22 September 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Cyber Crime Volunteers Programme:

1. Cyber Crime Volunteers Programme aims to allow citizens to register themselves as Cyber Crime Volunteers in the role of Unlawful Content Flaggers.
2. This is the first time state-sponsored lateral surveillance has been implemented in India.
3. The programme will help law enforcement agencies in identifying, reporting and in the removal of illegal/unlawful online content.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

B – Explanation

• As per the official website of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, the programme will help law enforcement agencies in identifying, reporting and in the removal of illegal/unlawful online content. Hence statement 3 is correct.This form of surveillance, which enables citizens to “watch over” one another is called lateral surveillance. Hence statement 1 is correct.This is not the first time state-sponsored lateral surveillance has been implemented in India. For example, the C-Plan App in Uttar Pradesh launched for keeping a tab on anti-social elements, is designed to receive inputs from certain identified individuals in villages across the State. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q2. The twinkling of a star is due to?

1. Oscillation of starlight
2. Atmospheric reflection of starlight
3. Atmospheric refraction of starlight
4. Change in the position of the star

C : Explanation

• The twinkling of a star is due to atmospheric refraction of starlight. The starlight, on entering the earth’s atmosphere, undergoes refraction continuously before it reaches the earth. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to National Investigation Agency (NIA):

NIA has the power to investigate scheduled offenses committed outside IndiaNIA can investigate terror cases across the country without having to get permission from the states.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

C : Explanation

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a central counter-terrorism agency functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.NIA can Investigate professionally the scheduled offences utilising the latest scientific methods. NIA (Amendment) Act 2019 expands the jurisdiction of the NIA. Now, it has the authority to investigate offences that are committed outside Indian territory subject to international treaties and domestic laws of other nations. Hence statement 1 is correct.The NIA is the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency in the country. It was created in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attack the same year. The NIA can investigate terror cases across the country without having to get permission from the states. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q4. The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Pavement Dwellers in which amongst the following cases?

1. C. Mehta v. Union of India
2. Olga Tellis & Ors v Bombay Municipal Council
3. Samatha vs State Of Andhra Pradesh
4. SP Mittal v. Union of India

B – Explanation

• In Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation, the state of Maharashtra in 1981 and the Bombay Municipal Corporation decided to evict the pavement dwellers and those who were residing in slums in Bombay.The petitioners consisted mostly of slum dwellers, pavement dwellers and some socially conscientious journalists. The pavement dwellers had come to the city for purposes of employment in various industries and had settled down on roads and pavements which gave them proximity to their places of work.Observations of the Court: There can be no depreciation of the Constitution or renunciation of fundamental rights.Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q5. Consider the following pairs:

   Dispute                              Countries Involved

1. Aegean                                     Greece and Turkey
2. Chagos Islands                Mauritius and United Kingdom
3. Falkland Islands                   Argentina and France

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

A : Explanation

• The Aegean disputeis a set of interrelated controversies between Greece and Turkey over sovereignty and related rights in the region of the Aegean Sea. Hence Pair 1 is correctly matched.Mauritius and the United Kingdom are disputing sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius has stated that the Chagos Archipelago is part of its territory on numerous occasions. Hence Pair 2 is correctly matched.The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean with a sparse population, are still the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina. Hence Pair 3 is not correctly matched.

Q6. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Humpbacked Mahseer?

It is found only in the Cauvery river basinIts IUCN status is Critically Endangered

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

C : Explanation

• Hump-backed Mahseer, also known as the water tiger, is a large freshwater fish found only in the Cauvery river basin.The humpback is Critically Endangeredas per the IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature’s) Red List.Hence all the statements are correct.

Q7.  “Stronium” Recently seen in news is a:

1. Cyber Espionage Group
2. Malware
3. Spyware
4. Private search engine

A : Explanation

• Strontium, also known as Fancy Bear, is a highly active cyber-espionage group.The group is said to be connected to the Russian Armed Forces’ main military intelligence wing. The group deploys diverse malware and malicious tools to breach networks and track the system.Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q8. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

  Publications                                                 International Organisations

1. 1. World Economic Outlook:                                         World Bank
   2. Global Financial System Report:             International Monetary Fund
   3. World Investment Report:             United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
   4. Global Corruption Report:                            World Economic Forum
2. 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. 3 and 4 only
5. 3 only

D : Explanation

• The World Economic Outlook report is released by theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF).The IMF recently published the Global Financial Stability Report that details a great deal involving the state of the global economy.The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development releasess World Investment Report.The Global Corruption Report is one of Transparency International’s flagship publications.Hence only pair 3 is correct.

Q9. Considered India’s first feminist writer, she actively campaigned for the rights of  women?

1. She was among the founding members of the Satyashodak Samaj.
2. She is most known for her  passionate pamphlets, the first of which was called “Stri Purush Tulana”.

The famous personality being talked about in the given passage is:

1. Pandita Ramabai
2. Tarabai Shinde
3. Sagunabai Kshirsagar
4. Mukta Salve

B – Explanation

• Tarabai Shinde questioned the male-dominated social system and the caste system in India. In 1882, she published a book titled ‘Stripurush Tulana’, which is considered as the first feminist book in India. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q10. The Ratle and Kwar Hydroelectric projects are being constructed on:

1. River Jhelum
2. River Chenab
3. River Sutlej
4. River Ravi

B – Explanation

• Recently, the Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stones for the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project & 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project to be constructed on the Chenab river in Kishtwar District. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.