1. Consider the following factors responsible for the formation of ‘Mesoscale Convective System’ (MCS).
- Sufficient water vapour in the atmosphere.
- A lift mechanism such as a front or sloped terrain.
- Influx of Large-scale cyclonic circulation.
How many of the above given statements is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
At least six weather systems converged to produce the torrential rains Delhi received.
ABOUT MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM::
- A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is a group of thunderstorms that organize into a larger system that can last for hours or days. MCSs can be round or linear in shape and can cover hundreds of kilometers in width.
- They can produce hazardous weather, including:
- Extreme rainfall
- Flooding
- Derechos
- Tornadoes
- Hail
- MCSs are important because they produce a large portion of annual rainfall in some regions. They are also particularly sensitive to climate change, and understanding how they will change as the world warms is important for building climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Some factors that influence the formation of MCSs include:
- Moisture: Sufficient water vapor in the atmosphere to condense into clouds and precipitation
- Lift: A mechanism that forces air to ascend, such as a front or sloped terrain
- Influx of Large-scale circulation: Favorable background conditions for MCS genesis
- Surface features: Snow cover and surface types.
Hence all the three statements are correct.
In Indian scenario:
- The primary factor behind the convective system was the rapid and intense advance of monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
- This results in a prolonged stalling of the monsoon troughs over central and northeastern India.
- Additional weather systems included a cyclonic circulation over northwest Madhya Pradesh and another over Haryana. These cyclonic circulations, which are anti-clockwise swirls of winds carrying moisture over land, can induce thunderstorms and rainfall.
- Also the presence of a western disturbance, an upper troposphere trough, which contributed to the influx of warm, moist air into the region. An active low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal added to the moisture.
Source:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0057-7
2. Consider the following statements:
- The Indian Constitution mandates that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts be conducted only in officially recognized language.
- It is the Governor of the State to authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language in the State’s High Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
Out of 25 High Courts, only four — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar — are allowed to use Hindi in their proceedings.
In July, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, while addressing a convocation function at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University in Lucknow, remarked that while judges and lawyers are familiar with English, many common citizens who bring their cases to court struggle to understand the legal process.
Constitutional provisions:
- Article 348(1) of the Indian Constitution mandates that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts be conducted in English, unless Parliament decides otherwise. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- Meanwhile, Article 348(2) allows the Governor of a State to authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language in the State’s High Court, provided the President consents. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Official Languages Act 1963:
The Official Languages Act of 1963 in India regulates the use of languages for official purposes:
- Official languages: Hindi and English are the official languages of the Union.
- Use of Hindi: Bills and amendments must be accompanied by a Hindi translation.
- Authorised person: The Governor of a state can authorize the use of Hindi in addition to English for judgments, decrees, and orders in High Courts.
- Use of English: English can continue to be used in addition to Hindi for official purposes, including in Parliament, courts, and communications between the Central Government and a State Government.
- Application: The Act applies to the Union, Parliament, Central and State Acts, and High Courts.
- Exclusions: Certain provisions of the Act do not apply to Jammu and Kashmir.
Source:
3. Consider the following countries:
- Singapore.
- Thailand
- India
- Brunei
How many of the above are the ASEAN member nations?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c) Only three
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
PM’s visit to Brunei, Singapore to focus on trade and technology.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING:
- Building trade and technological ties will be at the top of the agenda.
- India and Brunei will sign an MoU on space cooperation to take further their earlier 2018 cooperation agreement on satellite tracking
- The signing of four agreements on semiconductors, digital cooperation, healthcare, and skilling.
- The visit to Brunei, which is positioned strategically in the centre of the Indo-Pacific circle, surrounded by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Vietnam, was important for a number of reasons, in light of India’s Act East Policy, and outreach to maritime neighbours in the region, as well as a country culturally linked to India with a “moderate religious philosophy
- Officials have been trying to improve trading figures with both countries, by reviewing the 2009 ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) for several years, especially in terms of reducing tariffs.
About ASEAN:
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states.
- The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
Member Nations – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia.
India is not a member nation of Asean countries. Hence statement 3 is incorrect
SOURCE:
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-brunei-singapore-visit-departure-statement-9547249/
4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Digital Agriculture Mission:
- It aims to encourage and accelerate the use of digital technologies in agriculture.
- It includes Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced village maps and the Crop Sown Registry where all created and maintained by the State Governments
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
Union Cabinet approves Digital Agriculture Mission, six other schemes for agri sector, worth nearly ₹14,000 crore. The total allocation for all the seven schemes adds up to over ₹13,960 crore.
ABOUT:
- The Digital Agriculture Mission aims to encourage and accelerate the use of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, remote sensing, robots, and drones in agriculture. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It consists of three foundational registries or databases in the agriculture sector, i.e., the Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced village maps and the Crop Sown Registry, all created and maintained by the State Governments/ Union Territories. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- It will be rolled out over the next two years (till 2025-26).
- Components of the Mission:
- To create a farmers’ registry, in which every farmer will be given a unique ID.
- India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) in finalising a framework for creating an “Agristack” in the country. This Agristack will serve as a foundation for building innovative agri-focused solutions using digital technologies.
- Unified Farmers Service Interface (UFSI) to provide a unified platform for farmers to access various services related to weather, market prices, agro-advisory, and more.
- Funding to States for New Technology (NeGPA) like artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and robotics.
- Revamping Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC)
Source:
5. Which of the following statements about the Department-related Standing Committees are incorrect?
- It includes the member only from Lok Sabha
- These committees play a crucial role in ensuring government accountability, scrutinizing legislation, and analyzing policy documents.
- This Committee cannot have the power to discuss the budgets.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
Hectic negotiations for control of House panels – Nearly three months after Lok Sabha polls, Standing Committees have not been formed owing to disagreements between the government and the Opposition over who would chair the panels.
ABOUT:
- There are two main types of parliamentary committees: Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees.
- Standing Committees are permanent and work on a continuous basis, while Ad hoc Committees are temporary and created for specific tasks.
- Standing Committees: These include Financial Committees, Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs), and other committees. Financial Committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings, focus on financial oversight.
- Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs): There are 24 DRSCs, each consisting of 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). Hence statement 1 is Incorrect.
- They scrutinize the work of various ministries, examine bills, budgets, and policies.Hence statement 3 is Incorrect.
- Functions: These committees play a crucial role in ensuring government accountability, scrutinizing legislation, and analyzing policy documents. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- They help manage the complex and voluminous work of Parliament.
- Recent Developments: There have been recent discussions and disagreements regarding the control and chairmanship of these committees, highlighting their importance in the parliamentary process.
SOURCE:
6. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Most of the cyclones form over the Arabian sea than the Bay of Bengal..
Statement-II: The frequent formation of cyclones includes, high sea surface temperature, low vertical shear winds, and high moisture in the middle layers of its atmosphere.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the
correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not
the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation:
CYCLONE ASNA:
IN NEWS:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Asna has formed over the Kutch coast in Gujarat and adjoining areas of Pakistan.
- The name Asna has been given by Pakistan.
- It moved westward and intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Asna’ and lay centred at 1130 hours over the same region, 190 km west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat)..
- Cyclone Asna caused torrential rain in Gujarat, leading to 26 deaths, the relocation of 18,000 people, and the rescue of 1,200 from floods.
- Formation:
- Cyclones form over warm ocean waters where moist air rises, creating a low-pressure system.
- This system intensifies due to the Coriolis effect, forming a rotating storm with strong winds.
- Cyclone Asna, named by Pakistan, means “the one to be acknowledged or praised.”
Reason for more cyclones in Bay of Bengal (BOB):
- Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal (BOB) are relatively more frequent and intense than those of the Arabian Sea. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- The Bay of Bengal typically sees multiple cyclonic events during the tropical cyclone season, which is primarily from April to December.
- The BOB usually has higher sea surface temperatures, especially during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, providing the necessary energy and moisture for cyclone formation and intensification.
- The convergence of winds in the BOB, combined with the Coriolis Force (resulting from the Earth’s rotation), creates an environment suitable for cyclone genesis. These converging winds form areas of low pressure, which can develop into tropical disturbances and cyclones.
SOURCE:
7. In the context of security exchanges, the term ‘Initial Public Offering’ refers to
- A company offers securities first to existing shareholders
- A company issues stock to the public for the first time.
- A company offers securities to select investors
- A company sells securities directly to the public.
Answer: (b): A company issues stock to the public for the first time.
EXPLANATION:
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS:
IN NEWS:
Retail investors sell 50%of IPO purchases within a week: SEBI – Almost 63% of retail investors are concentrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, with around 39% of them in Gujarat alone
ABOUT:
- An initial public offering (IPO) refers to the process of offering shares of a private corporation to the public in a new stock issuance.
- Companies must meet requirements by exchanges and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to hold an IPO.
- IPOs provide companies with an opportunity to obtain capital by offering shares through the primary market.
- Companies hire investment banks to market, gauge demand, set the IPO price and date, and more.
- An IPO can be seen as an exit strategy for the company’s founders and early investors, realizing the full profit from their private investment.
Other derivatives:
- Initial Public Offering (IPO): A company issues stock to the public for the first time.
- Direct Public Offering (DPO): A company sells securities directly to the public.
- Private Placement: A company sells securities directly to specific investors or institutions.
- Rights Offering: A company offers securities first to existing shareholders.
- Preferential Allotment: A company offers securities to select investors.
- Book Building: A company determines the price of securities based on investor bids.
- ESOPs: A company offers shares to employees.
- Venture Capital/Private Equity: A company raises capital from investors.
- Crowdfunding: A company uses online platforms to raise funds.
- Underwritten Offerings: An investment bank purchases and sells securities.
SOURCE:
8. In recent years Kyiv, Kursk, Donetsk and Lugansk have caught international attention for which one of the following reasons is common to all of them?
(a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements
(b) Establishment of Chinese military bases
(c) Southward expansion of Sahara Desert
(d) Territorial disputes of neighbouring countries.
Answer: (d): Territorial disputes of neighbouring countries..
EXPLANATION:
IN NEWS:
Kyiv’s border breach will not stop Russian advance, says Putin
BACKGROUND:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that his Army was rapidly advancing in east Ukraine, citing this as proof that Kyiv’s cross-border incursion into the Kursk region was failing.
- The Donbas refers to a large area of east Ukraine covering the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, which Moscow claims as its own and where its forces claim to be advancing
- The Russian Defence Ministry said in a briefing on Monday that it had captured the village of “Skuchne” in the eastern Donetsk region.
SOURCE:
9. Consider the following pairs :
| S.NO | PORT | STATES |
| 1. | Vadhvan Port | Kolkata |
| 2. | Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port | Maharashtra |
| 3. | Mundra Port | Gujarat |
| 4. | Kamarajar Port | Tamil Nadu |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Only one pair
- Only two pairs
- Only three pairs
- None of the pairs
Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Explanation:
IN NEWS:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a major new project called the Vadhvan Port in Palghar, Maharashtra, on August 30, 2024. This project is expected to cost around ₹76,000 crore and aims to make Vadhvan one of the top ten ports in the world.
Vadhvan Port Project
- The Vadhvan Port is being designed to handle a massive amount of cargo, specifically 23.2 million TEUs, which are standard-sized containers used in shipping.
- The port will be able to accommodate large container ships and is meant to serve as a top-tier maritime gateway that will boost India’s trade and help the economy grow.
- The port will be located near Dahanu, a strategic spot because it will be a deep-water port, meaning it can handle very large ships. Its location near major international shipping routes will help reduce the time and cost of shipping goods for businesses in India. Hence statement 1 is Incorrect.
The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port:
- The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP, Kolkata) on Thursday announced the launch of the Bengal Middle East Express (BMEx), a new container vessel service connecting Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) with Jebel Ali Port in the UAE.
- The BMEx service will operate on Haldia-Chittagong-Jebel Ali-Haldia route, linking Bengal and the eastern Indian industrial hub with a key Middle East port.
Hence statement 2 is Incorrect.
Kamarajar Port:
- It is located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Chennai.
- It is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company.
- The Kamarajar Port is the only corporatized major port and is registered as a company.
- Today, the landlord port is the dominant port model in larger and medium sized ports.
Hence statement 3 is correct.
Mundra port:
- Mundra port is the largest private port in India.
- The port of Mundra is located on the north shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, in the state of Gujarat.
- Mundra is a major hub for containers and bulk cargo. It is run by Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ) and began operations in 2001.
- Mundra Airport is undergoing major developments to convert it into an international airport for air cargo.
SOURCE:
10. How many Delimitation Commissions have been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023? UPSC PYQ – 2024
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Answer: (d) four