[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 15 November 2023

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• S1: This initiative was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech in November 2015 at Wembley Stadium (London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom), in which he referred to sunshine countries as Suryaputra (“Sons of the Sun”). The alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization.
• S2: The International Solar Alliance is headed by the Director General, who leads the operations and carries out the functions of the ISA Secretariat and is responsible to the ISA Assembly.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/mini-solar-grids-solution-for-ending-energy-poverty/

Ans: (b)

Explanation

• The First Carnatic (1744-48) war was fought between Britishers and the French due to Austrian war of succession in Europe. The French forces under Dupleix defeated the English and captured Madras. Then, in 1748 AD, the peace treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed and Madras was restored to the British and the exchange of war prisoners took place.
• Battle of Wandiwash: This was the Third Carnatic War fought between the French and the British. Having made substantial gains in Bengal and Hyderabad, the British, after collecting a huge amount of revenue, were fully equipped to face the French in Wandiwash, whom they defeated.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/constantine-joseph-beschi/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Gravitational force is the mutual attraction between two masses, and it is a fundamental force in nature. It plays a crucial role in celestial mechanics, governing the motion of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. For example, it is responsible for the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/four-fundamental-forces-of-the-universe/

Ams: (c)

Explanation:

• The primary role of the Strong Nuclear Force is to bind protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. It is a short-range force that acts between nucleons (protons and neutrons) and is responsible for holding the nucleus together.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/four-fundamental-forces-of-the-universe/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• One of the distinctive features of electromagnetic waves is that they can propagate through a vacuum. This is in contrast to mechanical waves, like sound waves, which require a medium for transmission.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/four-fundamental-forces-of-the-universe/

Ans: (b)

Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct
• In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 as the UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of protecting the world’s wild animals and plants. This was as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973 on this day.
• CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
• It accords varying degrees of protection to more than 37,000 species of animals and plants, ranging from live animals and plants to wildlife products derived from them, including food products, exotic leather goods, medicines, etc.
• The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme) and is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Conference of the Parties to CITES is the supreme consensus-based decision-making body of the Convention and comprises all its parties.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/india-exempted-from-cites-rst/

Ans: (a)

Explanation

• Only Statement 3 is correct.
• The species covered under CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.
• Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted rarely, only in “exceptional circumstances”, such as gorillas, and lions from India.
• Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to ensure their survival. For example, certain kinds of foxes and Hippopotamuses.
• Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade, like the Bengal fox or the Golden Jackal from India. Different procedures are given category-wise to engage in the trade of species in each of the lists.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/india-exempted-from-cites-rst/

Ans: (c )

Explanation: About Red Sanders

• Red sanders, classified as endangered by the IUCN, CITES (Appendix II), and Wildlife Protection Act (Schedule IV), are native to a specific region within the Eastern Ghats and are known for their unique flora. It is referred to as ‘the pride of Eastern Ghats’. These trees have a slow growth rate, taking 25 to 40 years to mature, and they display remarkable resistance to droughts.
• Red Sanders application:
  • The Red Sanders heartwood is valued for its wavy grain. Besides its use in furniture, the red dye (called ‘santalin’) extracted from the wood serves as a colouring agent for textiles, medicine, and food.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/11/15/india-exempted-from-cites-rst/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The main cause of worry to the Government of India from the creation of black money is Loss of revenue to the state exchequer due to tax evasion.
• When black money is created, it is not declared to the government, so no taxes are paid on it. This means that the government loses out on a significant amount of revenue, which could be used to fund important public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• The other effects of black money, such as diversion of resources to unproductive activities and large donations to political parties, are also concerning, but they do not have the same immediate impact on the government’s budget as tax evasion.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: It is a product of oil refineries.
  • This statement is correct. Furnace oil is a heavy fuel oil that is a byproduct of petroleum refining. It is produced by distilling crude oil and then removing the lighter fractions, such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
• Statement 2: Some industries use it to generate power.
  • This statement is also correct. Furnace oil is used to generate power in a variety of industries, including power plants, marine vessels, and industrial boilers.
• Statement 3: Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.
  • This statement is also correct. Furnace oil is a high-sulfur fuel, which means that it releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere when it is burned. SO2 is a major component of acid rain, which can damage forests, waterways, and human health.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2021