IAS Preparation Questions for Prelims: 23 March 2018
Current affairs play a key role in deciding level of questions asked in the IAS Prelims Exam and hence current affairs for IAS Prelims should be prepared thoroughly by practising as many MCQs as possible. Here, we provide Current Affair quiz based on the latest events of March 2018 for IAS Prelims Exam 2018.
1. Recently, the Union Cabinet has apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in Renewable Energy between India and Guyana. Consider the following statements regarding this:
1. Both sides aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity.
2. The MoU envisages establishing a Joint Working Committee to review, monitor and discuss matters relating to areas of cooperation.
3. The MoU aims for the exchange of expertise and networking of information.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2
c. 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in Renewable Energy between India and Guyana. The MoU was signed on 30th January 2018 in New Delhi by the Minister of State (IC) for Power and New and Renewable Energy (NRE) and 2nd Vice President and the Foreign Minister of the Co-operative, Guyana.
Both sides aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. The MoU envisages establishing a Joint Working Committee to review, monitor and discuss matters relating to areas of cooperation. The MoU aims for the exchange of expertise and networking of information.
The Memorandum of Understanding will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
2. Secure Hash Algorithm is related which of the following given below?
a. Psychological Profiling
b. Cryptocurrency
c. Space Technology
d. None of the above
Answer: b
Explanation:
A secure hash algorithm is actually a set of algorithms developed by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other government and private parties.
These secure encryption or "file check" functions have arisen to meet some of the top cybersecurity challenges of the 21st century, as a number of public service groups work with federal government agencies to provide better online security standards for organizations and the public.
In cryptography, SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1) is a cryptographic hash function which takes an input and produces a 160-bit (20-byte) hash value known as a message digest - typically rendered as a hexadecimal number, 40 digits long.
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3. Recently, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for moving official amendments in the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016". Consider the following statements regarding this:
1. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 proposes to regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and, State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the States and Union Territories.
2. Once in effect, the Act will regulate the surrogacy services in the country and will control the unethical practices in surrogacy, prevent commercialisation of surrogacy and will prohibit potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for moving official amendments in the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016". The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 proposes to regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and, State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the States and Union Territories.
The proposed legislation ensures effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples.
Once the Bill is enacted by the Parliament, the National Surrogacy Board will be constituted. The States and Union Territories shall constitute the State Surrogacy Board and State Appropriate Authorities within three months of the notification by the Central Government.
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4. Consider the following statements regarding the performance of Remote Sensing Satellites:
1. These satellites are being utilised to their capacity to meet the requirements of resource monitoring, infrastructure planning, enabling weather forecasting, disaster management support including a host of societal applications.
2. The services derived from these satellites are being used by various Ministries/Departments in agriculture, water resources, forest and environment, urban and rural development, ocean and meteorology.
3. Indian Remote Sensing satellites are meant for revenue generation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2
c. 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b
Explanation:
At present, there are 19 Remote Sensing satellites (including Meteorological satellites) operational in orbit. These satellites are being utilised to their capacity to meet the requirements of resource monitoring, infrastructure planning, enabling weather forecasting, disaster management support including a host of societal applications.
The services derived from these satellites are being used by various Ministries/Departments in agriculture, water resources, forest and environment, urban and rural development, ocean and meteorology.
Indian Remote Sensing satellites are meant for meeting national needs for public good services. These satellites are not meant for revenue generation. The benefits are accrued through applications derived from these satellites.
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5. Recently, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for revision of the Agreement between India and Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. Consider the following statements regarding this:
1. The revised DTAA updates the provisions for exchange of information to the latest standard includes Limitation of Benefits provision to prevent treaty shopping and aligns other provisions with India's recent treaties.
2. The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Qatar was signed on 7th April 1999 and came into force on 15th January 2000.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for revision of the Agreement between India and Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Qatar was signed on 7th April 1999 and came into force on 15th January 2000.The revised DTAA updates the provisions for exchange of information to the latest standard includes Limitation of Benefits provision to prevent treaty shopping and aligns other provisions with India's recent treaties. The revised DTAA meets the minimum standards on treaty abuse under Action 6 and Mutual Agreement Procedure under Action 14 of G-20 OECD Base Erosion & Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project, in which India participated on an equal footing.
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