#1. Which of the following companies is planning to launch the cryptocurrency Libra?Answer: (b) Facebook has announced the launch of a new cryptocurrency that will be rolled out by 2020. A dedicated wallet app called Calibra, has also been announced for Libra, which will be built into WhatsApp and Messenger as well, to let users store and use Libra coins. The values of most cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, tend to fluctuate against real currencies. However, Libra will be backed by a reserve of assets designed to give it intrinsic value and ensure stability. These assets include securities, fiat currencies (like dollar, pound) and short-term government securities in currencies from stable and reputable central banks. Libra is planned as a global currency for use anywhere in the world without transaction fees. #2. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana consider the following statements - 1. Under PMAY Grameen, the beneficiary is entitled to 180 days of unskilled labour from MGNREG 2. The Urban component of PMAY was launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. 3. PMAY Grameen is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development - Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Answer: (a) PMAY was launched in June 2015. It envisages building affordable pucca houses with water facility, sanitation and electricity supply round-the-clock. The programme has two verticals o Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Grameen o Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban The program duration is 7 years from 2015 to 2022 PMAY Grameen is implemented under the Ministry of Rural Development Under PMAY Grameen, the beneficiary is entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA. PMAY was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA). #3. Consider the following statements. 1. Only parliament has the power to make changes in the Scheduled Caste list. 2. No prior recommendation of the President is required to make any changes in the list of Scheduled Castes. 3. At present, India has no National Policy on Tribals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Answer (d) Parliament alone is vested with the power to include or exclude any entry in the SC list under Article 341 of the Constitution. Also, shifting of one category to another caste category is the right of parliament. No prior recommendation of the President is required to make any changes in the list of Scheduled Caste. At present, India has no National Policy on Tribals. Ministry of Tribal Affairs had prepared a draft National Tribal Policy in 2006. This became out of context in view of certain legislative and policy changes and these necessitated a further revision of the draft policy. Meanwhile, a High-Level Committee (HLC) recommended 108 changes cutting across various Central Ministries/Departments as well as State Governments. The recommendations of the HLC are under consideration of the Government. Recently, Uttar Pradesh included 17 OBCs or Other Backward Classes in the list of Scheduled Castes. This move was called unconstitutional by the Union government. #4. Consider the following statements regarding European Commission (EC): 1. It is the both executive and legislative branch of the European Union. 2. The EC also has legislative functions and judicial functions. Which of the above statements is/are Incorrect?Answer (a)
About EC It is an institution of the European Union (EU) and its constituent entities that makes up the organization’s executive arm. It is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. It also has legislative functions, such as proposing new laws for the European Parliament, and judicial functions, such as finding legal solutions to business and trade issues between countries within the EU. Because of its responsibility to represent the European interest and enforce the treaties and legislation that provide the legal foundation for the EU and communities, the EC is known as the guardian of the treaties. #5. What is common to the terms ‘Surveyor 1’, ‘Hiten’, ‘Chang’e 1’, and ‘Beresheet’?b) Recently, India successfully launched Chandrayaan-2. 2019 also marks the 50th year of the launch of Nasa’s Apollo-11, the mission that took US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to Moon. ‘Surveyor 1’, ‘Hiten’, ‘Chang’e 1’, and ‘Beresheet’ were lunar missions launched by different countries. Surveyor 1 (1966) was the first US mission to land on the moon and send photo from the lunar surface. Hiten (1990) was the first Japanese as well as Asia’s first lunar mission. Chang’e 1(2007) was the first Chinese lunar mission and Beresheet (2019) was Israel’s first moon module to reach lunar orbit. |
