Current affairs should be organised keeping in mind the syllabus of UPSC IAS prelims and mains. UPSC IAS prelims preparation requires a deep consolidation and fundamental knowledge of the current happenings.
Current affair is the most dynamic and challenging portion of the IAS Prelims preparation which should be studied in depth. For anyone who is starting his/her preparation, current affairs should be given priority.
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We will continue to provide the current affairs questions for IAS Prelims 2017 to help you gain a better perception of how questions can be asked in the examination.
1. According to an analysis by Greenpeace India, pollution levels in various cities across the country are alarming. Consider the following statements regarding Greenpeace India:
1) Greenpeace India focuses its campaigning only on climate change issues.
2) Greenpeace India set up 100 kW solar-based microgrid in Dharnai, Bihar.
3) Dharnai is India's first fully solar-powered village.
Choose the correct statement:
a. Only 1
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 3
d. 1 and 2
Answer: b
Explanation:
In 2014, Greenpeace India set up 100 kW solar-based microgrid in Dharnai, Bihar costing, that provides 24×7 electricity to 450 homes and 50 commercial operations. Dharnai is India's first fully solar-powered village.
Greenpeace India is the Indian branch of the global environmental group Greenpeace, a non-profit NGO, with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
The Indian operations run four broad campaigns namely, stop climate change, sustainable agriculture, preserving the oceans and preventing another nuclear catastrophe.
According to the organization, they do not accept money from governments, intergovernmental organizations, political parties or corporations in order to avoid their influence.
10 Important Topics asked every year in IAS Exam
2. Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2017 has launched the first index focused on cities. Which is the only Indian city to appear in the Global Cities Talent Competitiveness Index (GCTCI)?
a. New Delhi
b. Kolkata
c. Mumbai
d. Chennai
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) is an annual benchmarking report that measures the ability of countries to compete for talent. The report ranks 118 countries according to their ability to grow, attract and retain talent.
The GTCI combines the academic research and expertise of INSEAD and Singapore’s Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) with the business experience and perspective of The Adecco Group.
The 2017 GTCI study focuses on how technology is affecting talent competitiveness and the nature of work, exploring both significant challenges and opportunities, and important shifts away from traditional working approaches.
In addition, 2017 has also seen the launch of the first index focused on cities: the Global Cities Talent Competitiveness Index (GCTCI). GTCI has continually shown that successful talent competitiveness is higher where there are strong ecosystems, like cities and regions. This first edition features 46 cities and explores the factors that contribute to turning cities into talent magnets.
Current Affairs Quiz for January 2017 Questions VI
3. The National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre to test cosmetic products containing Microbeads
1) Microbeads are most frequently made of polyethylene.
2) Microbeads are added as an exfoliating agent to cosmetics and personal care products.
3) They have high melting temperature and fast phase transitions
Choose the correct statement:
a. Only 1
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 3
d. 1 and 2
Answer: d
Explanation:
Microbeads are manufactured solid plastic particles of less than five millimetres in their largest dimension. Their low melting temperature and fast phase transitions make them especially suitable for creating porous structures in ceramics and other materials.
They are most frequently made of polyethylene or other petrochemical plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene. Microbeads are washed down the drain, can pass unfiltered through the sewage treatment plants and make their way into rivers and canals, resulting in plastic particle water pollution.
Microbeads are added as an exfoliating agent to cosmetics and personal care products, such as soap, facial scrub and toothpastes. They may be added to over-the-counter drugs. In biomedical and health science research microbeads are used in microscopy techniques, fluid visualization, fluid flow analysis, and process troubleshooting.
4. Consider the following statement regarding the much in news Saksham 2017:
1) Saksham’s objective is to create awareness towards judicious utilization and conservation of petroleum products.
2) The programme is being organized under the aegis of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Choose the correct statement:
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a
Explanation:
Saksham 2017 programme is being organized by PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association) and other Oil & Gas PSUs under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. The Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav 2017 is aimed to create awareness amongst masses towards judicious utilization and conservation of petroleum products along with use of energy efficient appliances and switching to cleaner fuels.
Saksham 2017 is aimed to educate on various steps for fuel conservation through activities like Quiz Show, Saksham Asian Cycling Championship, Walkathons, concerts and other activities across the country.
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5. A new plate boundary is being formed in the Indian Ocean as a result of the largest earthquake that shook the Andaman-Sumatra region in 2012. Consider the following statements regarding slip-strike earthquakes:
1) A slip-strike quake occurs when two plates slide vertically against one another.
2) Slip- strike quake can lead to inter-plate earthquakes and cause a plate to break, resulting in a new boundary.
Choose the correct statement:
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b
Explanation:
Strike-slip faults are vertical fractures where the blocks have mostly moved horizontally. If the block opposite an observer looking across the fault moves to the right, the slip style is termed right lateral; if the block moves to the left, the motion is termed left lateral.
Scientists have found a new plate boundary may be forming on the floor of the Indian Ocean as a result of the largest earthquake that shook the Andaman-Sumatra region in 2012. They have also warned that the new fault system could trigger more quakes in the future.
A slip-strike quake occurs when two plates slide horizontally against one another. Such quakes can be caused by deformations that occur in plates distant from fault lines as pressure builds up across a plate. They can lead to inter-plate earthquakes and cause a plate to break; resulting in a new boundary and this in turn can lead to even more quakes.
It is this scenario that the researchers believe happened in 2012 when two earthquakes struck the Andaman-Sumatran region of the Indian Ocean (the largest inter-plate earthquakes ever recorded).
6. Scientists have discovered a new species of gibbon living in south-west China’s rainforests. Consider the following statements regarding Gibbons in India:
1) The western hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in India.
2) Gibbons usually live in the canopies of tropical rainforests.
3) The new species of Gibbon has been named the Skywalker hoolock gibbon.
Choose the correct statement:
a. Only 1
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
Scientists have discovered a new species of gibbon living in south-west China’s rainforests. It has been named the Skywalker hoolock gibbon by its discoverers. Gibbons are apes in the family Hylobatidae. The family historically contained one genus, but now is split into four genera and 18 species.
Gibbons occur in tropical and subtropical rainforests from eastern Bangladesh and northeast India to southern China and Indonesia (including the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java). The hoolock gibbons are three primate species of genus Hoolock in the gibbon family, Hylobatidae, native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India and Southwest China.
