[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 04 October 2023

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Electrons have a negative charge, while the nucleus of an atom has a positive charge. This is why electrons are attracted to the nucleus. The other answer choices are incorrect.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/2023-nobel-prize-in-physics-seeing-electrons-in-brief-flashes-of-light/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The attosecond timescale is the shortest timescale that has been measured, and it is the timescale of atomic and molecular processes, as well as the timescale of electronic processes in solids.
• Attosecond science is a new and rapidly developing field of research that studies the dynamics of matter on the attosecond timescale. Attoseconds are one-quintillionth of a second, or 10^-18 seconds. This timescale is so short that it is difficult to comprehend, but it is the timescale on which many important physical processes occur.
• For example, the motion of electrons around atoms and molecules occurs on the attosecond timescale. This motion is responsible for many of the properties of matter, such as its color, electrical conductivity, and chemical reactivity.
• Attosecond science is also being used to study the dynamics of electronic processes in solids. These processes are responsible for many of the properties of electronic devices, such as computers and transistors.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/2023-nobel-prize-in-physics-seeing-electrons-in-brief-flashes-of-light/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) is a significant initiative launched by the Indian government in 2014 with the goal of promoting cleanliness, sanitation, and the eradication of open defecation in India. It involves various activities such as constructing toilets, promoting waste management, and raising awareness about hygiene and sanitation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/swachh-bharat-mission-3/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Badis limaakumi belongs to the Badidae family and is a freshwater fish commonly found in streams with slow or moderate water flow.
• It is also found in ditches and stagnant water bodies in various countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Myanmar.
• The new species differs from other members of its family due to distinctive features, such as a dark opercular blotch at the base of its opercular spine and the absence of spots on its sides and cleithrum.
• Fish from the Badis family are known as chameleon fish because of their remarkable ability to change colour, which helps them blend with their surroundings when under stress.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/fish-that-can-change-colour-badis-limaakumi/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 Km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. It is the longest earthen dam in the world. Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km long. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India’s independence. Hirakud Reservoir was declared a Ramsar site on 12 October 2021.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/hirakund-wetland/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention, is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
• The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Since then, almost 90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”.
• The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
• Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/hirakund-wetland/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Scientists have discovered a new fish species called Badis limaakumi in the Milak River in Nagaland, India.
• This species, named after Limaakum, an assistant professor and head of the zoology department at Fazl Ali College, Nagaland, is unique in that it can change its colour similar to a chameleon.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/04/fish-that-can-change-colour-badis-limaakumi/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: Sea turtles may be carnivorous (meat eating), herbivorous (plant eating), or omnivorous (eating both meat and plants). The jaw structure of many species indicates their diet.
• Some species change eating habits as they age. For example, green sea turtles are mainly carnivorous from hatching until juvenile size; then progressively shift to an herbivorous diet. See https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/sea-turtles/diet/
• S2: Herbivorous fishes are fishes that eat plant material. Surgeonfish and parrotfish are two familiar MAR examples, often seen browsing and scraping on reef algae. See http://www.healthyreefs.org/cms/healthy-reef-indicators/herbivorous-fish-abundance/
• S3: Marine herbivores are found within four groups of species in the animal kingdom — invertebrates, fish, reptiles and mammals — and include zooplankton, mollusks, the green sea turtle, the marine iguana and some fish species. Manatees and dugongs are the only herbivores among marine mammals. See https://animals.mom.me/marine-animals-herbivores-11740.html
• S4: Snakes are reptiles, and most species of snakes will follow the general rules of reptilian reproduction — the mother will lay a clutch of eggs that will hatch into baby snakes. Such snakes are referred to as oviparous. A few exceptional species of snakes diverge from this general rule. They are referred to as viviparous, and they give birth to live young. Both oviparous and viviparous snakes have uteri, or wombs; however, only viviparous snakes form placental attachments between their uteri and the developing fetuses. See https://animals.mom.me/snakes-wombs-10778.html

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: In the River Cauvery, the mahseer community comprises a ‘blue-finned’ and an orange-finned, ‘hump-backed’ fish. Whilst it is not yet known whether these are distinct species or 2 different phenotypes, evidence suggests that the hump-backed phenotype is endemic to the river, whereas the blue-finned phenotype was introduced in the 1980s. See https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273517611_The_legendary_hump-backed_mahseer_Tor_sp_of_India’s_River_Cauvery_An_endemic_fish_swimming_towards_extinction
• S2: Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. See https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/irrawaddy-dolphin
• S3: In India, it was long thought to be confined to the south, but records have established that it is found over much of the country. It was observed in eastern Gujarat’s Gir National Park, in Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India’s Eastern Ghats.
• See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusty-spotted_cat

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• S1: The provinces were divided into shiqs or districts under a shiqdar. Each shiq consisted of a few parganas or kasba. Government officials of a pargana, after shiqdar were amil, who collected revenues. The mushrif kept accounts at the pargana level and the khazandar was incharge of the treasury.
• S2: Empire was divided into provinces known as Iqtas headed by Hakim/faujdar/Momin, which were divided into Sarkars (districts) manned by 2 officials, Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran (for law and order) and Munsif-i-Munsifan (for revenue collection). The jagir of the Mughal period was similar to the iqta of the Delhi Sultanate. Iqta was not indigenous. See http://www.historydiscussion.net/history-of-india/administration-system-in-the-different-periods-of-indian-history/678
• S3: Mir Bakshi headed the military department, nobility, information and intelligence agencies during Akbar’s reign. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019