[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 09 October 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Harappan seals usually have a line of writing, probably containing the name and title of the owner. Scholars have also suggested that the motif (generally an animal) conveyed a meaning to those who could not read.
• Most inscriptions are short, the longest containing about 26 signs. Although the script remains undeciphered to date, it was evidently not alphabetical (where each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant) as it has just too many signs – somewhere between 375 and 400. It is apparent that the script was written from right to left as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left, as if the engraver began working from the right and then ran out of space.
• Consider the variety of objects on which writing has been found: seals, copper tools, rims of jars, copper and terracotta tablets, jewellery, bone rods, even an ancient signboard!

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/indus-valley-civilization-burial-site-and-town-planning/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation have been found in a large area extending from Sutkagen Dor in Balochistan near the Pakistan-Iran border to Rakhigarhi in Haryana’s Hisar district, and from Manda in Jammu to Daimabad in Maharashtra. Other important sites of the Harappan civilization in India are at Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat, and Kalibangan in Rajasthan.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/indus-valley-civilization-burial-site-and-town-planning/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 2 is incorrect.
• The use of burnt bricks in the Harappan cities is remarkable because in the contemporary buildings of Egypt dried bricks were primarily used. We find the use of baked bricks in contemporary Mesopotamia, but they were used to a much larger extent in the Harappan cities.
• The Indus people produced wheat, barley, rai, peas, and the like. Two types of wheat and barley were grown. A substantial quantity of barley was discovered at Banawali. In addition, sesamum and mustard were grown.
• Although the Harappans practised agriculture, animals were raised on a large scale. Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs were domesticated. Humped bulls were favoured by the Harappans. There is evidence of dogs and cats from the outset, and asses and camels were bred. Elephants were well known to the Harappans, who were also acquainted with the rhinoceros.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/indus-valley-civilization-burial-site-and-town-planning/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 3 is incorrect.
• There are nearly 4000 specimens of Harappan writing on stone seals and other objects. Unlike the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the Harappans did not write long inscriptions. Most inscriptions were recorded on seals and contain only a few words. Altogether we have about 250 to 400 pictographs, and in the form of a picture each letter stands for some sound, idea, or object. The Harappan script is not alphabetical but largely pictographic.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/indus-valley-civilization-burial-site-and-town-planning/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Zealandia is an underwater continent located to the southeast of Australia. It was recognized as Earth’s eighth continent in 2017. Zealandia formed around 83 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period and started as part of the supercontinent Gondwana before breaking away.
• The existence of Zealandia was first recorded in 1642 by Dutch businessman and sailor Abel Tasman
• 

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/zealandia-worlds-eighth-continent/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Three indigenous products from Arunachal Pradesh – Yak Churpi, Khamti rice, and Tangsa textile – have received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the GI Registry

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/three-indigenous-products-from-arunachal-pradesh-received-gi-tag/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, has proposed the introduction of card-on-file tokenisation (CoFT) at the issuer-bank level.
• This move aims to enhance data security and provide customers with more control over managing their card tokens.
• From October 1, 2022 the Reserve Bank of India’s card-on-file (CoF) tokenization norms have kicked in, which aim at improved safety and security of card transactions.
• Now, for any purchases done online or through mobile apps, merchants, payment aggregators and payment gateways will not be able to save crucial customer credit and debit card details such as three-digit CVV and expiry date.
• Tokenisation refers to the replacement of actual card details with a unique alternate code called the ‘token’, which shall be unique for a combination of card, token requester, (i.e. the entity which accepts requests from the customer for tokenisation of a card and passes it on to the card network to issue a corresponding token) and the device.
• The customer will not be charged for availing the tokenisation service.
• Earlier, the facility for card tokenisation was available only for mobile phones and tablets of interested card holders. Subsequently, with an uptick in tokenisation volume, the RBI decided to extend the scope of tokenisation to include consumer devices – laptops, desktops, wearables (wrist watches, bands, etc.) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
• Tokenisation can be performed only by the authorised card network and recovery of original Primary Account Number (PAN) should be feasible for the authorised card network only. Adequate safeguards have to be put in place to ensure that PAN cannot be found out from the token and vice versa, by anyone except the card network.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/card-on-file-tokenisation-for-debit-and-credit-cards/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: India is launching its first national-level framework for climate services, known as the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), led by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • The NFCS aims to provide climate information and services to various sectors, including agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water, to help them make informed decisions and mitigate climate risks.
  • The NFCS is based on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), which focuses on generating high-quality climate data and information, with priority sectors including agriculture, energy, health, water, and disaster risk reduction.
  • The need for NFCS arises from the gaps in weather and climate data across India, particularly in the Himalayan regions and oceans, limiting the IMD’s ability to make long-term climate predictions.
• Benefits:
  • The NFCS aims to strengthen the observational network, improve data collection, and run weather and climate models to provide tailored climate data and information.
  • This information will support preparations for new climate conditions and adaptation to their impacts on various aspects of society, such as water supplies, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy generation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/national-framework-for-climate-services/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Morocco borders Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It is the only African country with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• 

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/09/marrakesh-morocco/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• In the British model of parliamentary democracy, the British Parliament is considered supreme or sovereign. This means that the British Parliament can make or repeal any law, and no other body or authority can override or challenge its decisions. In contrast, in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited by the Constitution of India. The Indian Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances where the Parliament’s legislative powers are subject to certain constitutional limitations, including fundamental rights.
• In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are indeed referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. This is an important feature of the Indian judicial system. The Supreme Court of India has the authority to review and decide the constitutionality of laws passed by the Parliament, and in cases where there are questions about the constitutional validity of an Act, it can refer the matter to a Constitution Bench for a detailed examination. This process ensures that the Constitution’s integrity is maintained.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021