DAY – 44 ( INSTA REVISION TEST – 44)INSTA REVISION PLAN 2.0, 2021 – INSIGHTSIAS

Solution: D

Standard antiretroviral therapy (ART) consists of the combination of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease. Huge reductions have been seen in rates of death and suffering when use is made of a potent ARV regimen, particularly in early stages of the disease.

Antiretroviral therapy has the following positive effects on HIV:

• stops it from multiplying in the blood
• reduces viral load, which is the number of HIV copies in the blood
• increases the number of CD4 cells, which are immune cells that HIV targets, to improve immune system function
• slows down and prevents the development of stage 3 HIV, or AIDS
• prevents transmission
• reduces the severity of complications and increases survival rates
• keeps virus counts low in the blood

https://www.who.int/hiv/topics/treatment/art/en/

Solution: C

During the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014), the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). In the Fortaleza Declaration, the leaders stressed that the NDB will strengthen cooperation among BRICS and will supplement the efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global development, thus contributing to collective commitments for achieving the goal of strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

Bank’s Articles of Agreement specify that all members of the United Nations could be members of the bank, however the share of the BRICS nations can never be less than 55% of voting power.

About New Development Bank (NDB)

It is a multilateral development bank operated by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). It was established in 2014, at the 6th BRICS Summit at Fortaleza, Brazil.
The bank is set up to foster greater financial and development cooperation among the five emerging markets
HQ is located in Shanghai, China.
Unlike the World Bank, which assigns votes based on capital share, in the New Development Bank each participant country will be assigned one vote, and none of the countries will have veto power.
https://www.ndb.int/about-us/essence/history/

Solution: C

Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on “ensuring adequate numbering resources for fixed line and mobile services”.

 Background:

The Telecom Department had asked TRAI to furnish its recommendations on the strategies of National Digital Communications Policy which also talks of “ensuring adequate numbering resources, by developing unified numbering plan for fixed line and mobile services.”

 Key recommendations:

1. There needs to be no change in dialling plan for fixed-to-fixed, mobile-to-fixed, and mobile-to-mobile calls.
2. For creation of sufficient numbering space, dial all fixed to mobile calls with the prefix “0”. In the current scheme of things, “0″ is prefixed for calls made from fixed lines to mobiles in another service area.
3. Need for a revised and new National Numbering Plan (NNP) to free up unutilised capacities, to create space for mobiles services.
4. All the SIM-based Machine-to-Machine connections using 10-digit mobile numbering series should be shifted to the 13-digit numbering series allocated by Telecom Department for M2M communication at the earliest.

About TRAI:

It is a statutory body set up under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. 

It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.

The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

Important functions:

TRAI regularly issues orders and directions on various subjects such as tariffs, interconnections, quality of service, Direct To Home (DTH) services and mobile number portability.

Composition:

• It consists of a Chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members.
• They are appointed by the Central Government and the duration for which they can hold their office is three years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Solution: D

Context: International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2020 will be observed on May 29.

The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Why may 29?

The first UN peacekeeping mission was established on 29th May 1948, when the Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East.

What is peacekeeping? It’s significance?

United Nations Peacekeeping is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support.

Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the Security Council. 

The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States. According to UN Charter every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping. 

Composition:

UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel. Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis.  Civilian staff of peace operations are international civil servants, recruited and deployed by the UN Secretariat.

 Features:

• United Nations Peacekeeping helps countries torn by conflict create conditions for lasting peace.
• Peacekeeping has unique strengths, including legitimacy, burden sharing, and an ability to deploy and sustain troops and police from around the globe, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to advance multidimensional mandates.

UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:

• Consent of the parties.
• Impartiality
• Non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate.

Solution: D

Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums will soon commence field research work at Keshavapura in Araga Gram Panchayat (GP) of Tirthahalli taluk to explore definitive archaeological evidences that may put an end to speculations regarding the birthplace of Purandara Dasa.

What’s the issue?

There is much speculation about where Purandara Dasa, regarded as the pitamaha of Carnatic music, was born.

An expert committee was constituted by Kannada University, Hampi. It had come to the conclusion that it was most likely a small village called Kshemapura (now called Keshavapura) at Araga hobli in Tirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district in Karnataka. The committee found enough evidence to believe this place, which was a major province of the Vijayanagara empire, was the birthplace of the saint.

But, some have been arguing that the saint-poet was born in Purandaragadh, near Pune in Maharashtra, and finally settled in Hampi.

About Purandaradasa:

Purandara Dasa (1484–1564) was a Haridasa, great devotee of Lord Krishna and a saint.

He was a disciple of the celebrated Madhwa philosopher-saint Vyasatirtha, and a contemporary of yet another great Haridasa, Kanakadasa.

Purandaradasa was the pioneer who blended the rich musical streams, namely the Dravidian and Aryan music, into a single stream known as Carnatic music.

Prior to his initiation to Haridasa tradition, Purandara Dasa was a rich merchant and was called as Srinivasa Nayaka.

Contributions to Indian Music:

1. He formulated the basic lessons of teaching Carnatic music by structuring graded exercises known as Svaravalis and Alankaras
2. He introduced the raga Mayamalavagowla as the first scale to be learnt by beginners in the field – a practice that is still followed today.
3. He also composed Gitas (simple songs) for novice students.
4. He is noted for composing Dasa Sahithya, as a Bhakti movement vocalist, and a music scholar.

Solution: A

Governance of World Health Organization(WHO):

Governance takes place through the World Health Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body; and the Executive Board, which gives effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly. The Organization is headed by the Director-General, who is appointed by the Health Assembly on the nomination of the Executive Board.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seventy-third World Health Assembly —its first-ever to be held virtually— met with a reduced agenda to fit into two days

The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The annual Board meeting is held in January when the members agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the Health Assembly.

The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, and advise and generally to facilitate its work.

https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly

https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-third-world-health-assembly

Solution: B

Actually, China controls Aksai Chin area, while India claims that it is part of Indian Territory (Union territory of Ladakh). During the time of British rule in India, two borders between India and China were proposed- Johnson’s Line and McDonald Line.

The Johnson’s line (proposed in 1865) shows Aksai Chin in erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir (now Ladakh) i.e. under India’s control whereas

McDonald Line (proposed in 1893) places it under China’s control.India considers Johnson Line as a correct, rightful national border with China, while on the other hand, China considers the McDonald Line as the correct border with India

Solution: C

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency that facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, environment and law. The NEA, which is under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is headquartered in Paris, France. Hence Statement 1 is correct.

A country need not to sign or ratify Non-Proliferation Treaty before joining Nuclear Energy agency. Hence Statement 2 is incorrect.

• NEA membership represents much of the world’s best nuclear expertise and it maintains strategic partnerships with key non-member countries involved in nuclear technology.
• By pooling this expertise, the NEA provides each member country access to the substantial experience of others and an opportunity to substantially leverage its resources.
• The NEA establishes a climate of mutual trust and collaboration, enabling the full exchange of experience and a frank assessment of issues.
• NEA scientific and technical work is in the forefront of knowledge and is known for its depth and quality.
• The NEA publishes consensus positions on key issues, providing member countries with credible references.
• The NEA is cost-effective, relying on member country experts to carry out much of its technical work. Hence Statement 3 is correct.
• The NEA’s system of standing technical committees enables the Agency to be flexible and responsive.

Solution: B

Under the Paris Agreement, OECD countries agreed to aim for a reduction of their greenhouse gas emissions sufficient to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre industrial levels.

This commitment requires a massive effort to decarbonise energy and electricity generation, a radical restructuring of the electric power sector and the rapid deployment of large amounts of low-carbon generation technologies, in particular nuclear energy and renewable energies such as wind and solar PV.

Solution: C

The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States

Solution: B

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a joint program of WWF and IUCN – the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

TRAFFIC works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC has gained its greatest reputation from supporting CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Since TRAFFIC was created in 1976 it has helped with the evolution of this international wildlife trade treaty. TRAFFIC North America (NA) works through its offices in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and with its programs in Central America and the Caribbean.

TRAFFIC focuses on leveraging resources, expertise and awareness of the latest globally urgent species trade issues such as tiger parts, elephant ivory and rhino horn. Large scale commercial trade in commodities like timber and fisheries products are also addressed and linked to work on developing rapid results and policy improvements.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/traffic-the-wildlife-trade-monitoring-network

Solution: D

The total tribal population in Ladakh region is more than 97%. The region is inhabited by following Scheduled Tribes, namely:

• Balti
• Beda
• Bot, Boto
• Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin
• Changpa
• Garra
• Mon
• Purigpa

Solution: D

Marmagao Port, situated at the entrance of the Zuari estuary, is a natural harbour in Goa. It gained significance after its remodelling in 1961 to handle iron-ore exports to Japan. Construction of Konkan railway has considerably extended the hinterland of this port. Karnataka, Goa, Southern Maharashtra constitute its hinterland.

Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh is a land-locked harbour, connected to the sea by a channel cut through solid rock and sand. An outer harbour has been developed for handling iron-ore, petroleum and general cargo. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are the main hinterland for this port.

Ennore Port, officially renamed Kamarajar Port Limited, is located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Chennai, it is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company.

Solution: D

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)

NITI Aayog has launched a Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) for providing an ecosystem for budding & existing women entrepreneurs across the country. SIDBI has partnered with NITI Aayog to assist in this initiative.

As an enabling platform, WEP is built on three pillars- Iccha Shakti, Gyaan Shakti & Karma Shakti

• Iccha Shakti represents motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to start their business.
• Gyaan Shakti represents providing knowledge and ecosystem support to women entrepreneurs to help them foster entrepreneurship.
• Karma Shakti represents providing hands-on support to entrepreneurs in setting-up and scaling up businesses.

Solution: D

The Okjokull glacier became the first Icelandic glacier lost due to climate change.