Civils Prelims 2021 Model Questions (GS )Set No. 26

Civils Prelims 2021 Model Questions (for GS Paper )

Set No. 26 {Prepared on 20 .9.2021 } Prepared by :P.Potayya Sarma

Mobile No.8143189271

1)Consider the following with reference to Carbon Budget estimates :

1) Carbon budgets are constructed on the premise that there is a near-linear relationship between rising global temperatures and the level of cumulative atmospheric CO2.

2)Carbonbudgets are complex estimates and are typically subject to several uncertainties such as the effect of non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHG) [methane and nitrous oxide]; the cooling effect of aerosols; and Earth-system feedbacks such as carbon released by thawing permafrost that were generally not included in climate models.

2) As atmospheric CO2 rises, the temperature rises, and a looser temperature threshold like 2°C allows us to emit a higher amount of CO2 than a 1.5°C threshold.

3) The world currently emits about 40 GtCO2 annually; the 1.5°C budget is likely to be exhausted in 11.5 years at 50 per cent likelihood and nine years at 67 per cent likelihood.

4)This could be even lower if emissions rebound next year and surpass the pre-novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic levels.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

2)Consider the following with reference to albedo effect (increased reflection of sunlight) :

Large volcanic eruptions shoot out aerosols (small particles) into the upper atmosphere. These reflect sunlight and induce a long-term cooling effect on the surface.

1) Volcanoes are one of the two natural drivers that influence the Earth’s climate in the long-term. The other is the variation in solar irradiance.

2) The albedo effect (increased reflection of sunlight) produced by the aerosols have shown to partially offset the warming in an atmosphere dense with greenhouse gases, according to some models

3) The combination of these two factors slowed down global warming between 1998-2012 compared to the three preceding decades, the researchers noted.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

3)Consider the following about Cloudburst:

1)Cloudburst occurs when moisture-rich air travels up a mountainous region, forming a vertical column of clouds known as Cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds usually cause rain, thunder and lightning. This upward movement of clouds is also known as ‘orographic lift’. Due to these unstable clouds, heavy rainfall may occur over a small area.

2)The upward movement of clouds provides the required energy for a cloudburst.

3)It usually happens at 1,000-2,500 metres above the sea level. The moisture is usually provided by low-level eastern winds associated with a low-pressure system over the Gangetic plains.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

4)Consider the following with reference to lightning :

1)India received about 39.6 million intra-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in 2020, a whopping 70 per cent of the total number in the region.

2)The country received nearly 89 per cent of all the lethal cloud-to-ground strikes in the world.

3)India suffered 1,697 deaths due to lightning in 2020, according to the Annual Lightning Report 2020-21 — part of the ‘Lightning Resilient India Campaign 2019-22’.

4)It is a joint initiative by Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council, India Meteorological Department, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of tropical Meteorology, Inian Meteorological Society and World Vision India.

5)During the last decade (2011-20), India recorded a total of 2,600 deaths a year on an average. In Bangladesh, about a third of the three million lightning bolts were ground strikes. Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka and Rangpur districts received the most (over 0.1 million each) cloud-to-ground strikes in the country.

“Lightning is a major problem in the country as a whole and kills many every year,”

6)West Bengal received 940,958 lightning strikes on ground, about 11 lightning strikes per square kilometer on average last year. harkhand was the second-highest on the list with around 10 strikes; Orissa, Chhattisgarh,Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are other states which received lightning strikes 4-8 strikes every square kilometer.

7)Tamil Nadu topped the list of overall lightning strikes (including both intra-cloud fireworks and cloud-to-ground bolts), with close to six million strikes, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and West Bengal

8)Climate change, particularly warming, is contributing considerably to the rise of lightning strikes, as it enhances both heat and moisture, the key components required for lightning

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

5)Consider the following with reference to reasons for the break in monsoon progress :

1)The westerly winds coming in are due to an active Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which is a monsoon-like trough that exists between the eastern Atlantic Ocean and North Africa.

2)The ITCZ may have itself been related to the Rossby wave activity and resulting heating events in Libya in North Africa and in eastern Europe, United States and Canada, forming a series of events with impacts over large regions spread across the northern hemisphere.

3)Another reason for the break in monsoon progress that all scientists have highlighted is the unfavourable Madden Julian oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole. 4)The Madden Julian Oscillation is an eastward moving pulse of cloud and rainfall that recurs every 30 to 60 days. It causes major fluctuations in the monsoon over India.

5)The Indian Ocean Dipole is a climatic system formed by the difference in temperatures in the two different sides of the Indian Ocean. In its negative phase, when the eastern Indian Ocean is warmer and has more rainfall, it sometimes stalls the progress of the monsoon winds.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

6)Consider the following with reference to rainfall in Bihar :

1)Bihar has received surplus rainfall in June following the arrival of monsoon for the second year in a row. Through June 22, 2021, the state had received 269.3 millimetres of rainfall — 171 per cent surplus than normal (99.3 mm).

2)The state had received surplus rainfall (305.9 mm) in June 2020. The local meteorological office has forecast more rainfall in the coming days.

3)The surplus rainfall has farmers and poor living in the catchment areas of Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati and Koshi rivers in Nepal worried.

4)Districts in north Bihar are among the worst hit: Thousands of villagers have been displaced. They have taken shelter on the high-rise embankments and national highways in flood-affected districts of East and West Champaran, Gopalganj and Muzaffarpur.

5)Most of the major rivers as well as their tributaries are overflowing. A few have breached the danger mark. Most displaced people have erected temporary covers over their heads with black polythene sheets.

6) India Meteorological Department (IMD), Patna, said Bihar recorded surplus rainfall in June 2020 and 2021. “This is the maximum rainfall the state has received in the last decade in June,”

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

7)Consider the following with reference to Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica :

1) Pine Island Glacier is one of the largest ice streams in Antarctica. It contains approximately 180 trillion tonnes of ice, melting of which could result in 0.5 meters or 1.6 feet of global sea level rise.

2) The ice shelves of Pine Island Glacier are breaking apart rapidly and may collapse faster than previously projected,

3) It is Antarctica’s largest contributor to sea-level rise, causing about one-sixth of a millimeter increase to the sea-level each year or about two-thirds of an inch per century. Several studies have shown that past speedups were due to melt-driven thinning, concentrated near the grounding line.

4) Pine Island Glacier has a large ice shelf, which supports the glacier. Recent speedups due to edge weakening may shorten the timeline for the Pine Island Glacier to finally collapse into the ocean.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

8)Consider the following with reference to soil erosion in Kerala coastline :

Kerala’s 590-kilometre-long coastline — one of the most densely populated in India and exposed to rogue waves — has for long been susceptible to large-scale sea erosion.

1) A recent study has flagged the possibility of coastal areas in the state witnessing an increasing trend of sea surge in the coming years, mainly due to the rise in sea surface temperature. The scientists have advocated for nature-based solutions, in such a case, involving active participation of residents of the coastal communities.

2)Seawalls are walls or embankments erected to prevent the sea encroaching on or eroding an area of land. The scientists involved in the study termed the present practice of erecting granite seawalls as counter-productive.

3) They emphasised that mineral sand mining — rampant in coastal areas of Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts — be confined to public sector with strict monitoring amid numerous complaints of illegal extraction of mineral sand by private agencies.

4)They urged the state government to focus on protecting and promoting mudflats, coastal wetlands, mangroves and sandy beaches to prevent further escalation of sea erosion, which has gained alarming proportions even before the onset of south-west monsoon.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

9)Consider the following with reference to Vembanad,Kerala :

1)Among the 44 rivers originating from Kerala in the Western Ghats, 41 empty into the Lakshadweep sea.

2)The average distance between the seas and the Western Ghats is 55-56 km.

3)The backwaters, formed when the seawater pushes back the river as it reaches from the plains into shallow areas, is a unique characteristic of Kerala.

4)The vagaries of the sea level and beach barrier formed perpendicular to the shore that led to the formation of the backwaters like Vembanad, India’s largest backwater ecosystem.

5)The nutrient richness of the shallow seas in Kerala is due to the nutrients and organic matter brought by the rivers through the estuaries

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

10)Consider the following with reference to Mediterraanean sea warming :

1) The Mediterranean is warming two to three times more than the Earth’s oceans, according to satellite images from the last 35 years, said experts at the University of Valencia (UV).

2) In the Júcar and Segura basins, the duration of dry spells — the number of consecutive days with no rain — has increased, whereas the frequency of moderate rainfall, which can be beneficial, has decreased, in favour of extreme rainfall,

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

11)Consider the following with reference to Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH)Region :

1) The HKH region, often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, is spread over 3,500 square kilometres across eight countries including India, Nepal and China. It contains the world’s third-largest storage of frozen water after the Antarctica and Arctic.

2) Over 240 million people live in the region’s mountains; 1.7 billion live in the river basins downstream, while food grown in these basins reaches three billion people, according to the paper published June 3, 2021.

3) A 2019 assessment by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional intergovernmental body, said the HKH region continue to warm through 21^st century even if the world was able to limit global warming at the agreed 1.5 degrees Celsius.

4)The report said in the best-case scenarios, High Mountain Asia (the Asian mountain ranges surrounding the Tibetan Plateau) will lose a substantial part of its cryosphere in the next decades and thus a substantial part of its water storage abilities. This will lead to increased water stress in high mountain areas.

5)A cryosphere comprises portions of Earth’s surface where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, etc.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

12)Consider the following with reference to Black Carbon (BC) :

1) If South Asian countries implement all the current Black Carbon (BC) emission policies, the deposition of the pollutant can go down by 23 per cent, according to a new report released by the World Bank Group June 3.

2)BC is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon containing fuels such as wood, coal, petrol, diesel and many more. The pollutant is generated by a range of human activities such as industries, vehicles, biomass burning, forest fires, brick-making and cook stoves.

3) When BC is released into the atmosphere by these activities, it can travel long distances, sometimes towards the mountains and settle on top of glaciers and snow.

4)Once settled there, the BC reduces the light- and heat-reflection capacity of the snow, making it melt from the increase in temperature because of the absorbed heat energy. This accelerates the melting of snow and glaciers.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

13)Consider the following with reference to SDG Index and Dashboard :

1)The SDG Index and Dashboard brought out by the NITI Aayog also gauged India’s preparedness for disasters, its saving of carbon dioxide, its share of renewable energy and fatalities due to extreme weather

2) States and UTs were ranked on the basis of five national level indicators. These capture two out of the five SDG targets for 2030 outlined under the climate action SDG or Goal 13.

3) They also cover one SDG target each from Goals 3, 7 and 11 — Good Health and Well Being, Access to Energy and Sustainable Cities and Communities.

4) As of 2020, 36.37 per cent of India’s total electricity generation was from renewable energy, the index showed. This included 90.4 gigawatt (GW) energy from renewable energy sources and 45.7 GW power generated from large hydropower projects.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

14)Consider the following with reference to medicines to African countries :

1)India’s role as ‘the pharmacy of the world’, as the supplier of low-cost, generic medicines is widely acknowledged.

2)Pharmaceutical products along with refined petroleum products account for 40% of India’s total exports to African markets.

3) India is sending consignments of essential medicines, including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and paracetamol, to 25 African countries in addition to doctors and paramedics at a total cost of around ₹600 million ($7.9 million) on a commercial and grant basis.

4) The initial beneficiaries were the African Indian Ocean island nations of Mauritius, the Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar under India’s ‘Mission Sagar’. While transportation and logistics remain a concern, most of the consignments have already reached various African states.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

15)Consider the following with reference to J&K ,rules for domicile status :

1) Ten months after the dilution of Articles 370 and 35A, new laws have been laid down and administrative structures are beginning to take shape.

2) After the gazette notification of March 30, 2020, which lays down the rules for domicile status, under the amended Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, along with repeal or amendment of about 100 J&K State laws, the rules of engagement have become clearer, beginning a process of introspection in Jammu.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

16)Consider the following with reference to Antifa organisers :

1) Antifa members campaign against actions they view as authoritarian, homophobic, racist or xenophobic. Although Antifa is not affiliated with other movements on the left — and is sometimes viewed as a distraction by other organisers — its members sometimes work with other local activist networks that are rallying around the same issues, such as the Occupy movement or Black Lives Matter.

2)Many Antifa organisers also participate in more peaceful forms of community organising, but they believe that using violence is justified because of their views that if racist or fascist groups are allowed to organise freely, “it will inevitably result in violence against marginalised communities,”

3)Although the Merriam-Webster dictionary says the word “Antifa” was first used in 1946 and was borrowed from a German phrase signaling opposition to Nazism, more people began joining the movement in the United States after the 2016 election of Mr. Trump to counter the threat they believed was posed by the so-called alt-right

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

17)Consider the following with reference to Ladakh herds :

“Over 16 kanals of cultivatable land in Chumur’s Chabiji pasture has been inaccessible since January 2020 due to the aggression and incursions of Chinese Army there, destablising the annual seasonal migration of our livestocks, including yaks and Pashmina goats (also known as Cashmere)..

1) Timely migration is essential for their survival,” Gyurmet Dorjey, councillor from Korzok constituency bordering China, said

2) The much-valued wool from the Ladakh herds is essential for the prized Pashmina shawls woven in Kashmir and famous for their intricate hand work.

3) The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok since January has left Ladakh’s nomadic herding Changpa community cut off from large parts of summer pastures.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

18)Consider the following with reference to Central Vista :

The central government is so possessed by its plan to redevelop the Central Vista, the 3-km long stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, that even a devastating pandemic is no distraction from it. In fact, amid the nation’s chaotic battle against COVID-19, the Centre has been rushing ahead, ignoring pleas to pause it for further deliberations.

1) The plan is also to construct a new Parliament building by March 2022 and a common central secretariat by March 2024 along with new residences for the Prime Minister and the Vice President near South and North Blocks which will be repurposed as museums. There will be a new building for the PMO..

2) A draft master plan by a private firm contracted by the government has proposed a triangular-shaped Parliament building next to the existing heritage structure, and office buildings all along Rajpath, after demolishing existing buildings. Till date, the government has not publicly stated the project’s estimated cost. The construction of the new parliament building, according to the CPWD application for environmental clearance for the project on March 12, is estimated to cost ₹922 crore

3) The Centre has given a range of reasons behind the redevelopment plan, from the structural safety of the Parliament building and the North and South Blocks, which came up between 1911 and 1931, and once delimitation is done and the number of seats increase, to the need for more space to seat MPs and office space for all of them. For the post-Independence buildings such as Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan, it has cited the need for modern workspaces.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

19)Consider the following with reference to Karbi Anglong (Assam) :

1) Karbi Anglong adjoins the southern edge of the 898 sq. km. Kaziranga National Park(KNP), which has about 2,400 rhinos. The jungles on the hills of Karbi Anglong are a refuge for animals of the park when it is flooded during the monsoon months.

2)Karbi Anglong, adjoining Nagaland, has several extremist groups — some engaged in talks with the government, some dormant. But each group has been producing factions that veer towards illegal trade in wildlife body parts, specifically rhino horns, although it was left to “outsourced” locals to do the hunting.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

20)Consider the following with reference to Pangong Tso (boomrang-shaped lake) :

1) Pangong Tso is an important focus area as Chinese troops have taken positions in large numbers at the Finger 4 area. India holds one-third of the 135 km boomerang-shaped lake. India has always held areas in Finger 4, while it claims areas so far as Finger 8.

Major scuffles have broken out in this area in the past and on May 5, which were acknowledged by the Army. There was at least one more major scuffle later in this area, the sources said.

2) Galwan has never been an area of contention, and sources said this would be strongly conveyed to the Chinese delegation. India and China have identified 23 “disputed and sensitive” areas along the LAC and both Galwan in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim do not figure on the list.

3) In the month-long stand-off at several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and Sikkim, Chinese troops have moved in large numbers into Indian territory at points in Pangong Tso, Galwan and Gogra in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim, besides the massive build-up on its side.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

21)Consider the following with reference to use of food bomb to kill elephant :

1)An outpouring of grief has followed the death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala, the treacherous use of a food bomb causing widespread revulsion and anger.

2)Scores of elephants are killed every year in India as their paths cross those of humans, but the image of a mortally wounded animal standing impassively in a river in Palakkad as life ebbed out of it will remain imprinted on the mind..

3) Whether the booby-trapped pineapple that took its life was intended for elephants or other animals matters little, because such traps litter the troubled landscapes that surround forests across the country

4) The tragic fate that befell this creature, however, is a ghastly reminder of the rising conflicts between humans and animals that are only destined to grow as commercial pressures eat into already diminished habitat. The perpetrators may be prosecuted for the elephant’s death, but that can do little to mitigate the larger issue of lost ranges and blocked corridors for these wandering giants

5) India has thousands of elephants — just under 30,000 according to available counts — but no strong science-imbued policy that encourages soft landscapes and migrating passages that will reduce conflict. Ironically, Union Environment Minister invoked Indian culture to deplore what happened in Kerala, but it is the lack of a scientific culture and the readiness to spare forested lands from commercial exploitation that is eviscerating nature..

6)Even during the lockdown in April, the Ministry convened video conference meetings of the National Board for Wildlife and the Expert Appraisal Committee to clear disruptive projects in protected areas

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

22)Consider the following with reference to factory farming :

1) Large-scale, industrial animal agriculture for meat, eggs, and dairy — also called factory farming — creates and exacerbates planetary health risks at every scale.

2)Factory farming in India is still a small industry compared to the U.S., Brazil, or China, though it is increasingly being seen as an employment and income generator in a country with water scarcity and diminishing land holdings.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

23)Consider the following with reference to migrations/internal displacements :

1) India had one in five of all internal displacements caused by disasters across the world in 2019, mostly caused by floods, cyclones and drought, according to the State of India’s Environment in Figures 2020 report released . Also, 19 major extreme weather events claimed 1,357 lives last year i.e.,2020.

2)Apart from such forced migrations, many move for work.

3)With migrant workers in the news due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, the report also broke down 2011 census data on migrant populations.

4)There were over 45 crore migrants in the country at the time, with the vast majority migrating within their own State. In 2011, over 1.7 crore new migrants had moved for employment purposes, mostly from rural to urban areas.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

24)Consider the following with reference to Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) :

1) A study in The Lancet, perhaps the most influential medical journal in the world, found no benefit from the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a well-known antimalarial, to treat sick COVID-19 patients.

2) Today, that study stands retracted. As it had relied on a huge dataset of about 96,000 patients sourced from 671 hospitals in six continents, the World Health Organization, citing a ‘do no harm’ principle, suspended drug trials pending a safety review.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

25)Consider the following with reference to Dampier – Hodges Line & Sunderbans :

1)About 28% of the Sunderbans have been damaged by Cyclone Amphan, Chief Minister said at the launch of a drive for planting mangroves and trees to mark World Environment Day.

2)Chief Minister said 1,200 sq km of the 4,263 sq km forests had been “destroyed”.

3)The Indian Sunderbans, an area south of the Dampier Hodges line, is spread over 9,630 sq km, of which the mangrove forest accounts for 4,263 sq km.

4) In India, the Dampier-Hodges Line created by the British in 1828 is considered the northern boundary which include forested as well as densely populated parts of Sundarbans

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

26)Consider the following with reference to Persian Gulf :

1) The United Nations defines this body of water as the Persian Gulf. The lands around it are shared by eight countries (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), all members of the UN.

2) There is a commonality of interest among them in being major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and thereby contributing critically to the global economy and to their own prosperity.

3) This has added to their geopolitical significance. At the same time, turbulence has often characterised their inter se political relations.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

27)Consider the following with reference to use of saliva to polish cricket ball :

1) The perceived loss of swing in the wake of ICC Cricket Committee’s temporary recommendation to prohibit the use of saliva to polish the ball (to tackle COVID-19) and not allow any artificial material as a substitute has divided opinion sharply.

2)The ball manufacturers, whose responsibility it will ultimately be to ensure that the cherry behaves as it should, seem to be taking divergent stands too, but only slightly.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

28)Consider the following with reference to online teaching-learning :

COVID-19 has drastically affected all sectors including education and the world is searching for new strategies to cope with this pandemic and its aftermath. Higher educational institutions are now looking at online teaching-learning as a window of hope. But sceptics and cynics have created myths about web learning, which we need to debunk so that we can transition effectively.

1) Online teaching is meant for the young and techno-savvy

2) Online teaching is only a stopgap arrangement

3) Online teaching is not egalitarian

4) Technology will eventually replace the teacher

5) Students prefer face-to-face interaction, not online teaching

6) Online teaching-learning is not as effective as face-to-face mode

7) Degrees and diplomas obtained through online education are not valid

8) In this new ecosystem created by this pandemic, teachers have to constantly reinvent themselves to address the exigencies born of this crisis and offer students whatever is relevant and helps them adapt to a crisis thereby making them resourceful and resilient.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

29)Consider the following with reference to mucormycosis :

1)Although COVID-19, caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2, is a new disease among humans, mucormycosis is not a new disease.

2)The condition was first described in 1885 by the German pathologist Arnold Paltauf as “mucormycosis mucorina” in the Virchows archives of pathology and anatomy.

3)In 1957, the American pathologist R.D. Baker coined the term mucormycosis.

4)COVID-19, its precursor MERS-CoV, as well as other disease outbreaks such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) all tend to exacerbate and dwell on pre-existing human fragilities.

5)In fact, AIDS was first suspected in 1981 as a new disease by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) epidemiologists as an immunodeficiency underlying four persons with a known disease called Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia

6) Later, it was another rare disease named Kaposi’s sarcoma that helped the diagnosis of many patients with AIDS.

7) In fact, it is this unique survival partnerships between old and new germs that help them go undetected for a while and mask their identify, giving them ample time to spread among humans.

8) Mucormycosis serves as a perfect example to remind us of the basic thesis on health as a balancing game between the agent (fungus), host (human), and the environment. Any imbalance in one of these triads leads to an adverse health outcome.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

30)Consider the following with reference to Jantar Mantar Road &Official site for protests and dharnas :

JANTAR MANTAR, famous for its iconic sundial, has acquired a new persona ever since it was designated as the official site for protests and dharnas in New Delhi in 1993.

1)The 18th century observatory, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, emerged into prominence in the aftermath of the humongous protest.

2) The order was passed after a group of residents of Jantar Mantar Road filed a plea with the NGT last year saying that although the area was earmarked as “residential” in the 2021 Delhi Master Plan, protesters had erected tents on the road and put up loudspeakers. The plea said that some protesters stayed at the site for years together, slept in tents there, bathed with the water provided by Delhi Jal Board tankers and ate there, littering the area and causing nuisance to the residents at large.

3) Addressing the issues of pollution and cleanliness raised by the petitioners, the NGT said: “It is amply clear that the petitioners are suffering because of gross violation of laws and non-performance of duty by authorities. The environmental condition at Jantar Mantar Road—in relation to noise pollution, cleanliness and waste management—has grossly deteriorated. Besides constant dharnas, noise pollution and health problems due to unhygienic conditions generated by agitators… is unique in the case.”

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

31)Consider the following with reference to Central Vista redevelopment Project :

1)The Central Vista redevelopment project, Prime Minister’s dream worth Rs.20,000 crore, envisages a new triangular Parliament building with a common Central Secretariat, the revamping of the three-kilometre-long Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate, besides new residences for the Prime Minister and the Vice President.

2)The project has been categorised as an “essential service”, enabling work to go on uninterrupted.

3) The project aims to bridge the gap, literally, between the Ministries, gather all bureaucrats under one roof, give our Parliamentarians a fancy new address, and a hang-out zone.

4) Of course, it would give our Prime Minister a shining new address worth Rs.1,300 crore too.

5) Work on the upcoming “power corridor” has not only uprooted trees that pre-date the foundation of Lutyens’ Delhi in 1911, but will involve the shifting of institutions such as the National Museum, whose treasures go beyond money.

6)A similar fate awaits various bodies of art and culture, and those not celebrated simply because they are adjuncts, not independent monuments.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

32)Consider the following with reference to :

By the end of May 2021, only 2.1% of Africans had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We need to close the vaccination gap between advanced economies and developing countries to avoid what the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu has called “vaccination apartheid”. Doing so is both morally right and in everyone’s interest.

Therefore, we need global multilateral action to increase the production of vaccines and accelerate the roll-out worldwide. Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic, this is the path chosen by the European Union (EU). It is now also the path defined by the G20 leaders at the Global Health Summit in Rome on May 21.

1)The pandemic is still killing thousands of people every day and at the current pace, the whole world will not be vaccinated before 2023. Yet, a widely vaccinated world population is the only way to end the pandemic; otherwise, the multiplication of variants is likely to undermine the effectiveness of existing vaccines.

2)Vaccination is also a prerequisite for lifting the restrictions that are holding back our economies and freedoms. These restrictions penalise the whole world, but they weigh even more heavily on developing countries. Advanced countries can rely more on social mechanisms and economic policy levers to limit the impact of the pandemic on their citizens.

3)If the vaccination gap persists, it risks reversing the trend in recent decades of declining poverty and global inequalities. Such a negative dynamic would hold back economic activity and increase geopolitical tensions. The cost of inaction would for sure be much higher for advanced economies than what we collectively would have to spend to help vaccinate the whole world.

4)Therefore, the EU welcomes the $50 billion plan proposed by the International Monetary Fund in order to be able to vaccinate 40% of the world population in 2021 and 60% by mid-2022.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

33)Consider the following with reference to (CEE) 17+1 and Lithuania :

1)In May, Lithuania announced it would pull out of the China and Central & Eastern European (CEE) 17+1 mechanism, which is seen as a pro-China grouping of countries within the EU.

2)Denying that the decision came because of U.S. pressure, Lithuania’s Ambassador to India Julius Praneviciusspoke about the growing tensions between the European Union and China over a number of issues, including sanctions and trade negotiations:

3)The Lithuanian Foreign Minister has announced that Lithuania is pulling out of what is called the ‘17 plus one’ grouping of Central and Eastern European countries with China.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

34)Consider the following with reference to NITI Aayog’s SDG Index :

1)The NITI Aayog launched its index in 2018 to monitor the country’s progress on the goals through data-driven assessment and to foster a competitive spirit among the States and Union Territories in achieving them.

2)India saw significant improvement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean energy, urban development and health in 2020, according to the NITI Aayog’s 2020 SDG Index. However, there has been a major decline in the areas of industry, innovation and infrastructure as well as decent work and economic growth.

3)Although the index shows improvement on the inequality SDGs, the NITI Aayog has omitted key economic indicators used to measure inequality in income and expenditure last year and given greater weightage to social indicators instead.

4) In 2019, the indicators for inequality included the growth rates for household expenditure per capita among the bottom 40% of rural and urban populations, as well as the Gini coefficient — a measure of the distribution of income — in rural and urban India.

5) The 2018 indicators included the Palma ratio, another metric for income inequality

6) Such economic measures have been omitted from the indicators used for this SDG in the 2020 edition of the Index. Instead, it gives greater weightage to social equality indicators, such as the percentage of women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe representatives in State Legislatures and the panchayati raj institutions and the levels of crime against the SC/ST communities. The only economic indicator this year is the percentage of population in the lowest two wealth quintiles

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

35)Consider the following with reference to Palma ratio (to measure economic inqualities) :

1) Alex Cobham and Andy Sumner, two economists, proposed this. For them, the Gini just doesn’t make much sense. When the bottom 40% of a population lose half their income, and the richest 10% get dibs, a sensible measure of income inequality should rise more than incrementally.

2) The Palma ratio divides the income share of the top 10% by that of the bottom 40%. The result is a metric that is, in Cobham and Sumner’s words, “‘over’-sensitive to changes in the distribution at the extremes, rather than in the relatively inert middle.”

3) The near-halving of the bottom 40%’s income – and resulting boost to the income of the richest 10% – causes the Palma ratio to shoot up from 5 to 10, whereas the Gini coefficient ticks up only slightly.

4) The Palma ratio has another advantage: its real-world meaning is easy to grasp. It is not the product of statistical wizardry, but simple division: the highest-earning 10% of the population make X times more than the lowest-earning 40%. The Gini ratio, Cobham and Sumner write, “yields no intuitive statement for a non-technical audience.” The best we can do is something like: on a scale of 0 to 1, this country is 0.X unequal.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

36)Consider the following with reference to B.1.617.2 Covid-19 variant :

1) International variant Alpha, that in previous studies has been associated with a spike in cases in Delhi in February and March was absent in vaccination breakthrough-cases analysed.

2)The study also reports a new mutation in Delta called T478K that the scientists believe has a role to play in allowing the coronavirus to better infiltrate human cells.

3)“Our data indicates B.1.617.2 shows high transmissibility and surges without any increase in the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR). We estimate the transmissibility to be as much as 50% greater than B.1.1.7. Viral load of B.1.617.2 appears to be higher than B.1.1.7 and based on data from India and UK, so does vaccination break-through rate.

4)B.1.617.2 is capable of creating very fast rising outbreaks with vaccination breakthroughs,” as per a study.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

37)Consider the following :

1)Explaining the rationale behind the (Monetary Policy Committee)MPC’s decision, the RBI Governor said the forecast of a normal monsoon, the resilience of agriculture and the farm economy, the adoption of COVID compatible operational models by businesses and the gathering momentum of global recovery could all provide tailwinds to revival of domestic economic activity when the second wave abated.

2)“On the other hand, the spread of COVID-19 infections in rural areas and the dent on urban demand pose downside risks,” he observed. Noting that the retail inflation reading for April at 4.3% had brought some relief and policy elbow room, said a normal south-west monsoon along with comfortable buffer stocks should help to keep cereal price pressures in check.

3)On the other hand, the rising trajectory of international crude prices within a broad-based surge in international commodity prices and logistics costs was worsening cost conditions. These developments could keep core price pressures elevated, although weak demand conditions may temper the pass-through to consumer inflation

4)Emphasising that upside risks to inflation emanate from persistence of the second wave and consequent restrictions on activity on a virtually pan-India basis, he said insulating prices of essential food items from supply side disruptions would necessitate active monitoring and preparedness for coordinated, calibrated and timely measures by both the Centre and Sates to prevent emergence of supply chain bottlenecks and increase in retail margin

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

38)Consider the following with reference to Black Carbon deposits :

1) Black carbon (BC) deposits produced by human activity which accelerate the pace of glacier and snow melt in the Himalayan region can be sharply reduced through new, currently feasible policies by an additional 50% from current levels, a study by World Bank (WB) specialists has said.

2)“BC is a short-lived pollutant that is the second-largest contributor to warming the planet behind carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike other greenhouse gas emissions, BC is quickly washed out and can be eliminated from the atmosphere if emissions stop,” the publication says. Unlike historical carbon emissions, it is also a localised source with greater local impact.

3)Some of the ongoing policy measures to cut BC emissions are enhancing fuel efficiency standards for vehicles, phasing out diesel vehicles and promoting electric vehicles, accelerating the use of liquefied petroleum gas for cooking and through clean cookstove programmes, as well as upgrading brick kiln technologies, says the publication, edited by Muthukumara Mani, lead economist, South Asia Region, World Bank. However, with all existing measures, water from glacier melt is still projected to increase in absolute volume by 2040, with impacts on downstream activities and communities.

4)The research covers the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges, where, the report says, glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass. The rate of retreat of HKHK glaciers is estimated to be 0.3 metres per year in the west to 1.0 metre per year in the east.

5)BC adds to the impact of climate change.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

39)Consider the following :

“Indian diplomacy is focussed on securing the vaccine supply chain,” said External Affairs Minister, who had raised the issue of easing U.S. exports of vaccine ingredients and components to India during his visit to Washington . Later, U.S. White House announced that it was relaxing export restrictions for U.S. companies to supply manufacturers of AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Sanofi vaccines.

1) “This policy change will hopefully increase the supply of raw materials globally and to India; boosting our vaccine production capacity and strengthening our united fight against this pandemic,” tweeted SII CEO Adar Poonawalla, thanking Mr. Jaishankar and U.S. President Joseph Biden for the move.

2)While the government said the U.S.’s decision on vaccine ingredients was a big relief, officials questioned whether the U.S. government’s other big announcement of plans to gift 25 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines would have a major impact, as it is not expected to be a substantial number.

3)According to the White House “Factsheet” on regional distribution, India is one of 16 Asian countries that will receive a total of seven million (70 lakh) vaccines, and also part of a grouping of another 13 high priority countries that would receive a total of six million vaccines.

4)“As a result, India’s dose will not be more than about two to three million doses in total,” estimated one government official, pointing out that India is vaccinating about 2.8 million people a day at present.

It is also unclear how quickly these vaccines could be distributed in India, given procedures and approvals required. In a notification on June 1, the government amended its previous order of April 15, further easing the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) trial and testing requirements for all vaccines that have received clearances from the U.S. FDA, WHO, United Kingdom, Japan and Europe.

5)However, the three American companies will still need to apply for and be granted the Authorisation. At present, India has granted EUA only for Covishield, Covaxin and Russian-developed Sputnik, and according to a press note by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) Chairman Dr Vinod Paul , “No application of any foreign manufacturer for approval is pending with the drugs controller.”

6)Meanwhile, the issues over granting indemnities or a waiver of liabilities in case of adverse effects of the vaccines have not yet been resolved between the government and U.S. manufacturers. According to MEA sources, the government expects that Washington will help in ensuring that the vaccines being gifted will adhere to local regulations on indemnity. The government also hopes that the U.S. will redouble efforts to disburse the bigger tranche of 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines at the earliest, as these have the approvals needed.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

40)Consider the following with reference to Mucormycosis and clinical forms :

1)Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds or fungus called mucormycetes.

2)There are five major clinical forms. The most common ones affect the nasal sinuses or the lungs, but can also affect the skin after a cut, burn or other type of skin injury. A classic clinical sign of mucormycosis is the rapid onset of tissue death and blood clotting (black dead tissue) with or without fever.

3)Transmission occurs through inhalation, inoculation, or ingestion of fungal spores from the environment. A definitive diagnosis of mucormycosis typically requires microscopic evidence or positive culture from a specimen from the site of infection. The diagnosis is mostly based on the presentations and symptoms, detailed patient history and a thorough clinical evaluation, accompanied by laboratory tests. A sample of the tissue from the affected site can show the presence of the fungus, and the sample may include fluid from the respiratory system or a small sample of the skin tissue.

4)Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test is available to make the diagnosis and in some patients a CT scan will be required, especially if the infection is deep-seated within the lungs or brain

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

41)Consider the following with reference to 2020 year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity’ :

1)World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5th June every year. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change celebrates WED focusing on the theme declared by UNEP and organizes several events.

2)2020 year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity’. In view of the prevalent situation due to COVID-19 pandemic the ministry will be holding virtual celebrations of World Environment Day on this year’s theme themewith focus on Nagar Van (Urban Forests)

3)India though having less land mass and more human and cattle population has nearly 8 percent of biodiversity. The country is endowed with rich biodiversity having several species of animals and plants and hosts 4 of the 35 global bio-diversity hotspots containing several endemic species.

4)Biodiversity conservation has traditionally been considered confined to remote forest areas but with increasing urbanization a need has arisen to safeguard and save biodiversity in urban areas also.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change relaunched a scheme for creating urban forest in 200 corporations and cities because all these cities have gardens but not forest. The urban forest will help in creating and enhancing the lung capacities of these cities.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

42)Consider the following with reference to Ethanol blening in India and E-20 notification :

1)During an event(2021), Prime Minister released the “Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025”.

2)To commemorate World Environment Day, Government of India is releasing E-20 Notification directing Oil Companies to sell ethanol blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to 20% from 1st April 2023; and BIS Specifications for higher ethanol blends E12 & E15.

3)These efforts will facilitate setting up of additional ethanol distillation capacities and will provide timelines for making blended fuel available across the country. This will also help increase consumption of ethanol in the ethanol producing states and the adjoining regions, before the year 2025 .

4) Launched, a Pilot Project of E 100 dispensing stations at three locations in Pune. Prime Minister also interacted with farmers to gain insight on their firsthand experience, as enablers under the Ethanol Blended Petrol and Compressed BioGas Programmes

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

43)Consider the following with reference to TULIP :

1) TULIP is a program for providing fresh graduates experiential learning opportunities in the urban sector. It is the result of the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister who firmly believes in the power of the youth and their ability to not only bring positive change in our country but in the world. The Prime Minister has emphasized the important role the youth of India has to play in the future of our country

2)TULIP has been conceived pursuant to the Budget 2020-21 announcement by the Finance Minister under the theme ‘Aspirational India’. The announcement read as follows: “The Government proposes to start a program whereby the urban local bodies across the country would provide internship opportunities to fresh engineers for a period up to one year.”

3) Such a program will help reap the benefits of India’s demographic dividend as it is poised to have the largest working-age population in the world in the coming years. India has a substantial pool of technical graduates for whom exposure to real world project implementation and planning is essential for professional development. General education may not reflect the depth of productive knowledge present in society. Instead of approaching education as ‘doing by learning,’ our societies need to reimagine education as ‘learning by doing.’

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

44)Consider the following :

Both alpha (B.1.1.7) and delta (B.1.617.2) variants were the main drivers of the second wave in India

1)The molecules are known to inhibit cellular kinases, phosphatases, and epigenetic regulators such as histone methyl transferase, histone deacetylase, and DNA methyl transferase. The targets of these inhibitors are well characterized in cancer, however, their role in the virus life cycle is not known. The selected candidates (hits) with anti-coronavirus activity will be subjected to study their molecular mechanism of action, besides examining generation of potential drug-resistant virus variants.

2)Classically, antiviral drugs are developed by directly targeting certain viral proteins. However, this strategy often fails due to the rapid generation of drug-resistant viruses.

3)Unlike higher organisms, a viral polymerase-the viral enzyme that synthesizes its nucleic acid (RNA) does not have proofreading capacity.

4)Therefore, RNA viruses such as the coronaviruses do not have the mechanisms to remove wrongly incorporated nucleotides (building blocks of viral RNA) during the synthesis of the viral genome.

5)The lack of proofreading capacity results in the accumulation of point mutations in the viral genome. This leads to changes in viral proteins. The altered viral proteins may then become resistant to the available antiviral drugs. This intriguing ability of the viruses to rapidly and frequently change themselves is a big challenge for the scientists in developing antiviral drugs.

6)Viruses can only replicate inside the host cell. A host (human) cell contains around 25,000 proteins. During replication, viruses establish numerous interactions with these cellular proteins. A virus needs more than 1000 different cellular proteins to replicate inside the host cell effectively.

7)Even as the second wave in India seems to have already peaked, many States still report high test positivity rates suggesting more cases remain to be detected. The slow down in daily cases has been mainly due to strict lockdowns in many States. With the alpha (B.1.1.7) and delta (B.1.617.2) variants widely present across the country, and the possibility of new variants with higher transmissive ability getting imported or emerging in India cannot be ruled out, the possibility of a third wave appears to be real.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

45)Consider the following with reference to POTABLE WATER :

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) plans to improve the lives of people by providing safe drinking water to every rural household through functional household tap connections (FHTCs) by 2024. After the Annual Action Plan was presented before the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Minister in a communication to the CM mentioned that the State’s commitment to provide piped water supply to every household will bring an end to the drudgery endured by women and girls in rural areas. Minister expressed optimism that time-bound implementation of JJM will ensure rural people will get potable water in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality on regular basis in their households on long-term basis.

1)Since, potable water supply to water quality-affected habitations is a top priority under JJM and in the light of interim order of National Green Tribunal, Union Minister requested the CM to ensure piped water supply to all households in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations before December, 2020. In case, potable water piped connections cannot be ensured before December, 2020, as an interim measure potable water @ 8-10 lpcd for drinking and cooking purpose is to be provided by installing community water purification plants (CWPP).

2)Keeping the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment, Jal Jeevan Mission mandates that local village community/ Gram Panchayats and or its sub-committee/ user groups are involved in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of water supply systems in villages to ensure long-term sustainability of water supply schemes to achieve drinking water security.

3)In 2020-21, under 15^th FC Grants to PRIs, money is allocated to the States, 50% of which is to be spent mandatorily on water and sanitation.

4)The States have been requested to utilize all available resources through convergence of various programmes like MGNREGS, SBM (G), 15^th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs, CAMPA, CSR Fund, Local Area Development Fund, etc. for water supply works at village level and Village Action Plan of every village is to be prepared by dovetailing all such resources.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

46)Consider the following with reference to three mines of WCL(in MP):

1) Adasa Mine, an underground to open cast mine, in Nagpur Area of Maharashtra,

2)Sharda underground Mine in Kanhan Area

3) Dhankasa underground mine in Pench Area of Madhya Pradesh

4) The annual coal production capacity of Adasa mine is 1.5 MT whereas Sharda and Dhankasa mines are having annual coal production capacities of 0.4 MT and 1 MT respectively.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

47)Consider the following with reference to Operation Samudra Setu :

1)Indian Navy had launched Operation Samudra Setu to repatriate Indian citizens commencing 08 May 2020.

2)Indian Naval ships Jalashwa and Magar have already evacuated 2874 personnel from Maldives and Sri Lanka to ports of Kochi and Tuticorin.

3)Operation Samudra Setu – Indian Navy’s contribution to India’s national effort to bring home our citizens from foreign shores by sea, embarked 700 Indian nationals on 05 Jun 20 and departed for India late in the evening.

4)As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port Victoria, Seychelles, on 07 June 2020.

5)The Government of India in these difficult times is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and towards the same

6)INS Kesari is carrying a consignment of COVID related essential medicines for the people of Seychelles.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

48)Consider the following :

It has come to light that some section of media has presented the figure of tiger deaths in the country, in a manner which is a lopsided view of tiger conservation in the country and has apparently attempted to malign efforts of the Government of India in this regard and sensationalize the issue.

1)The National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA),a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

2)Due to efforts of the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the tiger has been taken from the brink to an assured path of recovery, which is evident in findings of the quadrennial All India Tiger Estimation conducted in 2006,2010,2014 and 2018.

3)These results have shown a healthy annual growth rate of tigers at 6%, which offsets natural losses and keeps tigers at the habitats carrying capacity level, in the Indian context.

4)For the period 2012 to 2019, one can observe that the average tiger deaths per year in the country hover around 94, which is balanced by the annual recruitment as highlighted by this robust growth rate.

5)In addition, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken several steps under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger to address poaching,which too,is significantly controlled as seen in the confirmed poaching and seizure case

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

49)Consider the following :

Union Finance Minister, during her Budget Speech for 2020-21 in the Parliament stated that “Women’s age of marriage was increased from fifteen years to eighteen years in 1978, by amending erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929. As India progresses further, opportunities open up for women to pursue higher education and careers. There are imperatives of lowering MMR as well as improvement of nutrition levels. Entire issue about age of a girl entering motherhood needs to be seen in this light.

1)It is proposed to appoint a task force that will present its recommendations in six months’ time

2)The Task Force is asked to examine the correlation of age of marriage and motherhood with (a) health, medical well-being and nutritional status of mother and neonate/infant/child, during pregnancy, birth and thereafter, (b) key parameters like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), Child Sex Ratio (CSR) etc. and (c) any other relevant points pertaining to health and nutrition in this context.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

50)Consider the following with reference to PMJDY :

1)A big step towards customer centricity and establishing a direct connection of the government with the people was enabled by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), said NITI Aayog CEO

2)The Yojana successfully enabled zero-cost, zero-balance bank accounts.

3)It is equally noteworthy that of the 380 million PMJDY bank accounts were opened , and around 53% are in the names of women.

4)Technology has been a great enabler, especially in the Aspirational Districts of India,

5) ‘Agents are using computers, mobile phones and micro-ATMs to conduct transactions.’

6)In April 2020, close to a billion UPI and 403 million AePS transactions were recorded

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

51)Consider the following with reference to digital financial infrastructure :

1)The creation of India’s robust digital infrastructure has not been an overnight process but a sustained effort to lay its foundational layers: building digital infrastructure, targeted G2P transfer initiatives, PFMS linkage and NPCI’s role in enabling digital payments.

2)India’s decision to adopt a deliberate design choice of building digital infrastructure as a public good has been the key to its success. It is also mentioned three crucial elements for building a robust digital financial infrastructure: digital identity, digital database and digital payment.

3)It is mentioned that as 65% of India’s population have personal bank accounts in public sector banks, the provision of financial services to these citizens during the pandemic was easily facilitated through efficient functioning of 62,000 Bank Mitras.

4)Looking towards the future, itis said that enabling the One National One Card system is a step in the right direction and we must tread that path while continuing to focus on financial literacy and bolstering cybersecurity.

5)The panellists also discussed practical insights from rolling out the (emergency) cash support transfers, covering both Cash-in Cash-out (CICO) agents and payment infrastructure, and how countries can build digital financial infrastructure amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

52)Consider the following :

1)The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified face masks and sanitizers under the Essential Commodities Act in view of their increased demand due to COVID-19. Prices of masks, sanitizers and ingredients used in their manufacturing have also been capped.

2)As on 01 June 2020, the One Nation One Card scheme is enabled in 20 States/UTs. In August 2020 three more States namely – Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Manipur will also be added to the One Nation One Ration Card scheme. By 31st March 2021 remaining 13 States will be added to One Nation One Ration Card scheme and the scheme will be operational all over India.

3)Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana: (PMGKAY), for the 3 months April-June a total of 104.4 LMT rice and 15.6 LMT wheat is required

4)The Government of India is bearing 100% financial burden of approximately Rs. 46,000 crores under PMGKAY scheme. Wheat has been allocated to 6 States/UTs, – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi and Gujarat and rice has been provided to the remaining States/UTs.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

53)Consider the following with reference to Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) :

1)Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is the resolution of disputes, particularly small- and medium-value cases, using digital technology and techniques of alternate dispute resolution (ADR), such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

2)While courts are becoming digitized through the efforts of the judiciary, more effective, scalable, and collaborative mechanisms of containment and resolution are urgently needed. ODR can help resolve disputes efficiently and affordably.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

54)Consider the following with reference to :

1)The BS-VI emission standards, which have been mandated w.e.f. 1st April, 2020, provide for stricter and cleaner emission norms and are at par with the emission standards being followed across the world.

2)Such distinct identification of vehicles for such emissions standard as is also being followed in other countries had been requested to the Government and brought-forth by the Government.

3)Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued an order on 5th June 2020 mandating :-

(a)a strip of green colour of 1 cm width on top of the existing sticker carrying details of registration for BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type i.e. for petrol or CNG which have a light blue colour sticker and

(b)a diesel vehicle which is of orange colour.

4)These stickers will now have a green strip of 1 cm on top for BS VI, as mandated.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

55)Consider the following with reference to Madhya Pradesh :

1)Madhya Pradesh is an amalgamation of natural wildlife, history and mythology.

2)Bandhavgarh National Park which is also known as tiger’s heaven. This national park captures the scenic beauty of around 32 hills. Bandhav means brother and Garh means fort, which revolves around the mythological story of Lord Ram who gifted the fort (which is situated at the top of the national park) to his brother Laxman and that’s how this national park got its name as Bandhavgarh National Park.. Indian Bison is one of the largest bovine species in the world. Influenced by the natural habitat of Bandhavgarh National Park, a group of elephants migrated from Odisha to this national park and are living here since October, 2018.

3)Sanjay Dubri National Park, Panchmari Biosphere Reserve is famous for its scenic views and waterfalls.

4)Satpura National Park which is the only national park in India where walking safari is permitted.

5)Madhya Pradesh is also home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Sanchi Stupa and Khajurao Group of temples which is next to Panna Tiger Reserve.

6)One can also witness the endangered species such as Gharial at the unexplored Son river & National Chambal River Sanctuary.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

56)Consider the following :

Private sector will be allowed to use Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities.

1)Briefing about India’s achievement in the field of Space Technology during the first year of the 2nd term of the Modi Government, it is stated that the Modi Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ roadmap towards self-relied India, as spelt out by Finance Minister, envisages the initiative to boost private participation in Space activities. Indian private sector will be a co-traveller in India’s Space sector journey.

2)Private companies to be provided level playing field in satellites, launches and Space based services. Future projects for planetary exploration, outer space travel will be open for private sector.

3)Updating about India’s first ever Human Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’ to be undertaken by ISRO, it is said that the selection of the astronauts was accomplished and their training in Russia had also started but got interrupted because of the Corona pandemic and the project would be followed up soon.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

57)Consider the following with reference to Shramik Special trains :

1)Indian Railways is committed to continue providing comfortable and safe movement of migrants through Shramik Special Trains as required by States .

2) More than 4347 Shramik Special services have been operated by Indian Railways to transport approximately 60 lakh persons to their destination states. Shramik trains are being run since 1st May 2020.

3)Indian Railways has informed the State governments that it shall continue to provide Shramik Special Train within 24 hours after the demand is received from the States. Railway Ministry has requested State Governments to indicate their requirements about Shramik Special Trains and see that projected demand for movement of residual persons by rail mode is well chalked out and determined.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

58)Consider the following with reference to marketing of MFP through MSP :

1)Earlier, it may be noted, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had announced certain measures to help this segment as most of the income of tribals comes from minor forest produce based activities which usually is at its peak season now, between the months of April – June.

2)The Ministry had already approved the Guidelines for Scheme for ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’ for providing MSP to gatherers of forest produces and introducing value addition and marketing through tribal groups and clusters.

3)On May 1, 2020, the Government issued a revised price list of MSP for the 50 MFPs– and most of the MFP have been revised upwards by 30-90% so that it can benefit the tribal gatherers. In addition to this, 23 more items were included in this scheme as MFPs. This inclusion incorporated agriculture and horticulture produce from North Eastern States collected by the tribal people.

4)These measures, which have taken the entire count of MFPs under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Scheme to 73 counts, and is expected to provide an immediate and much needed momentum to procurement of Minor Tribal Produce across all States, and the efforts of TRIFED in generating response from the State Governments will ameliorate the situation of the distressed tribal people.

5)TRIFED under the aegis of the Ministry of Tribal Affairshad advised the State Governments to plan the effective implementation of MSP for MFP by leveraging funds under Article 275 (I) grants to ensure both immediate income generation in the short term and sustained livelihoods by supporting VanDhanvalue addition activities.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

59)Consider the following with reference to lions in Gujarat :

1)Over the last several years, the Lion population in Gujarat has been steadily rising. This is powered by community participation, emphasis on technology, wildlife healthcare, proper habitat management and steps to minimise human-lion conflict.

2)Gujarat prides itself on hosting Asiatic lions exclusively, and their numbers have now risen to an estimated 674 in the Gir forest region and other revenue areas of coastal Saurashtra.

3)Once seen as threatened by extinction, the lion population has grown by almost 29% from the last count in 2015. Today, Asiatic lions are present in Protected Areas and agro-pastoral landscapes of Saurashtra covering nine districts, over an expanse of about 30,000 sq. km.

4)The State Forest Department says the population is 674 including males, females and cubs. During 2015, the baseline was 523 lions. Moreover, the distribution of the lions expanded from 22,000 sq. km in 2015 to 30,000 sq. km in 2020.

5) Experts said the male-female ratio was healthy in the Gir region with 161 males vs 260 females.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

60)Consider the following with reference to PMKSY – PDMC :

1)Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare is implementing ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY- PDMC). T

2)The PMKSY- PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies viz. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems. Drip micro irrigation technique not only helps in water saving but also in reducing fertilizer usage, labour expenses and other input costs.

3)Micro Irrigation Fund corpus of Rs. 5000 crore has been created with NABARD. The objective of the fund is to facilitate the states in mobilizing the resources for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation by taking up special and innovative projects and also for incentivising micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under PMKSY-PDMC to encourage farmers to install micro irrigation systems.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

61)Consider the following with reference to Baghjan Oilfield in Tinsukia district of Assam :

1)Oil India Ltd (OIL), a PSU, reported that while carrying out workover operations in the Gas Producing Well Baghjan-5 under Baghjan Oilfield in Tinsukia district of Assam, the well suddenly became active on 27 May, 2020and a blowout occurred. It led to uncontrolled flow of Gas from the well.OIL

2)India sought support from ONGC, which immediately deployed their Crisis Management Team (CMT). OIL also mobilized a Singapore based firm M/s Alert Disaster Control.

3)The well was planned to be capped by following the advice of experts and taking all safety precautions. While the clearing operations were going on at the well site, the well caught fire on 9 June 2020 around noon time, spreading the fire in an area of about 200 meters around the well site. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained till now.

4)The well is located in the vicinity of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and MaguriMotapungBeel, a wetland.

5)OIL has engaged an accredited agency to carry out environment impact in and around Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and MaguriMotapungBeel.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

62)Consider the following with reference to Chattisgarh :

Chhattisgarh, carved out of Madhya Pradesh came into being on 1 November 2000 and is 9th largest state in India . Being Central Eastern state of India, it borders 7 states, 44% of land covered by forest, 34% of tribal population. With 3 National parks, 11 Wildlife sanctuaries, 1 Bio-sphere reserve it is one of India’s greenest state and well connected with rest of the country by air, rail and road network.

1)Best waterfalls of country are in Chhattisgarh, few of them are Chitrakote, Amritdhara, Pawai, Machli etc., Chhattisgarh is also blessed with three shaktipeeths Champaranya, Rajim and Sheorinarayan.

2)Wrought iron, bell metal and terracotta are famous handicrafts of Chhattisgarh.

3)Bastar is one of the unexplored destinations which is in south of Chhattisgarh. Bastar region has spectacular scenic views, roads and hidden waterfalls. Bastar region has more than 15 waterfalls.

4)Kotumsar caves, which are largest series of caves after Meghalaya are in Chhattisgarh.

5)Bastar Dussehra world’s longest festival which is celebrated for 75 days has a different story related to goddess Dhanteswari.

6)Gond’s, Madiya, Muriaya’s are some of the tribes making Bastar as the land of indigenous tribes.

7)Handicrafts history dates back to Harappan civilization the technique used is lost wax technique.

8)Third largest lord Ganesha statue in the world which made of a single sand stone.

9)Cave paintings with 12000 years of history are in Bastar region.

10) Karkabhat – Megalithic burial site generally ignored by tourists. Studies conducted in the area have identified 3 types of menhirs- Conical, pointed obliquely and bifurcated like a fish tail.

11)Dipadih – Temple complex dating back to the 7th Century is probably the best kept archaeological secret of Chhattisgarh. Excavated stone pillars have been erected along the path next to the entrance on which are exhibited the mythological creatures.

12)Ghotul – It is both an ancient tribal system of education as well as the campus with its own system of hierarchs.

13) Sonabai- Famous bas relief ornamentation works of Chhattisgarh got its roots when Sonabai made little toys for her son Daroga Ram to lull him to sleep.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

63)Consider the following with reference to Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve ,Tamil Nadu :

1)The administrative and financial sanction for improvement and maintenance of a forest road not in use for decades in the core zone of the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve has shocked activists in the southern districts.

2)₹1.2 crore had been sanctioned for the improvement of the road between Upper Manalar camp shed and Upper Manalar-Old Vellimalai in Theni district for a stretch of 2.2 km.

3)The Megamalai reserve forest notification clearly states that there exists only a 1 m right of way on this entire stretch of the coop road of 27 km near Oothakudisa, and, that too, to a length of just 666.8 m.

4)The fifth tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu is crucial in two respects. It will maintain vital forest contiguity between the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala and the Kanniyakumari forests in the extreme south. It will be an extremely important buffer for the spill-over tigers of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

5)Also, this high ridge gives birth to Vaigai river in Tamil Nadu and the Mullayar in Kerala.

6) Any road inside the reserve has to be approved by the NTCA and the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

64)Consider the following :

Pitched as a “world-class city for South Asia”, the development is envisioned under five distinct “precincts” — the Financial District, the Central Park Living and the Island Living; residential areas under The Marina, which is planned as a leisure destination, and the International Island, which would include educational institutions and convention centres. The Port City project is scheduled for completion by 2041.

1)The project is financed chiefly through Chinese investment amounting to $1.4 billion, via CHEC Port City Colombo, a unit of the State-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). In return, the company will receive 116 hectares (of the total 269 hectares) on a 99-year lease.

2)The Colombo Port City — separate from but located adjacent to the Colombo Port, the country’s main harbour — is the third major port-related infrastructure project where China has a significant stake. China Merchants Port Holdings has an 85% stake in the Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT) at the Colombo Port, under a 35-year ‘Build Operate and Transfer’ agreement with the Sri Lanka Port Authority.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

65)Consider the following with reference to BRICS :

1)The origins of BRICS can be traced back to a paper written by Goldman Sachs’ Jim O’Neill in 2001, titled “Building Better Global Economic BRICs”, in which he said Brazil, Russia, India and China would drive economic growth in the future

2)In 2006, leaders of the BRIC countries met in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the grouping was formalised that year

3)In 2006, leaders of the BRIC countries met on the margins of a G-8 (now called G-7) summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, and BRIC was formalised that year. The global financial crisis of 2007-08 reinforced the idea as BRIC countries had been relatively unscathed in the market collapse. On June 16, 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Presidents Hu Jintao, Dmitry Medvedev and Lula da Silva for the first BRIC summit in Yekaterinburg, and South Africa was subsequently admitted two years later.

4)All the contradictions and criticism notwithstanding, BRICS is an idea that has endured two decades, an idea its members remain committed to, and not one has skipped the annual summits held since 2009.

5)Along the way, BRICS has created the New Development Bank (NDB) set up with an initial capital of $100 billion, a BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement fund to deal with global liquidity crunches, and a BRICS payment system proposing to be an alternative to the SWIFT payment system.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

66)Consider the following with reference to G7 and E7 :

1)When constituted, the G7 countries accounted for close to two-thirds of global GDP. According to the 2017report of the accountancy firm, PwC, “The World in 2050”, they now account for less than a third of global GDP on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, and less than half on market exchange rates (MER) basis.

2)The seven largest emerging economies (E7, or “Emerging 7”), comprising Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Turkey, account for over a third of global GDP on purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, and over a quarter on MER basis. India’s economy is already the third largest in the world in PPP terms, even if way behind that of the U.S. and China.

3)By 2050, the PwC Report predicts, six of the seven of the world’s best performing economies will be China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, and Russia.

4)Two other E7 countries, Mexico and Turkey, also improve their position. It projects that India’s GDP will increase to $17 trillion in 2030 and $42 trillion in 2050 in PPP terms, in second place after China, just ahead of the United States. This is predicated on India overcoming the challenge of COVID-19, sustaining its reform process and ensuring adequate investments in infrastructure, institutions, governance, education and health.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

67)Consider the following with reference to inter-State workers :

The worst may be over for the country’s inter-State workers. Many have returned home. More may be accommodated in Shramik trains scheduled to run, and some, it appears, do not mind staying where they are for work, now that the ‘unlock’ phase has begun in many parts of the country.

1)The Supreme Court has fixed a 15-day deadline for the completion of the process of transporting all of them back home, besides asking governments across the country to drop criminal cases against them for violating the lockdown since it was imposed at short notice

2)Pursuing the lockdown violation charge would have been an exercise in triviality in the face of the desperation and despair this section of the population faced. Notwithstanding lingering criticism that the Supreme Court’s intervention, on its motion, may have come too late, there ought to be a sense of relief over the improvement in their situation.

3)Going by official claims by the Centre, as many as 57.22 lakh migrant workers have returned to their home towns from the States in which they have been earning a living.

4)It made all State governments file comprehensive affidavits on the action they had taken to facilitate the return of the workers, provide them with immediate relief and the arrangements made for food and water for them during train journeys.

5)It has further asked the States to spell out their plans for registering all the workers, their skills, their areas of employment and the different welfare and employment schemes meant for them.

6)Several problems remain, not the least of them being the lapses on the part of the authorities across the country in dealing with the crisis.

7)The inadequacy of facilities for registering and identifying those who wished to travel and the paucity of timely information and effective communication relating to the movement of trains and their destinations were other issues.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

68)Consider the following :

With Twitter and WhatsApp up in arms against the government’s new guidelines for social media platforms, Information Technology and Law Minister said these guidelines are to deal with the issue of misuse of such platforms. He stressed that these rules only give a redressal mechanism to users, with complaints to be handled between the users and the social media intermediary. On the issue of tracing the originator of WhatsApp messages, the Minister said ordinary users of the platform have nothing to fear

1)As per Rule 4(A), social media platforms need to appoint a chief compliance officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and the rules thereunder and shall be liable in any proceeding relating to third-party information where he/she fails to make sure that due diligence was followed by the intermediary.

2)The failure to observe due diligence is a precondition for starting an action. The Rules add that no liability will be imposed upon the significant social media intermediary without being granted an opportunity to be heard. So, all safeguards are there. If intermediaries are already assuming that they will not follow due diligence, that is their fault. If they have the intention not to pursue due diligence, there will be consequences.

3)Similarly, removal of content is also preceded by precondition. Intermediaries shall remove or disable access within 24 hours of receipt of complaints of contents that expose private areas of individuals, show such individuals in full or partial nudity or in sexual acts or is in the nature of impersonation including morphed images, etc. Such a complaint can be filed either by the individual or by any other person on his/her behalf … What is in this? For removal of content via government orders, there is already a process under Section 69(A) of the IT Act.

4)The issue is not of use, but misuse and abuse of these platforms, and whether the victims of abuse have a forum or not. And we [the government] are out of it. This is between the social media platforms and their users.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

69)Consider the following with reference to The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) :

1)The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) — formerly known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction — has no systems to verify compliance with its prohibitions, nor any enforcement mechanisms to penalise infringement of its provisions.

2)These shortcomings have been repeatedly highlighted in the five-yearly Review Conferences of the BWC, but the state parties to the BWC have been unable to agree on any measures to address them, thus compromising on biosecurity and wilful breaches of the Convention.

3)Smallpox and other viruses have escaped from secure laboratories before.

4)Public knowledge is that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and the Russian State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology, Koltsovo, are now the only two “official” repositories of smallpox spores, but there have been persistent fears that these have been disseminated, and certain countries are experimenting with genetically modifying them. Smallpox was deadly enough. Its ‘improved’ version might be devastating.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

70)Consider the following with reference to 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development :

Oceans, which cover 70 per cent of the globe, remain a key part of our life. About 95 percent of Deep Ocean remains unexplored.

1)For India, with its three sides surrounded by the oceans and around 30 per cent of the country’s population living in coastal areas, ocean is a major economic factor supporting fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods and blue trade.

2)Oceans are also storehouse of food, energy, minerals, medicines, modulator of weather and climate and underpin life on Earth.

3) Considering importance of the oceans on sustainability, the United Nations (UN) has declared the decade, 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

4)India has a unique maritime position. Its 7517 km long coastline is home to nine coastal states and 1382 islands.

5) The Government of India’s Vision of New India by 2030 enunciated in February 2019 highlighted the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

71)Consider the following with reference to Deep Ocean Mission :

1) The Deep Ocean Mission was in 2019 envisaged as a ₹8,000 crore mission

2) India has been allotted a site of 75,000 square kilometres in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International Sea Bed Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN).

3) These are rocks scattered on the seabed containing iron, manganese, nickel and cobalt.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

72)Consider the following (latest news) :

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister has approved the proposal of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on “Deep Ocean Mission”, with a view to explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.

1) The estimated cost of the Missionwill be Rs. 4077 crore for a period of 5 years to be implemented in a phase-wise manner.

2) The estimated cost for the first phase for the 3 years (2021-2024) would be Rs.2823.4 crore.

3) Deep Ocean Mission with be a mission mode project to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of India. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional ambitious mission.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

73)Consider the following with reference to Deep Ocean Mission (it has six major components) :

1) Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, and Manned Submersible: A manned submersible will be developed to carry three people to a depth of 6000 metres in the ocean with suite of scientific sensors and tools. Only a very few countries have acquired this capability. An Integrated Mining System will be also developed for mining Polymetallic Nodules from 6000 m depth in the central Indian Ocean. The exploration studies of minerals will pave way for the commercial exploitation in the near future, as and when commercial exploitation code is evolved by the International Seabed Authority, an UN organization. This component will help the Blue Economy priority area of exploring and harnessing of deep sea minerals and energy.

2) Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services: A suite of observations and models will be developed to understand and provide future projections of important climate variables on seasonal to decadal time scales under this proof of concept component. This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of coastal tourism.

3) Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity: Bio-prospecting of deep sea flora and fauna including microbes and studies on sustainable utilization of deep sea bio-resources will be the main focus. This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of Marine Fisheries and allied services.

4) Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration: The primary objective of this component is to explore and identify potential sites of multi-metal Hydrothermal Sulphides mineralization along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges. This component will additionally support the Blue Economy priority area of deep sea exploration of ocean resources.

5) Energy and freshwater from the Ocean: Studies and detailed engineering design for offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant are envisaged in this proof of concept proposal. This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of off-shore energy development

6) Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology. This component is aimed as development of human capacity and enterprise in ocean biology and engineering. This component will translate research into industrial application and product development through on-site business incubator facilities. This component will support the Blue Economy priority area of Marine Biology, Blue trade and Blue manufacturing.

7) The technologies required for deep sea mining have strategic implications and are not commercially available. Hence, attempts will be made to indigenise technologies by collaborating with leading institutes and private industries. A research vessel for deep ocean exploration would be built in an Indian shipyard which would create employment opportunities. This mission is also directed towards capacity development in Marine Biology, which will provide job opportunities in Indian industries. In addition, design, development and fabrication of specialised equipment, ships and setting up of required infrastructure are expected to spur the growth of the Indian industry, especially the MSME and Start-ups.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

74)Consider the following :

‘Customized Crash Course programme for Covid 19 Frontline workers’ was launched in June 2021 The launch will commence the programme in 111 training centres spread over 26 states.

1)The programme aims to skill and upskill over one lakh Covid warriors across the country.

2)The training will be imparted to Covid warriors in six customised job roles namely Home Care Support, Basic Care Support, Advanced Care Support, Emergency Care Support, Sample Collection Support, and Medical Equipment Support.

3)The programme has been designed as a special programme under the Central Component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0, with total financial outlay of Rs. 276 crore. The programme will create skilled non-medical healthcare workers to fill the present and future needs of manpower in the health sector.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

75)Consider the following :

1) India is the world’s leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25% in total output. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 70% of the country’s banana production.

2)APEDA promotes exports of agricultural & processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. In addition, APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets, Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote agricultural & processed food products.

3) Apart from this the Department of Commerce also supports exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme, Market Access Initiative etc.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

76)Consider the following with reference to 8^thASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus:

The ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and eight dialogue partner countries – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. Brunei is the Chair of the ADMM Plus forum this year.

2)India Defence Minister also stressed on “peaceful resolutions of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws.”

3)On the ‘Act East Policy’(2014), announced by Prime Minister , Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the key elements of the policy aim to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

77)Consider the following :

Explaining the origin of the Delta Plus variant, it is said: “During the second wave, Delta variant – B.1.617.2 exhibited its effect; its higher transmissibility played a major role in making the wave intense.

Along the same line, an additional mutation has been detected, which has also been submitted to the Global Data System. This has been referred to as the ‘Delta Plus’ or ‘AY.1’ variant. The variant was observed in Europe in March and has been notified and brought into public domain on June 13, just two days ago.”

Further, it is explained that mRNA viruses are particularly predisposed to errors in their replication. When errors in replication of their RNA happen, the virus acquires a new character to a certain extent. “At times, it could be significant from the point of view of the disease, it could be in a region such as the spike protein through which the virus attaches to cells in the body. So if that part becomes smarter than the previous version, it is to our disadvantage. So we are worried about such variants.”

Five Indian laboratories submitted data on this variant in May and June to GISAID, a global repository. Public Health England, a U.K. body, said of the 63 genomes in the GISAID repository as of June 7, six were from India. Evidence of AY.1 had been found in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka.

1) India formally acknowledged the occurrence of AY.1, a coronavirus variant that is closely related to the prevailing Delta variant.

2)AY.1, or B.1.617.2.1, has a mutation called K417N that is linked to high infectivity and has been associated with the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa.

3)“This [AY.1] was first identified in March in Europe but brought into the public domain only two days ago,” said Chairman, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration of COVID-19,

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

78)Consider the following :

The American exit would now decisively shift the balance of power in favour of the Taliban. The insurgents have always known this. They have stepped up attacks and carried out targeted killings aimed at weakening the Afghan government and terrorising society immediately after signing the agreement with the U.S. in February 2020. And ever since the remaining U.S. troops started pulling back from Afghanistan on May 1, the Taliban have started capturing more territories. The war may be winding down for the Americans. But for Afghans, it will continue in one form or another.

First, the U.S. went into Afghanistan without learning anything from the country’s history, or was blindsided by the unipolar hubris. Afghanistan was invaded by great powers in the 19th and 20th centuries as well.

1) The British empire, which feared a Russian invasion to India via Afghanistan, sent troops to the country in 1839, ousted its ruler Dost Muhammad and established a client regime of its ally, Shah Shujah. But the British had to withdraw in the face of Afghan resistance, mostly by Pashtun warriors; while retreating in 1842, all of the British and Indian troops, except one doctor, were massacred by Afghans.

2) In 1979, the Soviet Union sent troops to Afghanistan to salvage the country’s nascent communist regime, orchestrated a coup and established a friendly regime.

3) The Soviets, faced with a bloody Mujahideen resistance (which was bankrolled and trained by the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Pakistan), had to pull back in 1989 in ignominy. The U.S. might have thought that history would have been kinder to them when they launched the Afghan invasion in October 2001.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

79)Consider the following :

1) Chairman of India’s COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), Dr. N K Arora,

2) Dr N K Arora explained that the decision to increase the gap between two COVISHIELD doses from 4-6 weeks to 12 – 16 weeks lay in the fundamental scientific reason regarding behaviour of adenovector vaccines

3) Dr Arora said that the earlier decision of four weeks was based upon the bridging trial data available then. He also cited that the increase in gap between two doses was based on studies that showed higher efficacy with increase in gap

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

80)Consider the following with reference to Lothal,Gujarat :

1) National Maritime Heritage Complex, a world-class facility is to be developed in the vicinity of the ASI site of Lothal, located about 80 kms away from Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

2) NMHC would be developed as an international tourist destination, where the maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times would be showcased and an edutainment approach using the latest technology would be adopted to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

81)Consider the following with reference to Viva Tech :

1) VivaTech is one of the largest digital and startup events in Europe, held in Paris every year since 2016. It is jointly organized by Publicis Groupe – a prominent advertising and marketing conglomerate and Les Echos – a leading French media group

2) It brings together stakeholders in technology innovation and the startup ecosystem and includes exhibitions, awards, panel discussions and startup contests. The 5th edition of VivaTech is scheduled to be held between 16-19 June 2021.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

82)Consider the following with reference to FAO and India :

Food and Agriculture Organization for completing 75 glorious years of service to humanity on 16^th Oct 2020

1) India is a founder member of the FAO and has played significant role since inception as Chair and member of various statutory bodies and committees.

2) Agriculture has been one of the major success stories post independence in India. The Green Revolution, White Revolution, blue revolution along with the Public Distribution System and price support system for farmers are unparallel in the World.

3) Special parcel trains with refrigeration facilities “the KISAN RAIL” were introduced by Indian Railways to transport the essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, milk and dairy produce from the production centres to the large urban markets across our vast country creating a win-win situation for the producers and consumers.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

83)Consider the following with reference to Rice bran oil :

It may be noted that Rice Bran oil has multiple health benefits, including lowering cholesterol level due to its low trans-fat content and high mono unsaturated and poly unsaturated fat contents.

1)Rice bran oil also acts as a booster and reduces the risk of cancer due to the high amount of Vitamin E it contains.

2) This oil is recommended by The American Heart Association and the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the best substitutes for other edible oils. Rice Bran oil from Nafed will be fortified and it will be ensured that it will contain additional nutrients and vitamins.

3) According to the FSSAI, fortified oil can help a person fulfil 25-30% of the recommended dietary intake for vitamins A and D.

Nafed Fortified Rice Bran Oil will be available at all Nafed Stores and also on various online platforms.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

84)Consider the following with reference to mobile apps for weather forecasting :

1) A large area in India is prone to flood in which Ganga and the Brahmaputra are main flood basins and Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are most flood prone states

2) He also directed forgiving maximum publicity to various mobile apps related to weather forecasting like ‘Umang’, ‘Rain Alarm’ and ‘Damini’, developed by the IMD, so that their benefits reach the targeted population.

3) Damini app triggers warning about lightning strikes three hours in advance which can help reduce losses to life and property

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

85)Consider the following with reference to Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain :

Minister of State for Jal Shakti, has written personal letters to all MPs, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to support the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” campaign in their respective constituencies and states. The Abhiyan with the theme- “Catch the Rain where it falls, when it falls’ was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of world water day – March 22, 2021.

1)The campaign aims at tapping rainwater by constructing artificial recharge structures, revitalizing existing ponds and water bodies, creating new water bodies, provisioning check dams, rejuvenating wetlands and rivers before the onset of monsoon.

2)It is also planned to create a data-base of all water bodies in the country by geo tagging them and using this data to create scientific and data-based district level water conservation plans.

3)Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain campaign covers all rural and urban areas of all districts of the country, unlike the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-1 of 2019, which covered only 1592 water stressed blocks out of 2836 blocks in 256 districts of the country.

4)Jal Shakti Abhiyan-1 of 2019, which covered 1592 water stressed blocks in 256 districts of the country, was a first of its kind campaign where a team of technical experts from CWC and CGWB, led by a Joint secretary rank officer, visited field formations to sensitize local authorities about tapping rainwater. The results were overwhelming as successful interventions were made for rejuvenating existing water bodies and for harvesting roof top rainwater.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

86)Consider the following :

Land is the fundamental building block for supporting all lives and livelihoods. And, all of us understand that the web of life functions as an inter-connected system. Sadly, land degradation affects over two-thirds of the world today. If left unchecked, it will erode the very foundations of our societies, economies, food security, health, safety and quality of life. Therefore, we have to reduce the tremendous pressure on land and its resources. Clearly, a lot of work lies ahead of us. But we can do it. We can do it together.

In India, we have always given importance to land and considered the sacred Earth as our mother. India has taken the lead to highlight land degradation issues at international forums. The Delhi Declaration of 2019 called for better access and stewardship over land, and emphasised gender-sensitive transformative projects. In India, over the last 10 years, around 3 million hectares of forest cover has been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area.

1)We are on track to achieve our national commitment of Land degradation neutrality. We are also working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

2)We believe that restoration of land can start a virtuous cycle of good soil health, increased land productivity, food security and improved livelihoods.

3)In many parts of India, we have taken up some novel approaches.

4)To give just one example, the Banni region in Rann of Kutch in Gujarat suffers from highly degraded land and receives very little rainfall.

5)In that region, land restoration is done by developing grasslands, which helps in achieving land degradation neutrality. It also supports pastoral activities and livelihood by promoting animal husbandry. In the same spirit, we need to devise effective strategies for land restoration while promoting indigenous techniques.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

87)Consider the following with reference to Banni region in Rann of Kutch in Gujarat :

The Banni region in Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to illustrate how restoration of land can start a virtuous cycle of good soil health, increased land productivity, food security and improved livelihoods.

1) In Banni region, land restoration was done by developing grasslands, which helped in achieving land degradation neutrality. It also supports pastoral activities and livelihood by promoting animal husbandry. “In the same spirit, we need to devise effective strategies for land restoration while promoting indigenous techniques”

2) The Delhi Declaration of 2019 called for better access and stewardship over land, and emphasised gender-sensitive transformative projects. In India, over the last 10 years, around 3 million hectares of forest cover has been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area

3)India is on track to achieve its national commitment of Land degradation neutrality. “We are also working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

88)Consider the following :

1) “We are constrained to say, that it appears, that in its anxiety to suppress dissent and in the morbid fear that matters may get out of hand, the state has blurred the line between the constitutionally guaranteed ‘right to protest’ and ‘terrorist activity’,”

2) In its order, the court rebuked the Delhi Police for “casually” invoking provisions of the anti-terror law against the three accused, who had protested against the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), noting that the line between the constitutionally guaranteed “right to protest” and “terrorist activity” had been blurred.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

89)Consider the following with reference to Internet and mobile telephony shutdown :

1) Kashmir has experienced Internet and mobile telephony shutdown since Article 370 was amended on August 5, 2019.

2) Similar communication shutdowns were witnessed in Delhi and Assam during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act during 2019-2020 and the farmer’s protest last January. Communication shutdowns were also witnessed in other parts of the world, including Hong Kong where a protest against Chinese security laws intensified during 2019.

3) Internet freedoms are subject to national security, said government sources, claiming that India’s tough negotiations on the joint communique issued by G7 and Guest Countries at the session on Open Societies had ensured that the original language criticising “Internet shutdowns” was amended to include New Delhi’s concerns.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

90)Consider the following :

The G-7 summit, at Carbis Bay, sent out two very strong messages. The first was driven by the United States’s new President Joseph Biden and his vow that “America is back” to take the lead on global challenges.

The G-7 commitment to donate one billion coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries and to invest $12 trillion in their combined pandemic recovery plan depends on U.S. commitments for a large part.

The special communiqué on “Open Societies” for the G-7 outreach, and the invitation to “fellow democracies” India, Australia, South Korea and South Africa are also an extension of his stated commitment to convening a Democracy Summit this year. Even the slogan for the G-7, “Build Back Better”, was a White House term to declare America’s economy and jobs recovery plan.

The second message was the consensus amongst the seven-member countries on countering China. The final G-7 communiqué holds no less than four direct references to China, each negative, including criticising Beijing for its rights record in Xinjiang and democratic freedoms in Hong Kong, its “non-market policies and practices…”, concerns over its actions in the China Seas, and a demand for a transparent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus.

1) Though the bonhomie among the G-7 leaders was palpable, the differences and contradictions in the grouping remain a challenge. Even two decades ago, questions were raised about whether the grouping (earlier, the G-8), could claim its mantle as the world’s “richest” countries, when emerging economies, China and India, are not included.

2) On economic issues, the EU is a more representative unit than the individual European G-7 member countries. Finally, the premise of a group like the G-7, that of an exclusive club of the “haves” or “the best vs the rest”, seems anachronistic in a world that is much more interlinked now than in 1975, when the grouping first came about.

3) India, a special guest to the G-7/G-8 since 2003, has also maintained its independent course, especially on political issues

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

91)Consider the following with reference to G-7 :

1) It is significant that the G-7 outreach communiqués that included the guest countries, did not make the same references to China as the main document, and MEA officials clarified that Chinese aggression was not raised at the outreaches, which focused on the pandemic, climate change and democratic freedoms

2) . India voiced concerns about some clauses in the joint communiqué on Open Societies which condemned “rising authoritarianism”, net shutdowns, manipulation of information, and rights violations — areas where the Modi government has often been criticised itself. Addressing the session on Open Societies, India is a “natural ally” to the G-7

3) . In the present, the Government will be expected to walk the talk on its commitments at the G-7 outreach, especially in the areas of information clampdowns, given that India had the largest number of Internet shutdowns in 2020.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

92)Consider the following with reference to Shenzhou-12 spaceship :

The first group of Chinese astronauts entered the country’s under-construction space station, a major step in China’s plans to have a fully functioning station by next year.

Shenzhou-12 spaceship, carrying the three astronauts, completed an “automated rendezvous and docking” with the Tianhe module, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said, adding this “signified that for the first time the Chinese have entered their own space station”.

Shenzhou-12 was launched in morning from the Jiuquan launch centre in the Gobi desert, and the astronauts entered Tianhe around six and a half hours later, the agency said.

1) The three-man crew will be in orbit for three months. This is the first of two manned space missions planned for this year, part of an intense schedule of launches aimed at completing the space station in 2022.

2) The official Xinhua news agency said the mission will “help test technologies related to long-term astronaut stays and health care, the recycling and life support system, the supply of space materials, extravehicular activities and operations, and in-orbit maintenance.”

3) The Shenzhou-12 mission follows a busy few weeks for China’s space programme, coming after last month’s launch fo the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, which carried vital supplies for the space station. At least five more missions are planned for the year.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

93)Consider the following with reference to :

Tensions in the neighbourhood are not new for China. The roughly 4,000 km-long India-China border, which is not clearly demarcated, has seen occasional flare-ups.

1) In 2017, troops from both countries were locked in a face-off in the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction of Doklam for over two months.

2) China has claims over the South China Sea, and “reunification” with Taiwan is one of its self-declared goals. But what makes the current stand-offs different is China’s readiness to use force in addressing these challenges.

3) This was the first time in 45 years that blood was spilt on the India-China border. In an annual policy blueprint, China dropped the world “peaceful” in referring to its desire to “reunify” with Taiwan, ending a nearly 30-year-long precedent.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

94)Consider the following in connection with non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council :

Terming India’s winning of a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council one of its “best performances” ever, the Union government said the majority of votes received in the General Assembly demonstrated the “goodwill” the country enjoyed. India will promote multilateral solutions for the COVID-19 crisis and enhance global action against terrorism, among its priorities, during the two-year term beginning January 2021, it said. In the election decided overnight on Wednesday, India secured 184 of the 192 votes, far in excess of the 128, or two-thirds minimum, it needed to be confirmed. Others that won were Mexico with 187 votes, Norway 130 and Ireland 128, defeating Canada, which won 108.

Several countries, including the permanent Security Council members, the U.S., the U.K., France, Russia and China, congratulated India.

1)India’s election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member is a significant diplomatic victory for the country, which has long been pushing for reforms at global institutions. The victory wasn’t unexpected as India was the only contestant for the Asia Pacific seat. But the Indian foreign policy establishment took no chances as the election would be done by secret ballot at the UN General Assembly and two-thirds of the votes were needed for victory. India secured the seat with 184 votes in the 193-strong General Assembly. Mexico, Norway and Ireland were also elected as non-permanent members. While Mexico won the Latin American seat uncontested, Norway and Ireland emerged victorious from a three-way contest for the Western Europe and Others Group seat. Canada failed to win enough votes in this group. Neither Kenya nor Djibouti, which were contesting the seat from Africa, won a two-thirds majority. They will face another vote. India sought the support of member countries by highlighting its commitment to multilateralism and reforms. Ahead of the vote, India had launched a campaign brochure which highlighted its demand for transparency in mandates for UN peacekeeping missions and push for the India-led Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, and called for joint efforts for UN reform and expansion of the Security Council. A “new orientation for a reformed multilateral system” (NORMS), as laid out by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, would be India’s overall objective during the two-year tenure that will begin next year.

2)Achieving this would depend on how India will conduct diplomacy in the global body, build alliances and raise issues that go beyond the interests of the big five. India has long been of the view that the structure of the UN Security Council doesn’t reflect the realities of the 21st century. It has also got increasing support from member countries for its push for reforms. But the five permanent members of the Security Council have resisted these attempts. The COVID-19 pandemic has already shaken up the global order and sharpened the rivalry between the U.S. and China. It has also opened up fresh debates on strengthening multilateralism and multilateral institutions. In this context, the challenges before India are many.

3)The Security Council is one of the most important multilateral decision-making bodies where the contours of global geopolitics are often drawn. India should avoid the temptation of taking sides at a time when the Security Council is getting more and more polarised. To serve its interests and push for its agenda of multilateralism and reforms, India should adopt value-based positions that are not transactional, aspire for the leadership of the non-permanent members of the Council and be the voice of the weaker nations.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

95)Consider the following with reference to Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) :

1) “All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on June 15 did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs,”

2) Article VI of the 1996 agreement between India and China on “Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) in the military field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas” says, “Neither side shall open fire, cause bio-degradation, use hazardous chemicals, conduct blast operations or hunt with guns or explosives within two kilometres from the line of actual control. This prohibition shall not apply to routine firing activities in small arms firing ranges.”

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

96)Consider the following with reference to migrant workers :

Apart from Bihar, the States that have been seen a rush of migrant workers returning are Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan.

1) Out of an estimated 1 crore migrant workers who have returned to their villages, 67 lakh workers are expected to benefit from this Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan scheme,

2) 116 districts across six States had been identified as those having the highest number of workers returning home after the lockdown. Public works worth ₹50,000 crore would be carried out in these districts to provide immediate relief to these workers.

3) Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched in June 20 to offer immediate employment opportunities to migrant workers who have returned to their villages because of the COVID-19 lockdown,

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

97)Consider the following :

1) KVIC’s record performance in 2020-21 assumes great significance as production activities remained suspended for more than three months during the nationwide lockdown announced on March 25 last year.

2) During this period, all Khadi production units and sales outlets too remained closed that severely affected the production and sales. However, KVIC swiftly rose to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s clarion calls for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Vocal for Local”.

3) The innovative marketing ideas of Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, further diversified KVIC’s product range, scaled up local production and paved the way for Khadi’s successive growth.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

98)Consider the following with reference to first vaccinated village ‘Viewan’ :

1) There are 710 adults — 348 of them aged above 45 years and 362 above 18 years — in and around Viewan village.

2) Unlike the rest of the country, where fear of the virus prevails and lockdowns are still in effect, the local farmers and herders in the village have resumed a normal routine with some confidence.

3) Viewan shot into the limelight on June 7 when it was declared India’s first vaccinated village against COVID-19. Everyone aged 18 and above has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This glory has led to a big push for a pro-vaccine movement in Kashmir

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

99)Consider the following with reference to (HT) Bt coton :

1) The illegal cultivation of herbicide-tolerant (HT) Bt cotton has seen a huge jump this year, with seed manufacturers claiming that the sale of illegal seed packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh last year to 75 lakh .

2)Industry lobbies have written to the Agriculture Ministry, demanding that action be taken to stop such sales and punish offenders, noting that cultivation of the genetically modified cotton variant has serious environmental and economic consequences.

3) Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the Centre for commercial cultivation in India. It has been genetically modified to produce an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest. The HTBt cotton variant adds another layer of modification, making the plant resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, but has not been approved by regulators. Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect, as well as the unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination, creating a variety of superweeds

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c

100)Consider the following with reference to Mekadatu project :

The project, originally mooted in 1948, came up for investigation after the States were re-organised in 1956. It was talked about prominently in the early 1960s. Around the same time, Tamil Nadu came up with the Hogenakkal project. Subsequently, Mekedatu was almost forgotten after the two States were locked in an acrimonious dispute on the basic issue of sharing the Cauvery water. It came back to life when the two States held five rounds of negotiations in 1996-97.

A few years later, the Centre evinced interest in reviving it and formulated a package of four projects — two each in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu encompassing Mekedatu and Hogenakkal. So long as the Centre was in the picture, Tamil Nadu participated in the discussions that went on intermittently for 10 years because it favoured the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) or any other Central government agency executing the projects without harming the orders of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on water-sharing. Karnataka, which also took part in the talks held by the Centre, has for the last seven-eight years reverted to its earlier stand of implementing Mekedatu on its own.

Taking note of the deliberations between the States and the NHPC, the CWDT, in its final order of February 2007, emphasised that “whenever any such hydro-power project is constructed and Cauvery waters are stored in the reservoir, the pattern of downstream releases should be consistent with our order so that the irrigation requirements are not jeopardised”. In February 2018, the Supreme Court, while modifying the CWDT’s final order, did not disturb this position.

1)In June 2019, Karnataka prepared a “pre-feasibility report”, seeking to meet three broad objectives. The proposed “balancing reservoir” at Mekedatu (between Krishnaraja Sagar-Kabini and Mettur), with a capacity of 67 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft), will regulate the release of the required quantum to Tamil Nadu on a monthly basis, as stipulated by the CWDT and the Supreme Court. It will also address the drinking water needs of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region and the adjoining areas, besides generating 400 megawatt of electricity.

2)Tamil Nadu’s concerns are essentially over the basic features, says an official. As the site will be downstream of Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini, Tamil Nadu will be deprived of the benefits of rainfall in the intermediate catchments of the two dams in Karnataka and the Mettur dam. In fact, in the last 25 years or so, water realisation in October and November was primarily owing to this factor rather than Karnataka releasing water on its own.

3)Tamil Nadu has received around 80 tmc ft annually, thanks to the run-off from the intermediate catchments.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

(a)1 only

(b)1 and 2 only

(d) None

Ans: c