[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 1 September 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• UNESCO defines “intangible” as “expressions that have been passed from one generation to another, have evolved in response to their environments and contribute to giving us a sense of identity and continuity…”
• It ascribes importance to “the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next,” which necessitates their preservation. The document states that the safeguarding of an ICH means ensuring that it “remains an active part of life for today’s generations that they can hand on to tomorrow.”
• The adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 was a crucial step towards preserving intangible heritage from across the globe. UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established in the year 2008.
• The list does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/protect-world-heritage-sites-to-conserve-biodiversity-un/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• India has 40 World heritage sites—seven natural world heritage sites, 32 cultural world heritage sites, and one mixed world heritage site. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, provide for the protection of the country’s heritage.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/protect-world-heritage-sites-to-conserve-biodiversity-un/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Geological Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance. The State-wise details are given in Annexure. GSI or the respective State governments take necessary measures to protect these sites.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/protect-world-heritage-sites-to-conserve-biodiversity-un/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• A cess imposed by the central government is a tax on tax, levied by the government for a specific purpose. Generally, cess is expected to be levied till the time the government gets enough money for that purpose.
• Surcharge is a charge on any tax, charged on the tax already paid. As the name suggests, surcharge is an additional charge or tax. The main surcharges are on personal income tax (on high income slabs and on super rich) and on corporate income tax.
• Another major feature of cess like surcharges is that the Centre need not share it with states.
• The proceeds collected from a surcharge and a cess levied by the union form part of the Consolidated Fund of India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/agricultural-cess/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Global Fund was established in 2002 to raise and disburse funding for programs that reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Fund raises and invests $4 billion a year to fight these diseases. The majority of the Global Fund’s financial support comes from public resources. More than 80 countries have made or pledged contributions to the Global Fund.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/global-fund-secures-deal-to-slash-hiv-treatment-price/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Leaf insects are tropical insects that resemble leaves to avoid predators. They are closely related to stick insects and are known for their remarkable camouflage. Leaf insects are found in the forests of Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean.
• 

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/new-species-of-leaf-insects/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The red sand boa (Eryx johnii) is a non-venomous snake that lives in the dry parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• It’s also known as the Indian sand boa. The red sand boa is a thick-set snake that’s usually reddish-brown, known for its blunt tail, which it uses to mimic its head when it senses a threat.
• Classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with a declining population trend.
• The red sand boa is highly sought after in the illegal wildlife trade due to its demand in the pet trade and its use in black magic.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/01/red-sand-boa/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• These are Endemic plants where Cultivation of specified plants without licence is prohibited.
• From the Wildlife protection Act: (1) No person shall cultivate a specified plant except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or any other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf: Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent a person, who immediately before the commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) (Amendment) Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), was cultivating a specified plant from carrying on such cultivation for a period of six months from such commencement or where he has made an application within that period for the grant of a licence to him, until the licence is granted to him or he is informed in writing that a licence cannot be granted to him.
• See Chapter IIIA 17C http://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1972-53_0.pdf

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The social cost of carbon (SCC) is the marginal cost of the impacts caused by emitting one extra tonne of greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide equivalent) at any point in time, inclusive of ‘non-market’ impacts on the environment and human health. The purpose of putting a price on a ton of emitted CO2 is to aid policymakers or other legislators in evaluating whether a policy designed to curb climate change is justified.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• They can be used to run them all. The most common pump mechanics in Solar power pumps used are centrifugal pumps, multistage pumps, borehole pumps, and helical pumps.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020