[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 7 August 2023

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: A Parliamentary panel has suggested lowering the minimum age for contesting in Assembly elections from 25 years to 18 years.
• The Sixty-first Amendment of the Constitution of India, officially known as The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, lowered the voting age of elections to the Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies of States from 21 years to 18 years.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/lowering-the-minimum-age-for-contesting-election/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Justice G. Rohini-led Commission, established in 2017 to explore the sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups, submitted its report to the President of India on July 31, 2023, after numerous extensions.
• What is Article 340?
  • It lays down conditions for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of the backward classes.
  • The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India.
• Constitutional basis:
  • Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law. Measures are required to be taken for the upliftment of unequal to bring them on par with the advanced classes.
  • Article 16 (4) provides that the State can make any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens who, in the opinion of the state, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/justice-rohini-panels-findings/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Fediverse is a group of federated social networking services that allow users of each service to communicate with users on any other service.
• Fediverse is a decentralized social media network that is not controlled by any one entity.
• Fediverse is a more privacy-friendly alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
• Fediverse is a more censorship-resistant alternative to mainstream social media platforms.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/fediverse/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project, named Devika, is almost finished and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This project modeled after the ‘Namami Ganga‘ initiative, is aimed at restoring the health of the Devika River (in Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir).
• The Liquid Waste Management Project involves creating a network of pipes and manholes connecting households under the Devika Rejuvenation Project. Additionally, a Solid Waste Management Project is planned to further enhance the river’s restoration.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/devika-north-indias-first-river-rejuvenation-project/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The National Health Authority (founded in 2018) is an attached office of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It is responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/digital-health-incentives-scheme-dhis/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• The Einstein Cross refers to a specific example of gravitational lensing, a phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. Gravitational lensing occurs when the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies, bends the path of light coming from a background object, like a more distant galaxy or a quasar. This bending of light can create multiple images of the background object, which can be observed from Earth.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/einstein-cross/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) reveals that 5% of India’s bird species are endemic, meaning they are unique to the country and not found elsewhere.
  • Titled “75 Endemic Birds of India,” the publication was released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI. Out of India’s total of 1,353 bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.
• Key Findings:
  • Three of these species have not been spotted in decades: the Manipur Bush Quail, the Himalayan Quail, and Jerdon’s Courser.
  • The Western Ghats have the highest number of endemic species, with 28 recorded.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands also have significant endemism, hosting 25 bird species unique to the region.
  • The publication sheds light on the conservation status of these endemic species, with 25 classifieds as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN, and a few listed as ‘Critically Endangered,’ ‘Endangered,’ ‘Vulnerable,’ or ‘Near Threatened.’
• The Jerdon’s Courser is a nocturnal bird which is found only in the northern part of the state of Andhra Pradesh in peninsular India.
• Himalayan Quail is critically endangered as per IUCN status.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/5-of-birds-in-india-are-endemic/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve is facing significant staffing challenges, with nearly 63% of required positions vacant. The reserve is transitioning from a low- to high-tiger-density area according to the All India Tiger Estimation 2022.
• Manas, situated in Assam and traversed by the Manas and Beki rivers, experiences a tropical monsoon climate. The primary forest types include semi-evergreen forests, mixed moist and dry deciduous forests, alluvial grasslands, creeper swamp forests, Eastern seasonal Swamp forests, and Cane and bamboo brakes. Notably, endemic plant species like the Catechu tree, Sissoo, and White siris thrive here, while the endemic fauna includes the Pygmy hog, Golden langur, and Assam roofed turtle. This area is a World Natural Heritage site, encompassing a wildlife sanctuary, national park, and tiger reserve, safeguarding its unique biodiversity.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/08/07/assams-manas-tiger-reserve/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The interest coverage ratio is a debt ratio and profitability ratio used to determine how easily a company can pay interest on its outstanding debt. The interest coverage ratio may be calculated by dividing a company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) during a given period by the company’s interest payments due within the same period.
• A higher coverage ratio is better, although the ideal ratio may vary by industry.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• RBI does not issue CDs to corporations, so S2 is wrong.
• S4 is incorrect too. Zero Coupon Bonds are G-secs that are issued at a discount and redeemed at par. No interest payment is made on such bonds at periodic intervals before maturity.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020