[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 07 October 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Basohli Pashmina and Udhampur’s Kalari, a popular Dogra cuisine, have been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag
• Basohli Pashmina- Origin Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir
• Kalari Cuisine- Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir
• The Kari Ishad mango prominently grown in Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada has bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government.https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/14/kari-ishad-mango/

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/07/gi-tags-basohli-pashmina-and-udhampurs-kalari/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/07/500th-birth-anniversary-celebrations-of-rani-durgavati/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: On the occasion of Shyamji Krishna Varma’s Jayanti, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the great revolutionary and freedom fighter.
• About Shyamji Krishna Varma:
• Shyamji Krishna Varma was an Indian revolutionary fighter, patriot, lawyer, and journalist. He was born in Mandvi, Gujarat on October 4, 1857
• He was the first Indian M.A. and a scholar in Sanskrit and English
• He founded the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist in London
• He moved his base from England to Paris after criticism by the British. After the outbreak of the First World War (1914-18), he moved to Geneva in Switzerland and spent the rest of his life there. He died on March 30, 1930
• Became the first President of Bombay Arya Samaj.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/07/shyamji-krishna-varma/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Project Veer Gatha was instituted under Gallantry Awards Portal (GAP) in 2021 with the aim to disseminate the details of acts of bravery of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these brave hearts among the students so as to raise the spirit of patriotism and instill amongst them values of civic consciousness. Project Veer Gatha deepened this noble aim by providing a platform to the school students to do creative projects/activities based on gallantry award winners. As part of this, the students framed different projects through various media like art, poems, essays and multimedia on these gallantry award winners and best projects were awarded at national level by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education.
• The project has been coterminous with Republic Day Celebrations each year. Veer Gatha has been a phenomenal success with 8 lakhs participation in Veer Gatha 1.0 conducted in 2021-22 and 19.5 lakhs in Veer Gatha 2.0.conducted in 2022-23. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and Hon’ble Minister of Education have commended Veer Gatha as ‘heralding of a revolution amongst the students of India’.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) has now decided to launch Project Veer Gatha 3.0 in the current year 2023-24.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/07/veer-gatha-project-3-0/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s (KTDC) plan to develop a caravan park and camp shelter at Bekal Fort, situated in the Kasargod district of Kerala.
• Bekal Fort, dating back to 1650 AD and constructed by Shivappa Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty, is known as the largest fort in Kerala. Throughout its history, the fort has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and eventually came under the control of the Kingdom of Mysore.
• Bekal Fort’s unique structure, seemingly emerging from the sea, features a water tank, an observation tower attributed to Tipu Sultan, a zigzag entrance, defensive trenches, and strategically placed holes in its outer walls for naval defence. Its solid construction is reminiscent of forts like Thalassery Fort and St. Angelo Fort in Kannur, both built by the Dutch.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/07/bekal-fort-kasargod-kerala/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The correct answer is (b), 1 and 3 only.
• Sodium lamps do produce light in 360 degrees, while LED lamps emit light in a more directional beam. This means that LED lamps can be used to create more targeted lighting, which can reduce light pollution and save energy.
• LED lamps also have a longer lifespan than sodium lamps, and they offer a wider range of color temperature options. This can be beneficial for street lighting, as it can improve visibility and safety.
• However, sodium lamps are less expensive to purchase than LED lamps. In addition, sodium lamps have been used for street lighting for many years, so there is a lot of experience with their installation and maintenance.
• Overall, LED lamps offer a number of advantages over sodium lamps for street lighting. However, the higher initial cost of LED lamps may be a barrier for some communities.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The term “ACE2” is talked about in the context of the spread of viral diseases. So the answer is (d).
• ACE2 is a protein that acts as a receptor for some coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. When the virus binds to ACE2, it can enter the cell and replicate.
• ACE2 is expressed in a variety of cells throughout the body, including those in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and intestines. This is why SARS-CoV-2 can cause a variety of symptoms, including respiratory problems, heart problems, kidney problems, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Scientists are still learning about the role of ACE2 in the spread of viral diseases. However, it is clear that ACE2 is an important target for antiviral drugs and vaccines.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a structural component in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics. So the answer is (b).
• Polycarbonate plastics are used in a variety of products, including:
  • Water bottles
  • Food containers
  • Baby bottles
  • Medical devices
  • Eyeglasses
  • Safety glasses
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Automotive parts
  • Electrical components
• BPA can leach into food and beverages from polycarbonate containers, especially when the containers are heated or damaged. BPA exposure has been linked to a number of health concerns, including reproductive problems, developmental delays, and increased risk of some types of cancer.
• For this reason, some countries have banned or restricted the use of BPA in certain products, such as baby bottles. However, BPA is still widely used in polycarbonate plastics.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that is used in a variety of products, including toiletries. So the answer is (d).
• Triclosan is most commonly found in personal care products, such as:
  • Soap
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Deodorant
  • Body wash
  • Cosmetics
• It is also used in some household cleaning products, such as dish soap and laundry detergent.
• Triclosan is effective at killing bacteria and preventing the growth of mold and mildew. However, there are concerns that triclosan exposure may have harmful health effects, such as:
  • Hormonal disruption
  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Skin irritation
  • Allergies
• In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of triclosan in antibacterial soap, citing concerns about safety and efficacy. However, triclosan is still allowed in other personal care products and household cleaning products.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The correct answer is (d), Speed of light is always the same.
• The speed of light is a constant value of approximately 300,000 kilometers per second (186,000 miles per second). This means that light travels the same distance in the same amount of time, regardless of the observer’s motion or the position of the light source.
• Astronomical distances are so vast that it is impractical to measure them in kilometers or miles. For example, the nearest star to our sun, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.2 light-years away. This means that the light from Proxima Centauri takes 4.2 years to reach Earth.
• Measuring astronomical distances in light-years makes it easier to comprehend the scale of the universe. It also allows astronomers to determine how far back in time they are looking. For example, when we look at Proxima Centauri, we are actually seeing it as it was 4.2 years ago. This is because the light from Proxima Centauri has taken 4.2 years to reach us.

Refer:UPSC CSE 2021