[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 7 November 2023

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• India has plans to introduce eight deep ocean gliders having 6-12 months endurance to travel from 3,000 km to 4,500 km, about 48 deep Argo floats at 6,000-metre depth at 24 locations and another 150 wave drifters to strengthen the capacity of observations in the Indian Ocean as part of its ‘Deep Ocean Mission’.
• With the help of the in situ and satellite data of sea temperatures, currents, salinity etc., “we are trying to predict as much accurate as possible the various climatic conditions and the monsoons.
• The Government is drafting a policy on ‘Blue Economy’ of which the ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ forms an integral part.
• Deep Ocean Mission is the initiative of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• International Indian Ocean Conference (IIOC) organised by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/indias-deep-ocean-mission-dom/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect.
• The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 expanded the coverage of the PDS substantially.
• The law mandates that 50% of the urban and 75% of the rural populations must be covered by the PDS.
• The NFSA requires that the latest completed Census be used to calculate the total PDS coverage.
• Some States use their own budgets to “top up” PDS coverage through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) — for example, Tamil Nadu — or local procurement — for example, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/pradhan-mantri-garib-kalyan-anna-yojana-pmgkay/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: Researchers at the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), a part of the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have developed a novel method for detecting all life forms in an ecosystem using environmental DNA (eDNA).
• This innovative approach involves collecting water, soil, or air samples and then sequencing the DNA fragments found in these samples to assess the total biodiversity of the ecosystem.
• It can identify a wide range of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, plants, insects, birds, fish, and other animals.
• This non-invasive technique is cost-effective, fast, and scalable for monitoring and conserving biodiversity in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/environmental-dna/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: NITI Aayog, the Indian government’s think tank, is considering discontinuing the ‘Composite Water Management Index’ (CWMI) report, which was launched five years ago to assess water management in Indian states.
• The latest edition of the report highlights that water scarcity is a national problem, with decreasing annual per capita water availability.
• While the third and fourth editions of the report have been delayed due to the unavailability of updated data during the COVID-19 pandemic, NITI Aayog has considered combining these editions with future rounds to extend the data coverage to district levels.
• The report aimed to support evidence-based policy decisions for water resource management and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among Indian states.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/composite-water-management-index-report/

Ans: (c )

Explanation: About CO:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas, slightly less dense than air. It’s produced from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, like fossil fuels, wood, and vehicle exhaust. CO is toxic as it displaces oxygen in the blood. In the atmosphere, it’s short-lived and contributes to ground-level ozone formation.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/carbon-dioxide-co2-to-carbon-monoxide-co-conversion/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia.
• S2: The S-400 is capable of taking down multiple aerial targets including stealth fighter jets, bombers, cruise and ballistic missiles, and even unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• S3: S-400 has an operational range of 400 km, while the S-500 can target ballistic missiles from 600 km away.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/project-kusha/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: NMDC, a State-owned Steel CPSE, has expanded its mineral portfolio by inaugurating the Mount Celia Gold Operation in Western Australia.
• This marks NMDC’s first venture into gold mining.
• The Mt Celia project is located 180km northeast of Kalgoorlie. Kalgoorlie is famous for its rich gold mining history. It played a significant role in the Western Australian gold rush of the late 19th century. The “Golden Mile,” a vast stretch of gold-bearing land, is located in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area, making it one of the most productive gold mining regions in the world

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/07/mount-celia-gold-operation-western-australia/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• This statement is correct. WaterCredit is a program that uses microfinance tools to address the issues of access to clean water and sanitation. It helps people secure loans to install water and sanitation facilities in their homes.
• This statement is incorrect. WaterCredit is not a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. It is primarily associated with Water.org, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White.
• This statement is correct. One of the main goals of WaterCredit is to empower poor communities to meet their water and sanitation needs without relying on subsidies. It promotes self-sufficiency and financial independence in addressing water-related challenges.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• R2 stands for Responsible Recycling and is a standard specifically created for the electronics recycling industry by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI)

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Blue carbon refers to carbon that is captured and stored by oceans and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These ecosystems are highly effective at sequestering and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making them an essential component of efforts to combat climate change.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021