Home
Current Questions
Chinese Paddlefish

Current Question
International

Chinese Paddlefish

Recently, the Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) has been declared extinct by Chinese scientists. Consider the following statements about the Chinese Paddlefish:

Chinese Paddlefish was endemic to the Yangtze River in China.
Prior to being declared extinct, it was listed as critically endangered, possibly extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

	A	Only 1

	B	Both 1 and 2

	C	Only 2

	D	Neither 1 nor 2

Your Ans is

Right ans is B

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

The Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius),native to the Yangtze River was one of the world's largest species of freshwater species.
It was one of only two living species of paddlefish, the other being the American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) part of an ancient group of fish known to have existed since the Lower Jurassic, 200 million years ago. It was also the only species in the genus Psephurus.
Referred to as the “aquatic panda of rivers”, the Chinese paddlefish was an elusive and long-protected species. Capable of growing up to 7 meters long, it had a distinctive elongated nose.
Prior to the extinction, it was listed as “critically endangered,” by the IUCN.
It is the third species unique to the Yangtze River ecosystem to be declared extinct, following the Baiji dolphin in 2006 and the Chinese shad in 2015.

Related Question

The Multidimensional Poverty Index

Consider the following statements with reference to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

The Multidimensional Poverty Index was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI) in 2010.
The Global MPI uses three standard dimensions: Health; Education; Standard of Living.
If a person is deprived in a third or more of ten (weighted) indicators, the global MPI identifies them as ‘MPI poor’.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

	A	Only 1

	B	1 and 3

	C	Only 2

	D	1, 2 and 3

Your Ans is

Right ans is D

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is an international measure of acute multidimensional poverty covering over 100 developing countries.
The original MPI was co-designed and launched in 2010 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report Office (HDRO) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at University of Oxford. It was first published in 2010 as part of the Twentieth Anniversary of the Human Development Report (HDR).
The MPI assesses poverty at the individual level. If a person is deprived in a third or more of ten (weighted) indicators, the global MPI identifies them as ‘MPI poor’. The extent – or intensity – of their poverty is also measured through the percentage of deprivations they are experiencing.

Dimensions

MPI uses three dimensions and ten indicators which are:

Education: Years of schooling and child enrollment (1/6 weightage each, total 2/6);
Health: Child mortality and nutrition (1/6 weightage each, total 2/6);
Standard of living: Electricity, flooring, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel and assets (1/18 weightage each, total 2/6)

State Of The World Population 2019 Report

Consider the following statements regarding the recently published United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, ‘State of the World Population 2019’:

According to it, India accounts for over one-sixth of the world’s population in 2019.
India’s life expectancy at birth is 69 to 72 years.
86% of births in India (2006 and 2017), were attended by skilled health personnel (which is 79% across the world).
India’s Maternal Mortality Rate(MMR) in 2015 was 174 deaths per lakh live births (global MMR in 2015 was 216).

Choose the correct answers from the codes given below:

	A	1 and 2

	B	2 and 3

	C	1 and 4

	D	1, 2, 3 and 4

Your Ans is

Right ans is D

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Recently, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released its flagship report, ‘State of the World Population 2019’.
According to the report – India,
Accounts for over one-sixth of the world’s population in 2019
Grown at an rate 1.2% per year between 2010 and 2019
India’s life expectancy at birth is 69 to 72 years (lower than the world’s)
86% of births in India (2006 and 2017), were attended by skilled health personnel ( which is 79% across the world)
India’s MMR in 2015 was 174 deaths per lakh live births (global MMR in 2015 was 216)
The report includes, for the first time, data on Women’s ability to make decisions over 3 key areas,
Sexual intercourse with their partner
Contraception use
Health care

Source: Civil Services Chronicle Online

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

Consider the following given statements in context to recently released Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

Global MPI- 2019 is released annually by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
It defines poor not only on the basis of income, but on other indicators, including poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence.
According to the report, about 1.3 billion people are multi-dimensionally poor.
Incidence of multidimensional poverty almost halved between 2005-06 and 2015-16, climbing down to 27.5%, indicating that the number of poor people in India fell by more than 271 million within ten years.

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

	A	1, 2 and 3

	B	2, 3 and 4

	C	1,3 and 4

	D	1, 2, 3 and 4

Your Ans is

Right ans is B

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Statement 1: MPI is jointly developed and released annually by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). First developed in 2010, it replaced Human Poverty Index. Sabina Alkire and Maria Emma Santos designed the MPI using a technique for multidimensional measurement known as the Alkire Foster method, created by Sabina Alkire and James Foster. So, the given statement is incorrect.
Statement 2: Apart from the basis of income, other indicators such as poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence are being used for the development of report. So, the given statement is correct.
Statement 3: The report shows that, in the 101 countries assessed - 31 low income, 68 middle income and 2 high income –about 1.3 billion people are multi-dimensionally poor. So, the given statement is correct.
Statement 4: Incidence of multidimensional poverty halved in India, going down to 27.5%. Among states, Jharkhand had the greatest improvement, with Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Nagaland only slightly behind. So, the given statement is correct.

The Global Environment Outlook

Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to ‘The Global Environment Outlook’?

It is released by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPC(c).
Five GEO reports have been published to date.
The GEO project was initiated in response to the environmental reporting requirements of UN Agenda 21.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

	A	1 and 2

	B	1 and 3

	C	3 only

	D	1, 2 and 3

Your Ans is

Right ans is B

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Statement 1 is correct: Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is a series of reports on the environment issued periodically by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Six GEO reports have been published to date: GEO-1 in 1997, GEO-2000 in 1999, GEO-3 in 2002, GEO-4 in 2007, GEO-5 in 2012 and GEO-6 in 2019.
Statement 3 is correct: The GEO project was initiated in response to the environmental reporting requirements of UN Agenda 21 and to a UNEP Governing Council decision of May 1995 which requested the production of a new comprehensive global state of the environment report.

Source: CSC May 2019

World Happiness Report

With reference to World Happiness Report, consider the following statements:

The World Happiness Report is released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations.
World Happiness Day is observed on 20th March every year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

	A	1 only

	B	2 only

	C	Both 1 and 2

	D	Neither 1 nor 2

Your Ans is

Right ans is C

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Statement 1: World Happiness Report is released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. The 2019 report is the seventh report and first report was released in 2012. India is ranked at 140 in 2019.
Statement 2: March 20th was declared as World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

Energy Transition Index

Consider the following statements:

Energy Transition Index is released by the International Energy Association.
The index takes into account four individual indicators for preparing the rankings of different countries.
The title of 2019 Index is- Fostering Effective Energy Transition.
According to the Index, India is ranked at 76th on a global energy transition index.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

	A	1 only

	B	1 and 3

	C	3 and 4

	D	1, 2, 3 and 4

Your Ans is

Right ans is C

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Statement 1: Global Energy Transition Index is published by World Economic Forum (WEF) and not International Energy Association. So, this statement is incorrect.
Statement 2: This index takes into account six individual indicators for preparing the rankings of different countries. These indicators are- capital and investment, regulation and political commitment, institutions and governance, institutions and innovative business environment, human capital and consumer participation, energy system structure. So, this statement is incorrect.
Statement 3: Fostering Effective Energy Transition is the title of Energy Transition Index, 2019. So, this statement is correct.
Statement 4: In 2019 Energy Transition Index, India ranked at 76th position. So, this statement is correct.

Source: CSC May 2019

Multidimensional Poverty Index

Consider the following statements:

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) identifies people’s deprivations across four key dimensions – health, income, education and living standards.
Multidimensional Poverty Index is published by United Nations.
Sabina Alkire and James Foster are credited for creating a new method for measuring multidimensional poverty, known as the Alkire-Foster (AF) method.
Alkire-Foster is based on the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measures, which involves counting the different types of deprivation that individuals experience at the same time, such as a lack of education or employment, or poor health or living standards.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

	A	1 only

	B	2 and 3

	C	3 and 4

	D	None of the above

Your Ans is

Right ans is B

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Statement 1: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) identifies people’s deprivations across three and not four key dimensions. These dimensions are - health, education and living standards. So, this statement is incorrect.
Statement 2: This Index is publioshed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) for the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Report. So, this statement is incorrect.
Statement 3: This Index uses a method for measuring poverty, developed by Sabina Alkire and James Foster. So, this statement is true.
Statement 4: Alkire-Foster is actually based on the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measures. The Foster–Greer–Thorbecke indices are a family of poverty metrics. The most commonly used index from the family, FGT2, puts higher weight on the poverty of the poorest individuals, making it a combined measure of poverty and income inequality and a popular choice within development economics. The indices were introduced in a 1984 paper by economists Erik Thorbecke, Joel Greer, and James Foster.

Source: CSC May 2019

Corruption Perceptions Index 2018

Consider the following statements vis-à-vis recently released Corruption Perceptions Index 2018:

Corruption Perceptions Index is released annually by the World Economic Forum.
India has been ranked below China in the Corruption Perceptions Index.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

	A	Only 1

	B	Only 2

	C	Both 1 and 2

	D	Neither 1 nor 2

Your Ans is

Right ans is D

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

Corruption Perceptions Index is released by Transparency International, an international non-governmental organization which is based in Berlin, Germany. India has improved its ranking from 81 in 2017 to 78 in 2018 (out of 180 countries). Nordic countries have occupied the top slots.
China slipped by 10 ranks to 87th place in Transparency International''s 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Source: ET

World Gold Council Report

Consider the following statements:

As per recent reports of World Gold Council, India has the highest reserve of Gold in the world.
SGB scheme aims to reduce India’s Current Account Deficit.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

	A	Only 1

	B	Only 2

	C	Both 1 and 2

	D	Neither 1 nor 2

Your Ans is

Right ans is B

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

As per recent reports of the World Gold Council (WGC), India has the 11^th largest reserve of gold in world (607 Tonnes with RBI), while US has the maximum gold reserves with its Central Bank (8,133 Tonnes).
It is important to note that India is the largest consumer of gold in the world, but WGC takes into account the reserve of gold available with the Central Bank of that country.

SIPRI Report On Arms Imports/ Exports

Consider the following statements about ‘SIPRI’ (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute):

It is an intergovernmental organization working under the aegis of United Nations.
SIPRI's financial support is primarily drawn from IMF & World Bank.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

	A	Only 1

	B	Only 2

	C	Both 1 and 2

	D	Neither 1 nor 2

Your Ans is

Right ans is D

Your Answer Is Correct

Your Answer Is Wrong

Explanation :

SIPRI is not an intergovernmental organisation working under United Nations. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
SIPRI's financial support is primarily drawn from governments and independent philanthropic organisations around the world. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

Section

Current News

Ecology & Environment

Biodiversity
Conservation
Disaster Management
Pollution
Survey/Study/Report
Sustainable Developement

Indian Economy

Agriculture & Allied Sector
Banking & Finance
Budget
Education
Infrastructure
Labor & Employment
Organizations
Plan Policy
Reports
Survey And Index

International

Bilateral, Regional And Global Groupings
India And Its Bilateral Relations
International Organizations
International Relations
International Trade & Treaties
International Treaties & Agreements
Reports,Survey And Index
United Nations
WHO
WTO

National

Defence
Indian Art, Culture & Heritage
Judiciary
Miscellaneous
National Security
Plan/Policy
Polity & Governance
Social Issue & Social Justice
Study/Survey/Report/Index

Science & Technology

Biotechnology
Geophysical Phenomena
Health & Disease
New Technology
Space

News Crux

Appointment & Resignation
Art/Culture/Heritage
Awards In News
Bill/Act/Amendment
Defence
Defence/Military Exercises
Famous Books
Important Days/Weeks
Important Decade
Miscellaneous
Obituary
Organisation In News
Persons In News
Places In News
Plans & Policy
Reports/Committee/Commission
Scheme & Programme
Species In News
Summit, Seminars & Conferences
Survey/Index
Web Portal & Apps

PIB News

Ecology & Environment
Indian Economy
Infrastructure
International
IT/Cyber Security
National
Science & Technology

Sports In News

Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Billiards
Boxing
Chess
Cricket
Football
Formula One
Hockey
Racing
Shooting
Skiing
Snooker
Tennis
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
Weightlifting
Wrestling

State In News

Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Delhi
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu And Kashmir
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala
Ladakh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Odisha
Punjab
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Telangana
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal

Points to Ponder

Ecology & Environment
Economy
International
National
Science & Technology

Current Questions

Art & Culture
Ecology & Environment
Economy Watch
India Watch
International
National
Science & Technology
Society Watch
State Watch
World Watch

Current GK

Ecology & Environment
Indian Economy
International
National
Science & Technology

Parliament Q & A