Coral Kukri' which has recently been discovered at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh is a rare Indian ______ species.
[A]Snake
[B]Frog
[C]Lizard
[D]Newt
21. Who among the following has been appointed as the new CEO of Yahoo!
?
[A]Marissa Mayer
[B]Shelley Broader
[C]Karen Kinsley
[D]Dianne Craig
[A]Anerood Jugnauth
[B]Rajkeshwur Purryag
[C]Navin Chandra Ramgoolam
[D]Monique Ohsan Bellepeau
[A]Sebastian Vettel
[B]Jenson Button
[C]Fernando Alonso
[D]Kimi Raikkonen
The German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race. Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951. It was designated the European Grand Prix four times between 1954 and 1974, when this title was an honorary designation given each year to one grand prix race in Europe.
24. Who among the following is the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister of India?
[A]Chairman of ISRO
[B]Chairman of BARC
[C]Director General of DRDO
[D]Director General of CSIR
25. Which among the following is the highest peace-time gallantry award of India?
[A]Ashok Chakra
[B]Shaurya Chakra
[C]Kirti Chakra
[D]Param Vir Chakra
1.ADB promotes the use of regional currencies in trade through its
Trade Finance Programme (TFP).
2.At present, both China and Japan hold the largest proportion of shares of the ADB.
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
At present, both the United States and Japan hold 552,210 shares, the largest proportion of shares at 12.756% each. China holds 228,000 shares (6.429%), India holds 224,010 shares (6.317%),the 2nd and 3rd largest proportion of shares respectively.
27. According to the latest report of the Labour Ministry, which among the following Indian States has recorded the least unemployment rate (1%) during the last fiscal year?
[A]Maharashtra
[B]Rajasthan
[C]Chattisgarh
[D]Gujarat
[A]Achim Steiner
[B]Ashok Khosla
[C]R.K.Pachauri
[D]Julia Marton-Lefèvre
[A]Hongkong Dollar,
Ruble
[B]Indonesian rupiah, Yen
[C]Malaysian ringgit, Yuan
[D]Renminbi, Indian Rupee
TFP is a programme under Asian Development Bank with an objective to fill the market gaps for trade finance by providing guarantees and loans to banks to support trade. ADB collaborates with 200 partners to provide companies with the financial support they require to carry on import and export operations in Asia’s most challenging markets.It is active in 16 countries. Five most active countries are Bangladesh, Nepal,Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
30. According to the research estimates of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), India’s forest and Tree cover as 'carbon sink' neutralises _____ of India’s annual GHG emissions.
[A]5%
[B]9%
[C]10%
[D]11%
[A]Marissa Mayer
[B]Shelley Broader
[C]Karen Kinsley
[D]Dianne Craig
22. Who among the following has become the fifth president of
Mauritius?
[B]Rajkeshwur Purryag
[C]Navin Chandra Ramgoolam
[D]Monique Ohsan Bellepeau
23. Who among the following has recently won the 'German Grand
Prix-2012'
[B]Jenson Button
[C]Fernando Alonso
[D]Kimi Raikkonen
The German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race. Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951. It was designated the European Grand Prix four times between 1954 and 1974, when this title was an honorary designation given each year to one grand prix race in Europe.
24. Who among the following is the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister of India?
[A]Chairman of ISRO
[B]Chairman of BARC
[C]Director General of DRDO
[D]Director General of CSIR
Director General of DRDO :: V.K.Saraswat
25. Which among the following is the highest peace-time gallantry award of India?
[A]Ashok Chakra
[B]Shaurya Chakra
[C]Kirti Chakra
[D]Param Vir Chakra
26. Consider the following Statements regarding 'Asian Development Bank
(ADB)':
2.At present, both China and Japan hold the largest proportion of shares of the ADB.
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
At present, both the United States and Japan hold 552,210 shares, the largest proportion of shares at 12.756% each. China holds 228,000 shares (6.429%), India holds 224,010 shares (6.317%),the 2nd and 3rd largest proportion of shares respectively.
27. According to the latest report of the Labour Ministry, which among the following Indian States has recorded the least unemployment rate (1%) during the last fiscal year?
[A]Maharashtra
[B]Rajasthan
[C]Chattisgarh
[D]Gujarat
28. Who among the following is the president of International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?
[B]Ashok Khosla
[C]R.K.Pachauri
[D]Julia Marton-Lefèvre
29. Which among the following currencies have been recently included in 'Trade
Finance Programme(TFP)' of Asian Development Bank?
[B]Indonesian rupiah, Yen
[C]Malaysian ringgit, Yuan
[D]Renminbi, Indian Rupee
TFP is a programme under Asian Development Bank with an objective to fill the market gaps for trade finance by providing guarantees and loans to banks to support trade. ADB collaborates with 200 partners to provide companies with the financial support they require to carry on import and export operations in Asia’s most challenging markets.It is active in 16 countries. Five most active countries are Bangladesh, Nepal,Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
30. According to the research estimates of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), India’s forest and Tree cover as 'carbon sink' neutralises _____ of India’s annual GHG emissions.
[A]5%
[B]9%
[C]10%
[D]11%
31. Recently 'Kulandei Francis' of India has been chosen for the Ramon
Magsaysay Award for the year 2012 under which among the following
categories?
[A]Community leadership
[B]Public Service
[C]Journalism, Literature, and the Creative Communication Arts
[D]Peace and International understanding
Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour, and is named in the honour of the third Philippine President. Kulandei Francis, who has been chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2012, for economic empowerment of thousands of women and their families in rural India.
32. Jeet Thayil, noted Kerala-born poet and novelist has been long-listed for the 2012 Man Booker Prize for his debut novel __________.
[A]The Yips
[B]Narcopolis
[C]Communion Town
[D]The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
His debut novel Narcopolis is built around the opium and heroin dens of Mumbai.
33. Who among the following is the first Indian Chief Minister to be invited by the Japanese Government to hold discussions on a number of innovative projects relating to renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism promotion, water management etc.?
[A]Sheila Dikshit
[B]Narendra Modi
[C]Nitish Kumar
[D]Akhilesh Yadav
[A]Vulnerable
[B]Endangered
[C]Near Threatened
[D]Critically Endangered
The Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is one of three species of Tahr found in Asia; the other two being the Nilgiri Tahr and the Arabian Tahr. It is a type of mountain goat that is found in mountain pastures in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Uttarakhand used to sustain a good population of Tahrs in the past.
35. According to the Stockholm Convention, 'Endosulfan' the use of which was banned in India by the Supreme Court in May,2011 is a ____________.
[A]Hazardous Chemical
[B]Over-the-Counter Antibiotic
[C]Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS)
[D]Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
Despite the morbid affects of the use of pesticide Endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka, the Centre has recommended the Supreme Court to allow the remaining quantity of the pesticide to be used by other States. At present, the apex court has banned use of Endosulfan across the country by its order dated May 13, 2011.With consensus emerging on phasing out of endosulfan the Centre informed the Court that the Stockholm Convention that governed use of such chemicals permitted endosulfan to be phased out across five years. During such period, imports are stopped and the existing stock was either exported or used domestically. At present, there was a total of 18 metric ton (MT) of Endosulfan formulation lying in the country, besides 2658 MT raw material HCCP and 128 MT of endosulfan dust.
36. Recently the Supreme Court has banned all tourist activities in the 'core' regions of which among the following protected areas?
[A]Biosphere Reserves
[B]Tiger Reserves
[C]Elephant Corridors
[D]Ramsar Wetlands and Mangrove areas
[A]Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[B]Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
[C]Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[D]Regional Research Laboratory
[A]Puducherry
[B]Punjab
[C]Kerela
[D]Tamil Nadu
Punjab has replaced Kerala as the best in the composite educational development index (EDI), to be among the top three States. It is now ranked third, with Puducherry and Lakshadweep occupying the first two slots. The study, conducted in the 35 States and Union Territories by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration
39. Consider the following Statements regarding the 'Border Area Development Programme (BADP)' :
1.It covers 358 blocks of 96 border districts of 17 States located along the international land border.
2.The programme is a 100% centrally-sponsored scheme and funds provided to the States are 'non-lapsable'.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Home Minister P. Chidambaram has said over 500 new border out posts (BOPs) would be constructed along international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh to check infiltration and cross border movement of terrorists. Border Area Development Programme (BADP) covers 358 blocks of 96 border districts of 17 States located along the international land border. The programme is a 100 per cent Centrally-sponsored scheme. Funds are provided to the States as a non-lapsable special Central assistance for execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.
40. Which among the following Scientific Institutes of India has developed the technology to produce 'bio-hydrogen', which is a renewable energy source through wastewater and industrial effluents?
[A]Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)
[B]Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi
[C]The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
[D]Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC)
As the search for alternative energy sources continues world over due to depleting fossil fuel reserves, scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad have a developed a know how to produce bio-hydrogen, a renewable energy, through waste water and industrial effluents. By adopting a process called ‘dark fermentation’, the scientists have produced bio-hydrogen (hydrogen gas) using the carbon source available in the wastewater. Hydrogen gas has the potential for conversion to usable power with high efficiency without any pollution. It could be produced by different methods –thermo-chemical (pyrolysis), electro-chemical (electrolysis) and biological. The process basically involved conversion of the pollution load (COD-chemical oxygen demand) to produce bio-hydrogen. If 60 per cent of COD is removed, 40 per cent of that could be converted into bio-hydrogen.
[A]Community leadership
[B]Public Service
[C]Journalism, Literature, and the Creative Communication Arts
[D]Peace and International understanding
Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour, and is named in the honour of the third Philippine President. Kulandei Francis, who has been chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2012, for economic empowerment of thousands of women and their families in rural India.
32. Jeet Thayil, noted Kerala-born poet and novelist has been long-listed for the 2012 Man Booker Prize for his debut novel __________.
[A]The Yips
[B]Narcopolis
[C]Communion Town
[D]The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
His debut novel Narcopolis is built around the opium and heroin dens of Mumbai.
33. Who among the following is the first Indian Chief Minister to be invited by the Japanese Government to hold discussions on a number of innovative projects relating to renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism promotion, water management etc.?
[A]Sheila Dikshit
[B]Narendra Modi
[C]Nitish Kumar
[D]Akhilesh Yadav
34. 'Himalayan Tahr' herd which has recently been sighted again after many
years in some areas near the Indo-Tibet border,is placed in the ___________
category of the IUCN Red list.
[B]Endangered
[C]Near Threatened
[D]Critically Endangered
The Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is one of three species of Tahr found in Asia; the other two being the Nilgiri Tahr and the Arabian Tahr. It is a type of mountain goat that is found in mountain pastures in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Uttarakhand used to sustain a good population of Tahrs in the past.
35. According to the Stockholm Convention, 'Endosulfan' the use of which was banned in India by the Supreme Court in May,2011 is a ____________.
[A]Hazardous Chemical
[B]Over-the-Counter Antibiotic
[C]Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS)
[D]Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
Despite the morbid affects of the use of pesticide Endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka, the Centre has recommended the Supreme Court to allow the remaining quantity of the pesticide to be used by other States. At present, the apex court has banned use of Endosulfan across the country by its order dated May 13, 2011.With consensus emerging on phasing out of endosulfan the Centre informed the Court that the Stockholm Convention that governed use of such chemicals permitted endosulfan to be phased out across five years. During such period, imports are stopped and the existing stock was either exported or used domestically. At present, there was a total of 18 metric ton (MT) of Endosulfan formulation lying in the country, besides 2658 MT raw material HCCP and 128 MT of endosulfan dust.
36. Recently the Supreme Court has banned all tourist activities in the 'core' regions of which among the following protected areas?
[A]Biosphere Reserves
[B]Tiger Reserves
[C]Elephant Corridors
[D]Ramsar Wetlands and Mangrove areas
37. 'Bio-toilets' have been designed and developed by ____________
:
[B]Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
[C]Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[D]Regional Research Laboratory
38. Which Indian State/UT is ranked first in the composite educational
development index (EDI) as per the study conducted by the National University of
Educational Planning and
Administration?
[B]Punjab
[C]Kerela
[D]Tamil Nadu
Punjab has replaced Kerala as the best in the composite educational development index (EDI), to be among the top three States. It is now ranked third, with Puducherry and Lakshadweep occupying the first two slots. The study, conducted in the 35 States and Union Territories by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration
39. Consider the following Statements regarding the 'Border Area Development Programme (BADP)' :
1.It covers 358 blocks of 96 border districts of 17 States located along the international land border.
2.The programme is a 100% centrally-sponsored scheme and funds provided to the States are 'non-lapsable'.
Which among the Statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[A]Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 and 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Home Minister P. Chidambaram has said over 500 new border out posts (BOPs) would be constructed along international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh to check infiltration and cross border movement of terrorists. Border Area Development Programme (BADP) covers 358 blocks of 96 border districts of 17 States located along the international land border. The programme is a 100 per cent Centrally-sponsored scheme. Funds are provided to the States as a non-lapsable special Central assistance for execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.
40. Which among the following Scientific Institutes of India has developed the technology to produce 'bio-hydrogen', which is a renewable energy source through wastewater and industrial effluents?
[A]Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)
[B]Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi
[C]The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
[D]Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC)
As the search for alternative energy sources continues world over due to depleting fossil fuel reserves, scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad have a developed a know how to produce bio-hydrogen, a renewable energy, through waste water and industrial effluents. By adopting a process called ‘dark fermentation’, the scientists have produced bio-hydrogen (hydrogen gas) using the carbon source available in the wastewater. Hydrogen gas has the potential for conversion to usable power with high efficiency without any pollution. It could be produced by different methods –thermo-chemical (pyrolysis), electro-chemical (electrolysis) and biological. The process basically involved conversion of the pollution load (COD-chemical oxygen demand) to produce bio-hydrogen. If 60 per cent of COD is removed, 40 per cent of that could be converted into bio-hydrogen.
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