10 PM Current Affairs Quiz: May 22, 2020

Statement 1 is incorrect. Quantum entanglement is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in which the quantum states of two or more objects have to be described with reference to each other, even though the individual objects may be spatially separated. They are linked in a way such that the quantum state of each particle of the pair or group cannot be described independently of the state of the others.

Statement 2 is correct. Quantum entanglement has applications in the emerging technologies of quantum computing and quantum cryptography and has been used to realize quantum teleportation experimentally.

Scientists from S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology have developed a novel protocol to find out whether a pair of electrons is in an entangled state so that they can be safely used as resources for facilitating quantum information processing tasks.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The MGNREGA is part of the Core of the Core Schemes and is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on a cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States as determined by the Act.

The Act incentivises States to provide employment, as 100 per cent of the unskilled labour cost and 75% of the material cost of the programme is borne by the Centre.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The mandate of the MGNREGA is to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

Statement 3 is correct. As per the act, the Gram Sabha shall conduct regular social audits of all the projects under the Scheme taken up within the Gram Panchayat.

Gram Sabha also determines the order of priority of works in the meetings of the Gram Sabha keeping in view potential of the local area, its needs, and local resources and monitors the execution of projects.

Statement 1 is correct. International day of Biological diversity is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues held annually on May 22. The theme for 2020 is “Our solutions are in nature”.

Statement 2 is incorrect. It was held on December 29 to celebrate the day the Convention on Biological Diversity went into effect till 2000, after that the date was shifted to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on May 22.

Statement 1 is incorrect. It is a diagnostic kit for COVID-19, but it is not based on antibody-based testing. It uses an innovative technology for isolating RNA using magnetic nanoparticles to capture the RNA from the patient sample. The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated RNA.

The kit can be used for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and other isothermal and PCR based protocols for the detection of SARS-COV-2.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The kit was developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum, an Institute of National Importance of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, an in vitro diagnostics manufacturing company based in Cochin.

Statement 1 is incorrect. A bad bank is a bank set up to buy the bad loans and other illiquid holdings of another financial institution.

Statement 2 is correct. The financial entity holding significant nonperforming assets will sell these illiquid and distressed holdings to the bad bank. By transferring such assets to the bad bank, the original institution may clear its balance sheet.

Statement 1 is correct. As per the act the Central Government has the power to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing controlling and abating environmental pollution. It may notify restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards.

Statement 2 is correct. Areas around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries requiring more protection due to their sensitiveness are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as Eco-sensitive zones or Eco-sensitive areas.

Statement 1 is correct. Article 129 of the Constitution provides that “the Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself”.

A court of record is one whose proceedings are recorded and available as evidence of fact.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The powers to issue writs for enforcement of fundamental rights is not exclusive to the Supreme Court, the High Courts can also issue writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibitions, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of them, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III as provided by Article 226(1) of the constitution.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) recently released the Star Rating of Garbage Free cities.

The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry in 2018 to institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status, and to motivate cities to achieve higher degrees of cleanliness.

The protocol includes components such as cleanliness of drains and water bodies, plastic waste management, managing construction & demolition waste, etc., while the key thrust of protocol is on Solid Waste Management.

The proportionality test was broadly agreed upon in the Puttaswamy judgment, which says that the action must be sanctioned by law; the proposed action must be necessary in a democratic society for a legitimate aim; the extent of such interference must be proportionate to the need for such interference and there must be procedural guarantees against abuse of such interference.

Statement 1 is correct. The Human Resource Development Ministry has launched an Artificial Intelligence powered mobile app named – the ‘National Test Abhyas’. It has been developed by National Testing Agency.

Statement 2 is incorrect. It will enable the candidates to take mock tests for upcoming exams such as JEE Main, NEET under the NTA’s purview.

GATE is conducted jointly by IISc and 7 IITs and not by NTA.