Explanation :

• At the Red Fort, last Mughal Emperor Bahdur Shah Zafar was made the leader of 1857 revolt. After the defeat of Japan in 2nd World War, INA soldiers were captured and they were tried at Red Fort - which is also called as ‘Red Fort Trial’.
• Lawyers under Bhullabhai Desai defended them. Hence, statement 1 & 3 are correct.
• Subhash Chandra Bose was the editor of “Forward” a weekly paper started by Chittaranjan Das and he started a newspaper “Swaraj”.
• Mooknayak was of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and weekly ‘New India’ was by Bipin Chandra Pal. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.

Why the question?

21st October 2018 marked the 75th anniversary of “Azad Hind Government”, so we have framed the question related to role of Subhash Chandra Bose in India’s freedom struggle.

Source Name : Bipin Chandra

Explanation :

Technosphere means all human made structure that helps human to remain alive on the planet. This includes Houses, farms, factories to everything that helps human to keep them alive.

In other words we can say that Technosphere is the part of the environment where Technodiversity extends its influence on Biosphere.

Source Name : IPCC Report, Down to Earth

Explanation :

“Magnetars” are the Neutron Stars formed due to supernova explosion. Their magnetic field is at least thousand times stronger than the Earth, i.e. they have ultra strong magnetic field. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.

Explanation :

• Soft currency is a currency which is hypersensitive and fluctuates frequently. Such currencies react very sharply to the political or the economic situation of a country.

• It is also known as weak currency due to its unstable nature. Such currencies mostly exist in developing countries with relatively unstable governments. Soft currencies cause high volatility in exchange rates as well, making them undesirable by foreign exchange dealers. These currencies are the least preferred for international trade or holding reserves.
• E.g. - Zimbabwean dollar is a classic example of Soft Currency.

Source Name : The Economist​

Explanation :

Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in the Angul district of Odisha, covering an area of 988.30 km². It is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a 22 km long gorge in the Eastern Ghats Mountains.

Why it is in news?

Tiger “Sundari” was relocated form Madhya Pradesh to Odisha, but the Tigeress has become a man eater, so this tiger reserve is often seen in the news.

Source Name : TH​

Explanation :

• Beggar thy neighbor” is a term for policies that a country enacts to address its economic woes that, in turn, actually worsens the economic problems of other countries. The term comes from the policy's impact, as it makes a beggar out of neighboring countries.
• Beggar thy neighbor policies came about, originally, as a policy solution to domestic depression and high unemployment rates. The basic idea is to increase the demand for a nation's exports, while reducing reliance on imports.

Example: Countries go for some type of trade barriers or competitive devaluation to boost their exports.

Is it important for prelims?

Answer to this is ‘Yes’. Recent steps taken by the “Trump Administration” has brought this term in to discussion, so it becomes important from our Prelims point of view.

Source Name : Economic Times

Explanation :

• Rash Behari Bose was a revolutionary leader and one of the key organisers of “Ghadar Revolution” and later Indian National Army.

• The Rani Jhansi Regiment was the Women's Regiment of the Indian National Army, the armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia with the aim of overthrowing the British Raj in colonial India, with Japanese assistance. It was one of the very few all-female combat regiments of the Second World War on any side. Led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (better known as Lakshmi Sahgal). Hence, statement 2 is wrong.

Why the question?

21st October 2018 marked the 75th anniversary of “Azad Hind Government”, so we have tried to cover the important incidents related to Subhash Chandra Bose in our daily quiz.

Explanation :

• The problem arises because Mercury is so small and so close to the Sun. That means it orbits the Sun incredibly quickly, and a spacecraft hoping to visit the innermost planet has to travel pedal-to-the-metal in order to catch up to the swift world.
• Also, the Sun's gravity will pull the spacecraft so strongly toward the star that a craft like BepiColombo actually needs to apply brake throughout its cruise to avoid getting tugged off.

Then how to get rid of these two obstacles?

• In order to tackle this dual challenge, BepiColombo's drivers have carefully devised a combination of solar power, chemical fuel and planetary flybys, which will work together to steer the spacecraft slowly through this celestial obstacle.
• The mission's series of flybys — one of Earth in April of 2020, two of Venus in 2020 and 2021, and six of Mercury itself between 2021 and 2025 — will each tweak the spacecraft's orbit just a little, nudging it closer and closer to the mission's target. Hence, it will take so much of the time.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering. Hence, statement 1 is wrong.
• In 2001, its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. It monitors progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations through "peer reviews" (mutual evaluations) of member countries. Hence, statement 2 is also wrong.
• The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris. Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Why the question?

FATF team has recently submitted its report on Pakistan and has opined that it can be delisted from the Grey List now (after field investigation), so we thought that our students should be aware with this institution, hence the question

Source Name : Economic Times​

Explanation :

Nilambur Teak is found in the state of “Kerala”. Nilambur Teak is widely sought after for its properties- durability, earthy colour, and size. The wood is also resistant to fungal decay and is rich in antioxidants making it ideal for construction purposes.

Source Name : Down to Earth

Explanation :

A private university of China has planned to put a mirror at the height of 500 km that will reflect the Sun’s light in night and will act as an alternative source of street lighting. If this becomes successful, then it has potential to save trillions of dollars which is spent in street lighting. So, statement 1 & 2 stands incorrect.

Is China the first to do this?

Answer to this is No. Russia tried this in 1993, but failed to make it successful; so some experts are seeing this project with skepticism.

Then what is the problem with this project?

• At a low altitude (500 km), accuracy is the key; missing the angle of reflection by even few degrees will target some other cities instead of the original target cities.
• It can interfere with the Circadian Rhythm of the people.
• It can create stress in the marine life due to light pollution.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Under the Lokpal Act, a list is prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, then that list is sent to DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training). Seeing the integrity and seniority of the candidates, the DoPT sends its list to the Lokpal Search Committee that consists of -

• Prime Minister
• Chief Justice of India
• Leader of Opposition (LS)/Leader of single largest party in the House.

This Search Committee examines the names and sends it to the Government. If a member is not satisfied with the Search Committee, he can list his dissenting note.

How other members are appointed in CBI?

The Government appoints the other officers on Deputation to CBI in consultation with the CVC. This CVC gives the feedback regarding the integrity and other things related to the officer.

Note: There is no position like No-2 in the CBI (as in the news related to tussle between CBI Director and Joint Director is pointed out). It is a general practice, the people say Special Director as No-2, but the CBI Director is the overall head and assigns cases to each officers.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

Keystone Species are those species that are key to an ecosystem. Usually top predators are the keystone species, but tropical fig (plant) is an example of keystone species. Mycorrhizae (fungus) that attaches itself to the roots of the plant and helps them to absorb the nutrients better is also an example of Keystone Species as its absence affects the growth of the plant due to poor absorption of nutrients.

‘Keystone Set” is that species, where they are intertwined in such a manner that it becomes difficult to say which is keystone species e.g. Kelp Forest ecosystem.

Why the question?

Climate change has led to explosion of purple urchins in the Northern California coast which has led to devastation. So we have framed the question related to Sea Urchins.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

The Atharva Veda, and its Prithvi Sukta, has an entire hymn of sixty three verses dedicated to Mother Earth. It explicitly explains the treasures of planet Earth and means to exploit and utilise them in a sustainable manner.

Why this question?

In a topic of environment, it can be used for the introduction purpose in the Mains answer writing.

Source Name : PIB​

Explanation :

Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges Delta, lying on the continental shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 km south of Kolkata. This Island, also known as Gangasagar or Sagardwip, is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (14 January), hundreds of thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of river Ganges and Bay of Bengal.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

SWAS (Safe Water Releaser), STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker), SAFAL (Safe Minimal Alumunium) are the names of the crackers developed by the CSIR-NEERI. The main motto of developing these crackers is to reduce the Sulphur Dioxide content and the ash content in the crackers, so that pollution level can be checked.

How does it work?

These crackers have the unique property of releasing the water vapour or air as a dust suppressant and diluents for the gaseous emissions from the firecrackers. At present PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation) is testing and analysing them for safety and stability.

Why the question?

Recently, the Supreme Court has removed the blanket ban on crackers, hence the question.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

The 27th edition of Fusion Energy Conference was held at Gandhinagar. It was organized by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy. Hence, statement 1 stands incorrect. Atomic Bomb uses the Fission reaction to produce energy whereas Hydrogen Bomb uses the Fusion reaction to produce energy. Students must remember that Hydrogen Bomb releases more energy than Atomic Bomb. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

What is the difference between Fusion & Fission Reaction Then?

Fission reaction is the disintegration of the Nuclei to produce energy while the Fusion reaction is the process in which nuclei join together to form a heavy nuclei. Reaction in Sun is an excellent example of Fusion reaction. Hence, statement 3 also stands wrong.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

The Supreme Court, in a recent judgement, has removed blanket ban on firecracker. PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation) will be the nodal agency looking into the matters related to firecrackers.

Banned Chemicals: Lithium, Arsenic, Antimony, Lead and Mercury

Why Barium Salt has become an “Apple of Discord”?

• Barium Nitrate is used to produce the green light in combination with other chemicals. Barium Salt is used in all light emitting firecrackers.
• The main issue related with Barium Salt is not about the light pollution, but it releases the poisonous gas causing respiratory problems and other related diseases. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.
• As per the recent Supreme Court judgement, “Station House Officer (SHO)” will be liable for the contempt of court in the case of violation of the apex court order. Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Explanation :

Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India.

Note: Student shall keep this in mind that it is not under Ministry of Petroleum.

As a statutory authority, PESO is engaged in the activities related to safety in manufacture, possession, use, sale, import, export, transport and handling of explosives, petroleum, flammable and non-flammable compressed gases and other hazardous substances through comprehensive administration of various Rules framed under the Explosives Act, 1984 and Petroleum Act, 1934 with the objective of prevention of accidents.

Note: This question is very important for Prelims seeing the recent Judgement.

Source Name : TH, Economic Times

Explanation :

Migingo Island is a 0.49-acre Island in Lake Victoria, one of the African Great Lakes. Migingo Island on Lake Victoria is a fishing hub teeming with Nile perch, a profitable export to the European Union. Ownership of the Island is disputed between Kenya and Uganda.

Source Name : IE, TH

Explanation :

• In the Presidential Election of Congress (in 1939), Subhash Chandra Bose defeated Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya. This defeat was perceived as the defeat of Gandhiji (as Gandhiji backed Dr. Sitaramayya). In March 1939, Congress met at its annual session in Tripuri (near Jabalpur) and all the members of Congress Working Committee (CWC) resigned (citing that Bose was acting like a dictator and once he called the members of CWC as the people of “low intellectual calibre”, so they wanted Bose to take back his words to which he refused ). This conundrum is sometimes called as “Tripuri Crisis”. After this, Bose resigned and the place was filled by “Dr. Rajendra Prasad”. Hence, statement 1 is wrong.

• Chittaranjan Das was the political mentor of Bose, but the title of “Deshnayak” was given to him by Rabindranath Tagore (In his essay he mentioned him as Deshnayak). So, statement 2 is also wrong.

Source Name : Bipin Chandra

Explanation :

• CVC is a statutory body that derives its power from CVC Act, 2003, but CBI is not a statutory body. CBI derives its power from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (But was formed by the Home Ministry resolution of 1963). Hence, statement 1 is wrong.
• In Vineet Narain case (1997), the apex court has fixed the tenure of CBI Director only, for 2years, to quell the political interference and provide stability to the head of the institution to bring the desired changes. Hence, statement 2 is also wrong.
• CBI is dependent upon Ministry of Home Affairs for the deputation of officers, Law Ministry for the salaries of its lawyers, etc. but it works under the overall jurisdiction of DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training). Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Source Name : IE, Livemint

Explanation :

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for creation of special Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
• The approval entails an estimated fund size of Rs.7,522 crore, comprising Rs.5,266.40 crore to be raised by the Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs), Rs. 1,316.6 crore beneficiaries contribution and Rs.939.48 crore budgetary support from the Government of India.National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC) and all scheduled Banks shall be the nodal Loaning Entities. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.
• It will focus on creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and Inland fisheries sectors. Hence, statement 1 is also wrong.

Why the Question?

If the extreme statements are used like “Only/None” etc. we advise the students to think about the statement twice, as extreme statements are usually wrong in maximum of the cases (Keep this in mind that this can’t be true always). So, in such cases, students can take a calculated risk.

Note: Don’t consider this as a thumb rule please.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

• The UN General Assembly in its 70^th Session considered and adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years. The 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1^st January, 2016. Though not legally binding, the SDGs have become de facto international obligations and have potential to reorient domestic spending priorities of the countries during the next fifteen years. Hence, statement 1 & 2 are wrong.
• Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of a High Level Steering Committee for periodically reviewing and refining the National Indicator Framework (NIF) for monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with associated targets. It will be chaired by Chief Statistician of India and Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

Scientists have developed a method to mass produce robots no bigger than a cell that could be used to monitor conditions inside an oil or gas pipeline, or to search out disease while floating through the bloodstream. The key to make such devices is called as “Syncells” by the scientists.

Source Name : TH​

Explanation :

The 52nd amendment to the Constitution added the Tenth Schedule which laid down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection. A Member of Parliament or State Legislature is deemed to have defected if he either voluntarily resigned from his party or disobeyed the directives of the party leadership on a vote. That is, they may not vote on any issue in contravention to the party’s whip. Hence, statement 1 is wrong.

A party could be merged into another if at least two-third of its legislators vote for the merger. Hence, statement 2 is also wrong.

In Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillchu, 1992, it was clearly mentioned that decision of Presiding Officer is subject to judicial review. Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Why the question?

Recently, 18 MLAs of Tamil Nadu has been disqualified on the basis of 10th Schedule provisions. Hence, this question becomes important for our Prelims exam.

Source Name : PRS, TH

Explanation :

Arya Samaj was a reaction against the Western influences. It was a Revivalist Movement not a Reformist Movement. Hence, statement 1 is wrong.

Difference between Revivalist & Reformist Movement

Revivalism: Bringing back the thesis of previous time (Example: Arya Samaj).

Reformist: To bring the change to the thesis/practise of old age/previous time (Example: Brahmo Samaj).

• It was established by “Mool Shankar” popularly known as “Swami Dayanand Saraswati” in 1875 at Bombay, and later its headquarters was changed to Lahore.
• It declared Vedas to be “Infallible and Inexhaustible Reservoir of Knowledge”. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Source Name : PIB, Bipin Chandra

Explanation :

• SPARC scheme (Launched by MHRD) aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.Under this Scheme, 600 joint research proposals will be awarded for 2 years to facilitate strong research collaboration between Indian research groups with the best in class faculty and renowned research groups in the leading universities of the world, in areas that are at the cutting edge of science or with direct social relevance to the mankind, specifically India.
• IIT Kharagpur is the National Coordinating Institute to implement the SPARC programme.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

Chitosan is in news as scientists are using it as corrosion inhibitor in case of mild steels. It can revolutionise the field of corrosion as its effectiveness is too high, added to that it is environmental friendly. Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide found from shell of crabs, shrimp and fungus. It is used as bio-pesticide, filtering agent, and even as a bandage for blood clotting.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

The phenomenon, ‘Urban Heat Island’ was first investigated and described by Luke Howard in the 1810s. Urban Heat Islands (UHI) are significantly warmer urban areas than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities. Urban Heat Island is a major problem associated with rapid urbanisation.

The temperature increase is attributed to deforestation and the construction materials adopted for city building. Usually, under the Urban Heat Island phenomenon, the central regions of urban centres exhibit higher mean temperatures than the surrounding areas. Urban Heat Island (UHI) occurs in both the seasons (summer and winter). The temperature difference is usually more at night than day, and is most apparent when winds are weak. Hence statement 2 is wrong. Latest studies have shown that UHI is one of the main reasons of Global Warming. The rising columns of warm air in the urban areas are commonly called as “Urban Thermal Plume”.

Source Name : Down to Earth

Explanation :

A fiscal deficit occurs when a government's total expenditures exceed the revenue that it generates, excluding money from borrowings. In short, fiscal deficit depicts the debt of the government.

John Maynard Keynes was of the opinion that “Developing Economies” shall have fiscal deficit as the commitment of the Government in such economy is huge. So, Government can resort to borrowing to meet its commitment, but it has to be kept in mind that those borrowings shall be for “Investment” not for the consumption. So, the reasonable fiscal deficit is not at all detrimental to the economy.

Why we have asked the students to know about the Fiscal deficit target?

• Most of the economists are of the view that due to rise in oil prices, Government will breach the target which it has decided.
• More the Government breaches the Fiscal Target; Credit Rating Agencies give it a poor Rating.

Why the Government should bother about its Rating?

Due to poor rating, Government will have to pay more Interest in the Bond Market, even 0.2-0.3% rise will led to the loss of Rs 50,000 crore approximately (Which is more than the Budget of MGNREGA). So, you see a lot of Economists worrying about the Fiscal Deficit.

Note: The extra information has been provided so that our students shall have feel of the subject.

Source Name : Economic Times

Explanation :

• •The objective of Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) is to identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society. Hence, statement 1 is wrong.
• •It will provide an opportunity for social science researchers in any institution in the country which includes all universities (central and state) and also a few private institutions meeting the requirement, to participate in this scheme. Hence, statement 2 is also wrong.
• •Under ‘IMPRESS’, 1,500 research projects will be awarded for two years to support social science research in the higher educational institutions. The Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR) will be the project implementing agency. Hence, statement 3 is also wrong.

Source Name : The Hindu Business Line, PIB

Explanation :

• Manipuri, one of the main styles of Indian Art or classical dances originated in Manipur. Manipuri dance incorporates both the ‘tandava’ and ‘lasya’ form.
• “Pung” is the main instrument used in this dance form and the most important ‘mudra’ in this dance form is “Nagabandha Mudra”.
• Jala Chitra Nrityam is the ‘mudra’ related to Kuchipudi dance. Hence, statement 3 is wrong.

Why the Question?

The Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the year 2014 has been conferred on Rajkumar Singhajit Singh for his contribution to Manipuri Dance; hence, we have framed the question on this.

Source Name : CCRT, PIB​

Explanation :

Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) aims at building the research ecosystem of India's higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions. One of the ideas behind this scheme is to stop the brain drain as the students will be getting the facilities to work with the best professors and Institutions of the world. IIT-Kharagpur is the implementing agency. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.

Note: Refer Q3 of Daily Quiz dated 26th October, for more details on this scheme.l

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

This report points that 33% of the world migration is from Asia. The report highlights that most of the international migration was from India followed by China and Bangladesh.

Source Name : ADB website