Current Affairs Questions

Explanation :

• Located in Puri, Odisha, the thirteenth-century Sun Temple, was built by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1236-1264) of the Ganga dynasty.
• Three kinds of stones were used in its construction, namely Chlorite, Laterite, and Khondalite rocks. The original temple consisted of the main sanctuary, called Bada Deul or Rekha Deul, which was surrounded by other smaller structures. In front of the main sanctuary stood another smaller sanctum called the Bhadra Deul or the assembly hall of the people.
• It exhibits the traditional Odisha style of architecture, also known as Kalinga architecture, on a grand scale.
• The temple is constructed as a gigantic chariot with 24 wheels about three meters high and pulled by 7 horses, housing the Sun God within.
• The entrance is guarded by two huge lions, each killing a war elephant and beneath the elephant is a man. The lions represent pride, elephants represent wealth and both of them consume man.
• This temple is also known as 'Black Pagoda' due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha coast.

Explanation :

• Exercise Ajeya Warrior is a joint military exercise between India and the UK. It was held for the first time in 2013.
• The aim of this exercise is to conduct army level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations.
• The fifth edition of India-UK joint military exercise will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom from 13th-26th February, 2020.

Other exercises between India and UK

• Exercise Konkan: It is an annual maritime bilateral exercise between Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Britain.
• Exercise Indradhanush: It is a joint bilateral air exercise between India and the UK.

Explanation :

• Pangolins or scaly anteaters are mammals of the order Pholidota (from the Greek word- horny scale). Thesehave large, protective keratin scales covering their skin; they are the only known mammals with this feature
• Pangolins eat ants, termites and larvae and are often known as "the scaly anteater." Because they have no teeth, pangolins pick up food with their sticky tongues, which can sometimes reach lengths greater than the animal’s body.
• There are eight species of pangolins. Four are found is Asia—Chinese, Sunda, Indian, and Philippine pangolins—and they're listed by the IUCN as critically endangered.
• The four African species—the ground pangolin, giant pangolin, white-bellied, and black-bellied—are listed as vulnerable.

Ecological Significance

• Pangolins are known as the guardians of the forest because they protect forests from termite destruction, maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Explanation :

• The Chindu Yakshaganam is an age-old art form popular in Armur, Bodhan, Nizamabad, Makloor, Balkonda and Morthad areas in the district of Telangana state.
• The art form dates back to second century BC, is derived from the artiste’s caste Chindu Madiga, a sub-caste of Madiga in Telangana.
• The word ‘Chindu’ in Telugu means ‘jump’. As their presentation is interspersed with leaps and jumps, gaining its name.
• Also called Chindu Bhagavatam, it is similar to Yakshaganam, a traditional theatre form particular to Karnataka State.
• The ancient art form combines dance, music, dialogues between the characters, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form and such was the aura of these artists.

Explanation :

• Repo Rate, or repurchase rate, is the key monetary policy rate of interest at which the central bank or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends short term money to banks, essentially to control credit availability, inflation, and the economic growth.
• Repo Rate in India is the primary tool in the RBI’s Monetary and Credit Policy.
• Other policy rates, such as Reverse Repo Rate and Marginal Standing Facility Rate, are often directly linked with the Repo Rate of RBI.
• A Repo transaction for a day is known as an Overnight Repo. In such an agreement, banks sell securities to the RBI for money, and repurchase those the following day, thus, returning the money to the central bank.
• Repo Rate is the most significant rate for the common man too. Everything from interest rates on loans to returns on deposits is influenced by this crucial rate set by the RBI, which is why interest rates on home loans, car loans and other kinds of borrowings go up and down based on the direction of Repo Rate change.

Explanation :

• Recently, Kerala government made announced to impose a ban on the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and incandescent (filament) bulbs starting November, 2020.
• The announcement is in line with the government project of ‘Filament-free Kerala’ envisaged in 2018 as part of the state’s Urja Kerala mission.
• The project is also part of the long-term sustainable energy policy of the government to reduce the dependence on conventional energy sources and instead maximise potential on renewable sources like solar and hydel power.

Reason

• LED bulbs are energy-efficient than filament or CFL bulbs and will, therefore, generate less waste. Also, filament bulbs contain the mercury element which, when broken, is polluting in nature.

Explanation :

• The submarine project called “Project-75 India (P-75I)” was first approved by the defence ministry in 2007 but has been delayed due to politico-bureaucratic apathy.
• The Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy.
• Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six diesel-electric submarines, which will also feature advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range.
• The French Naval Group is among the five Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM) who have been shortlisted for the Indian Navy’s project for advanced submarines under Project-75I.
• All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.
• The first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari, was commissioned in 2017 and it would go for a normal refit after six years in 2023, during which time the AIP would be installed.
• Second Scorpene Khanderi was inducted in September 2019.

Explanation :

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934 was amended by Finance Act (India), 2016 to constitute MPC, to bring more transparency and accountability in fixing India's Monetary Policy.
• The committee comprises six members - three officials of the RBI and three external members nominated by the Government of India.
• The Governor of Reserve Bank of India is the chairperson ex officio of the committee.
• The MPC is responsible for fixing the benchmark interest rate in India.
• The meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee are held at least 4 times a year.

Explanation :

• On 5^th Februart, 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the country’s 13^th major port at Vadhavannear Dahanuin Maharashtra at a total cost of Rs 65,544.54 crore.
• The Vadhavan port will be developed on “landlord model” (where infrastructure is leased to private firms or industries and chemical plants).
• A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed, with the government planning to hold 51 percent stake in the project.
• The SPV will develop the port infrastructure including reclamation, construction of breakwater, besides establishing connectivity to the hinterland. All the business activities would be undertaken under the private-public partnership mode.

Impact

• With the development of Vadhavan port, India will break into the countries with top 10 container ports in the world.

Explanation :

• Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) launched a special programme for School Children called "Young Scientist Programme" "YUva VIgyani KAryakram" in 2019, in tune with the Government's vision "Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan".
• The Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities. The program is thus aimed at creating awareness amongst the youngsters who are the future building blocks of our Nation. ISRO has chalked out this programme to “Catch them young”.