Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams - 21 May 2020

Q1. Recently scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram, have decided to conserve the germplasm (genetic material of germ cells) of Pinanga Andamanensis. Which of the following statements regarding the same stands true ?

1) Pinanga andamanensis is an IUCN critically endangered species and one of the least known among the endemic palms of the Andaman Islands.
2) Its entire population of some 600 specimens naturally occurs only in a tiny, evergreen forest pocket in South Andaman’s Mount Harriet National Park.
3) This elegant palm can be used as an avenue tree for gardens, pavements and homesteads and is similar to the areca palm.

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) all of the above

Q2. Consider the following pairs of ancient temples in India and their corresponding location states ?

1) Kedarnath temple : Himachal pradesh
2) Mundeshwari devi temple : Karnataka
3) Kailashnath temple : Maharashtra
4) Khajuraho temples : Madhya Pradesh
5) Konark sun temple : Odisha

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched ?
a) 1,2 & 3 only
b) 3,4 & 5 only
c) 1,3 & 5 only
d) all the above

Q3. With respect to wetland conservation strategy in India,which of the following statement stands true ?

1) India has over 7 lakh wetlands, covering 4.5% of the country’s area and all of the wetlands have been notified under domestic laws.
2) As per the Wetlands Rules, the Wetlands Authority within a state is the nodal authority for all wetland-specific authorities in a state/UT.
3) Setting up any industry and expansion of existing industries and dumping solid waste or discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries and any human settlements are prohibited under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2019.

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) all of the above

Q4. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) has been formulated as a specific response to the unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19 and the consequent lockdown, which has severely impacted manufacturing and other activities in the MSME sector. Which of the following statements regarding the scheme stands true ?

1) Under the scheme, all MSME borrower accounts with outstanding credit of up to Rs. 25 crore as on February month and with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 100 crore would be eligible for Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) funding.
2) By supporting MSMEs to continue functioning during the current unprecedented situation, the scheme is also expected to have a positive impact on the economy and support its revival.
3) According to the revised definition of MSME’s, any firm with investment up to Rs 1 crore and turnover under Rs 5 crore will be classified as “medium”.

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) all of the above

Q5. The “Oslo peace accord” (recently in news) formally known as the Declaration of Principles (DOP) is associated with which of the following countries ?

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