DAY – 49 (InstaTest-49): Insta 75 Days Revision Plan-2023: Topic – GEOGRAPHY, Test – 32, 33, August 2022 CA

Solution: B

The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It ALWAYS exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter. The term “vortex” refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream.

There are several things the polar vortex is NOT. Polar vortexes are not something new. The term “polar vortex” has only recently been popularized, bringing attention to a weather feature that has always been present. It is also not a feature that exists at the Earth’s surface. Weather forecasters examine the polar vortex by looking at conditions tens of thousands of feet up in the atmosphere; however, when we feel extremely cold air from the Arctic regions at Earth’s surface, it is sometimes associated with the polar vortex. This is not confined to the United States. Portions of Europe and Asia also experience cold surges connected to the polar vortex. By itself, the only danger to humans is the magnitude of how cold temperatures will get when the polar vortex expands, sending Arctic air southward into areas that are not typically that cold.

Solution: D

Sources of dioxin contamination

Dioxins are mainly by-products of industrial processes but can also result from natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Dioxins are unwanted by-products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including smelting, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides. In terms of dioxin release into the environment, uncontrolled waste incinerators (solid waste and hospital waste) are often the worst culprits, due to incomplete burning.

Solution: A

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report:

• The report was made together by researchers, experts and policymakers, brought by Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Report (HIMAP) and International centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
• The Assessment has been titled “Mountain, Climate Change, Sustainability and People”.
• According to report, even the most ambitious goal set by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming would lead to a 2.1 spike in temperature in the Hindu Kush Region, leading to melting of 1/3^rd of the region’s glaciers by 2100, potentially destabilizing Asia’s rivers.
• The melting of these glaciers will put a threat on 1.9 billion people.
• Hind Kush, the world’s third pole is 3,500 km long spread over 8 countries in South Asia and home to 10 major river basins is under severe threat of climate change.
• 8 Countries covered by Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH region): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.
• 10 Major river basins in HKH region: Amu Darya, Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Salween, Tarim, Yangtze, Yellow rivers.
• The HKH region form the largest area of permanent ice cover outside of the North and South Poles, and so are often referred to as “Third Pole”.
• HKH region is home to 4 global biodiversity hotspots, several important bird areas, and hundreds of mountain peaks. It provides ecosystem services (water, food, energy, etc) to nearly 2 billion people through its river basins.

The ‘Karakoram Anomaly’ is termed as the stability or anomalous growth of glaciers in the central Karakoram, in contrast to the retreat of glaciers in other nearby mountainous ranges of Himalayas and other mountainous ranges of the world.

Solution: D

An IFSC caters to customers outside the jurisdiction of the domestic economy. Such centres deal with flows of finance, financial products and services across borders. London, New York and Singapore can be counted as global financial centres. Many emerging IFSCs around the world, such as Shanghai and Dubai, are aspiring to play a global role in the years to come.

What are the services an IFSC can provide?

—Fund-raising services for individuals, corporations and governments

—Asset management and global portfolio diversification undertaken by pension funds, insurance companies and mutual funds

—Wealth management

—Global tax management and cross-border tax liability optimization, which provides a business opportunity for financial intermediaries, accountants and law firms.

—Global and regional corporate treasury management operations that involve fund-raising, liquidity investment and management and asset-liability matching

—Risk management operations such as insurance and reinsurance

—Merger and acquisition activities among trans-national corporations

Can an IFSC be set up in a special economic zone (SEZ)?

The SEZ Act 2005 allows setting up an IFSC in an SEZ or as an SEZ after approval from the central government

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) would be the country’s first IFSC, with which top bourses BSE and NSE signed MOUs for setting up International exchanges there. However, BSE already started India International exchange on January 9, 2017.

To attract foreign and domestic investment in GIFT, the city’s international financial services centre (IFSC) was declared a multi-service Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 2015 and the Union Budget 2016-17 provided it with a competitive tax regime.

Solution: D

7th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference in Bhopal

The three-day conference with the theme ‘Eastern Humanism for the New Era’ has been organised by India Foundation in collaboration with Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the seventh International Dharma-Dhamma Conference in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal .

It aims to bring together religious, political and thought leaders from Dharma-Dhamma traditions to ponder over building a philosophical framework for the emerging new world order.

Solution: C

The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is located in the beautiful Palani range of hills in Southern India. It was established in 1899 as a Solar Physics Observatory and all the activities of the Madras Observatory were shifted to Kodaikanal.

A brief history of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory

KoSO, which is owned and operated by IIA, is one of the world’s oldest observatories studying the Sun. The idea of taking pictures of the Sun using a 20-inch telescope, preferably from a location on a hill in Southern India, was first proposed by the astronomer Norman Pogson, who was appointed Government Astronomer of the Madras Observatory in 1861. The Madras Observatory was set up as the private effort of an official of the British East India Company in 1786, and came to be managed subsequently by the company.

Solution: C

Solution: C

Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa.

Solution: D

National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM)

NIPAM, a flagship program to impart IP awareness and basic training, was launched on 8 Dec 2021 as a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations. The program is being implemented by Intellectual Property Office, the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 

The pan-India ambitious mission aims to provide awareness on intellectual property and its rights to 1 million students. It aims to inculcate the spirit of creativity and innovation to students of higher education (classes 8 to 12) and ignite and inspire the students of college/Universities to innovate and protect their creations.

National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) has achieved target of imparting Intellectual Property (IP) awareness and basic training to 1 million students on 31^st July 2022, ahead of the deadline which was 15 August 2022.

Solution: B

“SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” for the rehabilitation of beggars.

The union minister for social justice and empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the “SMILE-75 Initiative” to mark 75 years of Independence, in which municipal corporations will focus on identifying and rehabilitating persons engaged in begging across India including Delhi, Tirupati, Guwahati, Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra etc.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated a total budget of Rs.100 crore for the SMILE project for coming years till 2025-26.Through this project, the Ministry envisions to develop a support mechanism for holistic rehabilitation of those engaged in the act of begging and build an India where no person is forced to beg in order to survive and fulfill their basic needs.

The objective of SMILE- 75 is to make our cities/town and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment understands the important role of Local Urban Bodies, Civil Society Organisations/Non-Government Organisations to address this persisting social issue with concerted efforts.

Solution: A

What is MSP?

Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is an ambitious new alliance formed by the US to secure supply chains of critical minerals. It comes in the backdrop of recorded demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies.

The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments.

The focus would be on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals.

MSP partners – including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Commission – are committed to building robust, responsible critical mineral supply chains to support economic prosperity and climate objectives.

Solution: C

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (“NPT”) aims to avert the danger of nuclear war through the prevention of the wider dissemination of nuclear weapons and other measures. The NPT was opened for signature on 1 July 1968 and entered into force on 5 March 1970.

The NPT contains out 11 articles that apply to both nuclear-weapon States parties and non-nuclear weapon States parties regarding, inter alia, the obligation to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

The NPT was opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force on 5 March 1970. On 11 May 1995, the Treaty was extended indefinitely. With 191 States parties, it is the most widely adhered to treaty in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear disarmament. Under the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon States parties have committed themselves not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices while nuclear-weapon States parties have committed not to in any way assist, encourage or induce any non-nuclear-weapon State party to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Nuclear-weapon States parties under the Treaty are defined as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967. There are five nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty.

While the IAEA is not a party to the NPT, it is entrusted with key verification responsibilities under the Treaty.

Solution: A

The Wassenaar Arrangement was established to contribute to regional and international security and stability by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilizing accumulations.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

1. What is the MTCR?

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

2. When was the MTCR established?

The regime was formed in 1987 by the G-7 industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States).

6. Is the MTCR a treaty?

No. The MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on Partners (members). Rather, it is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

7. What are the main objectives of the MTCR?

The MTCR seeks to limit the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by controlling exports of goods and technologies that could make a contribution to delivery systems (other than manned aircraft) for such weapons. In this context, the Regime places particular focus on rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km and on equipment, software, and technology for such systems.

Solution: D

Geneva Convention

Context: In adherence to the Convention of International Road Traffic of 1949 (also known as the Geneva convention), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have notified on standardizing the process for issuance of International Driving Permit (IDP)

India is a signatory of the convention and is required to issue IDPs.

About Geneva Convention

It is an international treaty signed in 1949 that helps support the development and safety of International Road traffic.

Conventions

In international law and diplomacy, the term convention refers to an international agreement, or treaty.

• The First Geneva Convention “for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field”.
• The Second Geneva Convention “for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea”.
• The Third Geneva Convention “relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War”.
• The Fourth Geneva Convention “relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War”.

Solution: C

On the occasion 8^th Anniversary of PMJDY, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in her message said that. “Financial inclusion is a major step towards inclusive growth which ensures the overall economic development of the marginalised sections of the society. The success of the PMJDY since August 28, 2014 is reflected in terms of opening of over 46 crore bank accounts with deposit balance of Rs 1.74 lakh crore with its expanded coverage to 67% rural or semi-urban areas as well as 56% of women Jan Dhan account holders. Continuation of PMJDY beyond 2018 saw a marked shift in approach to meet challenges and requirements of emerging FI landscape in the country. There has been a shift in focus from “every household’ to “every adult”, with added emphasis on usage of accounts by enhancing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) flows through these accounts, promoting digital payments through the use of RuPay cards, etc, She added.”

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.

Solution: D

The Global Findex Database is a database of financial inclusion indicators that is published by the World Bank. It provides information on how individuals in different countries access and use financial services such as bank accounts, loans, and insurance.

Solution:  C

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The members of the EAS include the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States.

Solution: B

The Yanomami tribes are native to Brazil and Venezuela. They live in the Amazon rainforest and are known for their unique culture, language, and way of life. The Yanomami people have been in the news recently due to concerns over illegal mining and deforestation in their ancestral lands, which has been causing significant harm to their communities and way of life.

Solution: C

Both the statements given above are correct.

Albinism is a rare group of genetic disorders that cause the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no color. Albinism is also associated with vision problems.

It is characterized by a lack of melanin pigment in skin, hair and eyes.

A defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin causes albinism. The defect may result in the absence of melanin production, or a reduced amount of melanin production. The defective gene passes down from both parents to the child and leads to albinism.

There’s no cure for albinism. However, treatment can relieve symptoms and prevent sun damage.

Solution: B

The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait, historically known as the Dover Narrows, is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel, marking the boundary between the Channel and the North Sea, separating Great Britain from continental Europe

Solution: D

Solution: D

Solution: C

Solution: A

Solution: C

Ans. C.

The passage talks about the problem of child deaths which can be resolved by focussing on maternal health and delivery of child health care services. Hence C

Ans. C.

The passage talks about the increased incidence of mental ailments in the country and the shoddy infrastructure to deal with it. Hence there is a need to improve the mental health infrastructure to tackle these diseases better. Hence B.

Answer: Option C)

Explanation:

The symbols of the adjacent faces to the face with symbol * are @, -, + and $. Hence the required symbol is 8.

The following questions are based on the information given below:

All the faces of cubes are painted with red color.

The cubes is cut into 64 equal small cubes.

Answer: Option d)

Explanation:

Number of small cubes having only one face colored = (x – 2)² x No. of faces

= (4 – 2)² x 6

= 24

Answer: Option

Explanation:

Number of small cubes having only one faces colored = (x – 2)³

Here, x = side of big cube / side of small cube

x = 4 /1

x = 4

Required number = (4 -2)³

= 8