PRE-Mix (Compilations of the Multiple Choice Questions) For the 4th Week Of March 2021
(22nd March to 27th March)
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www.sleepyclasses.com Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses 1. History Click here to watch the following questions on YouTube
1. Which of the following statements about Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal are correct ?
1. He lived in the Vijaynagara Empire .
2. He was against idol worship and he did not allow the portraitures to draw his fgure.
3. He advised his followers to practice Dharma and the most important form of Dharma was considered ‘Annadhanam’.
Choose the correct answer from above -
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
Answer: B
Explanation • Context - Prime Minister paid tributes to Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal, a great thinker and social reformer of the 19th century, on his birth anniversary. • Ayya Vaikunda (1809-1851) was a great humanist and social thinker. • He lived in the Princely Kingdom of Travancore in the early decades of the 19th Century Kerala. • He is remembered as the frst well known social reformer in India who critiqued the caste discrimination and religious hierarchy and fought against the practice of untouchability. • His gave an exhortation of 'ONE CASTE, ONE RELIGION, ONE CLAN, ONE WORLD, ONE GOD’. • He was against idol worship and he did not allow the portraitures to draw his fgure. • His theory and practice like 'samathva samajam', 'sama panthi bhojan’, aimed at cultivating a thought of equality and unity in Indian. • He founded 'samathva samajam' in 1836 and was considered the frst socio reform movement in India.
www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 1 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • He called the rule of the British as ‘Ven Neechan’ and the rule of the king of Travancore as ‘The Neechan of Ananthapuri’. • He advised his followers to practice Dharma and the most important form of Dharma was considered ‘Annadhanam’. • He organized ‘Sama Panthi Bhojana’ in each and every place of worship in the name of ‘Annadanam’.
2. Which of the following statements about Rakhigarhi are correct ?
1. The site is located in Sarasvati river plain.
2. Two levels of Early (3500 BC— 2600 BC) and Mature Harappan (2600 BC —1800 BC) civilization have been found at Rakhigarhi.
Choose the correct answer from above -
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Explanation • Context - Rakhigarhi is being developed as one of the Five Identifed m Iconic Archeological Sites.
About Rakhigarh • The ancient site of Rakhi-Khas and Rakhi-Shahpur are collectively known as Rakhigarhi, located on the right bank of now dried up Palaeo- channel of Drishadvati or Saraswati. • Seven (07) mounds are located here. • The site has yielded various stages of Harappan culture and is by far one of the largest Harappan sites in India. • The site shows the sequential development of the Indus culture in the now dried up Saraswati basin. • For development of the sites and its environs, repairing of boundary wall, pathways, public amenities , solar Lights, Benches are being provided.
Rakhigarhi • Rakhigarhi, in Haryana, became an archaeological hotspot when Amarendra Nath, former director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), undertook excavations at the site in 1997.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 2 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses • It is the largest Indus Valley Civilisation site in the country • Two levels of Early (3500 BC— 2600 BC) and Mature Harappan (2600 BC — 1800 BC) civilization have been found at Rakhigarhi. Both the phase have yielded a rich haul of artefacts. • It is a necropolis which has yielded burials, important for the study of any civilisation. • The site is located in the Sarasvati river plain, some 27 km from the seasonal Ghaggar river. • In May 2012, the Global Heritage Fund, declared Rakhigarhi one of the 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia.
3. Based on the following statements identify the dance -
1. It is the most popular dance form of Kerala
2. The word translates as story play.
3. It is popular for its make-up and costumes.
4. The actor never speaks with his hands.
5. They usually depict the ancient stories of Mahabharata, Ramayan and other Puranas.
6. The language of the songs used for this dance is Manipravalam.
Choose the correct option -
A. Kathakali
B. Mohiniyattam
C. Kokali
D. Tirvathirakali
Answer: A
Explanation • Context - Kathakali maestro Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair dies at 105. • Kathakali, is an efforescent art form of Kerala. • Kathakali is probably the oldest theatre forms in the world. www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 3 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • It originated in the state of Kerala and the Kathakali dancers perform a group presentation, in which they act upon various roles which are traditionally based on themes from sacred Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. • The actor in Kathakali never speaks expect with his hands. • The text of the drama is sung for him and is the baseline for his interpretation. • The movements of the face, eyebrows and eyeballs, cheeks, the nose and the chin are minutely worked out and various emotions are registered in a fash by each individual actor- dancer. • The roles of women are generally played by men, though of late, women are entering the arena. • A cylindrical drum called chenda, another horizontally held drum (maddalam), cymbals and a gong form the musical accompaniment, with two vocalists rendering the songs. • The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam. • Though most of the songs are set in ragas based on the microtone- heavy Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of plain-note rendition, which is known as the Sopanam style. • This typically Kerala style of rendition takes its roots from the temple songs which used to be sung (continues even now at several temples) at the time when Kathakali was born. • The costume is the most distinctive characteristic of Kathakali. • The makeup is very elaborate and the costumes are very large and heavy.
4. Which of the following statements are correct about Bamiyan Buddhas ?
1. It is also called Greco-Buddhist art, showing infuences of the Hellenistic styles of classical Greek sculptures.
2. It is situated in the high mountains of Hindkush Range in Pakistan.
3. They were called by the locals Salsal and Shamama.
Choose the correct Option -
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 4 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses
Answer: C
Explanation
Context • The Bamiyan Buddhas were recently brought back to life with the help of 3D projection in an event held in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan. • The event called 'A Night with Buddha' was held on the 20th anniversary of annihilation of the Buddha statues in the valley. • The event is a beautiful sight where hundreds of young Afghan men and women, carrying kerosene lanterns, spend their nights in a valley of central highlands.
Bamiyan Buddhas • The Bamiyan Buddhas were great examples of a confuence of Gupta, Sassanian and Hellenistic artistic styles. • They are said to date back to the 5th century AD. • They were once the tallest standing Buddhas in the world. • They were called by the locals as Salsal and Shamama. • Salsal means “light shines through the universe”; Shamama is “Queen Mother”. • UNESCO included the remains in its list of world heritage sites in 2003. • Efforts have been made to restore and reconstruct the Buddhas in their niches with the pieces available.
Bamiyan • It is situated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush in the central highlands of Afghanistan. • The valley is set along the line of the Bamiyan River. • It was once integral to the early days of the Silk Roads, providing passage for merchants, culture, religion and language.
5. Toto Tribal People are found in which of the following states ?
A. Jharkhand
B. West Bengal
C. Nagaland
D. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 5 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses Explanation • The Toto is an isolated tribal group residing only in a small enclave called Totopara in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal • Totopara is located at the foot of the Himalayas just to the south of the borderline between Bhutan and West Bengal (on the western bank of Torsa river). • Totos were nearly becoming extinct in the 1950s, but recent measures to safeguard their areas from being swamped with outsiders have helped preserve their unique heritage and also helped the population grow. • It is a very primitive inheritance, considered as Mongoloid people. • Toto People belong in the Indo- Bhutanese tribal community. • Now a day's all Toto people concentrate in Totopara, 22 km away from Madarihat, Alipurduar District. • They have fat nose, small eye, broad and square cheeks, thick lips and black iris. • Toto tribes believed in joint family system as like as other Indian communities people, but nuclear family are also available. • Monogamy is common form of marriage among the Toto but polygamy is not prohibited. • They have a simple lifestyle and are largely dependent on trading vegetables and fruits. • In spite of the fact that they defne themselves as Hindus, the Totos are believers of God Ishpa and goddess Cheima.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 6 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses 2. Polity & Governance Click here to watch the following questions on YouTube
1. Consider the following activities
1. Spraying pesticides on a crop feld.
2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes.
3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis.
At present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones -
Choose the correct answer from above
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
Answer: D
2. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India?
1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug resistant bacteria can be reduced.
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.
Choose the correct Option
A. A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 3 only
D. All of the above
Answer: B
3. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ?
1. Built in Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Wood burning www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 7 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses 4. Using varnished wooden furniture.
5. Using Products made form polyurethane
Choose the correct Option -
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: D
4. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct ?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
Choose the correct Option
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2and 3
Answer: C
5. With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements -
1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when 'bud chip settlings' are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main feld.
2. When direct planting of seeds is done, the germination percentage is better with single- budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
3. If bad weather conditions prevail when seeds are directly planted, single- budded seeds have better survival as compared to large setts.
4. Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture. Which of the statements
Choose the correct Option
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
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C. 1 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: D
www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 9 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses 3. Economy Click here to watch the following questions on YouTube
1. Which of the following statements about “Volcano Bonds” are incorrect?
1. They are issued in order to reduce volatility in market when the economy is experiencing stagfation.
2. It is a type of Insurance Linked Subsidy.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both are correct
D. None of the above is incorrect
Answer: A
Explanation • The Danish Red Cross announced that it has launched frst of its kind catastrophe bond for the volcano-related disasters in collaboration with the several fnancial frms. • Volcano Bonds will enable the disaster relief agency to get the fnancial aid quickly to those who are suffering because of the eruption of 10 volcanoes namely Chile, Ecuador, Cameroon, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Indonesia. • The project’s partners aim to raise $3 million with the launch of this bond. • This money will be transferred to the Denmark’s branch of the Red Cross. • The Initial investors in the bond are Plenum investments and Schroder Investment Management. • The frm specializes in the insurance-linked securities. • The pay-out of the bond is based on the quantitative model which predict about where the funds will be needed on the basis of the height of the ash cloud after the volcanic eruption and prevailing winds. • The project has been in the making since the year November 2018 when it was started around a table in Zurich. The catastrophe bonds insure against the damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms. Some of the bonds also include the volcanic eruptions in baskets of the covered perils. • These bonds offer a high yield to the investors who are going through the risk of losing some or all of their investment during the disaster. • These pandemic bonds, which were sold in the year 2017, started being criticised when they failed to pay out during the Ebola outbreak in 2019 and in the initial phases of coronavirus pandemic in 2020. • These bonds also went into losses amid the Covid-19 crisis.
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2. The economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources by employing reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling to create a closed-loop system, minimising the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions is known as
A. Green Economy
B. Sustainable Economy
C. Circular Economy
D. Linear Economy
Answer: C
Explanation • The government has set up 11 committees which will be led by the concerned line ministries apart from offcials from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and NITI Aayog. The committee will expedite the transition India from a linear to a circular economy across the 11 focus areas. • These committees will be preparing the comprehensive action plans to help in transitioning from the linear to the circular economy in the respective focus areas. • The committee will also carry the necessary modalities which in turn will ensure the effective implementation of fndings and recommendations. • The government has selected 11 focus area to move from linear economy to the circular economy. • The areas include: Municipal Solid Waste & Liquid Waste, Electronic Waste, Scrap Metal (Ferrous & Non- Ferrous), Solar Panels, Gypsum, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Agriculture Waste, Toxic Hazardous Industrial Waste, Used Oil Waste, Tyre and Rubber Recycling and End-of-life Vehicles (ELVs). • Sustainable growth is the key element of the Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative. • So, India needs a development model for the optimum utilization of resources. Thus, in the light of climate change, growing population, rapid urbanization, and environmental pollution, there is a need to move towards the circular economy. • Circular economy or circularity is an economic system which aims to eliminating the waste and continual use of resources.
www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 11 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • This system accounts for reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling and sharing in order to create a closed-loop system. • Thus, it minimises the use of resource inputs. It also minimises the creation of pollution, waste and carbon emissions. • If India adopts the circular economy path, it could bring in the substantial annual benefts. It will help in reducing the congestion and pollution.
3. Which of the following statements about At-1 bonds are correct?
1. AT1 bonds are the hybrid products which offer a fxed return which can be reset.
2. The bonds do not have fxed maturity.
3. These bonds have high liquidity because of which they are sold in market at high profts.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 only
Answer: A
Explanation • Department of Financial Services (DFS), under fnance ministry, has sent a memorandum to Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and has asked it to withdraw a rule treating AT1 bonds (perpetuals) which is having 100-year maturity. • The circular was issued by SEBI regarding the AT1 bonds and this will take effect from April 1, 2021. • This circulation has generated signifcant apprehension in mutual fund industry for which the losses would result from the consequential revaluation of AT1 bonds. • AT1 bonds are the hybrid products which offer a fxed return which can be reset. These bonds are however risky as equities. • These are unsecured instruments and are complex in nature. The investors are required to read the fne print before they put money in them. • The bonds do not have fxed maturity. • However, the banks which are issuing them can repay them at certain dates. • These specifed dates are regarded as the maturity dates historically. • The AT1 bonds with the 100 years of maturity was being regarded as a risk. • A change in the maturity to 100 years had the potential to increases the interest rate sensitivity of the portfolio of the fund. • This, the investors were vulnerable to losses in case of even a small increase in interest rates.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 12 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses • Thus, the mutual funds have expressed fears of increase in redemptions by investors because of fear of such losses. • On the other side, the bonds are of relatively low liquidity because of which it is hard to sell them.
4. Which of the following statements are incorrect about Participatory Notes?
1. The participatory notes are also regarded as offshore derivative instruments as they are used by the investors abroad but not within India.
2. Participatory notes are non- transferable.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation • Participatory Notes which are also regarded as P-Notes (PNs) are the instruments issued by registered FIIs. The PNs are issued for the overseas investors who want to invest in the stock markets in India, without being registered under SEBI. • In the year 2007, the percentage of participatory notes in FIIs were almost 50%. • The participatory notes are also regarded as offshore derivative instruments as they are used by the investors abroad but not within India. • They are used by the clients of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) who do not wish to participate directly in the Indian stock market. • Foreign Institutional investors (FIIs) are the entities established outside India that are responsible for making investment proposals in India. • They play an important role in the economy of a country. • During 1996-97, the following changes were made in the SEBI Regulations, 1995 to facilitate the infow of foreign portfolio investment: • Each of the Foreign Institutional investors can now invest up to 10% of the equity of any one company, subject to the overall limit of 24% on investments by all FIIs, NRIs and OCBs. • The FIIs have been permitted to invest 100% of their portfolios in debt securities under the approval of SEBI. • The FIIs that are eligible under SEBI are permitted to include the endowments, university funds, foundations, charitable trusts and societies registered with a statutory authority of their country and having a track record of 5 years.
www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 13 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses Advantages of participatory notes • The participatory notes play an important role in the Indian Economy. • About 45 % of the total investments are made through the participatory notes by the foreign instructional investors (FIIs). • P-Notes also helps in keeping the investor’s name anonymous along with reducing the transaction costs. • Some of the major advantages of participatory notes are as follows: • Any entity can invest in the participatory notes without registering under SEBI while registering under SEBI is compulsory for all FIIs. PNs also enable the large hedge funds to continue their operations without disclosing their identity. • Participatory notes are transferable through endorsement and delivery making trading easy in the country. • Some of the entities route their investment through participatory notes to take advantage of the tax laws of certain preferred countries.
5. Which of the following statements about Enemy properties act are incorrect?
1. The Tashkent Declaration of January 10, 1966 included a clause that said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the confict
2. Under the Defence of India Rules framed under The Defence of India Act, 1962, the Defence ministry notifes the enemy property rules allowing custodians to detect, preserve and control of such wealth.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation • The Center has identifed over 3,000 new enemy properties left behind by the Chinese and Pakistani nationals after the India-China war in 1962 and Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971. • The Home Ministry has notifed the enemy property rules under the Enemy Property Act, 1968, allowing custodians to detect, preserve and control of such wealth. • In the wake of the Chinese aggression in 1962, CEPI was called upon to take charge of the Chinese assets, with the aim of attaching the properties under the Defence of India Rules, 1962. • In 1968, the Enemy Property Act was enacted to deal with such properties. The Act was further amended in 1977 and 2017.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 14 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses • Uttar Pradesh tops the list of Pakistani enemy properties . • West Bengal has the second-highest number of immovable enemy properties left behind by either Pakistani or Chinese nationals. • Besides immovable properties, enemy properties also consist of shares, gold and silver ornaments. • Under the Defence of India Rules framed under The Defence of India Act, 1962, the Government of India took over the properties and companies of those who took Pakistani nationality. • Under the Defence of India Rules framed under The Defence of India Act, 1962, the Government of India took over the properties and companies of those who took Pakistani nationality. • These “enemy properties” were vested by the central government in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. The same was done for property left behind by those who went to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war. • The Tashkent Declaration of January 10, 1966 included a clause that said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the confict. • However, the Government of Pakistan disposed of all such properties in their country in the year 1971 itself. • The Enemy Property Act, enacted in 1968, provided for the continuous vesting of enemy property in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. Some movable properties too, are categorised as enemy properties. • The 2017 amended Act expanded the defnition of the term “enemy subject”, and “enemy frm” to include the legal heir and successor of an enemy, whether a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy; and the succeeding frm of an enemy frm, irrespective of the nationality of its members or partners. • The amended law provided that enemy property shall continue to vest in the Custodian even if the enemy or enemy subject or enemy frm ceases to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality, or that the legal heir or successor is a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy. • The Custodian, with prior approval of the central government, may dispose of enemy properties vested in him in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and the government may issue directions to the Custodian for this purpose.
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1. Which of the following present day states are said to have been crossed by the mythical Sarasvati river?
1. Punjab
2. Haryana
3. Rajasthan
4. Gujarat.
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation • The Centre has reconstituted an advisory committee to chalk out a plan for studying the mythical Sarasvati river for the next two years, after the earlier panel’s term ended in 2019. • The ASI had frst set up the committee on December 28, 2017 for a period of two years. • The committee would be chaired by the Culture Minister and include offcials from the Culture, Tourism, Water Resources, Environment and Forest, Housing and Urban Affairs Ministries; representatives of the Indian Space Research Organisation; offcials from the governments of Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan; and an ASI offcial. • The river, which had originated from Kapal tirith in the Himalayas in the west of Kailash, was fowing southward to Mansarovar and then taking a turn towards west. • The river fowed through Haryana, Rajasthan and North Gujarat. • It also fowed through Pakistan before meeting Western Sea through Rann of Kutch and was approximately 4,000 km in length. • The river had two branches: western and eastern. • The Himalayan-born Satluj “of the PAST”, which fowed through the channels of present- day Ghaggar-Patialiwali rivulets, represents the western branch of the ancient river. On the other hand, Markanda and Sarsuti represented the eastern branch of Saraswati, known as Tons-Yamuna. • The confuence of the branches was near Shatrana, 25 km south of Patiala. And suddenly, it fows crossing the dessert (Rann of Kutch) and meet gulf of western sea. • The Sarasvati River is one of the main Rigvedic rivers mentioned in the scripture Rig Veda and later Vedic and post-Vedic texts. Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 16 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses • Book 6 of the Rig Veda includes a hymn called the ‘Nadistuti Sukta’, which sings praises of the Saraswati as being “perfect mother, unsurpassed river, supreme goddess”. • For 2000 years, between 6000 and 4000 B.C., the Saraswati fowed as a great river. "Sarasvati" may also be identifed with the Helmand or Haraxvati river in southern Afghanistan.
2. World’s Largest Floating Solar Farms is being built in
A. Singapore
B. India
C. China
D. Rawanda
Answer: A
Explanation • The largest foating solar farm of the world is being built in Singapore. • The country has resorted to set up the energy plants off the coasts and reservoirs across it. • This foating solar farm is being set up in the light that despite being one of the smallest countries across the world, it is one of the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in Asia. • Thus, to cater to the issue of climate change and to cut the greenhouse gas emission it is building the foating solar farm. • The renewable energy is a challenge for Singapore because the country has no rivers for hydro- electricity. • The wind is also not that strong to power the turbines. • Thus, with the setting up of the foating solar farms the authorities seek to change that notion.So, this tropical country has turned to the solar power. • Since, it has little land space the country has decided to setting up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs. • The island nation is threatened by the rising sea levels as a result of the climate change. • So, the country is aware of urgency to cut down the emissions. • In the light, the government of Singapore unveiled several “green plans” including the steps like building more charging points to encourage the electric cars uses, reducing the amount of waste sent to landflls and planting more trees. • The country has also target to increase its solar energy use by four times amounting to two percent of the power needs of the country by 2025 and then to three percent by 2030.
www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 17 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses 3. Shetrunjay Hills Reserve Forest Area lies in which of the following states
A. Maharashtra
B. Gujarat
C. Rajasthan
D. Goa
Answer: B
Explanation • Recently, a fre broke in the Shetrunjay Hills reserve forest area of Gujarat. • The forest area is the habitat of Asiatic lions in the Bhavnagar territorial forest division. • Shatrunjaya hills are located in Palitana city of Bhavnagar district in Gujarat. The hills are located on the banks of river Shetrunji and are considered as a sacred hill by Jains. • It has an altitude of164 feet above sea level. • These hills are similar to other hills where Jain temples have been built in Gwalior, Mount Abu, Bihar and Girnar. • The hills are bounded by the Gulf of Khambhat in the south and Bhavnagar town in the north. • The Jain’s sacred hill of Shatrunjaya comprises of 865 temples on it. • These hills were sanctifed when Rishabha gave his frst sermon atop the hill. • Rishabha was the frst tirthankara of Jainism. • The ancient history related to the hills can also be traced to Pundarika Swami who was a chief Ganadhara and grandson of Rishabha. • Swami had attained Nirvana or Moksha on the hill. Shetrunji River is an eastward-fowing river in Gujarat. The river rises in the northeast of Gir Hills. • The river has a maximum length of 227 kilometres.
4. Which of the following statements are correct about Mullaperiyar Dam ?
1. Constructed between 1887 and 1895, the dam redirected the river to fow towards the Bay of Bengal, instead of the Arabian Sea and provide water to the arid rain region of Madurai in Madras Presidency.
2. It is operated by Tamil Nadu
3. The dam is located on the confuence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
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D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation • The Supreme Court granted the liberty to serve on the Standing Counsel for the State of Kerala notice, in a plea fled seeking termination of lease deed on State of Tamil Nadu and initiate necessary steps for construction of 'protection wall' to contain damage that may be caused due to any distress to the dam. • Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated by Tamil Nadu following an 1886 lease indenture for 999 years (the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement) that was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India for the Periyar Irrigation works. • Constructed between 1887 and 1895, the dam redirected the river to fow towards the Bay of Bengal, instead of the Arabian Sea and provide water to the arid rain region of Madurai in Madras Presidency. • The dam is located on the confuence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers in Kerala’s Idukki district. • The lease agreement was renewed in the 1970s by both Tamil Nadu and Kerala giving the former rights to the land and water from the dam, besides the authority to develop hydropower projects at the site. In return, Kerala would receive rent from Tamil Nadu. • The frst cracks in this agreement surfaced in 1979 when a minor earthquake had resulted in cracks in the dam. • The Central Water Commission, under the Government of India, conducted a study and recommended lowering the water stored in the dam’s reservoir to 136 feet from 142 feet. • If defnitive measures were implemented, only then could the Tamil Nadu administration raise water levels to the dam’s full capacity of 152 feet. • Tamil Nadu claims that although it has undertaken measures to strengthen the dam, the Kerala government has blocked any attempt to raise the reservoir water level – resulting in losses for Madurai farmers. • Kerala, however, highlights fears of devastation by residents living downstream in the earthquake- prone district of Idukki. • Scientists have argued that if there is an earthquake in the region measuring above six on the Richter scale, the lives of over three million people will come under grave danger.
Supreme Court verdict • In 2006, the Supreme court gave Tamil Nadu legal sanction to raise the water level to 142 feet. • In response, Kerala amended the 2003 Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, restricting the water level to 136 feet. • In 2012, however, an Apex court-appointed committee stated that the dam was “structurally and hydrologically safe” and that the Tamil Nadu government could raise water levels up to 142 feet. • In 2014, the court event struck down the amendment to the 2003 Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, calling it unconstitutional. www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 19 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • The Supreme Court had also directed the Centre and the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to set up three panels to prepare a contingency plan in case of a disaster.
5. The hardy species which are the frst to colonize barren environments or previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted, such as by fre are known as
A. PrimarySpecies
B. SecondarySpecies
C. Pioneer Species
D. Climax Species
Answer: C
Explanation • previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted, such as by fre. • Some lichens grow on rocks without soil, so may be among the frst of life forms, and break down the rocks into soil for plants. • Since some uncolonized land may have thin, poor quality soils with few nutrients, pioneer species are often hardy plants with adaptations such as long roots, root nodes containing nitrogen-fxing bacteria, and leaves that employ transpiration. • The plants that are often pioneer species also tend to be wind-pollinated rather than insect- pollinated, as insects are unlikely to be present in the usually barren conditions in which pioneer species grow; however, pioneer species tend to reproduce asexually altogether, as the extreme or barren conditions present make it more favourable to reproduce asexually in order to increase reproductive success rather than invest energy into sexual reproduction. • Pioneer species will die creating plant litter, and break down as "leaf mold" after some time, making new soil for secondary succession (see below), and nutrients for small fsh and aquatic plants in adjacent bodies of water.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 20 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses 5. Science & Technology Click here to watch the following questions on YouTube
1. Based on the following statements identify the INS.
1. It is an amphibious transport dock which presently serves the Indian Navy.
2. This ship was procured from the United States for US$ 90 million in the year 2005.
3. The ship then was commissioned to the service in June 2007.
4. This is the only Indian naval ship that has been procured from United States.
5. It is based in Visakha patnam under Eastern Naval Command.
A. INS Gaj
B. INS Jalashwa
C. INS Shalki
D. INS Shankul
Answer: B
Explanation • Context: The Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa has reached the port of Anjouan in Comoros • The ship was carrying a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice. • This consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice as food assistance were fagged off to Comoros in the light of promise made by the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu during his brief visit to Comoros in the month of October 2019. • After handing over the consignment to Comoros, the INS Jalashwa will travel to the Port of Ehoala so as to deliver another consignment of 1000 metric tonne of rice and 1,00,000 tablets of HCQ. • This consignment will be delivered in accordance with the promise of External Affairs Minister. • He made his promise after the Madagascar asked for the solidarity and assistance from the Indian side to deal with the humanitarian crisis in South of Madagascar because of severe drought. • The ship will also deploy the Indian Naval Training Team in Madagascar for capacity building and training of the Malagasy Special Forces for two weeks.
INS Jalashwa • It is an amphibious transport dock which presently serves the Indian Navy. • This ship was procured from the United States for US $90 million in the year 2005. • The ship then was commissioned to the service in June 2007. • This is the only Indian naval ship that has been procured from United States. www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 21 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • It is based in Visakhapatnam under Eastern Naval Command. • Eastern Naval Command is one among the three command-level formations of Indian Navy. • It is based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. • This command level is responsible for all the naval forces in Bay of Bengal, parts of Indian Ocean and naval establishments on east coast of India. • This command was set up in March 1968. • It is commanded by a Three Star Flag Offcer of the rank of Vice Admiral. • The vice admiral fag offcer is titled as the Flag Offcer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command.
2. Which of the following statements about Rare disease are incorrect?
1. They are also known as neglected tropical disease.
2. These are characterised by a wide diversity of symptoms and signs that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
Select the correct code.
A. 1 only
B. 2only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation • A rare disease, also referred to as an orphan disease, is any disease that affects a small percentage of the population. • Most rare diseases are genetic, and are present throughout a person’s entire life, even if symptoms do not immediately appear. In Europe a disease or disorder is defned as rare when it affects less than 1 in 2000 citizens. • Rare diseases are characterised by a wide diversity of symptoms and signs that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease. Relatively common symptoms can hide underlying rare diseases, leading to misdiagnosis. • The most common rare diseases recorded in India are Haemophilia, Thalassemia, sickle-cell anaemia and primary immuno defciency in children, auto-immune diseases, Lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease, Hirschsprung disease, Gaucher’s disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemangiomas and certain forms of muscular dystrophies. • India does not have a defnition of rare diseases because there is a lack of epidemiological data on its incidence and prevalence.
Available on App store www.sleepyclasses.com 22 and Play Store Call 6280133177 T.me/SleepyClasses • While there is no universally accepted defnition of rare diseases, countries typically arrive at their own descriptions, taking into consideration disease prevalence, its severity and the existence of alternative therapeutic options. • In the US, for instance, a rare disease is defned as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. • The same defnition is used by the National Organisation for Rare Disorders (NORD) in India.
3. Which of the following statements about Helium are correct?
1. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic-gas.
2. It is the frst in the noble gas group in the periodic table.
3. Its boiling point is the lowest among all the elements.
4. India’s Rajmahal volcanic basin is the store house of helium
Select the correct code.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4only
C. 1 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation • Context: India imports helium for its needs and with the U.S. appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, the Indian industry stands to lose out heavily. • Helium is not just for balloons but it is the key ingredient for India’s high technology and the most sophisticated medical diagnosis • Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. • It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non- toxic, inert, monatomic gas, the frst in the noble gas group in the periodic table. Its boiling point is the lowest among all the elements.
Helium in India • India’s Rajmahal volcanic basin is the storehouse of helium trapped for billions of years, since the very birth of our Earth from the Sun. • At present, researchers are mapping the Rajmahal basin extensively for future exploration and harnessing of helium.
Why India needs Helium • Every year, India imports helium worth Rs 55,000 crores from the U.S. to meet its needs. • Helium is used in medicine, scientifc research, for blimp infation, party balloons as well as having welding applications. www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 23 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • It fnds many applications, mainly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, in rockets and in nuclear reactors.
4. Jhuran formation is related to which of the following
A. Coal
B. Limestone
C. Corals
D. Iron
Answer: D
Explanation • Context: In 2004, NASA’s Mars exploration rover ‘Opportunity’ found several small spheres on the planet, informally named Martian blueberries which fnd a resemblance to the similar formation in India’s Kutch region.
Martian blueberries • Opportunity’s mini spectrometers studied mineralogy and noted they were made of iron oxide compounds called haematites. • This caused excitement, as the presence of haematites suggests that there was water present on Mars. • The widely accepted formation mechanism of hematite concretion [hard solid mass] is precipitation from aqueous fuids. • Hematite is known to form in oxidizing environments hence it can be inferred that water must have played a crucial role in the formation of grey hematite on Mars. • Indian researchers have been studying hematite concretions in Kutch called the Jhuran formation. • These formations are 145 and 201 million years old. • Detailed geochemistry and spectroscopic investigations of the haematite concretions in this area revealed that they resemble the ones on Mars. • They have similar morphology – spherical, often doublet and triplet – and similar mineralogy – a mixture of haematite and goethite. • Hence, several types of research have shown that the Kutch area is a potential Martian analogue locality.
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5. Which of the following statements about sounding Rockets are incorrect?
1. These are one or two-stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research.
2. The sounding rockets generally stay between 400 km and 1600 kilometres in the atmosphere.
Select the correct code.
A. 1 only
B. 2only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation • Context: ISRO launched sounding rocket RH-560, to study neutral winds, plasma dynamics • It is also called a research rocket or rocket sonde. • The sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used to study upper atmospheric regions and for space research. • They serve as easily affordable platforms that test prototypes of new components or subsystems intended for use in launch vehicles and satellites. • The sounding rockets generally stay between 40 km and 160 kilometres in the atmosphere. • The range is such because the weather balloons have to stay within 40 kilometres and the Space rockets. • The rockets are placed above it. • In case the Sounding rockets go above 160 km, they may burst. • ISRO began with the launch of indigenously built sounding rockets from 1965. • Its experience gained was valuable in gaining excellence in the solid propellant technology. • In 1975, all sounding rocket activities were cluttered under the Rohini Sounding Rocket (RSR) Programme. RH-75, with a diameter of 75 mm was the frst truly Indian sounding rocket, which was followed by RH-100 and RH-125 rockets. • The series of sounding rockets are called Rohini series with RH 200, RH 300 and RH 560 being the most important among them. • The numbers along with the name acronym stands for the diameter of the rocket in milimetres. • The Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station was established on 21st November 1963 and was operated by ISRP. • Its southern tip is close to earth's magnetic equator. • It marked the beginning of Indian Space Programme and was the bedrock of the launch vehicles built. www.sleepyclasses.com Available on App store 25 Call 6280133177 and Play Store T.me/SleepyClasses • Before the indigenous efforts the frst rockets were two-stage rockets imported from Russia (M-100) and France (Centaure). • At that time M-100 was able to carry a payload of 70 kg to an altitude of 85 km, the Centaure was capable of reaching 150 km with a payload of approximately 30 kg.
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