[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 9 December 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation: What are Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)?

• PACS are village level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level. Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the district central cooperative banks, or DCCBs, that operate at the district level. The DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly with farmers.
• Since these are cooperative bodies, individual farmers are members of the PACS, and office-bearers are elected from within them. A village can have multiple PACS.
• PACS are involved in short term lending — or what is known as crop loan. At the start of the cropping cycle, farmers avail credit to finance their requirement of seeds, fertilisers etc.
• The attraction of the PACS lies in the last mile connectivity they offer. For farmers, timely access to capital is necessary at the start of their agricultural activities. PACS have the capacity to extend credit with minimal paperwork within a short time.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/primary-agricultural-credit-societies-pacs-in-india/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric, along with Garo dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery, and Garo chubitchi (alcoholic beverage), has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/gi-tags-for-meghalaya-products/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• The Government of India has been working towards the adoption of biofuels. The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana provides financial support to integrated bio-ethanol projects to set up second generation (2G) ethanol projects.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/ban-on-using-sugarcane-juice-and-sugar-syrup-for-ethanol-production/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert regarding the painkiller Meftal, cautioning about potential adverse reactions associated with mefenamic acid, including the risk of Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.
• What is DRESS syndrome?
  • It is a severe and potentially life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction to certain medications.
  • It is characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms, including fever, skin rash, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia (an increase in a type of white blood cells), and various systemic manifestations.
  • Medicines most commonly associated with DRESS syndrome are anticonvulsants, antibiotics (particularly beta-lactams), and allopurinol

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/dress-syndrome/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (HQ: Ghaziabad (UP); founded: 1956) is an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which sets standards for all drugs that are manufactured, sold and consumed in India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/dress-syndrome/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• They are advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW per unit, offering advantages such as simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• SMRs can be factory-made and transported to a site for installation.
• SMRs are economical and time-efficient, and unlike traditional reactors that require refuelling every 1-2 years, SMRs only need refuelling every 3-7 years.
• The Indian Government is considering offering incentives, similar to a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, to encourage the manufacturing of small modular reactors (SMRs) with the goal of increasing nuclear power’s share in India’s energy production.
• India has 22 operating reactors, with an installed capacity of 7480 MWe. India is currently in the second stage of its three-stage nuclear programme

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/fourth-generation-nuclear-plant/

Ans: (a)

Explanation

• Only statement 2 is correct.
• India Cooling Action Plan (launched in 2019)
  • It seeks to Reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25% by 2037-38, and refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by 2037-38.
• S1: While ICAP promotes the adoption of high-efficiency air conditioning technology, it also acknowledges the limitations of this approach alone.
• S3: ICAP recognizes the potential of decentralized and smaller cooling solutions, particularly for remote and underserved communities. While large-scale projects have a role to play, ICAP encourages a balanced approach that prioritizes equitable access to cooling across different scales.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/global-cooling-watch-2023/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Global Cooling Watch 2023 report by UNEP highlights pathways to achieve near-zero emissions from cooling.
• About the Report
  • It focuses on three key measures: passive cooling, higher-energy efficiency standards, and a faster phase-down of climate-warming refrigerants. Aligned with the Global Cooling Pledge, the report aims to reduce cooling-related emissions and promote sustainable cooling. It recommends incorporating these measures into building codes and utilizing financial instruments to drive demand for higher-efficiency products.
  • A report from the Cool Coalition, released during COP28 climate talks, suggests that implementing the above-given measures could reduce predicted 2050 emissions from cooling by at least 60%. If combined with rapid power grid decarbonization, these measures could result in up to a 96% reduction in emissions from the cooling sector. Previously, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition and COP28 host the United Arab Emirates introduced a Global cooling pledge (India had declined to sign the pledge)
  • In 2016, over 150 countries signed the Kigali Amendment (including India) to the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to reduce HFC consumption by 80% by 2047.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/global-cooling-watch-2023/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 2 is not correct.
• Context: PM approves the first urban flood mitigation project for the ‘Integrated Urban Flood Management Activities for Chennai Basin Project (IUFM)‘ This initiative, under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), includes Central assistance of Rs. 500 crore and aims to make Chennai flood-resilient.
• National Disaster Response Fund is defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act) as a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. NDRF is constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) of the states to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of a severe nature.
• The DM Act defines “disaster” to mean ‘a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.’
• NDRF amount can be spent only towards meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation. For projects exclusively for the purpose of mitigation, i.e, measures aimed at reducing the risk, impact or effect of a disaster or threatening disaster situation a separate fund called National Disaster Mitigation Fund has to be constituted.
• NDRF is located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under “Reserve Funds not bearing interest”.
• Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/urban-flood-mitigation-project/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached a significant agreement, agreeing to exchange prisoners of war and work towards signing a peace treaty, a move praised by the European Union as a major step towards peace in the historically troubled region.
• Both countries are fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in casualties and significant tensions. The region, recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians, has been a source of conflict for decades, with recent escalations in 2020 and 2023.
• The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It centres on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly Armenian-populated but within Azerbaijan’s borders. A ceasefire mediated by Russia in 1994 left the region under Armenian control, though it’s still recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/09/armenia-and-azerbaijan/