UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 12 November 2024

Solution: d)

The rebellion among the sepoys of the 28th Indian Infantry in Shahjahanpur was significantly fueled by rumors that the British supplied cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, which was offensive to both Hindu and Muslim sentiments. Additionally, rumors about adulterated flour added to the distrust towards the British administration.

These factors stirred a sense of violation of religious beliefs, leading to resentment that escalated into active rebellion.

Unlike economic grievances or forced conversions, the issue of the greased cartridges sparked immediate outrage, serving as a critical catalyst for the uprising in Shahjahanpur.

Solution: b)

The FAO’s primary mandate is to improve global nutrition, enhance agricultural productivity, raise rural living standards, and stimulate economic growth in agriculture. FAO achieves these goals by offering technical assistance, conducting research, and facilitating coordination among its member countries.

Options (a), (c), and (d) misrepresent FAO’s role, as it does not regulate trade, directly fund projects, or enforce production quotas but rather supports and advises governments on best practices and policy.

Solution: a)

The Pinaka Rocket Missile System was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a division under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). ARDE’s role focuses on designing and developing armament and weapon systems, and the Pinaka MBRL is a significant achievement in India’s defense capabilities. It was developed to replace imported rocket systems and enhance India’s indigenous firepower, particularly against enemy positions.

Solution: d)

• The program falls under the Ministry of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, not the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Additionally, India’s net-zero emissions target is set for 2070, not 2050.
• The program offers a flexible procurement model, allowing departments to select E-Cars from various makes and models suitable for their specific needs, rather than mandating a single model.

CESL has facilitated the deployment of 17,000 E-Buses across India, not 1,00,000.

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

The initiative does include upgrades to laboratory networks and vaccine manufacturing facilities to enhance India’s animal health infrastructure. Additionally, the project was approved by the Pandemic Fund, created by the G20 under the Indonesian presidency in 2022, reflecting a coordinated international effort to enhance pandemic preparedness.

However, statement 2 is incorrect as the initiative’s aim is to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats, and reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission rather than the complete eradication of zoonotic diseases in India.

Solution: c)

The QS World University Rankings are published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds, a London-based firm specializing in higher education analytics.

The rankings evaluate universities across four main dimensions, including Research and Employability, which reflect an institution’s research quality and graduate job readiness.

QS also surveys employers to assess how well universities prepare graduates for employment.

Solution: a)

Only statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect as FAO does not have authority to set mandatory standards; it rather provides guidelines and recommendations that countries can choose to adopt.

FAO publishes crucial reports that provide data and insights on global agricultural conditions, such as The State of the World’s Forests, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, and The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets.

Statement 3 is incorrect because FAO is entirely funded by contributions from its members, which are assessed and mandatory, not voluntary.

Solution: b)

Statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect as the wetland is not primarily fed by underground springs but relies on surface channels and connections to other water bodies like Sukhniwas Lake.

Additionally, the restoration efforts have revitalized the wetland from a state of severe degradation to an urban wetland of international importance, underlining the ecological restoration work done.

The Sirpur Wetland was designated as a Ramsar site in 2022, recognizing its ecological value and international importance as a wetland.

Solution: c)

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. Carbon offset projects are not limited to nature-based solutions; they also include renewable energy installations, energy efficiency improvements, and sustainable agriculture projects.

Additionally, carbon offsets are primarily aimed at reducing or compensating for emissions rather than achieving energy self-sufficiency.

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is a category within carbon offset projects, as it helps reduce emissions from transportation by shifting away from fossil-fuel-based vehicles.

Solution: a)

Shahjahanpur district was established by the British in 1813-14, just a few decades before the 1857 Rebellion, making it relatively new under British administration. It became a key site in the uprising, harboring revolutionaries like Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah and Nana Sahib, who played significant roles in the fight against British rule.

Statement 3 is incorrect; although sepoys attacked a European congregation at the Roman Catholic Church on May 31, 1857, it was not the final event marking British withdrawal. Instead, it was a significant attack symbolizing growing local resistance. British influence lingered until their forces suppressed the rebellion.