[Flash Cards] Current | 21st December 2020 | For Prelims 2021
By IAS Toppers | 2020-12-21 18:30:00
# Question 1
Drake Passage is located near which of the following two Continents? (A) North America or (B) South America
Answer:
Drake Passage is located near South America.
Detailed Answer:
Enrich Your Learning:
The Drake passage is the body of water between South America’s Cape Horn, Chile and the South
Shetland islands of Antarctica.
It connects southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean with the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
# Question 2
Constitution of India borrowed the feature of ‘Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency’ from which Constitution?
Answer:
Constitution of India borrowed the feature of ‘Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency’ From the
Weimar Constitution of Germany.
Detailed Answer:
Enrich Your Learning:
Emergency Provisions:
The emergency provisions are contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution, from Articles 352 to 360.
Article 352: An emergency due to war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
This is popularly known as ‘National Emergency’.
Under Article 352, if the President is satisfied that there exists a grave situation, wherein the security of the country is threatened on the grounds of wars, external aggression or armed
rebellion, he can proclaim emergency to that effect.
Emergency can be declared over the complete territory of India or any part thereof. President can declare emergency only on the written advice of the cabinet.
A special majority is required to approve an emergency resolution.
Once approved, emergency shall operate for a maximum period of not more than six months. Lok Sabha has the power to disapprove the operation of national emergency at any time, if not less than 1/10th members of Lok Sabha in writing to the speaker, if house is in session, or to the President, then speaker or president as the case may be, shall convene a special session of Lok Sabha within 14 days and if such a resolution is passed, President shall revoke national emergency.
Article 356: An emergency due to the failure of the constitutional machinery in the states.
This is popularly known as ‘President’s Rule’.
Effects of “President’s Rule’:
On Executive- State government is dismissed and the executive power of the state is
exercised by the Centre.
On Legislature- State legislature does not function to legislate; state legislative assembly
is either suspended or dissolved.
On Financial relation- There is no impact on the distribution of financial resources
between Centre and the state.
Article 360: Financial emergency due to a threat to the financial stability or credit of India.
Under article 360- If the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or of any part of the territory thereof is threatened, he may by a Proclamation make a declaration to that effect.
This emergency has never been imposed in India.
# Question 3
Which is the implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana?
Answer:
Department of Food and Public Distribution is the implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Ann Yojana.
Detailed Answer:
Enrich Your Learning:
It is a food security welfare scheme announced by the Government of India in March 2020 as a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP).
Objective: To provide food to the poorest citizens of India during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The program is operated by the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The scheme aims to feed all the priority households (ration card holders and those identified by the
Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme).
It provides 5 kg of rice or wheat per person and 1 kg of dal to each family holding a ration card. It is the largest food security program in the world.
Why in news?
Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution has asked the Government of India to extend the PM-GKAY scheme, which expired on November 30, 2020.
# Question 4
Can donations made to the PM Cares Fund be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility under the Companies Act?
Answer:
Yes. Donations will be counted a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
Detailed Answer:
Enrich Your Learning:
PM Cares Fund:
It stands for Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund.
Objective: To provide assistance of any kind relating to a public health emergency or any other kind of
emergency, including the creation or up-gradation of healthcare or pharmaceutical facilities, other necessary infrastructure, funding relevant research, or any other type of support.
Composition:
Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Fund.
Minister Defense, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Finance are ex-officio Trustees of
the Fund.
The fund consists entirely of voluntary contributions from individuals/organizations. It does not get any budgetary support.
It will not be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. It will be audited by independent auditors who will be appointed by the trustees. Donations qualify for 100% exemptions under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Donations will also be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
It can accept donations and contributions from individuals and organizations based in foreign countries.
# Question 5
Who is the founder of Bhabha Atomic Research Center?
Answer:
Dr. Homi J. Bhabha is the founder of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center.
Detailed Answer:
Enrich Your Learning:
Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC):
The BARC is India’s premier nuclear research facility.
It was created as Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) in 1954 with Homi J. Bhabha as the founding director. It was renamed as BARC in 1966.
Mandate: To sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy, primarily for power generation.
BARC has designed and built India’s first Pressurized water reactor at Kalpakam, Tamil Nadu. Research Reactors in BARC:
Apsara was the first nuclear reactor in Asia to have achieved criticality in 1956.
Zerlina was a 100-watt thermal reactor based on natural uranium metallic fuel and heavy water as
both moderator and coolant.
CIRUS was built in collaboration with Canada. Dhruva was conceived in the 1970s.
Purnima-I was the first experimental fast reactor built in BARC with plutonium oxide as the fuel. Purnima-II, Purnima-III, Kamini are research reactors built in BARC.
