INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (11 January 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Kerala High Court has held that the right to have access to the Internet is part of the fundamental right to education as well as the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Right to internet is a fundamental right (subject to reasonable restrictions) included in the freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/sc-verdict-on-internet-shutdowns/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Shreya Singhal case (2015) on the issue of online speech and intermediary liability in India.
• The Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, relating to restrictions on online speech, as unconstitutional on grounds of violating the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
• Right to internet is a fundamental right (subject to reasonable restrictions) included in the freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/sc-verdict-on-internet-shutdowns/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• India is one of the world’s top geopolitical risks for 2020. It is the 5th highest geopolitical risk.
• A weakened economy will in turn feed further economic nationalism and protectionism, weighing on India’s troubled course in 2020.
• The Shia world may rise creating greater regional instability.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/top-risks-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI in 2008 that regulates the prevention of air pollution from ships and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances such as sulphur oxides and nitrous oxides.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/open-loop-scrubber-usage-in-ships/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal first came into force in 1992. The Convention puts an onus on exporting countries to ensure that hazardous wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner in the country of import.
• As at December 2002, ten parties had ratified the Waigani Convention. The main effect of this Convention is to ban the import of all hazardous and radioactive wastes into South Pacific Forum Island Countries.
• The Rotterdam Convention is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/open-loop-scrubber-usage-in-ships/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Union Government today released the State Energy Efficiency Index 2019, which tracks the progress of Energy Efficiency initiatives in 36 States and Union Territories.
• The index is developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency in association with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy.
• It will help states to contribute towards national goals on energy security and climate action by helping drive Energy Efficiency policies and programmme implementation at the state and local level.
• Haryana, Karnataka and Kerala have topped the State Energy Efficiency Index 2019.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/state-energy-efficiency-index-2019/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre: It will be set up under the newly created Cyber and Information Security (CIS) division of the MHA.
• The I4C will assist in centralising cyber security investigations, prioritise the development of response tools and bring together private companies to contain the menace.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/cyber-crime-coordination-centre/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Chinese paddlefish – Extinct
• Humpback mahseer – Critically Endangered
• Pondicherry Shark – Critically Endangered

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/11/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-11-january-2020/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty):

• It is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation with the formal name of Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
• Signed on 8 April 2010 in Prague, and, after ratification entered into force on 5 February 2011.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/12/02/new-start-strategic-arms-reduction-treaty-2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Operation Polo – code name of Hyderabad police action in 1948, by the independent India against the Hyderabad state.
• Operation Meghdoot – Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was the first assault launched in the highest battlefield in the world (Siachin).
• Operation Rahat – an operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Yemen during the 2015 military intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies in that country during the Yemeni Crisis.
• Operation Samudra Maitri – the relief effort launched by India to assist the victims of the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.