Current Affairs Quiz: 1 September

1] Consider the following statements regarding Geographical indication (GI).

1. GI is given primarily for an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product

originating from a definite geographical territory.
2. Geographical Indication cannot be licensed by someone not belonging to the group
of authorized producers.
3. The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 20 years.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 1, 2
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: b)
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical
origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

 It is given primarily for an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product

(handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

A geographical indication cannot be assigned or licensed to someone outside that place or

not belonging to the group of authorized producers.
The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years . It can be
renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.

2] Consider the following statements

1. Reservation in promotion in public posts can be claimed as a fundamental right.

2. States are bound to provide reservation in appointments and promotions

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c)
Reservation in promotion in public posts cannot be claimed as a fundamental
right. Articles 16 (4) and
16 (4-A) of the Constitution does not confer individuals with a fundamental right to claim
reservation in promotion. It only empowers the State to make a reservation in matters of
appointment and promotion in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes,
only if in the opinion of the State they are not adequately represented in the services of the
State.

 The Supreme Court has ruled that the states are not bound to provide reservation in
appointments and promotions and that there is no fundamental right to reservation
in promotions. State governments are not bound to make a reservation and have
discretion in providing reservations.

3] The United Nations Security Council sanctions have taken a number of different forms, in
pursuit of a variety of goals. The Security Council has applied sanctions to

1. Promote non-proliferation
2. Support peaceful transitions
3. Protect public health
4. Constrain terrorism

Select the correct answer code:

a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1, 2 and 4
c) 1 and 4
d) 1 and 3

Solution: b)
The UN has an elaborate system of imposing sanctions on member countries for not
complying with UN resolutions. The UN Security Council is authorised to take action under
Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Under Article 41, the sanctions cover a broad range from
economic and trade sanctions to targeted measures like arms embargoes, travel bans, and
financial or commodity restrictions.
According to the UN website, “The Security Council has applied sanctions to support
peaceful transitions, deter non-constitutional changes, constrain terrorism, protect human
rights and promote non-proliferation”.

4] The Supreme Court in the 1992 landmark ruling in Indra Sawhney v Union of India ruled
that

1. The criteria for a group to qualify for reservation is “social and educational
backwardness”.
2. The 50% limit to vertical quotas was needed to ensure “effi ciency” in administration.
3. Under no circumstances the 50% quota limit can be breached.

Select the correct answer code:

a) 1 only
 b) 1, 2
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: b)
One of the key issues before the court was to examine whether the 1992 landmark ruling in
Indra Sawhney v Union of India had to be revisited. The ruling by a nine-judge Bench, in
which the Mandal Commission report was upheld, laid down two important precedents.
First, it said that the criteria for a group to qualify for reservation is “social and
educational backwardness”. Second, it reiterated the 50% limit to vertical quotas
reasoning that it was needed to ensure “effi ciency” in administration . However, the court
said that this 50% limit will apply unless in “exceptional circumstances.”

5] The final say in regard to inclusion or exclusion of socially and economically backward
classes (SEBCs) is firstly with
a) Supreme court
b) Parliament
c) President
d) National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
Solution: c)
The Supreme Court held that “the final say in regard to inclusion or exclusion (or
modification of lists) of SEBCs is firstly with the President, and thereafter, in case of
modification or exclusion from the lists initially published, with the Parliament”.

6] Consider the following statements.

1. Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the prices of Jan
Aushadhi Medicines are cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 90% of the
market price of the branded medicines.
2. Apart from drugs and surgical instruments, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras also offer nutraceuticals products.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c)
Aimed at providing accessible, standardised and affordable generic medicines, the Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras, which currently offer a product
basket of 1,451 drugs and 240 surgical instruments, have added nutraceuticals products,
including protein powder and bar, malt-based food supplements and immunity bar for its
customers.
Under the PMBJP being implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, a medicine is
priced on the principle of maximum of 50% of average price of the top three brands of the
said medicine. Thus, the prices of Jan Aushadhi Medicines are cheaper at least by 50% and
in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of the branded medicines.

7] Consider the following statements

1. In India, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority under the Department of Pharmaceuticals
regulates the prices of all drugs, whether branded or generic.
2. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority fixes the ceiling price of both scheduled and
nonscheduled medicines according to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: b) India has had a history of urban employment schemes such as the Swarna Jayanti
Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), which was launched in 1997. It provided employment to the
unemployed and underemployed urban poor through self-employment and wage employment. In
2013, the SJSRY was replaced by the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). But none of them
were employment “guarantee” schemes. Most unemployment data — be it from the Centre for
Monitoring Indian Economy or the government’s own Periodic Labour Force Survey — shows that
the unemployment rates are typically higher in urban areas.

8] Consider the following statements regarding National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021.
1. WHO defines rare disease as having a frequency of less than 1 per 10,000 people.
2. Financial support under Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi shall be provided by the Central Government for
treatment of rare diseases.
3. The policy will make use of a crowdfunding mechanism to cover the cost of treatment of rare
diseases.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 2
b) 2 only
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
e)
Solution: c)
WHO defines rare disease as having a frequency of less than 6.5-10 per 10,000 people. National
Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021:
• Financial support up to Rs. 20 lakhs under the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi shall
be provided by the Central Government for treatment, of those rare diseases that require a one-time
treatment. Beneficiaries for such financial assistance would not be limited to BPL families, but
extended to about 40% of the population, who are eligible as per norms of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana, for their treatment in Government tertiary hospitals only.
• Government will endeavour to create alternate funding mechanism through setting up a digital
platform for voluntary individual and corporate donors to contribute to the treatment cost of patients
of rare diseases.
• Voluntary crowd-funding for treatment.

9] The term demographic trap is used by demographers to describe the combination of

1. Increasing Mortality
2. Declining mortality
3. High Fertility rate
4. Sub-replacement level fertility rates
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1, 3
b) 1, 4
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2

Solution: c)
The term demographic trap is used by demographers "to describe the combination of high fertility
(birth rates) and declining mortality (death rates) in developing countries, resulting in a period of high
population growth rate (PGR)." Sub-replacement fertility in demography refers to any fertility rate
below the replacement rate that would cause the population of a certain group of people to decrease
over time.

10] Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Registered associations in India can receive
foreign contributions for which of the following purposes?
1. Social
2. Educational
3. Religious and cultural
4. Economic
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 1, 3, 4
c) 1, 2, 4
d) 1, 2, 3, 4
Solution: d)
Among the 6,000 NGOs that did not have their FCRA registration renewed by the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) recently are also included the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the
Ramakrishna Mission, and Shirdi’s Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST). Registered associations can
receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural purposes.