INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (25 DECEMBER 2019) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Swadesh Darshan scheme

• Tourism Ministry launched the scheme in 2015.
• 100% centrally funded for the project components undertaken for public funding.
• To leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and corporate sector.
• Under the Scheme 15 circuits have been identified for development namely Himalayan Circuit, North East Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit and Sufi Circuit.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/25/swadesh-darshan-scheme-5/

Ans: (a)

Explanation: About Universal Postal Union (UPU):

• A specialized agency of United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to worldwide postal system.
• Established in 1874 and is second oldest international organization worldwide after International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which was established in 1865.
• Headquartered in Berne, Switzerland.
• Has 192 member countries.
• It is primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players among member countries.
• UPU has four units: the Congress, the Council of Administration, the International Bureau, and the Postal Operations Council.
• Regulates40 lakh postal outlets worldwide.
• India joined the UPU on July 1, 1876 and Pakistan on November 10, 1947.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/25/universal-postal-union-upu-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About Atal Bhujal Yojana:

• It is a Rs.6000 crore World Bank approved Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.
• Aims to improve ground water management in priority areas in the country through community participation.
• The priority areas identified under the scheme fall in the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/25/atal-bhujal-yojana-ajy/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Chief of Defence Staff

• “He will act as the Principal Military Adviser to Defence Minister on all tri-Services matters. However, the three Chiefs will continue to advise the Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective Services, the statement said, adding that the CDS would not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership.
• In his capacity as the Permanent Chairman, COSC (Chiefs of Staff Committee), the CDS would administer tri-Services organisations, agencies and commands related to Cyber and Space. The CDS will also be a member of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Defence Minister and Defence Planning Committee chaired by the NSA. In the strategic domain, the CDS would function as the “Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority” chaired by the Prime Minister

.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/25/chief-of-defence-staff/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) has been constituted under Section 171 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to ensure that the reduction in rate of tax or the benefit of input tax credit is passed on to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices. Further, the following steps have been taken by the NAA to ensure that customers get the full benefit of tax cuts:
  • Holding regular meetings with the Zonal Screening Committees and the Chief Commissioners of Central Tax to stress upon consumer awareness programmes;
  • Launching a helpline to resolve the queries of citizens regarding registration of complaints against profiteering.
  • Receiving complaints through email and NAA portal.
  • Working with consumer welfare organizations in order to facilitate outreach activities.
• It falls under the aeges of Ministry of Finance
• NAA comprises of Chairman, four Technical members, a Standing Committee, Screening Committees in every State and the Directorate General of Safeguards in the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).
• The orders of the NAA can be appealed against only in the high court.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/01/09/national-anti-profiteering-authority-naa/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in Telangana state of India. Govt of India declared Kawal wildlife sanctuary as Tiger Reserve in 2012. The reserve is the oldest sanctuary in the northern Telangana region of the state.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Saptamatrika, (Sanskrit: “Seven Mothers”) in Hinduism, a group of seven mother-goddesses, each of whom is the shakti, or female counterpart, of a god

Ans: (a)

Explanation: India has slipped to the 112th spot from its 108th position in 2018 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2020, which covered 153 economies.

• According to the report, Nordic countries continue to lead the way to gender parity
• India ranked 18th in political empowerment and 4th in the number of years a female or a male ruled a state

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The newly-formed Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth (CCIG) held its first meeting on Monday as the government looks to boost spending to bring back a sputtering economy on track. Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the CCIG.

Ans: (d)

Explanation

• Vaikom was then in the princely state of Travancore. The four streets surrounding the temple of the presiding deity, Lord Mahadeva, were out of bounds for Ezhavas and other castes counted as ritually lower.
• In 1924, a satyagraha was launched against this injustice by T.K. Madhavan. It lasted for 18 months.
• In the initial stages, K.P. Kesava Menon and George Joseph led the struggle. Other prominent figures included Kurur Neelakanthan Namboodiri and Mannathu Padmanabhan.
• Towards the end, M.K. Gandhi reached Vaikom and gave it the finishing flourish.

Refer: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/periyar-the-hero-of-vaikom/article30383014.ece