DAY – 38 (InstaTest-38): Insta 75 Days Revision Plan-2023: Topic – ART & CULTURE, Subject-wise Test – 2,17,28 Text Book based Test – 21,22,11 February & March 2023 CA

Solution: D

In the mega international event held on 9th April 2023, at Mysuru, Karnataka,  to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger,  the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma, harbouring our planet.

India has a long-standing experience on the tiger agenda and conservation of other big cats like lion, snow leopard, leopard, now the translocation of the Cheetah to bring an extinct big cat back to its natural habitat.  The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of Tiger, Lion, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah. IBCA would further strengthen global cooperation and efforts to conserve the wild denizens, especially the big cats.

Solution: A

NISAR satellite

NISAR will be used by ISRO for a variety of purposes like volcanic eruptions, agricultural mapping, landslide-prone areas etc.

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite. The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies. It will be used for remote sensing, to observe and understand natural processes on Earth.

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR satellite, will use advanced radar imaging to map the elevation of Earth’s land and ice masses 4 to 6 times a month at resolutions of 5 to 10 meters. It is designed to observe and measure some of the planet’s most complex natural processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

• The 2,800 kilograms satellite consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
• While NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem, ISRO has provided the S-band radar, the GSLV launch system and spacecraft.

Another important component of the satellite is its large 39-foot stationary antenna reflector. Made of a gold-plated wire mesh, the reflector will be used to focus “the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure”

Solution: C

Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh and fall under ‘endangered list’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Red Sanders is also listed in Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES). Its rich hue and therapeutic properties are responsible for its high demand across Asia, particularly China, for use in cosmetics, medicinal products and high-end furniture/woodcraft. The export of Red Sanders from India is prohibited as per the Foreign Trade Policy.

Solution: B

Nord Stream (literally ‘North Stream’)

• It is a network of offshore natural gas pipelines in Europe which run under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
• It comprises two separate projects –
  • Nord Stream 1 ran from Vyborg, in northwestern Russia near Finland, and entered service in 2011.
  • Nord Stream 2 runs from Ust-Luga in northwestern Russia near Estonia. The pipeline (completed in 2021) was built in order to double annual capacity but has not yet entered service.

Solution: B

Solution: B

Nyaya School

As the name of the school suggests, they believe in the technique of logical thinking to achieve salvation. They consider the life, death and salvation to be like mysteries that can be solved through logical and analytical thinking. Furthermore, they argue that acquiring ‘real knowledge’ can only accrue salvation. This school of thought was supposed to be founded by Gautama who is also identified as the author of the Nyaya Sutra.

They argue that by using logical tools like inference, hearing and analogy; a human being could verify the truth of a proposition or statement.

On the concept of God, they argue that the creation of the Universe was through God’s hands. They also believe that God not only created the Universe but also sustained and destroyed it. This philosophy constantly stressed on systematic reasoning and thinking.

Solution: C

Nasik Caves:

It is a group of 24 Buddhist caves, also known as “Pandav Leni”. They were developed during 1^st century A.D. and belong to the Hinayana period. However, later, the influence of Mahayana sect can also be found in these caves. Under hinayana sect, his presence is indicated through the use of motifs and symbols like throne and footprints. And later, the idols of Buddha were also carved inside these caves representing influence of Mahayana Buddhism. The site also depicts an excellent system of water management indicated through presence of water tanks carved out of solid rocks.

Solution: A

Khajuraho School:

In the central part of India, the Chandela rulers developed a distinct style of temple making of their own – known as Khajuraho school or Chandel school.

The features of the temples here include:

• In these temples, both the interior and exterior walls were lavishly decorated with carvings.
• The sculptures were generally erotic in their themes and drew inspiration from Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra.
• The temples were made of sandstone.
• The temples had three chambers – garbhagriha, mandapa and ardha-mandapa. Some temples had a vestibular entrance to the garbhagriha known as
• The temples were generally north or east facing.
• Panchayatan style of temple making was followed. Even the subsidiary shrines had rekhaprasad shikharas. This created an impression of a mountain range.
• The temples were built on relatively high platform and belong to Hindu as well as Jain religion.

Example: Kandariya Mahadeva temple, Lakshman temple at Khajuraho, etc.

Solution: D

Odisha, on the eastern sea coast, is the home of Odissi, one of the many forms of Indian classical dance. Sensuous and lyrical, Odissi is a dance of love and passion touching on the divine and the human, the sublime and the mundane. The Natya Shastra mentions many regional varieties, such as the south-eastern style known as the Odhra Magadha which can be identified as the earliest precursor of present day Odissi.

Archaeological evidence of this dance form dating back to the 2nd century B.C. is found in the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri near Bhubaneshwar. Later, innumerable examples of the Buddhist sculptures, the tantric images of dancing Yoginis, the Nataraja, and other celestial musicians and dancers of early Shaivite temples bear testimony to a continuing tradition of dance from the 2nd century B.C.E to the 10th century C.E. These influences found synthesis in an unique philosophy – the dharma or faith of Jagannath.

The techniques of movement are built around the two basic postures of the Chowk and the Tribhanga. The chowk is a position imitating a square – a very masculine stance with the weight of the body equally balanced. The tribhanga is a very feminine stance where the body is deflected at the neck, torso and the knees.

Solution: A

Thumri and Tappa are popular types heard in concerts. The thumri is very lyrical in its structure and presentation. These forms are termed as ‘semi’ or ‘light’ classical. Thumri is a love song and hence the textual beauty is very important. This is closely coordinated with the musical rendition. And keeping in mind its mood a thumri is usually set to ragas like Khamaj, Kaphi, Bhairavi and so on and the musical grammar is not strictly adhered to. There are two styles of thumri singing: the Poorab or Banaras which is fairly slow and staid and the Punjab style which is more mercurial.

The Tappa consists of the song uttered in fast note patterns. It is a difficult composition and needs much practice. Both the Thumri and Tappa require special training as do the Dhrupad and Khyal forms of singing. Ragas in which Tappa compositions are set remain same as in Thumri style.

Solution: C

Bhand Pather, the traditional theatre form of Kashmir, is a unique combination of dance, music and acting. Satire, wit and parody are preferred for inducing laughter. In this theatre form, music is provided with surnai, nagaara and dhol. Since the actors of Bhand Pather are mainly from the farming community, the impact of their way of living, ideals and sensitivity is discernible.

Maach is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. The term Maach is used for the stage itself as also for the play. In this theatre form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues. The term for dialogue in this form is bol and rhyme in narration is termed vanag. The tunes of this theatre form are known as rangat.

Bhaona is a presentation of the Ankia Naat of Assam. In Bhaona cultural glimpses of Assam, Bengal Orissa, Mathura and Brindavan can be seen. The Sutradhaar, or narrator begins the story, first in Sanskrit and then in either Brajboli or Assamese.

Solution: A

Malwa School: The cities of Dhar and Mandu in the Malwa plateau became prominent seats of architecture.

Example: Raani Roopmati pavilion, Jahaz Mahal, Ashrafi Mahal etc.

Vijayanagara School:

Example: Vittalsami temple, Lotus Mahal, Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Raghunatha Temple in Hampi etc. Rock-cut idol of Narasimha on Shesha (snake) near Hampi is a marvel in itself.

Vesara School:

Example: Doddabasappa temple at Dambal, Ladkhan temple at Aihole, temples at Badami etc.

Solution: D

Sun Temples in India

• Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat
• Konark Sun temple, Odisha.
• Brahmanya Dev Temple, Unao (Madhya Pradesh)
• Suryanaar Kovil, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu)
• Suryanarayana Swamy temple, Arasavalli (Andhra Pradesh).
• Dakshinaarka Temple, Gaya (Bihar)
• Navalakha Temple, Ghumli (Gujarat)
• Surya Pahar Temple, Goalpara (Assam)
• Martand Sun temple, Kashmir.

Solution: D

Main characteristics of Gupta sculptures

• While the sculptures of the Saka-Kushana period belonging to the Mathura school largely retained the volume and physicality of the earlier folk art, the Gupta sculptures, particularly those of the Sarnath school, though based on early traditions, are obviously indicative of a new aesthetic quality.
• The youthful human form became the pivot of Gupta sculpture, with the sculptors presenting the human form in different attitudes in accordance with the nature of the divine image which it was meant to represent.
• The idealized human form again with its delicate curves and nuances was shown to the fullest advantage with the help of almost transparent drapery.
• The human figure meant to represent various types of deities and its hands shown in a variety of poses (mudras) which were suggestive characterizations of their individual actions.
• The asanas (sitting postures) and the sthanaka bhangas (standing flexions of the body) also acquired distinctive variations which were now plastically rendered with graceful poise and spiritual elevation seldom attained in the later art of India.
• Sarnath was the nucleus from which the Gupta sculptural tradition spread out to various other parts of India.

Solution: A

Mughal Emperor Humayun (1530–1540) patronized Indian Mughal paintings in a big way during his rule. Therefore, it is considered to be period of origin of the Mughal paintings. When he came back to India from the exile, he also brought along two excellent Persian artists, Mir-Sayyid Ali and Abd-us-samad.

Solution: B

Mewar

• Mewar school of Rajput paintings, contrary to other Rajput paintings, concentrated on its conservative style, trying to avoid the dominance of the Mughals.
• The earliest example of the Mewar School is that of Chawand Ragamala of 1605.
• Lot of similarity with the Chaura panchasika style, especially the flatness, the bright colours, and even common motifs can be found between these two styles.

Solution: A

In the third century AD, Vatsyayana in his book Kamasutra mentioned about 6 main principles/limbs or shadanga of paintings.

They are:

• Variety of form: Rupabheda
• Portrayal of likeliness of the subject: Sadrisyan
• Creation of luster and gleam with the colours: Bhava
• Mixing of colours to resemble the effects of modelling: Varnikabhanga
• Proportion of the object or subject: Pramanam
• Immersion of emotions: Lavanyayoganam

Solution: C

Digambara School:

• Monks of the Digambara tradition do not wear clothes as this sect believes in complete nudity.
• Female monks wear unstiched plain white sarees and are called Aryikas.
• Digambaras follow all the five constraints (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya) as per the teachings of Mahavira, unlike Svetambaras.
• Bhadrabahu was an exponent of Digambara sect and he moved to Karnataka along with his disciples after predicting a long famine.
• The earliest record of Digambara beliefs is contained in the Prakrit Suttapahuda of Kundakunda.
• Digambara Jains believe that women can’t be tirthankaras and that Malli was a man.
• Monasticism rules are more rigid under Digambara School.

Svetambara School:

• Svetambaras follow the preachings of Prasvanatha, i.e. they believe in only four restraints (except Brahmacharya) to be followed to attain Kevalya.
• Svetambara believe that the 23rd and 24th tirthankara did marry, unlike thought by Digambara.
• Sthulabhadra was a great exponent of this school and stayed in Magadha unlike Bhadrabahu who went to Karnataka.

Solution: C

Kalidasa: Malavikagnimitra: The love story of Malavika a maiden of Queen and Agnimitra the son of Pushyamitra Shunga.

Sudraka: Mricchakatika: (The Little Clay Cart) Love affair of young brahmin Charudatta with a wealthy courtesan.

Vishakhdutta: Mudra Rakshasa is a political drama and narrates ascent of king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India.

Bhasa: Urubhanga: story of Duryodhana during and after his fight with Bhima.

Solution: A

Chaitanya was another well-known saint and reformer of Bengal who popularised the Krishna cult. He renounced the world, became an ascetic and wandered all over the country preaching his ideas.

Gnanadeva was the founder of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra in the thirteenth century. It was called Maharashtra dharma. He wrote a commentary of Bhagavat Gita called Gnaneswari. Namadeva preached the gospel of love. He opposed idol worship and priestly domination. He also opposed the caste system. In the sixteenth century, Ekanatha opposed caste distinctions and sympathetic towards the lower castes. He composed many lyrics and his bhajans and kirtans were famous. Another Bhakti saint of Maharashtra was Tukaram, a contemporary of Sivaji. He was responsible for creating a background for Maratha nationalism. He opposed all social distinctions.

Solution: A

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a mandarin-type civil service that is comparable to the recruitment of higher services in other countries like Britain, France, or Japan. It is a part of the All India Services, which includes the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). The IAS officers are recruited through a competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and are responsible for the administrative functions of the Central Government and the State Governments.

While IAS officers are primarily allotted to the State Government, they can also be allotted to central Governments.

While State Civil Service officers hold key administrative and police positions in State Governments, they are not the only ones designated for such roles. All India Services officers, including the IAS and IPS, can also be appointed to these positions.

The Indian Administrative and Police Services were deemed to be services created by the Constitution, as they are mentioned in Part XIV of the Constitution, which deals with Services under the Union and the States. However, there are also supporting Parliamentary Acts, such as the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, and the All India Services Act, 1951, which provide a legal framework for the recruitment, appointment, and functioning of these services. These Acts have been enacted by Parliament under the powers conferred by the Constitution.

Solution: D

Azooxanthellate corals are a group of corals that do not have the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that are found in other corals. This means that they do not rely on photosynthesis for their primary source of nutrition, and instead capture small planktonic organisms or absorb dissolved organic matter from the water.

Azooxanthellate corals can be found in a variety of marine environments, including deep-sea habitats, caves, and polar regions. They are often found in areas with low light levels, high water flow, and low sedimentation rates.

Unlike other types of corals, which typically form large colonies and have a hard, calcium carbonate skeleton, azooxanthellate corals often grow as solitary individuals or small clusters of polyps. They may also have a softer, more flexible skeleton made of a protein called gorgonin, rather than calcium carbonate.

Solution: C

Whale strandings refer to the phenomenon of whales or other cetaceans becoming stranded on shorelines, often resulting in their death. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been observed for centuries and affects many different species of whales worldwide. While the causes of whale strandings are not fully understood, there are several unique features associated with this phenomenon.

One of the unique features of whale strandings is the unpredictability of their occurrence. Although some patterns have been observed, such as higher rates of strandings during certain seasons or in certain locations, there is still much that is not understood about what triggers a stranding event. It is believed that factors such as changes in ocean currents, weather patterns, or noise pollution may play a role, but more research is needed to fully understand the causes.

Another unique feature of whale strandings is the social behavior of these animals. Many species of whales are highly social and rely on close bonds with their family groups to survive. When a whale becomes stranded, it is often not alone, and other members of its pod may also become stranded while attempting to stay together. This can result in multiple deaths and can be particularly heart breaking to witness.

Solution: B

Quasicrystals are a type of crystal structure that exhibit long-range order without being periodic. In other words, they have a regular structure that does not repeat in a predictable way, unlike traditional crystals which have a repeating pattern. Quasicrystals were first discovered in 1982 by Israeli scientist Dan Shechtman, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for his discovery.

Quasicrystals have an aperiodic structure, which means they do not exhibit the regular repeating patterns seen in traditional crystals. This gives them unique properties, such as low friction and the ability to diffract light in ways not possible with periodic crystals.

Quasicrystals have high thermal conductivity, making them useful for applications such as heat sinks. Quasicrystals are used as heat sinks in electronic devices to dissipate heat.

Quasicrystals are highly corrosion-resistant, making them useful for applications in harsh environments.

Solution: B

ECPAT International is a global network of civil society organisations that works to end the sexual exploitation of children.

ECPAT is supported by an international secretariat based in Bangkok.It’s campaign has evolved into the world’s largest influencing network fully dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of children, with a membership of 124 civil society organisations in 103 countries.

Ans. D.

A is wrong as it is a subjective statement that can not be directly attributed to the passage. B is wrong as the passage does not attribute the causes of failure exclusively to lack of finance. C diverts from the focus area of the passage. D is most apt.

Ans. B.

The passage talks about how virginity is an idea of the past, a form of gender discrimination and an imagined construct and thus its testing should be banned. Hence B.

Correct Answer : B

P(1+20/100)ⁿ > 2P = (6/5)ⁿ > 2

Now, (6/5*6/5*6/5*6/5) > 2

So, N = 4 years.

Correct Answer: A

SI for 1 year= 480/3 =160 (as SI is same for every year)

SI for 2 years=320

CI for 2 years=352

Difference =32(20% of 160) . Hence r=20%, 20%=160, 100%=800.

Correct Answer: A

Let the sum invested in Scheme A be Rs. x and that in Scheme B be Rs. (13900 – x).

Then (x*14*2/100) + ((13900-x)*11*2/100)=3508

X=7500

So sum invested in scheme B is (13900-7500) = Rs.6400.