Current Affairs SEPTEMBER 2020

Notes 107 Pages

Union Public Service Commission (Main)

Current Affairs

ODN

Contributed by

Omar Devendra Narayan

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MCQ 01.09.2020 TO 30.09.2020
1. With reference to the Jal Jeevan Mission, consider the following statements.
1. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) envisages supply of 100 litres of water per person per day to every
rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024.
2. Jal Jeevan Mission looks to create a jan andolan for water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is incorrect: Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) envisages supply of 55 litres of water per
person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC)
by 2024.
Statement 2 is correct: JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s
priority.

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● The Mission was announced in August 2019. The chief objective of the Mission is to provide piped
water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural households by 2024.
● It aims to create local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and
management of household waste water for reuse in agriculture.
● The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge,
desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability.
● The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to
achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1649990

2. Which of the following temple is found in Hampi?
A. Prasanna Virupaksha temple
B. Jagannath Temple
C. Lingaraja Temple
D. Brihadeeshvara Temple
Answer: A
Explanation:
● Option A is correct: This famous temple can be found in the UNESCO World Heritage temple
town of Hampi in Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an avatar of Lord Shiva,
and dates to the 7th century. One of its most significant elements is its nine-storey gopuram which
is nearly 165 feet in height. Steeped in a legacy of tradition and surrounded by relics from ancient
times, this temple is the jewel in one of India’s most significant historical crowns.
● Jagannath temple, Puri- One of the oldest temples on this list, Jagannath Puri dates to the 12th
century and is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Apart from being a spectacular architectural
edifice and one of the char dhams of Hindu religion, it is also famous for the elaborate rath yatra
it hosts every year.
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● Lingaraja Temple- Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar and one of
the most sizeable temples in town too. The temple’s main tower is 180 feet tall, and the origins of
this ancient Indian temple date back to the 700th century.
● Brihadeeshvara Temple, Thanjavur- Another temple that’s located in the south India state
of Tamil Nadu, Brihadeeshvara is an icon of the Chola Dynasty. This temple is ancient too,
built way back in the period spanning 1003-1010 AD. You will also find one of the largest
Shiva lingas in India within this temple.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1649971

3. With reference to GDP of India, consider the following statements?
1. The base year is 2011-12.
2. In India, GDP is calculated at factor cost.
3. Indian economy saw the steepest quarterly fall in GDP first time in four decades, post Covid
outbreak.
4. The Central Statistical Organisation calculates the GDP data in India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1 and 4 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: D
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: In January 2015, the government moved to a new base year of 2011-12
from the earlier base year of 2004-05
● Statement 2 is incorrect: In 2015, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) did away with GDP at
factor cost and adopted the international practice of GDP at market price and the Gross Value
Addition (GVA) measure to better estimate economic activity.
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● Statement 3 is correct: As India gradually becomes the global hotspot for COVID-19, the gross
domestic product for the first quarter ended June of FY 2020-21, released on Monday, 31 August,
dropped 23.9%, revealing the extent of damage the pandemic has caused to the country’s economy.
● Statement 4 is correct: India’s Central Statistical Office calculates the nation’s gross domestic
product (GDP).
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/indias-gdp-contracts-by-record-239-in-
q1/article32489345.ece

4. With reference to National Recruitment Agency, consider the following statements.
1. National Recruitment Agency is registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860.
2. The validity of scores will be for a three-year period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
● The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a National
Recruitment Agency (NRA). The proposed NRA will conduct a common preliminary examination
for various recruitments in the central government.
● Statement 1 is correct: National Recruitment Agency will be a Society registered under the
Societies Registration Act,1860.
● Statement 2 is correct: Scores after the exam will be generated quickly, delivered online and be
valid for a three-year period.
● Students can write the test multiple times as long as they are within the eligible age limit, with
their best score being taken into account.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1649986
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5. Which of the following is the world’s highest salt water lake
A. Mirpal Tso
B. Lake Rakshatal
C. Pangong Lake
D. Galwan Lake
Answer: C
Explanation
Situated at an altitude of almost 4,350m above sea level Pangong Lake is the world’s highest
saltwater lake. Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at an
elevation of 4,225 m (13,862 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from Ladakh, India to the
Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies within the
Tibetan Autonomous Region. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. All together it
covers 604 km2. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. It is not a
part of the Indus River basin area and geographically a separate landlocked river basin.
The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of
international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the
convention.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/thwarted-aggressive-moves-at-pangong-tso-by-china-
army/article32484526.ece

6. With reference to the Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) in electricity, consider the
following statements.
1. Sellers will be getting access state wise
2. Ministry of Power is the nodal Agency
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
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D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect: GTAM will benefit buyers of Renewable Energy through competitive
prices and transparent and flexible procurement.
• Sellers will also be benefitted by getting access to Pan India Market.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the implementing
Ministry
• The Government of India’s target of 175 GW RE Capacity by 2022 is driving accelerated
renewable penetration pan-India. Green Term Ahead Market contracts will allow additional
avenues to the RE generators for sale of renewable energy; enable Obligated entities to procure
renewable power at competitive prices to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO); and
provide a platform to environmentally conscious open access consumers and utilities to buy green
power.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650384

7. With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following
statements.
1. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a part of SCO
2. India and Pakistan became members in 2015.
3. It’s an Asian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security
and stability in the region.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Answer: A
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Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct:
• Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
1. Heads of State Council – The supreme SCO body which decides its internal functioning and its
interaction with other States & international organisations, and considers international issues.
2. Heads of Government Council – Approves the budget, considers and decides upon issues related
economic spheres of interaction within SCO.
3. Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Considers issues related to day-to-day activities.
4. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) – Established to combat terrorism, separatism and
extremism.
5. SCO Secretariat – Based in Beijing to provide informational, analytical & organisational support.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: India and Pakistan became members in 2017.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to
maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
• SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation created in 2001
• Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were
members of the Shanghai Five.
• Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks
which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.
• Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed
the SCO.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rajnath-singh-leaves-for-russia-to-attend-sco-
meet/article32502008.ece

8. Which of the following is India’s first Multi-Wavelength Space Observatory?
A. AstroSat
B. CartoSat
C. AGILE
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D. Chandra X-ray Observatory
Answer: A
Explanation:
• AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in
X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. The payloads cover the energy bands of
Ultraviolet (Near and Far), limited optical and X-ray regime (0.3 keV to 100keV). One of the
unique features of AstroSat mission is that it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength
observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.
• AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched on September 28, 2015 into a 650 km orbit
inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre,
Sriharikota. The minimum useful life of the AstroSat mission is expected to be 5 years.
• As a landmark achievement in Space missions, Indian Astronomers have discovered one of the
farthest Star galaxies in the universe.
• India’s first Multi-Wavelength Space Observatory "AstroSat" has detected extreme-UV light from
a galaxy located 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth. The galaxy called AUDFs01 was
discovered by a team of Astronomers led by Dr Kanak Saha from the Inter-University Centre for
Astronomy and Astrophysics(IUCAA) Pune.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650396

9. The term Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), sometimes seen in the news, is related to?
A. Recollected NPA’s
B. Mining Industry
C. Telecom Industry
D. Aviation Industry
Answer: C
Explanation:
• Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) is the usage and licensing fee that telecom operators are charged
by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
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• As per DoT, the charges are calculated based on all revenues earned by a telco – including non-
telecom related sources such as deposit interests and asset sales. Telcos, on their part, insist that
AGR should comprise only the revenues generated from telecom services.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/agr-dues-have-to-be-paid-in-toto-
sc/article32500549.ece

10. “Indra” is a bilateral exercise between
A. India and USA
B. India and France
C. India and Nepal
D. India and Russia
Answer: D
Explanation:
• Exercise INDRA , a joint, tri services exercise between India and Russia
• INDRA series of exercise began in 2003. It was conducted as a single service exercise alternately
between the two countries. However, the first joint Tri Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
• Amid high operational alert by the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) due to the
ongoing standoff with China in Ladakh, India and Russia are scheduled to hold the bilateral naval
exercise, Indra 2020, in the Andaman Sea, close to the strategic Strait of Malacca later this week.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-russia-to-hold-naval-drills-in-andaman-
sea/article32496756.ece

11. Consider the following statements about Question Hour
1. A starred question is distinguished by an asterisk and needs a written answer.
2. Question Hour is not mentioned in the rules of procedure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
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C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Explanation:
• The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for this. During this time, the members ask
questions and the ministers usually give answers. The questions are of three kinds, namely, starred,
unstarred and short notice.
• Statement 1 is incorrect: A starred question (distinguished by an asterisk) requires an oral
answer and hence supplementary questions can follow.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Question Hour is mentioned in the rules of procedure unlike Zero
Hour
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-secretariat-releases-schedule-for-
parliaments-monsoon-session/article32502425.ece

12. Consider the following statements about The Merchandise Exports From India Scheme
(MEIS).
1. MEIS schemes are applicable to SEZ units.
2. The rewards are given by way of duty credit scrips to exporters
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct: SEIS and MEIS schemes are applicable to SEZ units.
• Statement 2 is correct: The MEIS was launched as an incentive scheme for the export of goods.
The rewards are given by way of duty credit scrips to exporters.
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Current Affairs SEPTEMBER 2020

Current Affairs SEPTEMBER 2020

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