[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 25 July 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Microbeads are manufactured solid plastic particles of less than one millimeter in their largest dimension. They are most frequently made of polyethylene but can be of other petrochemical plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene. They are used in exfoliating personal care products, toothpastes and in biomedical and health-science research.
• Microbeads can cause plastic particle water pollution and pose an environmental hazard for aquatic animals in freshwater and ocean water.
• See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbead

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/managing-microplastic-pollution-in-india/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Drought is generally considered as a deficiency in rainfall /precipitation over an extended period, usually a season or more, resulting in a water shortage causing adverse impacts on vegetation, animals, and/or people.
• There is no single, legally accepted definition of drought in India. Some states resort to their own definitions of drought. State Government is the final authority when it comes to declaring a region as drought affected.
• The Supreme Court of India stated that drought would certainly fall within the definition of “disaster” as defined under Section 2(d) of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.
• Since drought is a disaster, risk assessment and risk management as well as crisis management of a drought falls completely within the purview of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/manual-for-disaster-management-plan-dmp/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which envisaged the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.
• It involves in the following disasters
• Natural Disaster:
  • Earthquakes
  • Floods
  • Landslides
  • Cyclones
  • Tsunamis
  • Urban Floods
  • Heat Wave
  • Man-Made Disasters
  • Nuclear and Radiological Disaster
  • Chemical Disaster
  • Biological Disaster

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/manual-for-disaster-management-plan-dmp/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• SDRF has been constituted by each state under the provisions of Disaster Management act 2005.
• It was constituted based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
• Funding: The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% for special category States/UTs.
• Heads: The state executive committee headed by the Chief Secretary is authorized to decide on all matters relating to the financing of the relief expenditure from the SDRF.
• Disaster (s) covered under SDRF: Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves.
• Local Disaster: A State Government may use up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State and which are not included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs subject to the condition that the State Government has listed the State specific natural disasters and notified clear and transparent norms and guidelines for such disasters with the approval of the State Authority, i.e., the State Executive Authority (SEC).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/manual-for-disaster-management-plan-dmp/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• National Disaster Response Fund is defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act) as a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. NDRF is constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) of the states to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of a severe nature.
• The DM Act defines “disaster” to mean ‘a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.’
• NDRF amount can be spent only towards meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation. For projects exclusively for the purpose of mitigation, i.e, measures aimed at reducing the risk, impact or effect of a disaster or threatening disaster situation a separate fund called National Disaster Mitigation Fund has to be constituted.
• NDRF is located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under “Reserve Funds not bearing interest”.
• Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/manual-for-disaster-management-plan-dmp/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme launched in 2016 to provide financial support and risk coverage to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/initiatives-launched-under-pmfby/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Stem cell transplant is a risky procedure, but it can be a lifesaving treatment for many patients. The risk of complications from stem cell transplant varies depending on the type of transplant and the patient’s individual circumstances. However, the potential benefits of stem cell transplant can outweigh the risks for many patients.
• Context: A sixth person, known as the Geneva patient, has likely been cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant for leukaemia. His virus level remained undetectable 20 months after discontinuing antiretroviral therapy.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/sixth-person-geneva-patient-cured-of-hiv/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1: Einstein’s theory of relativity has important astrophysical implications. For example, it implies the existence of black holes—regions of space in which space and time are distorted in such a way that nothing, not even light, can escape—as an end-state for massive stars.
• There is ample evidence that the intense radiation emitted by certain kinds of astronomical objects is due to black holes; for example, micro quasars and active galactic nuclei result from the presence of stellar black holes and super massive black holes, respectively.
• The bending of light by gravity can lead to the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, in which multiple images of the same distant astronomical object are visible in the sky. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• S2: General relativity also predicts the existence of gravitational waves, which have since been observed directly by the physics collaboration LIGO. In addition, general relativity is the basis of current cosmological models of a consistently expanding universe. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• S3: General relativity is Einstein’s law of gravity, his Justification of that fundamental force which holds us to the surface of the Earth. Gravity, Einstein asserted, is caused by warping of space and time or space-time. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity
• http://www.einstein-online.info/spotlights/light_deflection.html
• https://www.its.caltech.edu/~kip/index.html/PubScans/VI-47.pdf

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/unifying-quantum-theory-and-general-relativity/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The invasive weed Ludwigia peruviana is threatening elephant habitats and foraging areas in Valparai, Tamil Nadu.
• About Ludwigia Peruviana:
  • The Ludwigia peruviana, an aquatic plant with pale yellowish flowers, is causing significant challenges in various swampy areas worldwide. Originally introduced as an ornamental plant for its tiny yellow flowers in Tamil Nadu, it now grows rapidly, particularly in wetlands, due to the pre-monsoon temperature and monsoon rains. This fast growth is disrupting the balance of perennial foraging grounds, hindering the growth of grass and native plants that elephants and other animals such as Gaur, rely on for food.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/ludwigia-peruviana/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/25/vietnam-2/