Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 02.11.21

Q1. Consider the following statements the BASIC group of countries — Brazil, South Africa, India and China
1. The grouping was formed during the Rio earth summit 1992
2. BASIC demands that mitigation alone should be the focus of Climate goals

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

1. On the opening day of the 26th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP), Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav delivered a statement on behalf of the BASIC group of countries — Brazil, South Africa, India and China — at the U.N. Climate Change Conference underway in Glasgow

2. These major developing economies are significant polluters but bear diminished responsibility for the carbon dioxide that has been pumped into the atmosphere since 1850 and also have low per capita emissions because of their significant populations.
3. These countries have therefore for many years sought to rebuff pressure from developed countries to take on firmer emission reductions. The key demand of the BASIC was that the Paris Agreement Rulebook be concluded at COP26.
4. While the Paris Agreement laid out the framework for international action, the Rulebook will set this Agreement in motion by laying out the tools and processes to enable it to be implemented fairly and properly.
5. In doing so, full effect must be given to the implementation of the principles of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and, recognition of the very different national circumstances of Parties.
6. India reiterated BASIC demands that COP26 must aim for higher global ambition on climate finance and adaptation as well, along with recognition of the Parties’ differing historical responsibilities and the developmental challenges faced by developing countries, compounded by the pandemic.
The latest available science makes it clear that all Parties need to immediately contribute their fair share and achieving this would require developed countries to rapidly reduce their emissions and dramatically scale up their financial support to developing countries.

Q2. Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary is situated in the state of

a. Bihar
b. Assam
c. Odisha
d. Jharkhand

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Ganges river dolphin

1. The Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India
2. Dolphins are one of the oldest creatures in the world
3. The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind
4. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Rescue guide launched for Ganges river dolphin
1. The Jal Shakti Ministry on Monday released a guide for the safe rescue and release of stranded Ganges river dolphins. The document has been prepared by the Turtle Survival Alliance and the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department (EFCCD) of the Uttar Pradesh Government.
The Ganges river dolphin: The national aquatic animal of India
1. The Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India and is listed as ‘endangered’ under the IUCN Red List Assessments, Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
2. The species, whose global population is estimated at 4,000, is mostly found in the Indian subcontinent. The dolphins often accidentally enter canals in northern India and are unable to swim up against the gradient. They are also vulnerable to harm by people.

3. Found throughout the Ganges-BrahmaputraMeghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India and Bangladesh, the Ganges river dolphin [Platanista gangetica gangetica] is a global priority and is also an indicator of healthy aquatic systems.
4. Dolphins are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles,
crocodiles and sharks. The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801.
5. Ganges river dolphins once lived in the GangesBrahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.
6. The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by
emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see”
an image in their mind. They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.

7. Calves are chocolate brown at birth and then have grey-brown smooth, hairless skin as
adults. Females are larger than males and give birth once every two to three years to only one calf.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

1. A PMI reading of 50 indicates no change in output levels
2.  PMI is released by RBI in India

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 : a

Why is the Question ?

October manufacturing activity quickens, job losses persist: PMI
 The country’s manufacturing activity expanded for the fourth month in a row in October, as reflected by the IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). The survey-based PMI rose to 55.9 from 53.7 in September.
 Manufacturing jobs continued to slide though producers recorded the strongest improvement in overall operating conditions since February, and business optimism hit a six-month high. A PMI reading of 50 indicates no change in output levels.
 As capacities were still not fully utilised and government norms were in place surrounding shift work, employment continued to decline.
The silver lining was that the rate of job shedding was marginal in October.
What is the Purchasing Managers' Index?
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors. It consists of a diffusion index that summarizes whether market conditions, as viewed by purchasing managers, are expanding, staying the same, or contracting. The purpose of the PMI is to provide information about
current and future business conditions to company decision-makers, analysts, and investors.

Q5. Which of the following harmful substances are used in crackers?

1. Arsenic
2. Barium
3. Lithium
4. Lead

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Q6. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) is a term linked to
a. Climate change
b. Minority rights
c. Peace in conflict areas like Afghanistan
d. Peaceful use of Moon and other celestial bodies

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC) is a principle within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.
The principle of CBDR–RC is enshrined in the 1992 UNFCCC treaty, which was ratified by all
participating countries. The text of the convention reads: “… the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and their social and economic conditions.”
CBDR-RC has served as a guiding principle as well as a source of contention in the UN climate negotiations.