Explanation :

The 28th Vyas Samman for the year 2018 was conferred on well known Hindi writer Leeladhar Jagoori for his poetry collection- Jitne Log Utne Prem.

The Vyas Samman was started in 1991. it is given by K K Birla Foundation. it is given for an outstanding literary work in Hindi authored by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years. It carries an award money of four lakh rupees along with a citation and plaque. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=28th-Vyas-Samman-conferred-on-Leeladhar-Jagoori&id=373738

Explanation :

During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi to Saudi Arabia, the two sides have agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership Council to coordinate on important issues, taking the bilateral relationship to the next level.

The Council will be an all-encompassing bilateral mechanism which will cover an entire spectrum of relationship between the two countries.

It will be headed by the top leadership on either side. The two sides re-affirmed their deep commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership envisaged in the ‘Riyadh Declaration’ of 2010. Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=India%2c-Saudi-Arabia-to-establish-Strategic-Partnership-Council-to-coordinate-on-important-issues&id=373687

Explanation :

Point (1) is correct- Fridays for Future (FFF) is also known variously as the school strike for the climate, Youth for Climate, Climate Strike, Youth Strike for Climate. It is an international movement of school students who take time off from class to participate in demonstrations to demand action to prevent further global warming and climate change.

Point (2) is correct- The Global Solar Council is an international non-profit association of the national, regional and international associations in solar energy and the world‘s leading corporations. It was launched at the COP 21 climate change meeting in Paris. The GSC came into being as International Coalition of more than 30 nations, utilising maximum solar energy, decided to harness the renewable energy for the greater good.

Point (3) is correct- The Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) 2018, in San Francisco, was the first ever global climate summit, focused exclusively on the actions and ambitions of businesses, cities, states and citizens worldwide. It bought together US and international leaders who are committed to turning the tide in the fight against climate change. A successful GCAS 2018 will now help to reassure the international community that this will not decelerate the “decarbonisation” movement. Participation of non-state actors made the Global Climate Action Summit different. This Summit and its Call to Action make an important contribution towards achieving the collective goal: to keep global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement.

Point (4) is correct- The Under2 Coalition is driven by a group of ambitious state and regional governments committed to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2°C. The coalition is made up of more than 220 governments who represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. The Climate Group is the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition and works with governments to accelerate climate action through three work streams. It supports governments to develop robust medium and long-term (2050) emissions reduction plans in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=Greta-Thunberg-refuses-to-accept-environmental-award&id=373690

Explanation :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Riyadh to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII), an international event from October 29 to 31.

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) is an annual investment forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is held to discuss trends in the world economy and investment environment in the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 program of economic and social reform to diversify the kingdom’s economy and reduce its dependence on petroleum products. The Future Investment Initiative (FII) is widely described as “Davos in the desert”. The informal name derives from the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting that is held in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders discuss agendas for pressing international issues. It is hosted by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund. The first event was in October 2017 and featured the announcements of the launch of NEOM, a proposed $500bn independent economic zone in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. The second event was in October 2018. The third event is being held on 29-31 October 2019. Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/pm-modi-riyadh-visit-what-is-on-the-table-and-why-is-it-compared-to-davos-6093749/

Explanation :

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis or Hathipaon, is a neglected tropical disease. LF disease is caused mainly by Wuchereria Bancrofti and spread by Culex mosquito. This mosquito grows in dirty accumulated water. Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. The infection is usually acquired in childhood, causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system.

LF does not kill the affected people, but may cause permanent disfigurement, reduced productivity and social stigma. The disease affects the poorest population in society, particularly those living in areas with poor water, sanitation and hygiene. It is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected disease, which is currently endemic in 73 countries of the world, including India.

The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) was launched by the World Health Organization in 2000. Government of India launched the Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) in 2018. By the end of February 2019, India successfully rolled out IDA treatment across 4 districts including Arwal in Bihar, Simdega in Jharkhand, Nagpur in Maharashtra and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1589596

Explanation :

The NHP is prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). This 14th edition of NHP is the continuation of the publication since 2005. It covers comprehensive information on demographic, socio-economic health status, health finance indicators, health infrastructure and health of human resources in the country.

The NHP highlights substantial health information under major indicators viz. demographic indicators (population and vital statistics), socio-economic indicators (education, employment, housing and amenities, drinking water and sanitation) and health status indicators (incidence and prevalence of common communicable and non-communicable diseases and RCH) etc. Hence both statements are correct.

News: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=373743

Explanation :

Statement 1 is incorrect:
PFRDA has now permitted Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to enroll in National Pension Scheme (NPS) at par with Non-Resident Indians. An OCI may subscribe to the National Pension System governed and administered by PFRDA, provided such person is eligible to invest as per the provisions of the PFRDA Act and the annuity/accumulated saving will be repatriable, subject to FEMA guidelines. Contributions made towards NPS are eligible for an additional tax deduction under section 80CCD(1B) upto Rs. 50,000 which is over and above the Rs 1,50,000 limit of deduction available under sec 80CCD (1).

Statement 2 is correct:
PFRDA is the statutory Authority established by an enactment of the Parliament, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the National Pension System (NPS) and pension schemes to which this Act applies. NPS was initially notified for central government employees joining service on or after 1st Jan 2004 and subsequently adopted by almost all State Governments for its employees. NPS was extended to all citizens of Indian on voluntary basis from 2009 and to corporates in 2011 and to Non-Resident Indians in 2015.

News: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/now-overseas-citizens-of-india-can-subscribe-to-national-pension-system/article29830934.ece

Explanation :

Statement 1 is correct:

Two neuroscientists have warned that fellow scientists are “perilously close” to crossing the ethical red line of growing mini-brains or organoids in the laboratory that can perceive or feel things. Organoids are a group of cells grown in laboratories into three-dimensional, miniature structures that mimic the cell arrangement of a fully-grown organ.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

They are tiny (typically the size of a pea) organ-like structures that do not achieve all the functional maturity of human organs but often resemble the early stages of a developing tissue. Organoids are grown in the laboratory using stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Stem cells are provided with nutrients and other specific molecules to grow and become cells resembling a specific organ. Organoids of the brain, small intestine, kidney, heart, stomach, eyes, liver, pancreas, prostate, salivary glands, and inner ear to name a few have already been developed in the laboratory.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/mimic-organs-can-organoids-derived-from-stem-cells-be-used-in-disease-treatments/article29807935.ece

Explanation :

Citing data from its Sentinel-3 World Fire Atlas, the European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that compared to August 2018, there were almost five times as many wildfires across the world in August 2019. Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation satellite constellation developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Copernicus Programme.

The Sentinel-3 World Fires Atlas Prototype product has been developed by ESA over the southern countries of the ESA member states. It aims to provide continuity to ESA ATSR World Fire Atlas (operating from June 1995 to March 2012) taking on board all the improvements of Sentinel-3 SLSTR instrument. Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-fires-peaked-in-august-half-were-in-asia-6090657/

Explanation :

Statement 1 is correct:
Edge computing enables data to be analysed, processed, and transferred at the edge of a network. The idea is to analyse data locally, closer to where it is stored, in real-time without latency, rather than send it far away to a centralised data centre. Experts believe the true potential of edge computing will become apparent when 5G networks go mainstream in a year from now. Users will be able to enjoy consistent connectivity without even realising it.

Statement 2 is correct:
The basic difference between edge computing and cloud computing lies in where the data processing takes place. At the moment, the existing Internet of Things (IoT) systems perform all of their computations in the cloud using data centres. Edge computing, on the other hand, essentially manages the massive amounts of data generated by IoT devices by storing and processing data locally. That data doesn’t need to be sent over a network as soon as it processed; only important data is sent — therefore, an edge computing network reduces the amount of data that travels over the network.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/from-the-cloud-computing-moves-to-the-edge-6093733/

Explanation :
Statement 1 is incorrect:
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. It frames rules for international mail exchange, and fixes rates for international postal services. It regulates 6.40 lakh postal outlets worldwide. The UPU has 192 member-countries. Headquarters is at Bern, Switzerland.

Statement 2 is correct:

It was established by the Treaty of Bern in 1874. India joined the UPU on July 1, 1876 and Pakistan on November 10, 1947. The UPU has four units: the Congress, the Council of Administration (CA), the Postal Operations Council (POC) and the International Bureau (IB). Under UPU rules, when a country decides to suspend exchange with a country, it must notify the operator of the other country (in India’s case, India Post) and, if possible, the duration for which services are being stopped. The UPU’s International Bureau too has to be notified.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-rules-for-global-post-and-how-pak-stopped-mail-to-and-from-india-6090658/

Explanation :

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has conducted Whole Genome Sequencing of 1,008 Indians from different populations across the country under the IndiGen Genome project. The IndiGen initiative was undertaken by CSIR in April 2019, which was implemented by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. This has enabled benchmarking the scalability of genome sequencing and computational analysis at population scale in a defined timeline. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

The ability to decode the genetic blueprint of humans through whole genome sequencing will be a major driver for biomedical science. The outcomes of the IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including predictive and preventive medicine with faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Tikdam- If you look into the 2nd statement, it says The IndiGen initiative was undertaken by DRDO, but DRDO has nothing to do with Genome Sequencing, it must be related to some biotech organization. based on this logic we can eliminate this statement to arrive at correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/csir-carries-out-genome-sequencing-to-aid-detection-of-genetic-diseases/article29799164.ece

Explanation :

Statement 1 is correct:
The decision will give a boost to defence exports. Following a demand by the exporters, the DPP held extensive consultations with various stakeholders and formulated this OGEL policy and submitted for Defence Minister’s approval. The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period which is two years initially. The application for grant of OGEL will be considered by Department of Defence Production (DPP) on a case-to-case basis. For acquiring the licences, the applicant is mandatory to have Import-Export certificate. The items permitted under OGEL includes components of ammunition and fuse setting device without energetic and explosive material, firing control and related ing and warning equipment and related system and body protective items.

Statement 2 is incorrect:
Complete aircraft or complete unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and any components specially designed or modified for UAVs are excluded under this licence. The countries allowed under the OGELs are: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico. Export of items to a Special Economic Zone is not permitted.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=Rajnath-Singh-approves-issuance-of-two-OGELs-for-export-of-certain-parts-and-components&id=373443

Explanation :

As of now, civilian tourists are restricted to the Nubra Valley, which is the gateway to the Siachen Glacier, and well away from the base camp. The Siachen Glacier is a glacier located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west and the main Karakoram range to the east.

The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the Sia Kangri peak on the China border in the Karakoram range. The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, is currently under the administration of India since 1984. Pakistan controls the region west of Saltoro Ridge, far away from the glacier.

The glacier’s melting waters are the main source of the Nubra River in the Indian region of Ladakh, which drains into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn joins the 3000 kilometre-long Indus River which flows through Pakistan. Thus, the glacier is a major source of the Indus. At 76 km long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world’s non-polar areas. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-siachen-glacier-now-open-to-tourists-how-far-what-facilities-6088435/

Explanation :

In an announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on World Polio Day (October 24), an independent commission of experts declared that wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated worldwide. This follows the eradication of smallpox and wild poliovirus type 2. With this, 2 out of 3 wild poliovirus strains have been eradicated. Efforts are being taken to eliminate the wild poliovirus type 1. This virus remains in circulation in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

There are three individual and immunologically distinct wild poliovirus strains: wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) and wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3). Symptomatically, all three strains are identical, in that they cause irreversible paralysis or even death. But there are genetic and virological differences, which make these three strains three separate viruses that must each be eradicated individually. Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/2-out-of-3-wild-poliovirus-strains-have-been-eradicated-says-who/article29789747.ece

Explanation

The doctrine of lapse was an annexation policy applied by the British East India Company in India until 1859. The doctrine was based on the idea that in case the ruler of an independent state died childless, the right of ruling the State reverted or ‘lapsed’ to the sovereign.

Dalhousie applied the doctrine of lapse vigorously for annexing Indian princely states between 1848 and 1856, but the policy was not solely his invention. the East India Company annexed Kittur in 1824, Mandvi in 1839, Kolaba and Jalaun in 1840 and Surat in 1842 by imposing a ‘doctrine of lapse’. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yediyurappa-to-inaugurate-kittur-utsav-tomorrow/article29761790.ece

Explanation :

Minister for Minority Affairs has decided to organise about 100 ‘Hunar Haat’ in the next five years across the country to provide employment to lakhs of craftsmen. Hunar Haat is being organised across the country by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under a mission to provide a platform to master artisans and craftsmen to display as well sell their products. More than 2 lakh 50 thousand master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided employment opportunities in the last 3 years under the Hunar Haat programme.

The next Hunar Haat will be organised at North Central Zone Cultural Centre in Prayagraj from 1st to 10th of November 2019. All Hunar Haat, to be organised this year and next year will be based on the theme of ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’. Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=Govt-to-provide-employment-to-lakhs-of-craftsmen-through-Hunar-Haat-in-next-5-yrs%3a-Naqvi&id=373345

Explanation :

Union Minister for Culture & Tourism (IC) launched the E-Portal of CCRT ‘Digital Bharat Digital Sanskriti’ and CCRT YouTube Channel in New Delhi. This will enable dissemination of cultural education through digital interactive medium into the classrooms all over the country. For this initiative, CCRT has tied up with Routes 2 Roots, an NGO, for connecting seamlessly all the CCRT Regional Centres i.e., Guwahati, Udaipur and Hyderabad.

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is autonomous organisation under Ministry of Culture of Government of India. it was established in 1979 to support cultural education. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193913

Explanation :

The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005. The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) (at the central and state level) will hold office for a term of five years. The salary of the CIC and ICs (at the central level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, respectively. Similarly, the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the state level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Election Commissioners and the Chief Secretary to the state government, respectively. However, the recent RTI amendment act removes the provision and states that the central government will notify the term of office for the CIC and the ICs. It also removes provisions related to the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the central government.

The Delhi High Court has recently said that giving judgment on the policy framework of an organisation and directing change of policies are not envisaged under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Hence both statements are incorrect.

Tikdam- If you have regularly followed newspaper, you must be aware of changes made through RTI amendment act. So we can eliminate both statements to arrive at correct answer.

News: http://newsonair.com/News?title=Giving-judgement-on-policy-of-organisations-not-envisaged-under-RTI%3a-HC&id=373273

Explanation

The doctrine of lapse was an annexation policy applied by the British East India Company in India until 1859. The doctrine was based on the idea that in case the ruler of an independent state died childless, the right of ruling the State reverted or ‘lapsed’ to the sovereign.

Dalhousie applied the doctrine of lapse vigorously for annexing Indian princely states between 1848 and 1856, but the policy was not solely his invention. the East India Company annexed Kittur in 1824, Mandvi in 1839, Kolaba and Jalaun in 1840 and Surat in 1842 by imposing a ‘doctrine of lapse’. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/yediyurappa-to-inaugurate-kittur-utsav-tomorrow/article29761790.ece