Current Affairs Quiz- 60 (3/3/2016)

1. 1. Question

   2 points
   VPM1002 is

   •  a) An ISRO-designed Microgravity Fluid-Shift Receptor used by NASA on its long-duration space flight study
   •  b) A drug derived from the Himalayan Gentiana flower for cancer treatment
   •  c) A Tuberculosis Vaccine
   •  d) The European Union’s Earth Observer Satellite
   Solution: c.

   “For more than 90 years, scientists have been working on an improved vaccine against TB. The only one available — Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) — was developed in the early 20th century. It is the only licensed one, is inexpensive, and requires only one contact with health services. However, standard BCG, while protecting children in most cases against the disease, loses its effectiveness in young people and adults, and has not contributed to reduce the global incidence of TB. Increasing rates of drug-resistant TB now require an effective vaccination strategy.”

   “Prof Stefan H E Kaufmann, who heads the team that developed the vaccine, told that they have exchanged a gene in the existing BCG vaccine, thus improving its immunogenicity (that is, providing a stronger defence response).”

   http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/a-new-tb-vaccine-is-in-the-works-and-heres-why-india-is-excited/

2. 2. Question

   2 points
   Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

   1. In Indian art and architecture, both types of caves – man-made and natural – are found
   2. In Buddhist architecture, ‘vihara’ is a prayer hall while ‘chaitya’ is a monastery

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: b.

   http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/kondane-cave-art-depicts-myth-and-daily-life/article8306081.ece

3. 3. Question

   2 points
   Which of the following statements with regard to the ‘36^th International Geological Congress (IGC)’ is/are correct?

   1. This will be the first time that India hosts the IGC
   2. It will be hosted jointly by the Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Earth Sciences
   3. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be co-hosts

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 and 3 Only
   •  c) 1 and 3 Only
   •  d) 1, 2 and 3
   Solution: b.

   “The IGC is a prestigious geoscience conference organized at an interval of 4 years under the aegis of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) an affiliate of International Council of Science (ICSU).”

   “India successfully made a bid to host the 36th IGC in India along with its co-host neighboring countries, namely, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India had earlier hosted the 22nd session of IGC, which was the first IGC in Asia, in year1964 in Delhi. The event will showcase India as a scientific destination for human resource development and training, and this will help improve Indian position in the South Asian and African regions on a long term basis. It will also contribute towards increasing tourism revenue by opening new avenues for geo-tourism.”

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137230

4. 4. Question

   2 points
   The Government of India (GoI) has NOT recently signed, with which of the following countries, agreements in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy?

   •  a) Government of Australia
   •  b) Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
   •  c) Government of Japan
   •  d) None of the above
   Incorrect 
   

   Solution: c.

   India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan on peaceful use of civil nuclear energy, not an agreement. A MoU is a precursor to an agreement.

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137180

5. 5. Question

   2 points
   With reference to the Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) operations under the Civil Aviation sector in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

   1. About 90 per cent of MRO operation expenses of Indian carriers is currently spent outside India
   2. The tools and tool-kits used by the MRO operations have recently been exempted from Customs and Excise duty

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: c.

   You don’t have to know the nitty-gritties of budget allocations. The basic idea of this question is to know that much of the MRO business of Indian carriers is going abroad, a situation for which the Indian government is taking steps to change. And as seen in the statement of the Civil Aviation Minister, “the Budget 2016-17 has paved the way for developing India as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) hub of Asia. The budget has made provisions for incentivising domestic value addition to help Make in India.”

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137188

6. 6. Question

   2 points
   The ‘Setubharatam’ project will

   •  a) make all National Highways railway-crossings free
   •  b) build bridges with hitherto unconnected-by-road villages
   •  c) develop the ‘Ram Setu’ as a cultural heritage project
   •  d) improve air-connectivity between India and nations in the Indian Ocean-littoral nations
   Solution: a.

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137187

7. 7. Question

   2 points
   Economic Relief in India is being provided to certain industries in order to achieve which of the following objectives?

   1. Promoting social equity
   2. Provide a level playing field for Indian exports in the international markets
   3. Encourage savings and capital investment in the economy
   4. Promoting industry and commerce in certain backward areas

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1,2 and 3 Only
   •  b) 1 and 3 Only
   •  c) 2 and 4 Only
   •  d) 1,2,3 and 4
   Solution: d.

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137219