1. Ghandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative is related to:
- India – U.K medicine scholars knowledge sharing mechanism.
- MoU on local bodies development strategy between India – South Africa.
- To study the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther king Jr.
- None of the Above
Answer: c) To study the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther king Jr.
In News: Gandhi-King foundation plan runs into FCRA hurdles
Explanation:
- The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of U.S announced the launch of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative to study the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Martin Luther king Jr. Hence, Statement (c) is correct.
- The Act itself, set up to strengthen India – U.S. ties through studying the “history and legacies” of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Martin Luther King Jr
- It brings together 20 emerging young civic leaders from India and the United States to advance civil rights, social justice, and inclusion on the local, national, and international levels by exploring the histories and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- USAID – U.S Agency for International Development is the overseeing agency for this agreement.
2. Which of the following article is related to the dismissal, removal or reduction of in rank of civil servants without a departmental inquiry after informing them of the charges against them and giving a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
- Article 310
- Article 311
- Article 312
- Article 313
Answer: b) Article 311
In News: Five policemen sacked in J&K in drug, terror cases
Explanation:
Article 311 of Part XIV of Indian Constitution:
- No person who is a member of a civil service of the Union or an all-India service or a civil service of a State or holds a civil post under the Union or a State shall be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that by which he was appointed.
- No such person as aforesaid shall be dismissed or removed or reduced in rank except after an inquiry in which he has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges. Hence, option (b) is correct.
- Where a person is dismissed or removed or reduced in rank on the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge.
- The authority empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank is satisfied that for some reason, to be recorded by that authority in writing, it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry.
- Where the President or the Governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that in the interest of the security of the State it is not expedient to hold such inquiry.
3. Consider the following pairs:
- Meitei – Manipur
- Hmar – Sikkim
- Adi – Arunachal Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- All the above
Answer: 1 and 3 only
In News: Centre’s indecisiveness has revived insurgency in Manipur
Explanation:
Meitei: Dominant population of Manipur in northeastern India. The area was once inhabited entirely by people resembling such hill tribes as the Naga and the Mizo. Hence, Pair 1 is correct
Intermarriage and the political dominance of the strongest tribes led to a gradual merging of ethnic groups and the formation finally of the Meitei, numbering about 1.5 million in the early 21st century. They are divided into clans, the members of which do not intermarry.
Although they speak a Tibeto-Burman language, they differ culturally from the surrounding hill tribes by following Hindu customs. Before their conversion to Hinduism, they ate meat, sacrificed cattle, and practiced headhunting, but now they abstain from meat (though they eat fish), do not drink alcohol, observe rigid rules against ritual pollution, and revere the cow.
They claim high-caste status. The worship of Hindu gods, with special devotion to Krishna, has not precluded the worship of many pre-Hindu indigenous deities and spirits.
Rice cultivation on irrigated fields is the basis of their economy. They are keen horse breeders, and polo is a national game. Field hockey, boat races, theatrical performances, and dancing—well known throughout India as the Manipuri style—are other pastimes.
Hmar: The people are a scheduled tribe ethnic group from the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura in Northeast India. They use the Hmar language as their primary language. Hence 2nd pair is incorrect
Adi: The people are one of the most populous groups of indigenous peoples in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Hence 3nd pair is correct
A few thousand are also found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where they are called the Lhoba together with some of the Nyishi people, Na people, Mishmi people and Tagin people.
They live in a region of the Southern Himalayas which falls within the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mainling, Lhunze, Zayu, Medog, and Nyingchi counties in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
The present habitat of the Adi people is heavily influenced by the historic location of the ancient Lhoyu. They are found in the temperate and sub-tropical regions within the districts of Siang, East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Shi Yomi and Namsai within Arunachal Pradesh.
The term “Adi” however, is not to be confused with the Lhoba people, since the Lhoba also includes the Mishmi along with the Adi people.
All the ethnic groups recognizing themselves as “Adi” are believed to be descendants of the Abutani/Abotani.
The older term Abor is an exonym from Assamese and its literal meaning is “independent”. The literal meaning of adi is “hill” or “mountain top”.
4. Consider the following statements regarding District Agro Meteorological units:
- It delivers crop and location specific Agromet Advisory Services to farmers at block level advisories.
- It extends the weather based advisory service to the allied areas like livestock, grazing of farm feed etc.
- The task of establishing these units are vested with ICAR in India.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- All are correct
Answer: b) 1 and 2 only
In News: Congress slams NITI Aayog over shutdown of farm weather advisory offices
Explanation:
- The Government of India has entrusted upon the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the task of establishing the task of establishing weather observing system and development of Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa in the country. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
- In pursuance hereof, IMD has set up in the country a network of about 130 Agro Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs) which are multidisciplinary units responsible for preparation and dissemination of district and sub-district agromet advisories.
- ICAR maintains Agromet observatories as well as Automated Weather station (AWS) and record Agromet observations at its institutions, National Research Centres, Project Directorates, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) etc.
- To generate agro-meteorological information for use in studies on crops, pests and diseases, soil, agroforestry, livestock, horticulture, agriculture physics, soil science, etc.
- Such data will help ICAR institutes to study crop-weather relationship, relationship between crop weather and pest/ disease and develop region/ location specific agromet predictive models.
Objectives:
- To improvise the existing district level Agromet Advisory Services (AAS) to deliver crop and location specific AAS to farmers at block level advisories. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- To design optimum observatory network for issuance of villagelevel advisories for implementation of crop weather insurance.
- To establish District Agromet Units as nodal centre for catering to needs of agriculture services
- To provide customized advisory bulletins through last mile connectivity to farmers with personalized agromet advisory services.
- To extend the weather based advisory service to the allied areas like livestock, grazing of farm feed etc. Hence statement 2 is correct
- To establish appropriate dissemination and support system for weather-based crop insurance in the country
5. Huge campaign of Union Government is related to:
- Saving the water resources
- Saving the lives of flora and fauna in western Ghats
- Digitisation of farmers land
- Skill development of youth
Answer: c) Digitisation of farmers land
In News: Agricultural Transformation in India a lesson for others : PM
Explanation:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is a food surplus country and engaged in providing solutions for global food security and global nutrition security. He said, the government is strengthening the agriculture sector with reforms and measures aimed at improving the lives of farmers.
- Addressing the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists in New Delhi today, Mr Modi said, agriculture is the center of government’s economic policy. He said, India is the largest producer of Millets, milk, pulses and spices.
- The Prime Minister said, India is promoting chemical-free natural farming. He said, in the Union Budget 2024-25, there is a big focus on sustainable agriculture. Mr Modi said, the government has provided one thousand 900 new climate-resilient varieties of crops in the last ten years.
- He said, India is using digital technology in the agriculture sector and under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, funds are transferred in the bank accounts of ten crore farmers by one click.
- Prime Minister Modi pointed to a robust system of agriculture research and education in India. Mr Modi informed that there are more than 500 colleges for agriculture education and more than 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras are providing information about new technology to the farmers. He informed that in the last ten years, ninety lakh hectares of land were brought under micro irrigation.
- The Prime Minister also touched upon a huge campaign for the digitisation of land where farmers will be given a digital identification number for their land, and promotion of drones in farming where drone didis are trained to operate drones. Mr Modi further added that these steps will not only benefit the farmers of India but also strengthen global food security. Hence, option (c) is correct.
- AIR correspondent reports that around one thousand delegates from around 75 countries are taking part in the International Conference of Agricultural Economists. The theme for this year’s conference is – Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
- The conference aims to tackle the pressing need for sustainable agriculture in the face of global challenges such as climate change, natural resource degradation, rising production costs and conflicts.
- Speaking on the occasion, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s agricultural growth rate has consistently been the highest in the world. Mr Chouhan highlighted the adverse effects of excessive chemical fertilizer use, which has led to deteriorating soil health.
- He said, India is now emphasizing natural farming. Mr Chouhan stressed the need to completely eradicate hunger and malnutrition, tackle the threats of climate change, and address the serious issue of declining production due to rising temperatures.
6. Consider the following statements regarding the four ringed butterfly recently found in north eastern part of India:
- Biologically named as Ypthima cantliei is a species of satyrinae butterfly.
- The highest Ypthima diversity is in china.
- In India it is rarely sighted at Nampada National Park in Assam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- All are correct
Answer: b) 1 and 2 only
In News: Four-ringed butterfly resurfaces in India
Explanation:
- Four ringed butterfly belonging to most members in china has dull brown grey wings with three yellow ringed single eye spots on its hind wing and large bi pupilled apical ocellus obscurely ringed with yellow on the forewing above.
- Ypthima is considered as the rich genus of the family Nymphalidae which has 6000 species of butterflies. Of the 35 Ypthima specie recorded in India, 23 are from Northeastern part of India.
- Biologically named as Ypthima cantliei is a species of satyrinae butterfly.
- The highest Ypthima diversity is in china followed by Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. Hence statements 1 and 2 is correct.
- In India it is rarely sighted at Nampada National Park in Arunachal Pradesh which is the eastern most tiger reserve in India. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/four-ringed-butterfly-resurfaces-in-india/article68480656.ece
7.Which among the following is the nodal agency for landslide studies in India ?
- IMD – Indian meteorological department
- NDMA – National disaster management authority
- ISRO – India space research organization
- GSI – Geological survey of India
Answer : d) GSI – Geological survey of India.
In News : Wayanad landslide
Explanation :
- Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the administrative control of Ministry of Mines as the Nodal agency for landslide studies has been conducting investigations and Survey on various domains of landslide studies. Hence, option (d) is correct.
- Under landslide studies, regular major activities of GSI are conducted every year under Pre-disaster studies (multi-scale landslide susceptibility mapping and conducting landslide awareness programme); Post-disaster studies (landslide inventory mapping and detailed site specific mapping, slope stability analysis and landslide monitoring), and Regional landslide forecasting.
- GSI launched the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) Programme in 2014-15 for generating the baseline data on 1: 50,000 scale and completed the landslide susceptibility mapping of 4.3lakh sq.km of the landslide prone areas in India which includes approx. 42093 sq.km area in Himachal Pradesh.
- The landslide Susceptibility Map classified landslide prone hilly terrains of the country into High, Moderate and Low zones based on proneness to land sliding.
- Under this programme, GSI also mapped historical 87,230 nos. of landslide polygon using both remote sensing (RS) and field-based source data, out of which, 30,881 landslides are field validated. Out of the total number of landslide incidents, 17,102 landslide incidents have been recorded in Himachal Pradesh.
- This huge historical national landslide inventory is continuously being updated with the new landslide data collected year- wise as part of Post-disaster studies.
- Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the British Geological Survey (BGS) under the National Environmental Research Council (NERC), UK funded, multi-consortium LANDSLIP project has developed a prototype regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) for India, and the same is currently being evaluated and tested by GSI in two pilot areas in India(Darjeeling district).
- West Bengal, and the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu).GSI has not developed any early warning system for glacier related disasters in the country. GSI has conducted studies on melting of the glaciers by assessment of mass balance studies and monitoring the recession/ advancement of selected Himalayan glaciers.
- GSI has initiated the R & D activities and the ground work for developing regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) in other test areas like Uttarakhand, Kerala, Sikkim from 2021 and also has a plan to add five additional states (e.g., Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram) by 2022.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/wayanad-landslides-search-operations-in-wayanad-enter-final-phase/article68481828.ece
8. PrecivityAD2, a newly discovered blood test is 90% accurate in identifying which of the following disease?
- Tuberclosis
- Malaria
- Alzheimer’s disease
- None of the above
Answer: c) Alzheimer’s disease
In News: New Alzheimer’s blood test
Explanation: A combined blood test for Cognitive decline has a 90% accuracy rate in determining whether memory loss is due to Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found. Hence, option (c) is correct.
In comparison, neurologists and other memory specialists correctly diagnosed Alzheimer’s in 73% of their cases. Primary care doctors had even less success, with only a 61% accuracy rate, according to the study.
One part of the blood test — called plasma phosphorylated tau 217, or p-tau217 for short — is one of several blood biomarkers scientists are evaluating for use in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
The test measures tau protein 217, which is an excellent indicator of amyloid pathology, said study co-author Dr. Sebastian Palmqvist, an associate professor and senior consultant neurologist at Lund University in Sweden.
PrecivityAD2 is 90% accurate in identifying AD in people experiencing cognitive symptoms. According to research 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men develop dementia due to AD.
Current detection methods: Tau positron emission tomography (PET) scan or Lumbar puncture.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/what-is-the-new-alzheimers-blood-test/article68482512.ece
9.Which of the following article confers the power to notify scheduled castes exclusively on the president?
- Artice 340
- Article 341
- Article 342
- Article 343
Answer: b) article 341
In News: Why did courts revisit bar on sub-quotas?
Explanation:
- Article 341 — The President may with respect to any State or Union Territory and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union Territory, as the case may be. Hence, option (b) is correct.
- Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification issued under clause of any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within_ any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.
- In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India ruled on Thursday that state governments have the power to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the purpose of reservation.
- The seven-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, delivered a 6:1 majority verdict overturning the previous E.V. Chinnaiah judgement, which had held such sub-classification impermissible.
- The court emphasized that while sub-classification is allowed, states must base their decisions on empirical data demonstrating inadequate representation and differing levels of social backwardness among the groups.
- Chief Justice Chandrachud said, “The state, while deciding if the class is adequately represented, must calculate adequacy based on effective and not quantitative representation.”
- In a judgement written by Chief Justice Chandrachud and Manoj Misra, they opined that Article 14 of the Constitution permits sub-classification of a class that is not similarly situated for the purpose of the law.
- “The Constitution does not bar the allocation of a percentage of seats to a caste since every caste is a class. However, the state must have sufficient material to prove inter-se backwardness between each of the castes.
- The state must, with the submission of cogent material, prove that there is a rationale principle that distinguishes the groups included and those excluded from the class,” CJI said.
- “In Indra Sawhney (supra), this Court did not limit the application of sub-classification only to the Other Backward Class. This Court upheld the application of the principle to beneficiary classes under Articles 15(4) and 16(4),” he added.
- “Article 341(1) does not create deeming fiction. The phrase “deemed” is used in the provision to mean that the castes or groups notified by the President shall be “regarded as” the Scheduled Castes. Even if it is accepted that the deeming fiction is used for the creation of a constitutional identity, the only logical consequence that flows from it is that castes included in the list will receive the benefits that the Constitution provides to the Scheduled Castes. The operation of the provision does not create an integrated homogenous class,” CJI Chandrachud said.
- The majority opinion held that Article 14 of the Constitution permits sub-classification of a class that is not similarly situated for the purpose of the law. The court clarified that sub-classification would not violate Article 341(2) as long as it doesn’t provide exclusive benefits to certain castes over all reserved seats.
- Justice BR Gavai, concurring with the majority, suggested identifying a “creamy layer” within SC/ST categories, a view supported by some other judges on the bench. However, Justice Bela M. Trivedi dissented, arguing that SCs and STs form a homogenous class that cannot be altered by states.
- This ruling stems from a case challenging the Punjab government’s decision to offer 50% of SC quota vacancies to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs. The verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications for reservation policies across India, potentially allowing states more flexibility in addressing representation disparities within SC and ST communities.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/why-did-courts-revisit-bar-on-sub-quotas-explained/article68482485.ece
10. Dotson Ice shelf is located in which among the following seas?
- Norwegian Sea
- Black
- Baltic sea
- Amundsen Sea
Answer: d) Amundsen Sea
In News: Underwater mapping reveals insights into melting of Antarctica’s ice shelves
Explanation :
- An ice shelf is a mass of glacial ice, fed from land by tributary glaciers, that floats in the sea above an ice shelf cavity.
- Dotson Ice Shelf is part of the West Antarctic ice sheet located in Amundsen sea and next to Thwaites Glacier — which is considered to have a potentially large impact on future sea level rise due to its size and location. Hence, option (d) is correct.
- The researchers report their findings of this unique survey in a new paper published today in the journal Science Advances.
- They found some things as expected, for example the glacier melts faster where strong underwater currents erode its base.
- Using the submersible, they were able to measure the currents below the glacier for the first time and prove why the western part of Dotson Ice Shelf melts so fast. They also found evidence of very high melt at vertical fractures that extend through the glacier.
- However, the team also saw new patterns on the glacier base that raise questions. The mapping showed that the base is not smooth, but there is a peak and valley ice-scape with plateaus and formations resembling sand dunes.
- The researchers hypothesize that these may have been formed by flowing water under the influence of Earth’s rotation.
- Lead author Anna Wåhlin, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said: “We have previously used satellite data and ice cores to observe how ice shelves change over time.
- By navigating the submersible into the cavity, we were able to get high resolution maps of the ice underside. It’s a bit like seeing the back of the moon for the first time.”
- The expedition was carried out in regions of drifting ice in West Antarctica in 2022 during a research cruise for the TARSAN project, a joint US-UK funded initiative that is part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.
- The project is studying how atmospheric and oceanic processes are influencing the behaviour of the Thwaites and Dotson Ice Shelves — neighbouring ice shelves which are behaving differently.