DAY – 31 (InstaTest-31): Insta 75 Days Revision Plan-2022: Topic – ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIA, Subject-wise Tests 1, Text Book Based Test 27, Oct- Dec 2022 CA Revision – INSIGHTSIAS

Solution: C

What is UNGA?

Popularly known as the parliament of the world, where all the 193 UN member states are represented, the UNGA is the deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN.

Roles and functions:

1. Takes a decision on important matters such as peace and security, discusses various global issues and budgetary matters.
2. Decides on matters such as the admission of new members.
3. Decisions are taken through a vote. Admission of new members and budgetary matters require a two-thirds majority, while the decision on other issues are taken by a simple majority.
4. Each sovereign state gets one vote and the votes are not binding on the membership, except in budgetary matters.
5. The Assembly has no binding votes or veto powers like the UN Security Council. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
6. The UNGA can express world opinion, promote international cooperation in various fields and make recommendations to the UNSC and elect the Security Council’s non-permanent members.

Forum for multilateral negotiation

Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprised of all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law.

According to the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly may:
•    Consider and approve the United Nations budget and establish the financial assessments of Member States
•    Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General
•    Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament.

The search for consensus

Each of the 193 Member States in the Assembly has one vote. Votes taken on designated important issues – such as recommendations on peace and security, the election of Security Council and Economic and Social Council members, and budgetary questions – require a two-thirds majority of Member States, but other questions are decided by a simple majority.
In recent years, an effort has been made to achieve consensus on issues, rather than deciding by a formal vote, thus strengthening support for the Assembly’s decisions. The President, after having consulted and reached agreement with delegations, can propose that a resolution be adopted without a vote.

Elections for the President and Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly and Chairs of the Main Committees

In accordance with its rules of procedure, the President, Vice-Presidents and Chairs of the Main Committees are elected at least three months in advance of the start of the new session in order to further strengthen coordination and preparation of work among the Main Committees and between the Committees and the Plenary. On 17 June, the Assembly elected His Excellency Volkan Bozkir of Turkey as its President for the 75th session.

Solution: D

The World Bank Group consists of five organizations:

·         The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) lends to governments of middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.

·         The International Development Association

The International Development Association (IDA) provides interest-free loans — called credits — and grants to governments of the poorest countries.

• Together, IBRD and IDA make up the World Bank.

·         The International Finance Corporation

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. We help developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, mobilizing capital in international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments.

·         The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was created in 1988 to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to support economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives. MIGA fulfills this mandate by offering political risk insurance (guarantees) to investors and lenders.

·         The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) provides international facilities for conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes.

India is not a member of The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Hence, option (d) is correct.

 embers of ICSID

Solution: A

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

Created in 1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 190 countries that make up its near-global membership.

The IMF is a quota-based institution. Quotas are the building blocks of the IMF’s financial and governance structure. An individual member country’s quota broadly reflects its relative position in the world economy. Quotas are denominated in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), the IMF’s unit of account.

The IMF’s Board of Governors conducts general quota reviews at regular intervals (no more than five years). Any changes in quotas must be approved by an 85 percent majority of the total voting power, and a member’s own quota cannot be changed without its consent. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Two main issues addressed in a general quota review are the size of an overall quota increase and the distribution of the increase among the members.

Country Representation

Unlike the General Assembly of the United Nations, where each country has one vote, decision making at the IMF was designed to reflect the relative positions of its member countries in the global economy. The IMF continues to undertake reforms to ensure that its governance structure adequately reflects fundamental changes taking place in the world economy.

Accountability

Created in 1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 190 countries that make up its near-global membership. Decision making at the IMF was designed to reflect the relative positions of its member countries in the global economy.

Solution: B

The International Science Council (ISC) is a non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that brings together 40 international scientific Unions and Associations and over 140 national and regional scientific organizations including Academies and Research Councils. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The ISC was created in 2018 as the result of a merger between the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC).

It is the only international non-governmental organization bringing together the natural and social sciences and the largest global science organization of its type.

Our vision

The vision of the Council is to advance science as a global public good. Scientific knowledge, data and expertise must be universally accessible and its benefits universally shared. The practice of science must be inclusive and equitable, also in opportunities for scientific education and capacity development.

Our mission

The mission of the International Science Council is to act as the global voice for science. As part of that mission, the ISC:

• Speaks for the value of all science and evidence-informed decision-making;
• Stimulates and supports international scientific research and scholarship on major issues of global concern;
• Articulates scientific knowledge on such issues in the public domain;
• Promotes the continued and equal advancement of scientific rigour, creativity and relevance in all parts of the world;
• Defends the free and responsible practice of science.

Solution: A

WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.

Our mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. Our mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

 The predecessor to WIPO was the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (Bureaux Internationaux Réunis pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle, with the French acronym “BIRPI”), which had been established in 1893 to administer the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

WIPO was formally created by the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, which entered into force on 26 April 1970. That date is commemorated annually as World Intellectual Property Day, which raises awareness of the importance of IP. Under Article 3 of this Convention, WIPO seeks to “promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world”. WIPO became a specialized agency of the UN in 1974.

Solution: D

The United Nations Global Compact is a non-binding United Nations pact to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. Hence, option (d) is correct.

The UN Global Compact is a principle-based framework for businesses, stating ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. Under the Global Compact, companies are brought together with UN agencies, labor groups and civil society. Cities can join the Global Compact through the Cities Programme.

The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability (a.k.a. corporate social responsibility) initiative with 13000 corporate participants and other stakeholders over 170 countries with two objectives: “Mainstream the ten principles in business activities around the world” and “Catalyse actions in support of broader UN goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)“. Moving forward, the UN Global Compact and its signatories are deeply invested and enthusiastic about supporting work towards the SDGs.

Solution: D

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 103 approved members worldwide. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, we will better connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond.

• It is headquartered in Beijing.
• It commenced operations in January 2016.
• It is a development bank with a mission to improve the economic and social outcomes in Asia.

India is the second largest shareholder in AIIB after China and is also the largest recipient of funds from the multilateral agency. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Is AIIB actively recruiting new members?

AIIB is an open and inclusive multilateral financial institution.

• Membership in AIIB shall be open to members of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the Asian Development Bank.

Unlike other MDBs (multilateral development bank), the AIIB allows for non-sovereign entities to apply for AIIB membership, assuming their home country is a member.

AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund:

• Established in June 2016, the Project Preparation Special Fund (Special Fund) is a multidonor facility with the primary purpose of supporting eligible AIIB members—especially low-income members—prepare bankable infrastructure projects AIIB may finance.
• The Special Fund provides technical assistance grants for preparing bankable infrastructure projects. Through these grants, clients can hire experts and consultants to carry out the required preparation work.

Solution: A

The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

The Court is participating in a global fight to end impunity, and through international criminal justice, the Court aims to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes and to help prevent these crimes from happening again.

​​The Court cannot reach these goals alone. As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national Courts. Governed by an international treaty called the Rome Statute, the ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

 Towards stability and lastin​g peace

Justice is a key prerequisite for lasting peace. International justice can contribute to long‐term peace, stability and equitable development in post‐conflict societies. These elements are foundational for building a future free ​of violence. ​​

About ICC:

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in The Hague, is the court of last resort for prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• It is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
• Its founding treaty, the Rome Statute, entered into force on July 1, 2002.
• Funding: Although the Court’s expenses are funded primarily by States Parties, it also receives voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities.

India is a non-state party and non-signatory. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Composition and voting power:

• The Court’s management oversight and legislative body, the Assembly of States Parties, consists of one representative from each state party.
• Each state party has one vote and “every effort” has to be made to reach decisions by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions are made by vote. The Assembly is presided over by a president and two vice-presidents, who are elected by the members to three-year terms.

Jurisdiction:

• The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
• The ICC is intended to complement existing national judicial systems and it may therefore only exercise its jurisdiction when certain conditions are met, such as when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals or when the United Nations Security Councilor individual states refer situations to the Court.

Solution: C

Membership of the IWC is open to any country in the world that formally adheres to the 1946 Convention. Each member country is known as a Contracting Government and represented by a Commissioner, who is assisted by experts and advisers.

The Chair and Vice-chair are elected from among the Commissioners and usually serve for four years, first as Vice-chair for two years, and then as Chair. The Chair for the period 2018-20 is Andrej Bibic of Slovenia and the Vice-chair is Amadou Telivel Diallo of the Republic of Guinea.

Below is a map showing IWC member countries and when they joined the IWC.  To view a larger version of this map, please click here.

Canada is former member of IWC.

Solution: C

All the above statements are correct.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997. The OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.

OPCW by the Numbers

193 States committed to the Chemical Weapons Convention • 98% of the global population live under the protection of the Convention • 98% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifiably destroyed

The organisation was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”.

https://www.opcw.org/about-us

Solution: C

Solution:

• Large number of farm animals cannot be a challenge.

Solution: D

Solution:

• Foreign investment in India is regulated under codified foreign exchange regulations, sector specific policies/regulations, government policies as well as International agreements. Primarily, foreign investment is regulated through the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 as amended from time to time (FEMA) and rules/regulations issued thereunder.
• ‘FDI’ means investment through equity instruments by a person resident outside India in an unlisted Indian company
• (or) in 10% or more of the post issue paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis of a listed Indian company.

Solution: B

Solution:

• They get generated through a mining process in a decentralized manner.

Solution: A

Solution:

Solution: B

Solution:

Citizen’s charter has no direct relation with decentralisation of the government.

Solution: c)

Justification: Ahars were a separate culture from GJs. Located in northeast Rajasthan, the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura complex was an early centre of agriculture and copper metallurgy in the subcontinent. More than eighty sites of this culture have been identified in the Sikar, Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts, with the largest concentration being in Sikar.

• It is possible that the inhabitants of Khetri (GJs) region supplied copper to the Harappans.
• Among the earliest chalcolithic cultures in India, the Ahar or Banas culture was discovered in the Mewar region of southeast Rajasthan.
• Nearly one hundred sites of the culture have been located along its principal axis, i.e., the valleys of river Banas and its tributaries and subtributaries in Banswara, Udaipur etc. The technology at Ahar was based mainly on copper and very few microblades and microliths have been discovered.
• You can read more here http://www.academia.edu/1813929/Indices_of_Interaction_Comparisons_between_the_Ahar-Banas_and_Ganeshwar_Jodhpura_Cultural_Complex

Q Source: AR: Themes in Indian History – I

Solution: d)

Justification: Bhimbetka owes its name to the characters of the longest epic in the world, the Mahabharata. It is believed that when the five brothers, called Pandavas, were banished from their kingdom, they came here and stayed in these caves, the massive rocks seating the gigantic frame of Bhima, the second Pandava.

Bhimbetka is an archaeological treasure. The rock paintings have numerous layers belonging to various epochs of time, ranging from the Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic Age to the protohistoric, early historic and medieval periods. The most ancient scenes here believed to be commonly belonging to the Mesolithic Age. So, 2 is correct.

Animals such as bison, tiger, rhinoceros, wild boar, elephants, monkeys, antelopes, lizards, peacocks etc. have been abundantly depicted in the rock shelters. This suggests that many of these were found locally. Popular religious and ritual symbols also occur frequently.

You can read more about it here http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_rockart_bhimbetka_detail.asp

Q Source: AR: Page 14-15: NCERT 6^th History: Our Pasts-I

Solution: a)

Learning: It is an Iron Age culture of the Gangetic plain and the Ghaggar-Hakra valley, lasting from roughly 1200 BCE to 600 BCE.

• PGW are extremely fine to touch, with a nice, smooth surface. Perhaps these were used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.
• It is contemporary to, and a successor of the Black and red ware culture.
• It is succeeded by Northern Black Polished Ware from c. 700-500 BCE, associated with the rise of the great mahajanapada states and of the Magadha Empire.

Q Source: Page 56: NCERT 6^th History: Our Pasts-I

Solution: d)

Justification: The age is marked by the use of copper as the first major metal in India. Bronze too was used. The Chalcolithic age is followed by Iron Age. Iron is frequently referred to in the Vedas.

The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of these materials coincided with other changes in society, including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles.

Black on Red ware is a famous pottery of this age.

Q Source: Page 16: 11th Standard TamilNadu History Textbook

Solution: d)

Learning: It is Mohenjodaro. The Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro are the best-preserved urban settlement in South Asia dating back to the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC, and exercised a considerable influence on the subsequent development of urbanization.

• The archaeological ruins are located on the right bank of the Indus River
• It was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
• The Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro are being protected by National and Regional laws including the Antiquities Act 1975.
• The discovery of Moenjodaro in 1922 revealed evidence of the customs, art, religion and administrative abilities of its inhabitants.
• Sometime ago the movie Mohenjodaro on it was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.

Q Source: AR: Chapter 4: NCERT 6^th History: Our Pasts-I

Answer C

Erosion along rocky coasts occurs at various rates and is dependent both on the rock type and on the wave energy at a particular site. As a result of the above-mentioned conditions, wave-cut platforms may be incomplete, with erosional remnants on the horizontal wave-cut surface. These remnants are called sea stacks, and they provide a spectacular type of coastal landform. Some are many metres high and form isolated pinnacles on the otherwise smooth wave-cut surface

Answer D

Answer D

At least 50% of the total seats on an aircraft have to be offered at cheaper rates. In order to enable airlines to offer affordable fares they are given a subsidy from the Government for a period of three years. The Government had also earmarked ₹4,500 crore for revival of 50 airports in the first three years

It focuses on Tier 2 and tier 3 cities

Answer D

Foreign companies can make investments or operate their business in a number of ways as given

below: –

1. Liaison/representative office
2. Project Office
3. Branch Office
4. 100% Wholly owned subsidiary
5. Joint venture company

According to Mayaram committee if equity is more than 10% then its FDI

Answer C

Footloose industry is a general term for an industry that can be placed and located at any location without effect from factors such as resources or transport. These industries often have spatially fixed costs, which means that the costs of the products do not change despite where the product is assembled. Diamonds and computer chips are some examples of footloose industries. These industries can be located at a wide variety of places, as these are not weight-losing nor raw-material-specific. Moreover, they produce in relatively small quantities, employing smaller workforces and are considered to be more efficient from an ecological point of view. These are generally not polluting industries.

Ans.(c) In this question, the loan is refunded with equal installment and without interest.  Initially the man had to pay x installations. Now, after paying 18 installments 60 % of loan iş refunded .

  60 % of x = 18 = 60/100* X= 18 

  18 x 100/60 = 30  

There were 30 installations in the agreement .

Ans. (C) Quantity of juice in jar A = 5/6 and

Quantity of water in jar A = 1/6

Now quantity of Mango – juice in jar 

B=21/51 

and quantity of water in jar B =30/ 51

Now, quantity of juice in jar C = Mixture in A and B 

=5/6= 21/51 = 255=126/306=381/306

and quantity of water in jar

C=1/6+ 30 /51 = 51+180 /306 = 231 /306

Ratio of mixture in jar 

C=381/306 + 231/306= 612/306= 2/1 = 2 : 1

Quantity of juice in 12 lit , of 2 mixture

=  2/ (2+1)x12 = 8 lit 

Quantity of water = 12-8 = 4 lit

Ans. (c) Let there are 100 persons in which 60 are men and 40 are women. .. Number of men who cleared the qualifying test

 = 70 x60/100 = 42 

Number of women who cleared the qualifying test 

=40*3/4=30

Number of men who get success in final test

=42*4/5=33.6

Number of women who get success in final test 

=30 x 70/100=21

Hence , more men cleared the examination than women   

Ans. (b) Number of boys in the class 18

Number of girls in the class

= 48-18-30

: HCF of 18 and 30 = 6 

So , a row can have maximum number of 6 students

Ans-. Correct Answer : C Answer Justification : A common sensical understanding of the passage will lead us to the correct answer. The passage tells classification criteria for MSMEs is done in 2006 but much has changed since then and so we need a policy change. That means, a change in definition is required. Thus C is correct. There is no mention of the concept of cluster development and technology is among others a reason not the main reason for MSME issues. Hence D and B are wrong. A is not the answer because it is too generic and does not inform us the essence of the passage. The essence is about defining criteria for MSMEs. Hence C is the answer.