Planet X

1. Which of the following is/are correct regarding 'Planet X'?
   1. It is claimed to be the tenth planet in our solar system.
   2. The planet is yet to be spotted.
   3. As claimed by the scientists, it is roughly the size of planet Neptune, gaseous in nature and 10 times the mass of planet Earth.
   4. Only b and c are correct.
       
2. As per the International Astronomical Unit (IAU), which of the following is not the set criterion for being a full-size planet?
   1. It is in orbit around the sun.
   2. It has a sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium in order to become round in force of its own gravity.
   3. It has an atmosphere of gases.
   4. It has 'cleared the neighbourhood' around its orbit – It has no other body of comparable size other than its own satellite under its gravitational influence.

Answer:

1. d, It is claimed to be the ninth planet in our solar system
2. c

Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GCTOC) Bill, 2015

1. Recently, the President of India has returned the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GCTOC) Bill, 2015 due to some contentious provisions included in the bill. Which of the following were those contentious provisions?
   1. Custody for 3 months without framing charges.
   2. Confession before the police officers to be admissible in the court as evidence.
   3. Interception of telephone calls and using the information as evidence.
   4. Power to the police for attachment and forfeiture of property of a member of an organised crime syndicate.
   5. Use of word 'terrorism' as terrorism is a central subject. 

1. All of the above are correct.
2. Only ii, iii, iv and v are correct.
3. Only i, ii, iii and iv are correct.
4. Only i, ii, iv and v are correct.

Answer:

b, Bill provides for custody for 6 months or 180 days without framing charges.

Reference:

1. http://www.ndtv.com/cheat-sheet/gujarats-controversial-anti-terror-bill-withdrawn-by-home-ministry-10-developments-1271128
2. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gujarat-may-dilute-antiterror-bill-to-get-assent/article8172718.ece
    

IMF's 14th Quota Reforms and Board Reform Amendment

1. Which of the following is not the implication of the IMF Quota Reforms ,on India?
   1. India's vote share has gone upto 2.69% from the current 2.34%.
   2. India along with Brazil, China and Russia (BRIC) are now among 10 largest members of the IMF.
   3. India is now the sixth-largest shareholder in the multilateral agency.
   4. India’s quota share at IMF has now increased to 2.75% from 2.44%.
       
2. The recent quota and board reforms by IMF has/have resulted in:
   1. Shifting of more than 6 per cent of quota shares to dynamic emerging markets and developing countries.
   2. Increasing the financial strength of the IMF, by doubling its permanent capital resources to SDR 477 billion from about SDR 238.5 billion.
   3. Doing away with the category of appointed Executive Directors and shifting to the board consisting entirely of elected Executive Directors.
   4. All of the above.
       
3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Special Drawing Rights (SDR)?
   1. These are the international reserve of assets under the IMF, from which it lends to countries in times of financial crisis.
   2. Its value is currently based on a basket of four major currencies i.e. U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and pound sterling.
   3. Both a and b are correct.
   4. Neither a nor b is correct.
       

Answers:

1. c, India is now the eighth-largest shareholder in the multilateral agency
2. d,
3. c,Chinese Renminbi (RMB) has been added as the fifth currency with effect from 1^st October 2016.

References

1. Hindu Business Line Link:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/imf-quota-reform-marks-a-shift-to-emerging-economies/article8163764.ece
2. Livemint Link: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/qn4sXIEWR4wAVuXAS3naTI/India-gets-more-voting-rights-after-IMF-implements-quota-ref.html
3. IMF Link for SDR : http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2016/pol012716b.htm

Measures taken by the Government of India for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

1. Which one of the following statements is incorrect regarding Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan?
   1. The campaign has been formulated by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development.
   2. The nation wide campaign aims at achieving universal accessibility for Person with Disabilities (PwDs).
   3. The campaign targets 3 separate verticals namely built-up environment, transportation eco-system and information & communication eco-system.
   4. Govt. of India has also developed a mobile application for crowd sourcing information on inaccessible places across the country.
       
2. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding The Persons with Disability Act, 1995?
   1. A PwD means a person suffering from not less than 40% of any disability as certified by a medical authority.
   2. It extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
   3. At least 5% of vacancies in every government establishment are to be reserved for persons with disabilities.
   4. Only a and b are correct.
       
3. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2013 by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Which of the following is not the provision of the bill?
   1. At least 5% of the vacancies are to be filled by persons or class of persons with at least 40 percent of any of the disabilities.
   2. If a district court finds that a mentally ill person is not capable of taking care of him or of taking legally binding decisions, it may order guardianship to the person.
   3. The central government and state governments shall constitute Central and State Advisory Boards on Disability.
   4. The Bill however doesn't provide for the access to inclusive education, vocational training and self-employment of disabled persons.

Answers

1. a, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
2. d, At least 3% of vacancies in every government establishment are to be reserved for persons with disabilities
3. d

References:

1. YouTube Link : https://youtu.be/7WSEzeCBt2A (Accessible India Campaign)
2. PIB Link : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=126123 (Accessible India Campaign)
3. PRS Link : http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-right-of-persons-with-disabilities-bill-2014-3122/ (The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014)

Objective Questions Set-6

1. What is 'Bharat Rang Mahotsav'?
   1. Tribal dance festival organised by Ministry of Culture.
   2. Theatre festival organised by National School of Drama (NSD)
   3. Folk music festival organised by Sahitya Kala Academy.
   4. Tribal cultural festival organised by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
       
2. 'Bharat Parv', a cultural extravaganza at the Red Fort, Delhi, has been organised by which Indian ministry?
   1. Ministry of Tourism
   2. Ministry of Culture
   3. Ministry of Urban Development
   4. Ministry of Environment and Forest
       
3. Which state in India has recently (January 2016) allowed felling of coconut trees without permission?
   1. Tamil Nadu
   2. Karnataka
   3. Kerala
   4. Goa

Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. d

International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) -2015

1. Which one of these nations is least corrupt as per the CPI Index-2015?
   1. Denmark
   2. Norway
   3. Spain
   4. France
       
2. Which of these nations is/are the most corrupt as per the CPI Index-2015?
   1. India
   2. North Korea
   3. Somalia
   4. Both b and c
       
3. Which of the following is/are correct regarding the CPI Index?
   1. It is published annually by the Transparency International.
   2. It defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private benefit"
   3. It ranks countries on the scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt)
   4. All are correct
       
4. Which one of the following is incorrect regarding the Transparency International?
   1. It is a United Nations (UN) body that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development.
   2. The headquarter of TI is located in Berlin, Germany.
   3. It publishes an annual Global Corruption Barometer, Corruption Perception Index and Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index.
   4. Transparency International India (TII) is an Indian arm of Transparency International that seek to promote transparent and ethical governance in India.
       
5. Consider the following statements and mark the incorrect option regarding India's ranking on CPI Index-2015?
   1. India ranks 76^th out of 177 nations.
   2. With a score of 38, India faces a 'serious corruption problem'.
   3. As compare to past year, the position of India has worsened.
   4. All the BRICS nations face a 'serious corruption problem'.
       

Answers:

1. a
2. d
3. d
4. a, It is an International NGO
5. c, improved, last year's rank was 85