DAY – 46 ( INSTA REVISION TEST – 46)INSTA REVISION PLAN 3.0, 2021

Solution: D

• An enigmatic script Harappan seals usually have a line of writing, probably containing the name and title of the owner.
• Scholars have also suggested that the motif (generally an animal) conveyed a meaning to those who could not read.
• Most inscriptions are short, the longest containing about 26 signs.
• Although the script remains undeciphered to date, it was evidently not alphabetical (where each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant) as it has just too many signs – somewhere between 375 and 400.
• It is apparent that the script was written from right to left as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left, as if the engraver began working from the right and then ran out of space.

Consider the variety of objects on which writing has been found: seals, copper tools, rims of jars, copper and terracotta tablets, jewellery, bone rods, even an ancient signboard! Remember, there may have been writing on perishable materials too

Solution: B

Spirulina is an organism that grows in both fresh and salt water.

• It is a type of cyanobacteria, which is a family of single-celled microbes that are often referred to as blue-green algae.
• Just like plants, cyanobacteria can produce energy from sunlight via a process called photosynthesis.
• Spirulina was consumed by the ancient Aztecs but became popular again when NASA proposed that it could be grown in space for use by astronauts
• A standard daily dose of spirulina is 1–3 grams, but doses of up to 10 grams per day have been used effectively.

This tiny alga is packed with nutrients. Namely

Protein: 4 grams

Vitamin B1 (thiamine):

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin):

Vitamin B3 (niacin):

Copper:

Iron:

It also contains decent amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese and small amounts of almost every other nutrient that you need.

Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage.

Its main active component is called phycocyanin. This antioxidant substance also gives spirulina its unique blue-green color.

Phycocyanin can fight free radicals and inhibit production of inflammatory signaling molecules, providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Solution: B

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Health care associated outbreaks have occurred in several countries, with the largest outbreaks seen in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Korea.

MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus, which means it is a virus that is transmitted between animals and people. Studies have shown that humans are infected through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels.

Solution: D

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.

The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object

Solution: B

Angel tax was introduced in the 2012 budget by the then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to arrest laundering of funds.

Angel tax is an income tax payable on capital raised by unlisted companies from investors (mostly angel investors) via issue of shares if the sold share price is excess of the fair market value of the shares.

An angel investor is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity.

Solution: C

‘A Plan of Economic Development for India’ aka The Bombay Plan was published in two parts in 1944 and 1945 with the efforts of innumerable business leaders and technocrats in the form of J.R.D Tata, G.D Birla, Purshottamdas Thakurdas, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, Ardeshir Dalal, Lala Shri Ram, John Mathai and A.D. Shroff

Solution: D

NWR are issued by registered warehouses to enable Farmers to get loans from banks against NWRs.

The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) was setup by the Government of India on 26.10.2010 to ensure implementation of the provisions of the Warehousing (Development & Regulation) Act, 2007. The main objective of WDRA is to implement Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (NWR) System in the country, which would help farmers to store their produce in scientific storage godowns near by their farms and to seek loan from banks against their NWR.

The Government announced a Transformation Plan for WDRA to streamline its activities and introduce IT based platform for registration and monitoring of warehouses. Under the plan, WDRA has setup a portal for online registration of warehouses. It has also setup two Repositories, namely, M/s National Electronic Repository Limited (NERL) and CDSL Commodity Repository Limited (CCRL) for creation and management of electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs). The repositories have provided access to all stakeholders including warehouses, repository-participants, commodity exchanges and banks. Both the repositories and the portal have started functioning w.e.f. 26.09.2017. In the transformed system, the process of warehouse registration with WDRA and pledge financing against the deposited goods have been made simpler, safer and more transparent.

All registered warehouses are mandated to issue only e-NWRs w.e.f 1^stAugust 2019.

The Recognized Stock Exchanges like National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE/ICEX) are using e-NWRs for settlement of derivative contracts.

The e-NWR has been integrated with electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform by providing interface between e-NAM and repositories.

Solution: B

Under cash reserve ratio (CRR), the commercial banks have to hold a certain minimum amount of deposit as reserves with the central bank. The percentage of cash required to be kept in reserves as against the bank’s total deposits, is called the Cash Reserve Ratio. And Banks don’t earn any interest on that money.

Solution: D

Solution: A

The WMA scheme for the Central Government was introduced on April 1, 1997, after putting an end to the four-decade old system of adhoc (temporary) Treasury Bills to finance the Central Government deficit.

What are Ways and Means Advances?

• They are temporary loan facilities provided by RBI to the government to enable it to meet temporary mismatches between revenue and expenditure.
• The government makes an interest payment to the central bank when it borrows money.
• The rate of interest is the same as the repo rate, while the tenure is three months.
• The limits for WMA are mutually decided by the RBI and the Government of India.
• States are allowed an overdraft facility (to borrow in excess of WMA limit) of 21 days.

Solution: A

What is Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)?

• PCA is a framework under which banks with weak financial metrics are put under watch by the RBI.
• The RBI introduced the PCA framework in 2002 as a structured early-intervention mechanism for banks that become undercapitalised due to poor asset quality, or vulnerable due to loss of profitability
• It aims to check the problem of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in the Indian banking sector.

● The framework was reviewed in 2017 based on the recommendations of the working group of the Financial Stability and Development Council on Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions in India and the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission.

Solution: B

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium:

7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a biennial event, was hosted by the French Navy recently.

• IONS is a significant international maritime security initiative launched in February 2008.
• It provides a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues and promotes friendly relationships among member nations.
• It is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues.
• IONS includes 24 nations that permanently hold territory that abuts or lies within the Indian Ocean, and 8 observer nations.

Solution: C

India Industrial Land Bank (IILB):

• It is a GIS-based portal with all industrial infrastructure-related information such as connectivity, infra, natural resources and terrain, plot-level information on vacant plots, line of activity, and contact details.
• It acts as a one-stop repository of all industrial infrastructure-related information.
• It serves as a decision support system for investors scouting for land remotely.
• It has around 4,000 industrial parks mapped across an area of 5.5 lakh hectare of land and is expected to achieve pan-India integration by December 2021.
• It is under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Solution: C

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has implemented “National Automated Clearing House (NACH)” for Banks, Financial Institutions, Corporates and Government a web based solution to facilitate interbank, high volume, electronic transactions which are repetitive and periodic in nature.

NACH System can be used for making bulk transactions towards distribution of subsidies, dividends, interest, salary, pension etc. and also for bulk transactions towards collection of payments pertaining to telephone, electricity, water, loans, investments in mutual funds, insurance premium etc.

National Automated Clearing House (NACH) is a centralised system, launched with an aim to consolidate multiple ECS systems running across the country and provides a framework for the harmonization of standard & practices and removes local barriers/inhibitors. NACH system will provide a national footprint and is expected to cover the entire core banking enabled bank branches spread across the geography of the country irrespective of the location of the bank branch.

Solution: B

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:

• It is a new pan India Central Sector Scheme.
• The scheme shall provide a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
• The duration of the Scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years).

Eligibility:

Under the scheme, Rs. One Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Marketing Cooperative Societies, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), SHGs, Farmers, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Startups etc.

Solution: D
The following are the major pollutants from motor vehicles:

• Particulate matter (PM). One type of particulate matter is the soot seen in
  vehicle exhaust. Fine particles — less than one-tenth the diameter of a human
  hair — pose a serious threat to human health, as they can penetrate deep into
  the lungs. PM can be a primary pollutant or a secondary pollutant from
  hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides. Diesel exhaust is a major
  contributor to PM pollution.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These pollutants react with nitrogen
  oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ground level ozone, a main ingredient
  in smog. Though beneficial in the upper atmosphere, at the ground level this gas
  irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung
  capacity. VOCs emitted from cars, trucks and buses — which include the toxic
  air pollutants benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene — are linked to different
  types of cancer.
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx). These pollutants form ground level ozone and particulate
  matter (secondary). Also harmful as a primary pollutant, NOx can cause lung
  irritation and weaken the body’s defenses against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza.
• Carbon monoxide (CO). This odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas is formed
  by the combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and is emitted primarily from
  cars and trucks. When inhaled, CO blocks oxygen from the brain, heart, and
  other vital organs.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2). Power plants and motor vehicles create this pollutant by
  burning sulfur-containing fuels, especially diesel and coal. Sulfur dioxide can react in the atmosphere to form fine particles and, as other air pollutants, poses the largest health risk to young children and asthmatics.
• Greenhouse gases. Motor vehicles also emit pollutants, predominantly carbon dioxide, that contribute to global climate change.

Solution: C
The ‘Aichi Target’ adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at its Nagoya conference. In the COP-10 meeting, the parties agreed that previous biodiversity protection targets are not achieved, So we need to do come up with new plans and targetThe short term plan provides a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Targets.

https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/

Solution: B
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer entered into force on 1 January 2019, following ratification by 65
countries. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment)
announced the entry into force, and noted that it will help reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), and thus to avoid global warming by up to 0.4°C this century.
The need for the Amendment emerged from the 1987 Montreal Protocol process, which controls ozone-depleting substances. With HFCs’ use as an alternative to ozone-depleting substances in cooling equipment, their role in warming the atmosphere became a greater concern.
In 2016, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the agreement on HFCs at the close of the 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 28) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Governments agreed that it would enter into force on 1 January 2019, provided
that at least 20 Parties to the Montreal Protocol had ratified it.
Under the Amendment, all countries will gradually phase down HFCs by more
than 80 percent over the next 30 years and replace them with more
environmentally friendly alternatives. A specified group of developed countries
will begin the phase-down in 2019. Several developing countries will freeze HFC consumption levels in 2024, followed by additional countries in 2028. The
Amendment also includes agreements on technologies to destroy HFCs, data
reporting requirements, and provisions for capacity building for developing
countries.
https://sdg.iisd.org/news/kigali-amendment-enters-into-force-bringingpromise-of-reduced-global-warming/

Solution: C
With the objective of conservation and protection of the coastal
environment, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, notification was issued in February 1991, for regulation of activities in the coastal area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which was subsequently revised in 2011. The notification was amended from time to time based on
representations received.
A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all
Islands: For islands close to the main land coast and for all Backwater Islands

in the main land, in wake of space limitations and unique geography of such
regions, bringing uniformity in treatment of such regions, NDZ of 20 m has been stipulated.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186875

Solution: C
NITI Aayog has constituted the ‘Himalayan State Regional Council’ to
ensure sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan region. The
Council has been constituted to review and implement identified action points
based on the Reports of five Working Groups, which were established along
thematic areas to prepare a roadmap for action.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184781

Solution: C

Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA)

PCRA is a national government agency engaged in promoting energy efficiency in various sectors of economy. It is a registered society under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

It was established as a non-profit organisation in 1978. It helps government in proposing policies and strategies aimed at reducing India’s dependency on oil, in order to save money, reduce environmental impact of oil use and also conserve fossil fuel.

PCRA aims at making oil conservation a national movement. As part of its mandate, PCRA is entrusted with the task of creating awareness amongst the masses about the importance, methods and benefits of conserving petroleum products & emission reduction.

Over the years, PCRA has developed a number of films, TV spots and radio jingles in various languages for promoting oil conservation. PCRA also publishes quarterly a journal and a newsletter. Active Conservation Techniques (ACT), is a journal containing articles on technology by energy experts. It also brings out successful case studies leading to conservation of energy. The conservation news is an in-house newsletter highlighting the major activities carried out by PCRA in the core sectors.

http://www.pcra.org/pages/display/15-About-PCRA

Solution: A

Detrivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation.

By the process of leaching, watersoluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.

Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances. This process is called as catabolism. It is important to note that all the above steps in decomposition operate simultaneously on the detritus.

Humification and mineralization occur during decomposition in the soil. Humification leads to accumulation of a dark colored amorphous substance called humus that is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as a reservoir of nutrients. The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occurs by the process known as mineralization.

Solution: A

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published an Indian Standard for identification, marking and labelling of Pashmina products to certify its purity.

Significance and the need for certification:

• The certification will help curb the adulteration of Pashmina.
• Protect the interests of local artisans and nomads who are the producers of Pashmina raw material.
• Assure the purity of Pashmina for customers.
• Discourage counterfeit or substandard products presently mislabeled and sold as genuine Pashmina in the market.
• Motivate the younger generation to continue in this profession as well as encourage more families to take up this occupation.

Background:

The nomadic Pashmina herders live in the hostile and tough terrain of Changthang and are solely dependent on Pashmina for their livelihood. At present, there are 2400 families rearing 2.5 lakh goats.

About Changthangi or Pashmina goat:

• It is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high altitude regions of Ladakh Union Territory.
• They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, known as Pashmina once woven.
• These goats are generally domesticated and reared by nomadic communities called the Changpa in the Changthang region of Greater Ladakh.
• The Changthangi goats have revitalized the economy of Changthang, Leh and Ladakh region.

The Bharwad is a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. The term Bharwad is reported to be a modified form of the word ‘Badawad‘ and ‘bada’ means sheep and ‘wada’ in Gujarati refers to compound or enclosure. The person who possess compounds or pens in this caste of shepherds were known as Badawad which in course of time came to be known as Gadarieas.

Solution: C

Ecotone

Ecotone is a zone of junction between two or more diverse ecosystems. For e.g. the mangrove forests represent an ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem. Other examples are – grassland, estuary and river bank

Characteristics of Ecotone

• It may be very narrow or quite wide.
• It has the conditions intermediate to the adjacent ecosystems. Hence it is a zone of tension.
• It is linear as it shows progressive increase in species composition of one in coming community and a simultaneous decrease in species of the other outgoing adjoining community.
• A well-developed ecotone contains some organisms which are entirely different from that of the adjoining communities.
• Sometimes the number of species and the population density of some of the species is much greater in this zone than either community. This is called edge effect.

The organisms which occur primarily or most abundantly in this zone are known as edge species. In the terrestrial ecosystems edge effect is especially applicable to birds.

For example, the density of birds is greater in the mixed habitat of the ecotone between the forest and the desert.

Solution: A

The rate of biomass production is called productivity. It is expressed in terms of gm–2 yr–1 or (kcal m–2) yr–1 to compare the productivity of different ecosystems. It can be divided into gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP). Gross primary productivity of an ecosystem is the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis. A considerable amount of GPP is utilized by plants in respiration. Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R), is the net primary productivity (NPP).

GPP – R = NPP

Net primary productivity is the available biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs (herbiviores and decomposers).

Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers.

Solution: B

Let the given number be : x

It is given that x/2 – x/3 = 6

Or x/6 =6 or x =36

Therefore, sum of the digits 3+6 = 9

Solution: D

Let the present age of Mr. Mahesh = (10x + y) yrs.
Present age of his wife = (10y + x) yrs
It is given that,
(1/11)Sum of their ages = Difference of their ages
(1/11)(10x + y + 10y + x) = (10x + y) – (10y + x)
(1/11)(11x + 11y) = 9x – 9y
x + y = 9x – 9y
-8x = -10y
x/y = 10/8
x/y = 5/4
x : y = 5 : 4
Age of Mr. Mahesh = 10(5) + 4 = 54 yrs
Age of his wife = 10(4) + 5 = 45 yrs
Required ratio = 54/45 = 6 : 5.

Solution: A

Let A takes x days to finish the work

Then the work done by A for one day  = 1/x

Work done by B for one day = 1/2x

It is given that 1/x + 1/2x = 1/14

Thus, 3/2x = 1/14

Or 2x = 42 or x= 21

Days taken by A to complete the work is 21 days

Solution: B

Since second train starts 8 AM, first train which is leaving from Mumbai at 7 AM had already travelled a distance of 20 Km.

Thus, remaining distance to be covered is D = 110 – 20 = 90

Since, two trains are moving opposite direction, their relative speed (RS) = 20 + 25 = 45 Kmph
Therefore, Time taken= Distance/Speed = 90/45 = 2 hours
Time of Meeting will 2 hrs from 8 AM i.e 10 AM

Solution: C

To be an even number, the units digit has to even number, in this case only 8 should come in the unit’s place.

Thus, remaining places can be filled by remaining three numbers in 3! Ways or 6 ways.