[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 12 December 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has released a paper “A Complex Adaptive System Framework to Regulate AI”. Also, the European Union (EU) has reached a historic provisional deal on the world’s first comprehensive laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).
• Statement 1 is true: AI aims to create intelligent machines capable of human-like tasks.
• Statement 2 is false: Current AI systems, while powerful, lack human-level intelligence across all domains.
• Statement 3 is false: While some research explores consciousness and emotions, it’s not the primary focus.
• Statement 4 is true: AI applications automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making in various fields.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/regulating-artificial-intelligence/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The article discusses Odisha’s successful transformation in addressing food security and climate resilience, offering a potential model for other regions facing the challenges of the global climate crisis.
• Odisha’s journey:
  • Agricultural Transformation: Over the past two decades, Odisha has shifted from importing rice to becoming a significant producer, achieving its highest food grain production in 2022. Productivity has tripled. Schemes like Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) and the Odisha Millet Mission have focused on increasing income for small farmers and promoting crop diversification for climate resilience.
  • Resilience and Sustainability: Odisha, being vulnerable to climate change, has proactively developed a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan covering various sectors E.g., Crop Weather Watch Group monitoring and responding to adverse weather conditions.
  • Social Protection: In the State Ranking Index for the National Food Security Act, Odisha emerged as the top-ranked state in 2022, showcasing its commitment to food security, livelihood, and climate resilience initiatives.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/odishas-transformation-in-food-security/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The indigenous Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh, residing in the Papikonda hill range, has embraced eco-friendly practices to conserve the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus).
• Koyas have replaced traditional Indian Bison horns with palm leaves to craft their traditional flute, Permakor
• The Indian Bison or Gaur (Bos gaurus) is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India and largest extant bovine.
• Conservation Status:
  • Vulnerable in IUCN Red List.
  • Included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/koya-tribes/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is true. The UDHR was indeed adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948.
• Statement 2 is true. The UDHR outlines a wide range of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person; freedom from torture and slavery; freedom of expression and religion; and the right to education and work.
• Statement 3 is false. While the UDHR is considered a landmark document and has influenced many national and international laws, it is not a legally binding treaty. Therefore, member states are not obligated to uphold it in the same way they are obligated to uphold treaties they have ratified.
• Statement 4 is true. The UDHR’s widespread translation highlights its global reach and significance.
  • A decade ago, the UDHR was awarded a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records as the document was available in 298 languages and dialects. Since then, the UDHR has been translated into more than 500 languages, from Abkhaz to Zulu, making it the most translated document in the World

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/universal-declaration-of-human-rights-at-75/

Ans (d)

Explanation:

• S1: e.g. from UDHR: Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
• S2: eg. Article 22 UDHR: Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
• Or, Article 26:
• (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• S3: e.g. Article 27 of UDHR:
• (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
• (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/universal-declaration-of-human-rights-at-75/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Cauvery basin has witnessed the loss of approximately 12,850 sq. km of natural vegetation between 1965 and 2016, with Karnataka accounting for three-fourths of the decline, according to a study by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
• Karnataka has just around 20% of the area under forest cover
• About Cauvery River
• It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna – in southern India, and the largest in the state of Tamil Nadu, known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil. Originates in Karnataka (Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district) and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal. Its left bank tributaries include Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi, while right bank tributaries consist of Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi.
• Statement 2 is wrong: Kaveri is spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

Refer” https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/cauvery-basin/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Interpol’s “Operation Storm Makers II” has exposed a growing trend where human trafficking victims are forced to commit cyber fraud.
• The operation, involving Indian enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of 281 individuals across different countries on charges including human trafficking, passport forgery, corruption, telecommunications fraud, and sexual exploitation.
• The trend of trafficking victims being coerced into cyber fraud was first highlighted by Interpol in June, revealing a global issue with billions of dollars in annual revenue generated by scam syndicates.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/operation-storm-makers-ii/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 3 is incorrect

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/12/banni-grassland/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Short Range Devices (SRD) are radio devices that offer a low risk of interference with other radio services, usually because their transmitted power, and hence their range, is low. The definition ‘Short Range Device’ may be applied to many different types of wireless equipment, including various forms of:
  • Access control (including door and gate openers)
  • Alarms and movement detectors
  • Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
  • Cordless audio devices, including wireless microphones
  • Industrial control
  • Local Area Networks
  • Medical implants
  • Metering devices
  • Remote control
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID)
  • Road Transport Telematics
• Short range devices often benefit from a relaxed regulatory regime compared with other radio communications equipment. As a general principle, a user is licence free to operate such equipment, some specific cases may require an individual licence.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2022

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• A biofilm is a collection of microorganisms that forms on both living and non-living surfaces. The microbial cells cling to one another within an extracellular polymeric material matrix that they manufacture on their own.
• The process of forming a biofilm involves several stages, beginning with attachment to a surface, followed by the development of a microcolony, which creates a three-dimensional structure, and maturation and separation at the conclusion.
• Numerous bacterial species can interact with one another during the creation of biofilms by means of a unique process known as quorum sensing. It is a stimulus-based system that synchronises several gene expression patterns.
• Because bacterial biofilm is involved in a number of infectious diseases and is more resistant to the human immune system and medications, it presents a serious threat to public health. Statement 3 is correct.
• Biofilms can develop on living or non-living surfaces and are frequently found in industrial, medical, and natural environments.
• Most animal teeth can have biofilms in the form of dental plaque, which can lead to gum disease and tooth damage. Statement 1 is correct
• In the food business, a variety of diseases can work together to generate biofilms through synergistic interactions. Pathogenic and spoilage bacteria can contaminate food in food-processing facilities because bacteria can live in multispecies biofilms. For example, in the fishing business, mixed pathogenic species (such as Aeromonashydrophila, L. monocytogenes, S. enterica, or Vibrio spp.) may develop biofilms on fresh fish products, which can have serious negative health and financial effects. In a fresh-cut produce processing facility, E. Coli interacted with Burkholderia carylophylli and Ralstonia insidiosa to develop mixed biofilms, demonstrating synergistic interactions. Statement 2 is correct.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2022