Current Affairs Quiz , 26 Nov 2018

1) The National Constitution Day is celebrated on

a) August 15th
b) January 26th
c) November 26th
d) None of the above

Answer: c
• Constitution Day (National Law Day), also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the  Constitution of India.
• On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India.
• Previously this day was celebrated as National Law Day.
• 26 November was chosen to spread the importance of the constitution and  thoughts and ideas of Ambedkar.

2) The Nicobar Megapode, a flightless endemic bird of the Nicobar Islands, has been classified by the IUCN as

a) Endangered
b) Critically endangered
c) Vulnerable
d) Near Threatened

Answer: c
• The Nicobar megapode or Nicobar scrubfowl is a megapode found in some of the Nicobar islands.
• Like other megapode relatives, Nicobar Megapode builds nest on the ground.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
• The species is found only in the Nicobar islands.

3) PAiSA – Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access”, a centralised platform for processing interest subvention on bank loans, was launched by

a) State Bank of India
b) Allahabad Bank
c) NABARD
d) Reserve Bank of India

Answer: b

PAISA Portal:
• A centralized electronic platform for processing interest subvention on bank loans to beneficiaries under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) named “PAiSA – Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access”, was launched.
• The web platform has been designed and developed by Allahabad Bank which is a Nodal bank.
• PAiSA is yet another effort by the government to connect directly with the beneficiaries, ensuring that there are greater transparency and efficiency in the delivery of services.
• Direct Benefit Transfer of subvention on monthly basis under DAY-NULM will give the necessary financial support to small entrepreneurs in a timely manner.
• All 35 states and Union Territories and all scheduled commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRB) and cooperative banks are expected to be on board the PAiSA portal.
• The portal was launched during the course of a day-long National Workshop on Municipal Finance and Urban Planning organised by the ministry.

4) E-Pashuhaat portal, aimed to boost dairy productivity in India, comes under the aegis of

a) Animal Welfare Board of India
b) Department of Biotechnology
c) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
d) None of the above

Answer: c
• The e-pashuhaat portal has been playing a crucial role in connecting farmers & breeders to trade in disease-free germplasm.
E- Pashuhaat Portal:
• E- Pashu Haat is a web portal launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India under the Department of Animal Husbandry.
• The portal is aimed to boost dairy productivity in India by organizing the livestock market.
• Portal allows farmers and entrepreneurs find information about bovine animals, buy or sell livestock, frozen semen and embryos.
• It also helps them to check information on feed and fodder and manage the transportation of animals once a purchase is made.
• A multi-channel communication system, via, video, email, SMS, audio, and chat is available to let interested stakeholders including buyers and sellers communicate.
• Aims and objectives:
o E-trading portal for livestock germplasm and additional related services.
o Will connect farmers with breeders – Central, State, Cooperative and private agencies.
o Real-time authentic certified information on the availability of germplasm.
o Centralized repository of information for Central and State governments.
• Major outcomes:
o Propagation of quality controlled germplasm.
o Availability of disease-free germplasm with known genetic merit.
o Price evaluation available to the buyer.
o One stop portal for bovine breeders.
o No involvement of middlemen in the sale and purchase of animals.
o Sale only of the tagged animal with animal wellness card.
o Propagation of indigenous bovine breeds in the country.
o Increase in milk production and productivity.

5) Hantavirus, which causes severe pulmonary infections, is transmitted by

a) Mosquitoes
b) Sand fly
c) Rodents
d) Flea

Answer: c
• Hantavirus was first identified in 1993 can cause severe and sometimes fatal respiratory infections and are known to infect lung cells.
• Though relatively rare, infections caused by them are expected to increase in the coming decades as temperatures across the globe rise due to climate change.
• Hantavirus is transmitted to humans who inhale the virus from the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.
• Early HPS symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, followed after a week or so by coughing and shortness of breath.
• No treatments or vaccines are available for Hantavirus infections.