1.Consider the following statements regardingMagnetocaloric effect (MCE)
It is a phenomenon where the application and removal of a magnetic field causes certain materials to get warmer and cooler, respectively.
This effect normally occurs near its Curie temperature
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: ARCI develops Rare earth based magnetocaloric material for cancer treatment
- Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment.
- The magnetocaloric materials (certain materials in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler) developed by ARCI are being tested at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST).
- Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is a phenomenon where the application and removal of a magnetic field causes certain materials to get warmerand cooler, respectively. Hence statement 1 is correct
- This effect normally occurs near its Curie temperature where the application of field makes the material to warm up and cools up when the field is removed. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Magnetocaloric effect is utilized in magnetic refrigeration, which is an environmentally friendly technology to obtain cooling efficiency nearly 60 % compared to the conventional gas-compression refrigerators (40 %). However high magnetic fields of above 2 T are required.
- Magnetocaloric Materials are certain materials in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler.
- This method, when used in conjunction with radiation therapy, would reduce the side effects, damage caused to the human body and also reduce the treatment time of cancer tumours.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1630035
2.Consider the following statements regardingspotted-thighed frog (Litoria cyclorhyncha)
It is an alien population of the carnivorous frog could severely affect the native biodiversity
Recently, it is found in western ghats in india
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Carnivorous frog enters South Australia, could wreak havoc
- A new study has highlighted the possible impact on the environment of South Australia state in the wake of an alien carnivorous species of frog making its way to the area. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The spotted-thighed frog (Litoria cyclorhyncha) has been found to have established a 1,000-plus population in Streaky Bay in South Australia. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- Sightings have also been confirmed on the Eyre Peninsula and at the Adelaide airport.
- The authors of the study warned that the frog can kill and eat almost any creature belonging to local species and cause enormous damage to local food webs in the process.
- As proof, the authors cited the stomach contents of 76 frogs that they examined as part of the research. They were found to belong to 200 different species. Of these, 60 per cent were beetles, spiders and insects. Native geckos, young frogs and mice were also found.
- The authors also warned that if the frog was not controlled, it might spread eastwards into the basin of the Darling and Murray rivers, which extends into Victoria and New South Wales states.
- They called on the South Australia government to take urgent measures for controlling the spread of the frog.
3.Consider the following statements regarding River Vamsadhara
It is an east flowing river between Odisha and west Bengal
Mahendratanaya River is a major tributary river of Vamsadhara
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Jagan will take up Vamsadhara water dispute with Naveen soon: Minister
- River Vamsadhara: is an important east flowing river between Mahanadi and Godavari, in Southern Odisha and North Eastern Andhra Pradesh states in Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- The river originates in the border of Thuamul Rampur in the Kalahandi district and Kalyansinghpur in Rayagada district of Odisha and runs for a distance of about 254 kilometers, where it joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Mahendratanaya River is a major tributary river of Vamsadhara. Hence statement 2 is correct
4.Consider the following statements regarding Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020)
It is a biennial report published by Yale and Columbia Universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
India secured 168 rank in the 12th edition of this biennial Index
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: India must redouble sustainability efforts: Environment performance index
- India secured 168 rank in the 12th edition of the biennial Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020)— that measured the environmental performance of 180 countries — and was released by the Yale University on June 4, 2020. India’s rank was 177 (with a score of 27.6 out of 100) in 2018. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The global index considered 32 indicators of environmental performance, giving a snapshot of the 10-year trends in environmental performance at the national and global levels.
- India needs to re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts, according to the index. The country needs to focus on a wide spectrum of sustainability issues, with a high-priority to critical issues such as air and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.
- The 11 countries lagging behind India were — Burundi, Haiti, Chad, Soloman Islands, Madagascar, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoir, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Liberia.
- India scored below the regional average score on all five key parameters on environmental health, including air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals and waste management.
- These findings resonated with the concerns raised by the State of India’s Environment 2020: In figures, the annual report of released by Down to Earth magazine of the Centre for Science and Environment
About Environment Performance Index
- It is a biennial report published by Yale and Columbia Universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The 2020 EPI provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability around the world. Using 32 performance indicators across 11 issue categories, namely, air quality, sanitation, and drinking water, heavy metals, waste management, biodiversity, ecosystem services, fisheries, climate change, pollution emissions, agriculture, and water resources.
- The EPI ranks 180 countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
Good governance represents the most significant determinant of top-tier results. Real public participation in the policy process, a carefully structured regulatory strategy, open debate over goals and programs, the presence of a lively media and vibrant non-profits, and a commitment to the rule of law all correlate with out-performance over time.
5.Consider the following statements regarding COVID BEEP
- It is the India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients
- It is developed by ESIC Medical College Hyderabad in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and Department of Atomic Energy
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches COVID BEEP, India’s first physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients
- Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Jitendra Singh said ‘awareness’ and not ‘anxiety’ is the key to fighting COVID-19.
- Launching COVID BEEP, India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients. Hence statement 1 is correct
- COVID BEEP (Continuous Oxygenation & Vital Information Detection Biomed ECIL ESIC Pod) is India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients, developed by ESIC Medical College Hyderabad in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and Department OfAtomic Energy. Hence statement 2 is correct
- COVID BEEP is a perfect example of how synergy amongst the reputed institutes of India can offer solutions to most of the challenges faced by the country with minimum cost and thereby make the country Atmanirbhar in true sense
- COVID BEEP would emerge as an effective antidote to the original COVID
- COVID BEEP has also been incorporated in the ECG monitoring. COVID BEEP will greatly reduce the transmission risk as well as help save resources like PPEs.
Source: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=390702
6.Consider the following statements regarding World Meteorological Organisation
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
It monitors and forecasts the transport of chemical and oil spills, forest fires, volcanic ash, haze and nuclear isotopes.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: WMO lauds India Meteorological Department for its accurate prediction of cyclone Amphan
The World Meteorological Organisation has lauded the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for its accurate prediction of Cyclone Amphan
About World Meteorological Organisation
- WMO was created in 1950 as an intergovernmental organization.
- It became a specialized agency of the United Nations, in 1951, for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. Hence statement 1 is correct
- WMO is the UN systems authoritative voice on weather, climate and water.
- Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland.
- Through its members, WMO provides forecasts and early warnings to nations, which help prevent and mitigate disasters.
Objectives:
- WMO monitors and forecasts the transport of chemical and oil spills, forest fires, volcanic ash, haze and nuclear isotopes. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It also draws world attention to the depletion of the ozone layer.
7.Regarding Emission Norms for L7 (quadricycle) category for BS-VI, consider the following statements:
A quadricycle is the size of a four-wheeler but with three tyres.
The emission norms are on the lines of the European Union’s World Motorcycle Test Cycle
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Govt notifies BS-VI emission norms for quadricycles
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification regarding the emission norms for L7 (quadricycle) category for BS-VI. These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all category vehicles in India
A quadricycle is a vehicle which is the same in size as a 3-wheeler but with 4 tyres and fully covered like a car. It can have a maximum speed of not more than 70 kmph, and has to be within certain proportions – 3000 mm in length, 1500 mm in width, and 2500 mm in height. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- The Union Government notified the Bharat stage 6 (BS6) emission norms for Quadricycles or L7 category of vehicles in the country. Similar emission norms for all other vehicle categories were already rolled out in the country starting April 1, 2020.
- The notification issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways means that full-scale production of quadricycles can now restart.
- Quadricycles were introduced as a new category of transport vehicles in the country in the year 2018.
- These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS6 for all L, M and N category vehicles in India.
- The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle. Hence statement 2 is correct
- European Union’s World motorcycle test cycle (WMTC) is used to measure fuel consumption and emissions in motorcycles.
- India had harmonised its testing cycle with the WMTC effective from 2017.
8.With respect to Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, consider the following statements:
It is a new cross-parliamentary alliance to help counter what the threat posed by China’s growing influence on global trade, security and human rights.
US, Germany, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, as well as members of the European parliament are the participating nations of this alliance
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: To counter ‘authoritarian’ China, senior lawmakers from eight democracies unite to form new coalition
Lawmakers from 8 democracies have come together forming a new alliance to counter ‘authoritarian’ China
- It is a new cross-parliamentary alliance to help counter what the threat posed by China’s growing influence on global trade, security and human rights. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It bats for a free, open, and rules-based international order that supports human dignity
- IPAC’s aim is to foster deeper collaboration between like-minded legislators
- The participating nations include the US, Germany, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, as well as members of the European parliament. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Comprised of legislators from eight democracies it will be led by a group of co-chairs who are senior politicians drawn from a representative cross-section of the world’s major political parties.
- The group aims to “construct appropriate and coordinated responses, and to help craft a proactive and strategic approach on issues related to China.”
9.Consider the following statements regarding WCL EYE
It is a digital surveillance system that will monitor operations of 15 major mines of the company
It has launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: CIL’s Western Coalfields opens three new mines
- Recently, the Coal India Subsidiary – Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) has launched a surveillance system called WCLEYE for monitoring its mining operations and a mobile application named SAMVAAD to connect with its employees and stakeholders. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- WCL EYE is a digital surveillance system that will monitor operations of 15 major mines of the company, accountingfor 70% of the company’s coal production. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It will monitor coal stocks and availability of coal at sidings.
- It will also monitor placement of rakes and loading at railway sidings and ensure accountability.
10.In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the stratosphere?
Creating the artificial rains in some regions
Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
Reducing the global warming
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- The geo-engineering technique known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) could limit rising temperatures that are causing climate change.
- Cloud thinningstrategy would be used to shoot powder over cirrus clouds, which would thin out their coverage and alter their radiative effects over Earth. Hence option (d) is correct
