Q.1 “Death Penalty Report” is released by which organization ?
A) Amnesty International
B) Greenpeace
C) World Social Forum
D) Doctors Without Borders
Ans. A
Amnesty International released Death Penalty Report 2016
As per the report, at least 60 people who had been sentenced to death were exonerated in 9 countries
in 2016
Q.2 “Globalization Backlash” is released by which organization ?
A) World Bank
B) World Tourism Organisation
C) World Bank Group
D) International Fund for Agricultural Development
Ans. A
World Bank released report Globalization Backlash
South Asia’s performance will maintain momentum, with the gap between its growth rate and that of East
Asia slightly widening over time.
Highlights of Globalization Backlash
• With a strong performance in the eastern part of the South Asia Region – in particular in Bhutan,
Bangladesh and India – the region defied disappointing world growth in 2016.
• Inflation slowed down in the second half of 2016, mainly due to lower food prices, but appears to
be turning up again.
• Despite recent real exchange rate appreciation, current account balances are mostly in order
throughout the region.
Q.3 In context with the Agni-III which among the following statements is/are correct ?
1. This Surface-to-Surface nuclear capable intermediate-range ballistic missile can hit targets in the range of around 2500 km
2. It can carry a warhead of 1.5 tonne which is protected by carbon all composite heat shield
3. The missile was inducted into the armed forces in June 2016
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 2 & 3
B) 1 & 3
C) Only 2
D) 1,2,3
Ans. C
Highlights of the Agni-III ballistic missile
• This Surface-to-Surface nuclear capable intermediate-range ballistic missile can hit targets in the
range of around 3000 km.
• The two-stage solid-propelled missile has a length of 17 metres, 2 metres diameter and its launch
weight is around 50 tonnes.
• It can carry a warhead of 1.5 tonne which is protected by carbon all composite heat shield.
• The missile was inducted into the armed forces in June 2011.
Q.4 Which one of the following best describes the term ” Microlensing ” sometimes seen in news ?
A) It is a technique that aids the discovery of distant objects by using background stars as flashlights
B) It is a technique to correct refractive errors of the eye by permanently changing the shape of the
cornea
C) It is a technique of reducing the person’s dependence on glasses by preparing the contact lenses
D) None of the above
Ans. A
What is Microlensing?
• It is a technique that aids the discovery of distant objects by using background stars as flashlights.
• When a star crosses from the front of a bright star, the gravity of the star in the front focuses
the light of the background star, making it appear brighter.
• So, a planet orbiting the foreground star may cause a glitch in its brightness.
MOCK Q.487 – FRAMED FROM THE HINDU
Q.5 Recently, India has become the member of which of the following UN subsidiary bodies for the period of three years ?
1. Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC)
2. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
3. International Narcotics Control Board
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 2 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. A
India, along with 12 other members, was elected for the period of three years to the Committee for
Programme and Coordination (CPC), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
These two organisations are Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) and International Narcotics
Control Board.
India’s Election to Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC)
• India, along with 12 other members, was elected for the period of three years to the Committee for
Programme and Coordination (CPC), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• It garnered the most number of votes in the Asian group, with 49 out of 50 members of ECOSOC voting
in its favour.
• The other 12 members elected for three-year terms include Burkina Faso, Iran, Japan, Pakistan,
Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, the United Kingdom and United States.
• The CPC is the main subsidiary organ of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly for
planning, programming and coordination.
Q.6 IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to transfer Sterile Insect Technique to numerous
countries to combat which among the following virus disease ?
A) Zika
B) Small pox
C) Ebolla
D) Common cold and different types of flu
Ans. A
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to transfer Sterile Insect Technique under 2.3 Million
Euro Project to Combat Zika
Since 1997, SIT has been transferred to numerous countries to combat pests that affect food and crops,
and insects that transmit diseases, including mosquitoes.
About Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a form of pest control that uses ionizing radiation to sterilize
male insects mass-produced in special rearing facilities.
Since 1997, SIT has been transferred to numerous countries by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear
Techniques in Food and Agriculture.
Q.7 Apart from the rotavirus vaccine, which among the following new vaccine has been introduced as part
of UIP (Universal Immunization Programme) ?
A) Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
B) Hepatitis A Vaccine
C) Chicken Pox Vaccine
D) Hepatitis B Vaccine
Ans. A
SNIPPET FROM THE NEWS :
Health Minister JP Nadda launched Rotavirus vaccine as part of Universal Immunization Programme
The vaccine is being introduced initially in four states, which are Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh and Odisha and will be expanded to the entire country in a phased manner.
Apart from the rotavirus vaccine, three new vaccines are also being introduced as part of UIP
including Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Measles, Rubella (MR) vaccine and Adult Japanese
Encephalitis (JE) vaccine.
About Universal Immunization Programme
• Universal Immunization Programme is a vaccination program launched by the Government of India in 1985.
• It became a part of Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992 and is currently one of the
key areas under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) since 2005.
Q.8 Which among the following Protected Area Network is associated with the Madrid Action Plan ?
A) Biosphere Reserves
B) Conservation Reserves
C) Biodiversity Hotspots
D) Community reserves
Ans. A
Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves
Q.9 Worldwide Cost of Living survey is released by which of the following organization ?
A) Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development
B) World Economic Forum
C) Economist Intelligence Unit
D) UN Human Rights Council
Ans. C
Economist Intelligence Unit released Worldwide Cost of Living Report 2016
EIU ranked Singapore as the priciest city, while were Lusaka, the capital of Zambia was named as the
cheapest city of the world.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released Worldwide Cost of Living Report 2016 on 10 March 2016.
According to the report, Mumbai and Bangalore are among the cheapest cities in the world.
EIU ranked Singapore as the priciest city ahead of Zurich, Hong Kong, Geneva and Paris.
The Economist Intelligence Unit helps business leaders prepare for opportunity, empowering them to act
with confidence when making strategic decisions.
The Worldwide Cost of Living survey is released twice a year by the EIU. It compares more than 400
individual prices across 160 products and services in 131 cities, including food, drink, clothing,
household supplies and personal care items, home rents, transport, utility bills, private schools,
domestic help and recreational costs.
Q.10 Which among the following destinations spread across the states under the Krishna Circuit ?
1. Nathdwar
2. Puri
3. Bhadrachalam
4.. Sikar
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1 & 3
B) 1,2,4
C) 2,3,4
D) 1,2,3,4
Ans. B
Destinations under Krishna Circuit
Under Krishna circuit, 12 destinations spread across 5 states are proposed. These are:
• Dwarka (Gujarat)
• Nathdwara, Jaipur & Sikar (Rajasthan)
• Kurukshetra (Haryana)
• Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon & Govardhan (Uttar Pradesh)
• Puri (Odisha)
Besides, projects worth more than 300 crores rupees were approved in-principle in Uttar Pradesh under both the circuits.
Under Ramayana Circuit, 11 destinations spread across 6 states are proposed. These are:
• Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringhverpur & Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sitamarhi, Buxar & Darbhanga (Bihar)
• Jagdalpur (Chattisgarh)
• Bhadrachalam (Telangana)
• Hampi (Karnataka)
• Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
Expert committee also suggested including Chitrakoot (Madhya Pradesh), Nashik & Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Mahendragiri (Odisha) in the proposed circuit.
