[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 28 October 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Qatar has a land border with Saudi Arabia only. It has maritime borders with Saudi Arabia. Bahrain, Iran and the UAE.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/navy-officer-death-row-india-qatar-relations/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/vajra-mushti-kalaga/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The Supreme Court has intervened to protect a woman’s right to parenthood who suffers from a rare medical condition known as Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser (MRKH) syndrome which left her without ovaries and a uterus, making it impossible for her to produce her own eggs for reproduction.
• What is Surrogacy?
  • Surrogacy is a reproductive practice where a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple (the intended parents)
• Surrogacy can be gestational or traditional. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother is not the biological mother of the child, as the embryo is created using the intended parents’ sperm and egg. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child, as she uses her own egg and the intended father’s sperm.
• The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, prohibits commercial surrogacy and only allows altruistic surrogacy. The act went into effect in January 2022.
  • The act aims to protect women’s reproductive rights. It prohibits surrogates from receiving any financial compensation for their role, with the exception of insurance and medical coverage

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/sc-struck-down-2023-amendment-to-surrogacy-regulation-rules-2022/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: According to the International Migration Outlook 2023 report Migration to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries has reached record levels, with over 6 million new permanent immigrants in 2022.
• About OECD:
  • The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organization that was established in 1961 (originally to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan)
  • The OECD is a forum where 38 governments (India is not a member) of democracies with market-based economies collaborate to:
    • Develop policy standards to promote sustainable economic growth
    • Find solutions to common challenges
    • Develop global standards
    • Share experiences and identify best practices

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/international-migration-outlook-2023/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Cases of Thallium poisoning have been rising in India, particularly in the Maharashtra

About Thallium	Thallium is a toxic metal element (symbol Tl) with atomic number 81, known for its extreme toxicity. It does not freely occur in nature. Thallium has no colour, odour or taste. Its use is regulated in India.  Thallium is also called the “poisoner’s poison”.
Appearance	Silvery-white tarnishes to Gray
State at Room Temperature	Solid
Chemical Symbol	Highly toxic (considered a poison)
Common Uses	Historically used in low-temperature thermometers. Radioactive isotopes are used in medical imaging. Limited industrial applications.
Health Hazards	Extremely toxic when ingested or inhaled. Can cause severe health issues, including nerve and kidney damage.
	Mere contact with thallium can cause poisoning as it is highly soluble in water and can easily pass through the skin. It is also a suspected carcinogen.
Antidote	Prussian blue is used to remove thallium from the body.
Interesting Fact	Thallium is known for its high toxicity and was historically used as a rat poison
	Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, is alleged to have used it to murder his political opponents.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/thallium-poisoning/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: A committee assessed the progress of Tamil Nadu’s first tiger rewilding program in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
• The tiger is cared for by dedicated Forest Department staff who minimize contact and monitor the animal through cameras.
• Anamalai Tiger Reserve
  • It is carved out of the Tamil Nadu portion of the Anamalais and lies South of the Palakkad gap in the Western Ghats
  • Surrounded by various wildlife reserves and forests: Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park on the South Western side
  • Ranges within the reserve include Amaravathi, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Ulandy, Valparai, and Manamboli

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/tns-first-tiger-rewilding-program-in-anamalai-tiger-reserve/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: India and the European Union (EU) carried out their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea to enhance maritime security cooperation. The exercise involved the Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha and three EU ships: Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and Spanish Navy Ship Tornado.
• The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean from Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia. Null Island, defined as the intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian, is in the gulf.
• Among the many rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea are the Niger and the Volta.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/10/28/gulf-of-guinea/

Ans; (a)

Explanation:

• The Mekong River flows into the South China Sea.
• The Thames River flows into the North Sea.
• The Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2020 (modified)

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi in Himachal Pradesh, India. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab before joining the Panjnad River at Uch Sharif in Pakistan. The Panjnad River is formed by the confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab rivers. The Panjnad River then flows for a short distance before joining the Indus River at Mithankot in Pakistan.
• Therefore, the Sutlej River is the only one of the four rivers that joins the Indus River directly.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• The Andhra Pradesh district of Kadappa has the Gandikota Canyon. The gorge is a breathtaking jumble of angular boulders arranged in crimson layers. The waters of the renowned Pennar river, which rises in the Erramala highlands, have carved out this breathtaking gorge. Due of its similarities to the well-known US monument, the region is now referred to as the Grand Canyon of India. A fort from the 12th century and two historic temples are also located there. It is situated above the hills that round the gorge.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2022