1) Consider the following pairs :
Site Well known mineral blocks
1.Salal-Haimna : Jharkhand
2. Muskaniya : Jharkhand
3. Kurunjakulam : Tamil Nadu
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Only One
- Only two
- All three
- None
Answer: (b) Only Two
In NEWS: Centre scraps auction of three critical mineral blocks
EXPLANATION:
The blocks are the Salal-Haimna lithium, titanium and bauxite block in Jammu and Kashmir, Muskaniya-Gareriatola-Barwari potash block in Jharkhand and Kurunjakulam graphite block in Tamil Nadu. Hence option (b) is correct.
- Critical minerals are those minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, the lack of availability of these minerals or concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations may lead to supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies.
- The 30 critical minerals are Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
Significance :
- Economic Development:
- Industries such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defense heavily rely on these minerals.
- National Security:
- These minerals are vital for defense, aerospace, nuclear, and space applications, necessitating the use of high-quality and reliable materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions and performing complex functions.
- Environmental Sustainability:
- They are integral to the transition toward clean energy and a low-carbon economy, enabling the reduction of India’s reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
- With a commitment to attaining 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, these minerals are essential for achieving India’s green objectives
2) Consider the following statements regarding to agarwood :
1. The Agar species are critically endangered.
2. Agarwood is mainly found in the North-East region of India.
3. Agarwood processing and trade is secretive and restricted to only a few groups.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only Two
IN NEWS: CITES eases norms for agarwood export; move to benefit lakhs of farmers from the Northeast
EXPLANATION:
- It is known as the wood of the gods; a product of the religious and cultural aroma.
- Agarwood is an economically important and fast-growing evergreen tree species native to North East India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Apart from India, the Agar tree’s distribution ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas to Papua New Guinea.
- Aquilaria malaccensis or Agar Tree is an aromatic plant.
- The Agar species are critically endangered.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Agarwood processing and trade is secretive and restricted to only a few groups.Hence statement 3 is correct
- Agarwood is described as a fragrant product of wealth and luxury in one of the world’s oldest written texts of Vedas.
3) “Hema Committee” is sometimes seen in news with reference to which one of the following?
(a) issues faced by women in the film industry
(b) studying matters concerning environmental protection
(c) protection of water from hazardous industries
(d) issues faced by old age persons in home
Answer: (a) issues faced by women in the film industry,
In NEWS: Hema Commission report that exposes problems faced by women in Malayalam film industry
EXPLANATION:
The committee’s objective was to investigate issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry.
- The commission consulted multiple women professionals in the industry, recording detailed accounts of sexual harassment, wages earned, and possible blacklisting. Hence option (a) is correct.
- The report highlighted the existence of a casting couch, and the presence of alcohol and drugs on film sets.
- The commission recommended forming a tribunal to investigate these allegations.
- Other recommendations included making job contracts mandatory, ensuring wage parity across genders for the same job, banning drugs and liquor on shooting locations, and ensuring safe working conditions for women.
4) Consider the following statements regarding to governor :
1.Governor is the integral part of the state legislature
2. A money bill cannot be introduced in a State Legislative Assembly without the Governor’s recommendation.
3.He is entitled to be consulted in appointments of judges in the state high courts.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer:(C) All three
In NEWS: Supreme Court to examine whether Governors are ‘subverting’ federalism
EXPLANATION:
EXECUTIVE POWERS
- The executive power of the state is vested in the Governor.
- The executive power of them extends to all matters with respect to which the State Legislature has power to make laws.
- Appoints the Chief Minister and other ministers are appointed by him on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- Appoints the Council of Ministers, Advocate General, Chairman and the members of the State Public Service Commission.
- He is the chancellor of a state university.
FINANCIAL POWERS
- A money bill cannot be introduced in a State Legislative Assembly without the Governor’s recommendation.
- He appoints members of State Finance Commission.
JUDICIAL POWERS
- He appoints and transfers District Court Judges
- He is entitled to be consulted in appointments of judges in the state high courts.
- Appointments of persons (other than district judges) to the judicial service of the state by the Governor.
5) Consider the following statements :
Statement-I :
Every year, the International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29
Statenient-II
The midpoint between the summit’s first and last days, symbolizing the ongoing global effort to save tigers.
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: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
In NEWS: Royal Bengal Tiger awaits a red carpet welcome in Seshachalam
EXPLANATION:
India continues to be a global leader in tiger conservation efforts. Here’s a quick update:
- Positive Population Growth: As of March 2024, India has an estimated 3,682 wild tigers, which is almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger population. This marks a significant increase since Project Tiger’s inception in 1973.
- Project Tiger Success: Project Tiger, a major wildlife conservation initiative by the Indian government, is a key driver of this success. Established tiger reserves provide protected habitats for these magnificent creatures. The number of tiger reserves has grown from 9 in 1973 to 55 in March 2024.
- Reintroduction Efforts: India has successfully reintroduced tigers in reserves like Sariska and Panna, demonstrating their commitment to restoring tiger populations.
6) Consider the following statements about cauvery river
1) The Cauvery basin extends over four states only
2) The river has been called as the “garden of southern India”
3) It rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in southwestern Kerala state
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (b) Only two (3 Wrong)
In NEWS:: THE INDIAN EXPRESS
EXPLANATION:
- Kaveri River, sacred river of southern India.
- It rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in southwestern Karnataka state, flows in a southeasterly direction for 475 miles (765 km) through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,pondichery ,kerala. Hence statement 1 is correct and Hence statement 3 is incorrect
- Before emptying into the Bay of Bengal south of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, the river breaks into a large number of distributaries forming a wide delta called the “garden of southern India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Also” Known to devout Hindus as Dakshina Ganga (“Ganges of the South”).
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/drawing-lines-in-cauvery-waters-8968776/
7) In which one of the following regions was Kakadu National Park, which is home to one of the world’s largest deposits of high-grade uranium located?
(a) France
(b)Israel
(c) Ukraine
(d) Australia
Answer: (d) Australia
In NEWS: Why Australia has banned mining in one of the world’s largest uranium deposits
EXPLANATION:
- Australia took steps on Saturday to ban mining at an Indigenous site surrounded by Kakadu National Park, which is home to one of the world’s largest deposits of high-grade uranium. Hence option (d) is correct.
- The heritage-listed national park would be extended to include the Jabiluka site, which has long been in the sights of mining companies seeking to exploit it against the wishes of its Indigenous custodians, the Mirarr people.
- The Jabiluka site drew particular attention in 2017 when archaeologists discovered a buried trove of stone axes and tools nearby, dating them at tens of thousands of years old.
Source:
8) With reference to the “DARK OXYGEN” , which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Studying the relationship between earth and mars
(b) Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
(c) small-sized battery rock on the seafloor.
(d) Protect fromFood storage granary
Answer(c) small-sized battery rock on the seafloor.
In NEWS: Surprising ‘dark oxygen’ discovery could ensnarl deep-sea mining | Explained
EXPLANATION:
- An unknown process is producing oxygen deep in the world’s oceans, where it is too dark for photosynthesis. Hence option (c) is correct.
- The finding has important implications because oxygen helps support life and the discovery implies the existence of previously unknown ecosystems.
Source:
9) Which of the following statements are correct in respect of the union public service commission?
1) UPSC is the central recruiting agency in India.
2) The powers and functions of UPSC are provided in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution.
3) Members of a Public Service Commission are ineligible for reappointment to that office.
4) A member resigns from his/her office by submitting the written resignation to the President of India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer:(d) All four
In NEWS:: THE HINDU
EXPLANATION:
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central recruiting agency in India.It is an independent constitutional body. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The provisions regarding the composition of UPSC, appointment and removal of its members and the powers and functions of UPSC are provided in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution under Article 315 to Article 323 . Hence statement 2 is correct
Composition of Union Public Service Commission
- Appointment of Members: The Chairman and other members of the UPSC are appointed by the President of India.
- Term of Office: Any member of the UPSC shall hold office for a term of six years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- Reappointment: Any person who has once held the office as a member of a Public Service Commission is ineligible for reappointment to that office. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Resignation: A member of the Union Public Service Commission may resign from his/her office by submitting the written resignation to the President of India. Hence statement 4 is correct
- Removal/Suspension of Members: The Chairman or any other member of UPSC shall only be removed from his/her office by order of the President of India.
Conditions for Removal: The Chairman or any other member of UPSC may be removed if he/she:
- is judged an insolvent.
- engages during his/her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his/her office.
- is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
- Make provisions with respect to the number of members of the staff of the Commission and their conditions of service.
- Restriction of Power: The conditions of service of a member of UPSC shall not be amended after his/her appointment that may lead to his/her disadvantage.
Source:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/upsc-credibility-crisis/article68454645.ece
10) With reference Trastuzumab deruxtecan, Osimertinib, Durvalumab were well known as
(a) butterflies
(b) cancer drugs
(c) pesticides
(d) herbicides
Answer (b) cancer drugs
In NEWS: Government slashes prices for targeted cancer drugs: All you need to know
EXPLANATION:
- Trastuzumab deruxtecan is an antibody-drug conjugate — a substance made up of a monoclonal antibody (a laboratory-made protein that acts like human antibodies) chemically linked to a drug. It is used to treat any cancer with HER-2 receptor (a protein that appears on the surface of some breast cancer cells). Hence option (b) is correct.
- Osimertinib is the most commonly used of the three cancer drugs in India. Marketed as Tagrisso by AstraZeneca, the drug is used to treat lung cancers that have epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR).
- Durvalumab — an immunotherapy treatment — is used for the treatment of certain lung cancers, biliary tract cancers, bladder cancer, and liver cancer.