[MISSION 2023] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 30 Dec 2022

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Supreme Court of India is regarded as the world’s most powerful top court, on account of its wide power of judicial review. It has the jurisdiction to issue writs under Article 32 of the Constitution. It also has the original jurisdiction under Article 131 of the Constitution. There is also wide appellate power under Articles 132, 133, 134 and 136 of the Constitution. More significantly, the Supreme Court has the power to “make such an order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it”, as per Article 142 of the Constitution.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/how-are-disputes-between-states-resolved-in-india/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) or verifiable paper record (VPR) is a method of providing feedback to voters using a ballotless voting system. A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system for voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly, to detect possible election fraud or malfunction, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results.It contains name of the candidate (for whom vote has been casted) and symbol of the party/ individual candidate.
• Voter-verifiable paper audit trail was first used in an election in India in September 2013 in Noksen (Assembly Constituency) in Nagaland. VVPAT along with EVMs was used on a large-scale for the first time in India, in 10 assembly seats out of 40 in 2013 Mizoram Legislative Assembly election.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/remote-voting-for-migrant-workers-the-plan-the-election-commission-of-india-ec-has-outlined/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• PCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Important functions:

• to promote the cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
• to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/248478/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• James Webb Telescope is an international collaboration between NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency.
• The telescope uses infrared light, which cannot be perceived by the human eye, to study every phase in cosmic history.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/the-webb-telescope-is-just-getting-started/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Sammakka Saralamma jatara ( the biggest tribal festival in India and 2nd largest fair after Kumbh Mela) is the four-day biennial Medaram jatara which was held in Mulugu district in February (Telangana) this year.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-30-december-2022/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• According to the order, there are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to 2,000 years. The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life. It was designated as the State animal of Tamil Nadu in recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.
• It is an endangered species and the sole Caprinae species found in the tropical mountains of southern India. The animal inhabits meadows with steep cliffs at elevations between 300 metres and 2,600 metre above sea level. It is estimated that there are 3,122 Nilgiri Tahrs in the wild. Historically, the Nilgiri Tahr was known to inhabit a large portion of the Western Ghats. But today it remains restricted to a few scattered patches in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has become locally extinct in around 14% of its traditional shola forest-grassland habitat.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-30-december-2022/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Saltpetre (Potassium nitrate) is not used in the production of steel. It is instead used in fertilizers, tree stump removal, rocket propellants and fireworks. It is one of the major constituents of gunpowder (blackpowder) and has been used since the Middle Ages as a food preservative.
• India definitely imports coking coal. So, the answer has to be C.
• It requires 0.8 tonnes of coking coal to produce one tonne of steel. The government had recently imposed a 2.5 per cent duty on coking coal import.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2015

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Option C is incorrect because it excludes the fifth and sixth schedule areas from the application of the Panchayati Raj system. This is to ensure that the local tribal practices, customs, religious laws, social and political institutions are not tampered with.
• Instead, the act known as PESA, 1996 extends the panchayati raj system to the tribal areas.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2015

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The government of India launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP) in 1996-97. This program was launched to give loan assistance to the states to help them with a few major irrigation projects which were in the advanced stage of completion.
• The Command Area Development Programme was launched as a Centrally-sponsored scheme in 1974-75 with the main objectives of improving utilization of irrigation potential and optimizing agricultural productivity and production from the irrigated areas by integrating all functions related with irrigated agriculture.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2015

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The organization was first established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius in March 1995 and formally launched on 6–7 March 1997. It is an international organization consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.
• Priority areas are to promote the sustained growth and balanced development of the region and of the Member States, and to create common ground for regional economic co-operation. Six priority areas were identified at the 11th Council of Ministers, in Bengaluru are:

o Maritime Safety & Security,

o Trade & Investment Facilitation,

o Fisheries Management,

o Disaster Risk Management,

o Academic, Science & Technology,

o Tourism & Cultural Exchanges

o Gender empowerment

Source: http://iora.net/

Refer: UPSC CSE 2015