Q.1 With reference to the news, “CLASS” is associated with which of the following?
A) An instrument on Chandrayaan-2 is designed to detect direct signatures of elements present in the
lunar soil
B) It is a payload imaging sensor built by Santa Barbara Remote Sensing that was launched into Earth
orbit by NASA in 1999 on board the Terra satellite, and in 2002 on board the Aqua satellite
C) It is CIXS instrument, also referred to as Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer, to carry out high
quality X-ray spectroscopic mapping of the moon.
D) None of the above
Ans. A
The CLASS instrument on Chandrayaan-2 is designed to detect direct signatures of elements present in
the lunar soil.
ISRO said in a statement released on its official website that CLASS is able to detect direct
signatures of elements present in the lunar soil. It was also found by the CLASS that best observation
occurred when the Sun provides a rich source of x-rays to illuminate the lunar surface. The payload
can also detect secondary x-ray emissions resulted from the lunar surface to find out elements like
Na, Ca, Al, Si, Ti and Fe.
About X-ray Monitor
X-ray Monitor or XSM detects the X-rays emitted by the Sun and its corona. It calculates the strength
of solar radiation in these rays and assists CLASS. Major objective of XSM is to provide solar X-ray
spectrum in the energy range of 1-15 KV. This payload will give high-energy resolution and high-cadence
measurements of solar X-ray spectra as input for analysis of data from CLASS.
Q.2 With which among the following part of India, Aarey Forest Controversy is associated ?
A) Aarey colony of Maharashtra
B) Western Ghats of Kerala
C) Aarey forests of Andhra Pradesh
D) Temperate forests found between an altitude of 1,000 and 2,000 m
Ans. A
Aarey protest: The Supreme Court hit out at the Maharashtra state government saying that no more trees
should be cut in Aarey colony
Q.3 Which of the following statements best describes ICON Mission launched by NASA ?
A) It is to study heat and energy move through the sun’s corona and explore what accelerates the
solar winds that affect Earth and other planets
B) An innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to
enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and
opportunities.
C) Mission is to explore Mars and to provide a continuous flow of scientific information and discovery
through a carefully selected series of robotic orbiters, landers and mobile laboratories interconnected
by a high-bandwidth Mars/Earth communications network
D) It was launched from an aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean near the Florida coast
to study the Earth’s Ionosphere which will be able to understand the link between space and the earth’s
weather with this study
Ans. D
NASA’s ICON satellite was launched from an aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean near the Florida coast.
About ICON Mission
• The ICON satellite will study the Earth’s Ionosphere. It includes various layers of the uppermost
atmosphere where free electrons flow freely. It affects Earth’s magnetic field and radio communications.
• The scientists will be able to understand the link between space and the earth’s weather with this
study.
• The ICON mission is the 39th successful launch and satellite deployment by Pegasus rocket.
• This mission is operated by the University of California. It was originally planned to launch in
late 2017 but delayed due to the problems with the Pegasus XL rocket.
• Ionosphere Connection Explorer (ICON) is equipped with 780-watt solar arrays to power the instruments.
• ICON has designed as a two year’s mission but if all goes well according to the plan, it will last
for more than a decade.
Q.4 ‘Ex-Eastern Bridge-V’ joint exercise begins between which among the following nations ?
A) India & USA
B) USA & Vietnam
C) India & Oman
D) USA & Oman
Ans. C
IAF and Royal Air Force of Oman begins Joint Exercise ‘Ex-Eastern Bridge-V’
Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman will also promote the exchange of experience during
Ex-Eastern Bridge-V.
Q.5 With reference to the India Energy Forum, consider the following statements :
1. It was established in 2011 with an objective to understand India’s Nuclear Energy Program
2. All the public and private nuclear organizations, oil and gas organizations, Renewable energy organizations are members of India Energy Forum
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. D
What is India Energy Forum?
It was established in 2001 with an objective to understand India’s Nuclear Energy Program. Now, it has
a special status of the spokesman of India’s total energy sector.
Several public and private nuclear organizations, oil and gas organizations, Renewable energy
organizations are members of India Energy Forum. Some of them are – NHPC, NTPC, Power Grid Corporation,
ONGC, Power Finance Corporation among others.
Q.6 Chile cancels hosting COP-25 and APEC due to nationwide unrest. With reference to the following,
What is Chile Unrest ?
A) It is a nationwide protest against the increase in carbon dioxide emission from the industrial &
thermal plants affecting the climate
B) It is a nationwide protest against authorities in maintaining public safety and order
C) It is a nationwide protest against 30 per cent increase in Metro fares
D) It is a nationwide protest caused by a 50%–200% increase in fuel prices, calling for the overthrow
of the government in Chile
Ans. C
Chile cancels hosting COP-25 and APEC due to nationwide unrest
Chile announced a 30 per cent increase in Metro fares in October 2019 which triggered the anger of people and they started protesting against the government.
What is Chile unrest?
The government of Chile announced a 30 per cent increase in Metro fares in October 2019. The county
was already going through issues of inflation which triggered the anger of people and they started
protesting against the government on October 17, 2019.
What is COP 25 issue?
United Nations Climate Change Conference 2019 (COP25) was planned to be held in Santiago, Chile. It
was planned that Chile will host the global Summit between 2 to 13 December 2019 but it was cancelled
on 30 October due to Chilean unrest.
COP 25 was originally planned to be held in Brazil but newly elected President Jair Bolsonaro announced
that due to economic reasons Brazil is not able to host the summit and withdrawal of an offer to host
the program.
Q.7 Which among the following statement is/are correct in context with the APEC ?
1. The group was established in 1989 to boost Asia-Pacific economies and get trade benefits from other
parts of the world
2. It was the first time decided in 2006 Summit held in Hanoi that Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific
(FTAAP) should be established
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. C
What is APEC?
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is also known as APEC. It is an inter-governmental platform for
21 Pacific Rim member economies to promote free-trade in the Asia-Pacific region. The group was
established in 1989 to boost Asia-Pacific economies and get trade benefits from other parts of the
world. It was the first time decided in 2006 Summit held in Hanoi that Free Trade Area of the Asia-
Pacific (FTAAP) should be established.
Q.8 In context with the CIRDAP , a regional Inter – Governmental and autonomous institution which among
the following statements are correct ?
1. Originally the institution had six members but now the number has gone up to 25
2. It was jointly established on 6 July 1979 by the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in coordination with several other UN bodies and donors.
3. India is one of the key founding members of this Organisation
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 2 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. C
About CIRDAP
• It is a regional Inter – Governmental and autonomous institution.
• It was jointly established on 6 July 1979 by the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in coordination with several other UN bodies and donors.
• India is one of the key founding members of this Organisation.
• The headquarters of the institution is located at Dhaka in Bangladesh.
• The main objective of the body is to promote regional cooperation and act as a serving institution
for its member countries for promotion of integrated rural development through research action,
training and information dissemination,
• There are 46 countries in Asia Pacific Region, therefore CIRDAP has great potential for expansion
for which they would be assisted by CIRDAP Centres.
• Originally the institution had six members but now the number has gone up to 15.
The member countries include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Q.9 Who among the following serves as the Secretariat for the SASEC member countries ?
A) Asian Development Bank
B) World Bank
C) ASEAN Regional Forum
D) World Bank Group
Ans. A
About South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation
• The SASEC brings together seven countries in a project-based partnership to promote regional
prosperity by improving cross-border connectivity, boosting trade among member countries, and
strengthening regional economic cooperation.
• The SASEC countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• The Program was set up in 2001.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves as the Secretariat for the SASEC member countries.
Q.10 Recently our scientists have discovered Tree-living crab species, that includes the structure of
its hard upper shell, its male abdominal structure and reproductive parts and diagnostic elongated
walking legs, which no other genus has. In which part of India has it been discovered?
A) Anaimalai Forests
B) Western Ghats of Kerala
C) Andaman Islands
D) Tropical Rain Forests of North east
Ans. B
Tree-living crab species, Kani maranjandu, found in Kerala
The key traits of the crab include the structure of its hard upper shell, its male abdominal structure
and reproductive parts and diagnostic elongated walking legs, which no other genus has.
A group of scientists discovered a new species of long legged, tree-dwelling crabs in Western Ghats of
Kerala.
The species are named after the Kani tribe in Kerala.
• The survey of the freshwater crab fauna had started in the year 2014 in the Westerns Ghats in Kerala.
About Kani tribe
• Kani is a tribe living in the Western Ghats area of Kerala.
