1. Consider the following statements:
1. Arhgap36 is located on the X chromosome in mammals including cats and humans which is linked to pigmentation.
2. Most of the orange cats are female since this type of gene is only present in the X chromosomes.
3. Unlike standard mutations, this mechanism is unique to domestic cats and not found in wild animals.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
News: Scientists unlock the hidden gene behind ginger cats’ orange fur and what it means for their future
- A new study has identified a unique mutation on the X chromosome in domestic cats that activates the Arhgap36 gene, leading to orange fur.
- Arhgap36, located on the X chromosome, is involved in pigmentation and is active in skin, brain, and hormone-related tissues. Hence statement (1) is correct.
- Mutation Type: A very small (0.005%) non-coding deletion outside known pigment genes activates Arhgap36 in pigment cells. This doesn’t alter the gene’s structure, but changes how it’s expressed.
- Effect: Activation of Arhgap36 blocks black pigment and promotes orange pigment, resulting in orange fur.
- Sex-Linked Pattern: Males (XY) need only one mutated X to be orange. Females (XX) must have the mutation on both X chromosomes for full orange fur; otherwise, they appear calico or tortoiseshell. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- Uniqueness: This regulatory mutation is specific to domestic cats and has not been found in wild species. Hence statement (3) is correct.
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2. Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic wild dogs, also known as dholes are not solitary animals and highly social animals that live in packs of 5 to 10 individuals.
2. The highest population of dholes are housed in Indira Gandhi Zoological Park of Andhra Pradesh.
3. They are diurnal hunters and do not attack humans.
4. Dholes are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d) All four
Explanation:
News: World Dhole Day is a time to appreciate all complexities that encapsulate Asia’s endangered wild dogs
- Among nature’s most formidable predators is the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus). Known across south Asia as ‘dholes’, these highly social carnivores live in close-knit packs of 5-10 reaching up to 50 individuals. Dholes are not solitary hunters.
- They inhabit forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions across South and Southeast Asia.
- Dholes are known for their distinct vocalizations, including whistles and screams.
- The gestation period of the species is usually 60 to 63 days, with litter sizes averaging four to six pups. The litters remain at the den site for 70 to 80 days.
- They are diurnal hunters and hunt in the early hours of the morning.
- Dholes do not attack humans and can eat lizards and insects. They can also eat fruits and vegetables.
1. IUCN List of Threatened Species: Endangered
2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix II
3. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule II
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3. With reference to the PRAGATI platform, consider the following statements:
1. It is aimed at addressing public grievances and simultaneously monitoring Government programmes and projects.
2. It was developed with the help of the World Bank and UNDP.
3. It combines digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
News: PM chairs PRAGATI meeting
- PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is indeed aimed at addressing public grievances and simultaneously monitoring Government programmes and projects.
- The system has been designed in-house by the PMO team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC).
- PRAGATI uniquely integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology.
- PRAGATI is a multi-purpose, multi-modal digital platform aimed at:
1. Addressing public grievances
2. Monitoring and reviewing important government programmes and projects
3. Enabling real-time coordination between Central and State governments
- PRAGATI integrates and strengthens databases of:
1. CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System)
2. Project Monitoring Group (PMG)
3. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
- Promotes transparency and accountability; Enables data-driven governance; Bridges the gap between the Centre and States; Ensures timely resolution of issues/projects; Reduces bureaucratic delays.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132189
4. Which of the following events happened earliest?
(a) Neel Darpan was a Bengali play written by Dinabandhu Mitra.
(b)Arya Samaj was founded by Dayananda Saraswati.
(c) Madan Mohan Malviya coined the slogan ‘Satyamev Jayate’.
(d) Veer Savarkar founded the Free India Society in London.
Answer: (a) Neel Darpan was a Bengali play written by Dinabandhu Mitra.
Explanation:
News: Savarkar, Dayanand Saraswati, & Madan Mohan Malviya’s portraits to be installed at Delhi Assembly
- Nil Darpan or The Indigo Planting Mirror was a Bengali play written by Dinabandhu Mitra in 1858-59 and published in Dhaka in 1860. The drama was written in the context of social agitation in Bengal, known as the Indigo Revolt.
- Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was born on May 28, 1883. A towering figure in India’s freedom movement, he was also a revolutionary, poet, writer, and a visionary social reformer.
- Veer Savarkar played a pivotal role in igniting the spirit of resistance against British colonial rule in the early 20th century. He founded revolutionary organizations such as Mitra Mela earlier in 1899 and later changed to Abhinava Bharat. aimed at uniting and mobilizing young Indians in the cause of independence.
- His indomitable courage was most evident during his incarceration at the infamous Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he endured immense hardship with unwavering resolve.
- Veer Savarkar founded the Free India Society, in London, in 1906, based on the thoughts of the Italian nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini and he had written a biography of Mazzini.
- In 1875, Dayananda Saraswati founded Arya Samaj; He wrote books such as Satyartha Prakash, Veda Bhashya Bhumika and Veda Bhashya.
- Played a pivotal role in Civil Disobedience and Non-Cooperation Movements led by Mahatma Gandhi.He coined the slogan ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in the INC session of 1918.
- He founded newspapers such as The Leader, Abhyudaya, and Maryada. Established Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916 and served as Vice-Chancellor (1919–1938).
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5. The term ‘Dark Factories’, often seen in the news, refers to
(a) Automated manufacturing units that operate without human intervention.
(b) Illegal industrial units operating in secrecy to exploit labor and avoid regulation.
(c) Coal-based thermal power plants operating without pollution control.
(d) Underground units for the production of banned substances.
Answer: (a) Automated manufacturing units that operate without human intervention.
Explanation:
News: Rise of automation promises a future of ‘dark factories’, says TCS’ Chandrasekaran
- Dark Factories, also known as lights-out factories, are fully automated manufacturing units that operate without any human presence, even in complete darkness.
- These factories use advanced technologies like robots, AI, IoT, and cyber-physical systems, and are a key component of Industry 4.0.
- While Industry 4.0 emphasizes smart automation with minimal human input, Industry 5.0 envisions a balance where humans and machines collaborate, integrating human creativity with machine efficiency.
- 24×7 uninterrupted production, improving efficiency and product quality.
- Lower operational costs by eliminating the need for lighting, air conditioning, and wages.
- Environmentally sustainable through energy-efficient operations and reduced material waste.
- Help bridge skilled labor shortages, especially in hazardous or high-precision industries.
- Strengthen India’s global manufacturing competitiveness and support initiatives like Make in India 2.0 and Digital India. These factories are seen as the future of manufacturing, aligning with India’s push toward green, smart, and globally integrated industrial systems.
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6. Consider the following:
1. F-22
2. Sukhoi SU – 57
3. Raphale
4. Chengdu J-20
How many of the above is/are operational fifth generation fighter jets?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c) Only three
In News: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (May 27) approved the “execution model” of India’s proposed fifth-generation fighter jet
Explanation:
- AMCA will be India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter. It is currently being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Since AMCA does not even have a working prototype at the moment, not much can be said about its features beyond the fact that it will be a stealthy, 25-tonne twin engine fighter jet, with a small radar cross-section and powerful sensors and new weapons. It will likely take at least another 10 years for the aircraft to be developed
- Discussions for developing the AMCA started in 2007. The initial plan was to jointly develop the aircraft with Russia under a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme. However, India withdrew from the FGFA project in 2018.
- At the moment, only the US (F-22 and F-35), Russia (Sukhoi Su-57), and China (Chengdu J-20) have developed operational fifth-generation aircraft. Hence option c is correct.
Source:
This Word Means: Fifth-generation fighter
7. Consider the following statements:
1. The MJO is a moving system of winds, cloud, and pressure that brings rain as it circles around the equator.
2. The system typically travels westward at a speed of 4-8 metres per second around the globe in 30-60 days
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
In News: How the Madden-Julian Oscillation helped trigger the early onset of the monsoon
Explanation:
- While the southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than the normal onset date, it reached Mumbai two weeks in advance on May 26. This was also the earliest the monsoon arrived in Mumbai on record.
- The MJO is a moving system of winds, cloud, and pressure that brings rain as it circles around the equator. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- The system typically travels eastward at a speed of 4-8 metres per second. It goes around the globe in 30-60 days on average, but can sometimes take 90 days. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- As it moves, strong MJO activity often splits the planet into two parts — one in which the MJO is in active phase and brings rainfall, and the other in which it suppresses rainfall. In the active phase,
- MJO results in higher-than-average rainfall for that time of the year, while in the suppressed phase, the area receives less than average rainfall.
- An active phase is generally followed by a weak or suppressed phase, in which there is little MJO activity.
- The effect of the MJO is witnessed mainly in the tropical region, in the band between 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South of the equator, even though the mid-latitude regions in both hemispheres also feel its impact.
- India falls in this band. As the MJO cycle lasts only 30-60 days, there can be multiple MJO events in a season.
Source:
How the Madden-Julian Oscillation helped trigger the early onset of the monsoon
8.With reference to the advanced medium combat aircraft, Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: It will be India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter
Statement -II: It is currently being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the ISRO.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
(b) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
(c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
(d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
Answer: (c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
In News: This Word Means: Fifth-generation fighter
Explanation:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 27 approved the “execution model” of India’s proposed fifth-generation fighter jet, the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).
- In a departure from the past, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will have to compete either independently or in partnership with other firms to get the contract to manufacture the jet.
- This comes a year after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the project to design and develop AMCA, and just weeks after India and Pakistan tested each other’s air power in a series of aerial exchanges during Operation Sindoor.
- AMCA will be India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter.Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It is currently being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- Since AMCA does not even have a working prototype at the moment, not much can be said about its features beyond the fact that it will be a stealthy, 25-tonne twin engine fighter jet, with a small radar cross-section and powerful sensors and new weapons. It will likely take at least another 10 years for the aircraft to be developed
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-fifth-generation-fighter-10034632/
9.With reference to Initial Public Offering, Consider the following statements:
1. It refers to the process by which a privately held company, or a government-owned enterprise, raises funds by offering shares to the public or to new investors.
2. The IPO is the first step in the process of listing a company on the stock exchange.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)Both 1 and 2
In News: This Word Means: Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Explanation:
- IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. Put simply, it is the process by which a company goes public.
- It refers to the process by which a privately held company, or a government-owned enterprise like LIC, raises funds by offering shares to the public or to new investors
- The IPO is the first step in the process of listing a company on the stock exchange. Hence option(c) is correct.
- In India, a company listing an IPO first has to file its offer document with the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The offer document contains all relevant information about the company, its promoters, its projects, financial details, the object of raising the money, terms of the issue, etc.
- There are various categories of investors who can invest in an IPO.
- Qualified institutional buyers (QIBs): A category of investors that includes foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), mutual funds, commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds, etc.
- Retail investors: All individuals who invest up to Rs 2 lakh in an issue.
- High net worth individuals: Retail investors investing above Rs 2 lakh.
Source:
This Word Means: Initial Public Offering (IPO)
10.Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English? (2021)
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
(d) Sarojini Naidu
Ans: (c)Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Explanation:
- “Songs From Prison: Translations Of Indian Lyrics Made In Jail” was the collection of songs and lyrics by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, written during his imprisonment in Yerwada Jail, Poona.Hence option (c) is the correct answer.