Current Affairs Question - December 2021

Consider the following statements:

1. NASA launched its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission, the world’s first full-scale planetary defence test mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid or comet hazards.
2. DART’s one-way trip is to the Didymos (Greek for “twin”) asteroid system, which comprises a pair of asteroids.
3. DART’s target is the moonlet, Dimorphos which orbits Didymos.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

Consider the following statements:

1. Recently, a team of Indian scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, has discovered a new exoplanet orbiting too close to an evolved (aging) star.
2. The discovery was made using PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search (PARAS) optical fiber-fed spectrograph, the first of its kind in India, on the 1.2 metre Telescope of PRL at its Mt. Abu Observatory (Rajasthan).
3. The star, known as HD 82139 (as per the Henry Draper catalogue) and TOI 1789 (as per the TESS catalogue), has a mass 3 times that of our Sun.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

Consider the following statements:

1. The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of humankind.
2. Established in 1990, ESA works together with its 15 Member States to push the frontiers of science and technology, and promote economic growth in Europe.
3. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

Consider the following statements:

1. On 23^rd November, 2021, India and the United States held the 12^th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF).
2. The Forum was reconvened after a gap of four years to advance the goal to develop an ambitious, shared vision for the future of the trade relationship between the two countries.
3. The forum has five focus groups - agriculture, investment, innovation and creativity (intellectual property rights), services, and tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

Consider the following articles of the Constitution of India:

1. Article 148 provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
2. Articles 14 and 22(1) also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system which promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity to all.
3. Article 246 provides that the Parliament has exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

Choose the correct answer from the options below:

Consider the following statements in context to the Legislative Framework of Mining Sector in India:

1. The entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State List) to the Constitution of India mandates the state government to own the minerals located within their boundaries.
2. The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central List) mandates the central government to own the minerals within the exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).

Choose the correct answer from the options below:

Consider the given statements in contest to the difference between Mediation and Arbitration:

1. In arbitration, the outcome is determined in accordance with an objective standard, the applicable law.
2. In mediation, any outcome is determined by the will of the parties.
3. In arbitration, a party's task is to convince the arbitral tribunal of its case. It addresses its arguments to the tribunal and not to the other side.
4. In mediation, since the outcome must be accepted by both parties and is not decided by the mediator, a party's task is to convince, or to negotiate with, the other side.

Choose the incorrect statement(s) from the options give below:

Consider the eligibility criteria for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservations:

1. The main criterion is that those above an annual income limit of Rs. 6 lakh are excluded (income from all sources such as salary, business, agriculture and profession for the financial year prior to the application) of the family (applicants, their parents, siblings and minor children).
2. Six or more acres of agricultural land.
3. A residential plot of 100 square yards and above in notified municipalities, and a residential plot of 200 square yards and above in other areas.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

Consider the following statements with reference to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Estimate Committee:

1. PAC has 22 members, while Estimates Committee has 30 members.
2. Estimate Committee members belong to both houses of Parliament while PAC members belong to only Lok Sabha
3. PAC chairman is from opposition whereas Estimates Committee chairman is always from ruling party or dispensation.

Choose the correct answer from the option given below:

Consider the following statements:

1. Recently, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2022 report was launched on the sidelines of the 26^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
2. Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute and the Climate Action Network publish the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).
3. The CCPI assesses countries’ performance in two categories.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?