[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 5 July 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• A Uniform Civil Code is one that would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc. Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India. Article 44 is one of the directive principles. These, as defined in Article 37, are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance. Fundamental rights are enforceable in a court of law. While Article 44 uses the words “state shall endeavour”, other Articles in the ‘Directive Principles’ chapter use words such as “in particular strive”; “shall in particular direct its policy”; “shall be obligation of the state” etc. Article 43 mentions “state shall endeavour by suitable legislation” while the phrase “by suitable legislation” is absent in Article 44. All this implies that the duty of the state is greater in other directive principles than in Article 44.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/uniform-civil-code-7/

Ans: (c)

Explanation

• Justification: S1 and S2: Selection of resistant microorganisms is exacerbated by inappropriate use of antimicrobials since a number of microbes are resistant to these anti-biotics. So, S1 is irrelevant to MDR.
• The practice of adding antibiotics to agricultural feed promotes drug resistance.
• S3: As per WHO, the high volume of antibiotics in food-producing animals contributes to the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, particularly in settings of intensive animal production. These bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans via direct contact between animals and humans, or through the food chain and the environment. See https://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/antimicrobial-resistance/amrfoodchain/en/
• S4: This is a confusing option, nonetheless seems correct.
• Many medical advances are dependent on the ability to fight infections using antibiotics, such as for treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis (See https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html), and thus, multiple chronic diseases in some people may lead them to take more anti-biotics than others exacerbating the problem.
• Sometimes healthcare providers prescribe antimicrobials inappropriately, wishing to placate an insistent patient who has a viral infection or an as-yet undiagnosed condition. At times there could be a wrong identification of the disease. All these worsen the problem. Whether this is actually a reason or not is hard to testify unless we find a solid evidence, but based on reasoning alone this would be correct.
• Also, MDR provokes obstruction in disease control by intensifying the possibility of spreading of resistant pathogens, thus, declining efficacy of treatment and, hence, resulting in prolonged time of infection in patient. See https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ipid/2014/541340/

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/one-health-priority-research-agenda-on-antimicrobial-resistance-amr/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The ability of stratospheric sulfate aerosols to create a global dimming effect has made them a possible candidate for use in solar radiation management climate engineering projects to limit the effect and impact of climate change due to rising levels of greenhouse gases. Delivery of precursor sulfide gases such as sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) by artillery, aircraft and balloons has been proposed.
• Cirrus cloud thinning is a proposed form of climate engineering. Cirrus clouds are high cold ice that, like other clouds, both reflect sunlight and absorb warming infrared radiation. However, they differ from other types of clouds in that, on average, infrared absorption outweighs sunlight reflection, resulting in a net warming effect on the climate. Therefore, thinning or removing these clouds would reduce their heat trapping capacity, resulting in a cooling effect on Earth’s climate.
• See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_cloud_thinning and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratospheric_aerosol_injection

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/solar-geoengineering-to-counter-global-warming/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The US is eyeing a controversial tool to counter global warming: Solar geoengineering.
• These are all proposed geoengineering techniques that have been studied by scientists. Sulfate aerosols have been shown to reflect sunlight back into space, which could help to cool the planet. Spraying seawater into the air could increase cloud cover, which would also have a cooling effect. Adding iron to the ocean could stimulate phytoplankton growth, which would help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• It is important to note that geoengineering is a controversial topic. There are many potential risks associated with these techniques, and it is not yet clear whether they would be effective in the long term. However, they are being considered as a possible way to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/solar-geoengineering-to-counter-global-warming/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Option 1: Solar light converts the sun’s energy into electricity, while solar heater converts the sun’s energy into heat. This is correct. Solar light is a form of radiant energy that can be converted into electricity using solar cells. Solar heater is a device that uses the sun’s infrared radiation to heat water or air.
• Option 2: Solar light uses the sun’s visible light, while solar heater uses the sun’s infrared radiation. This is also correct. Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. Infrared radiation is a type of invisible light that is emitted by objects that are hot.
• Option 3: Solar light is used to power devices, while solar heater is used to heat water or air. This is also correct. Solar light is used to power devices, such as solar panels, which can then be used to power lights, appliances, or even entire homes. Solar heater is used to heat water or air, such as solar water heaters or solar air heaters.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/solar-geoengineering-to-counter-global-warming/

Ans: (b)

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/lord-lansdowne/

Ans: (b)

Explanation

• Context: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has formulated a comprehensive plan to restore coastal habitats and rehabilitate degraded mangroves in the Cuddalore district, particularly in the Pichavaram region.
• Pichavaramnear Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, in South India. The nearest railway station is Chidambaram from where it is accessible by road. The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest near Chidambaram is the world’s second largest mangrove forest.
• Pichavaram mangrove forest is located between two prominent estuaries, the Vellar estuary in the north and Coleroon estuary in the south.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/pichavaram-region/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has laid the foundation stone for an Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) terminal at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, Assam (by the bank of the River Brahmaputra (National Waterways 2)).
• The government intends to increase the share of Inland Water Transport (IWT) to 5% as per Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030.
• Bogibeel has Bogibeel Bridge. It is the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India, measuring 4.94 kilometres over the Brahmaputra river

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/bogibeel-in-dibrugarh/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Kenyan President William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging despite concerns from environmentalists. Ruto argued that it was wasteful to let mature trees rot in forests while local industries faced a shortage of timber.
• Kenya is a country in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean. It encompasses the savannah, Lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It’s also home to wildlife like lions, elephants and rhinos. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris visit the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/05/kenya/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Schedule 1 of the Act contains detailed provisions for selection of landfill sites.
• As per the new rules, the landfill site shall be 100 metres away from a river, 200 metres from a pond, 500, 200 metres away from highways, habitations, public parks and water supply wells and 20 km away from airports/airbase. Construction of landfills on hills shall be avoided. Land for construction of sanitary landfills in hilly areas will be identified in the plain areas, within 25 kilometers. However, transfer stations and processing facilities shall be operational in the hilly areas.
• See https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/solid-waste-management-rules-2016-53443

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019