UPSC Editorials Quiz : 17 February 2024

Solution: a)

Only statement 1 is correct.

A tail strike refers to an incident where the tail of an aircraft hits the ground or strikes any other stationary object. While tail strikes can occur during takeoff, a majority happen during the landing of an aircraft. According to Airbus statistical data, over 65 per cent of tail strikes happen during landings.

Tail strikes can cause significant damage to the aircraft, with major repairs needed to restore the plane’s structural integrity. Even in cases where the damage is not major or immediately obvious, thorough inspections are carried out before the aircraft is declared fit to fly again.

Solution: a)

Only statement 1 is correct.

The index is based on the methodology used by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to construct the Global MPI. OPHI and UNDP are technical partners in the formulation of the national index.

But India’s MPI is not exactly the same as the Global MPI. For instance, India’s MPI has 12 variables, while the Global MPI has 10. The two additional variables in India’s MPI are maternal health and bank account.

It must be noted that this is a multidimensional poverty index and, as such, is not comparable to India’s traditional and official way of estimating poverty.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

What is the Railway Protection Force (RPF)?

The RPF is an armed force under the operational and administrative control of the Union Ministry of Railways, which is tasked with protecting and securing railway property, the passenger areas, and the passengers themselves.

The RPF was set up as a consequence of The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, enacted by Parliament “to provide for the constitution and regulation of an armed force of the Union for the better protection and security of railway property and for matters connected therewith”. The Act came into force after Parliament passed significant modifications to it through The Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Act, 1985 (Act No. 60 of 1985). Rules under the Act were notified in 1987.

The RPF is led by a director-general.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Under the Open Market Sale Scheme, the FCI from time to time sells surplus food grains from the central pool especially wheat and rice in the open market to traders, bulk consumers, retail chains and so on at pre-determined prices. The Corporation does this through e-auctions where open market bidders can buy specified quantities at the prices set at the start of a cycle and revised routinely. Usually, states are also allowed to procure food grains through the OMSS without participating in the auctions, for their needs beyond what they get from the central pool to distribute to NFSA beneficiaries.

The idea is to activate the OMSS during the lean season, the time between harvests, to improve and regulate domestic supply and availability of the two grains and bring down their prices in the open market; essentially making the scheme a measure to curb food grain inflation.

Solution: a)

Only option 4 is correct.