Consider the following statements regarding Krishi Megh initiative
- It is aimed at protecting the precious data of the government’s premier research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
- It has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management in Hyderabad.
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: Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR’s data recovery centre ‘Krishi Megh’
- Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched ICAR’s data recovery centre – Krishi Megh.
- The move is aimed at protecting the precious data of the government’s premier research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Currently, the main data centre of the ICAR is at the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) in the national capital.
- Hyderabad has been chosen as it lies in a different seismic zone with regard to the Data Centre at ICAR-IASRI in New Delhi. He said Hyderabad is also suitable as skilled IT manpower is available along with other suitable climatic conditions such as low humidity level which is controllable in the data center environment.
- It has been built to mitigate the risk, enhance the quality, availability and accessibility of e-governance, research, extension and education in the field of agriculture in India.
- Krishi Megh is a step forward towards digital agriculture of ‘New India’, as has been envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- He also launched the KVC ALUNET (Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Chhatr Alumni Network) and Online Accreditation System for Higher Agricultural Educational Institutions.
Consider the following statements regarding National Agricultural Higher Education Project
- It is the Government of India-World Bank funded project, designed for strengthening the national agricultural education system in the country
- It aims to provide more relevant and high-quality education to the agricultural university students that is in tune with the New Education Policy – 2020
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: Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR’s data recovery centre ‘Krishi Megh’
Krishi Megh has been set up under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), funded by both the government and World Bank.
About National Agricultural Higher Education Project
- NAHEP has been formulated by ICAR.
- The project is proposed on 50:50 cost sharing basis between the World Bank and the Government of India, implemented at the Education Division, ICAR, New Delhi. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The overall objectiveof the project is to provide more relevant and high-quality education to the agricultural university students that is in tune with the New Education Policy – 2020. Hence statement 2 is correct
- There are three components to the project:
– Support to agricultural universities by financing investments by participating AUs to improve the quality and relevance of agricultural education and research toward agricultural transformation.
– Investment in ICAR leadership in agricultural higher education. This component will finance the carrying out of institutional reforms within ICAR in order to enhance ICAR’s effectiveness.
– Project management and learning to strengthen ICAR’s management capacity for project implementation.
In which of the following country ‘Mount Sinabung volcano’ is located?
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Philippines
- Mexico
Answer: (a) Indonesia
Explanation:
In NEWS:Explained: How dangerous is the volcanic eruption in Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung
- Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung volcano erupted on Monday, sending a column of ash and smoke more than 16,000 feet into the air. The volcano became active in 2010, erupting after nearly 400 years of inactivity.Hence option (a) is correct
- The reason why volcanic eruptions can be dangerous in places such as Indonesia, is that in this country, large populations are packed on and around volcanoes.
- Indonesia is home to many active volcanoes, due to its position on the “Ring of Fire”, or the Circum-Pacific Belt, which is an area along the Pacific Ocean characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
- The Ring of Fire is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes and about 90 per cent of its earthquakes.
- According to the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), USA, generally, there are about 20 volcanoes actively erupting every day.
- It is a stratovolcano in the North Sumatra, Indonesia, 40 kilometres from the Lake Toba super volcano.
Consider the following statements regarding National Infrastructure Pipeline
- It is a first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure across the country, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
- It will improve project preparation and attract only foreign investments into infrastructure, and will be crucial for attaining the target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by FY 2025.
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:FM launches NIP online dashboard for info on infra projects across India
- A high-level task force submitted a final report on the National Infrastructure Pipeline with projected infrastructure investment of Rs 111 trillion during 2020-25.
- The online dashboard is being hosted on the India Investment Grid (IIG). IIG is an interactive and dynamic online platform that showcases updated and real-time investment opportunities in the country
- NIP will provide a boost to the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The availability of NIP projects on IIG will ensure easy accessibility to updated project information and attract investors for PPP projects.
About National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)
- NIP is based on the recommendation of the Atanu Chakraborty Task Force
- NIP is a first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure across the country, and improve the quality of life for all citizens. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It aims to improve project preparation, attract investments (both domestic and foreign) into infrastructure, and will be crucial for the target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by FY 2025. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- Aggregate the information provided by various stakeholders across infrastructure sub-sectors identified in the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure.
- A bottom-up approach was adopted wherein all projects (Greenfield or Brownfield, Under Implementation or under conceptualisation) costing greater than Rs 100 crore per project were sought to be captured.
- The NIP project database is on India Investment Grid (IIG), providing visibility to the NIP and helping in its financing with prospective investors; domestic and foreign, being able to access updated project level information.
- Each line Ministry/State would further add new projects and update their respective project details at predefined time intervals so that updated data is available to prospective investors.
Consider the following statements regarding India Investment Grid
- It is an initiative of Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce
- It aims to enhance the ease of doing business and connects potential investors to project promoters across India.
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 for Finance inaugurated the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Online Dashboard.
- The online dashboard is envisaged as a one stop solution for all stakeholders looking for information on infrastructure projects in New India.
- The dashboard is being hosted on the India Investment Grid (IIG).
About India Investment Grid (IIG)
- It is an initiative of Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) Ministry of Commerce, Government of India and Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency.Hence statement 1 is correct
- IIG is an interactive and dynamic online platform that showcases updated & real-time investment opportunities in the country.
- As New India has emerged as the world’s leading investment destination, the India Investment Grid (IIG) showcases a menu of investment options across India on a single interactive platform.
- An initiative to enhance the ease of doing business, IIG connects potential investors to project promoters across India.Hence statement 2 is correct
Consider the following statements regarding Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
- It was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests
- It was establishedunder the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country with the view to enhance their role in conservation.
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:Arrival of leopard cubs gives boost to Nagpur rescue centre’s animal adoption policy
- The Gorewada rescue centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra, updated its animal adoption policy on Monday after the arrival of four abandoned leopard cubs
- The adoption of these captive animals will help them live in national parks and reserves because the Maharashtra government will continue to own them
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, had introduced a similar adoption scheme in 2014.
- So far, 20 animals have been adopted under this scheme
- The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had approved the scheme in 2013, as a viable option to provide financial assistance to rescue centres and zoological parks in the country and create more awareness among the public for the conservation of captive animals.
About Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
- The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests by the Government of India.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was established in 1992 under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country with the view to enhance their role in conservation.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- It is an affiliate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
- The Central Zoo Authority has been constituted under the section 38A of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
- The Central Zoo Authority with its headquarters in New Delhi.
- The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary.
Objective:
- To enforce minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in the Indian zoos and to control the mushrooming of ill-conceived, ill planned zoos,
- To monitor and evaluate the existing zoos and to suggest ways and means for the improvement of zoos in the country so that they can be transferred into potent centres for ex-situ conservation of endangered wild fauna.
Consider the following statements
- Seagrasses are flowering marine plants that have adapted to survive in marine conditions.
- They are mostly found in shallow sandy bottom habitats and can form dense extensive meadows.
- There are about 72 seagrass species distributed across the world’s temperate and tropical oceans
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS:Kenya’s coast is losing huge amounts of seagrass. But all isn’t lost
The UN environmental programme has released a report warning that fishing trawlers, seaweed farming, and tourism off the coast of Kenya is threatening the survival of seagrasses.
What is seagrass and why is it important?
- Seagrasses are flowering marine plants that have adapted to survive in marine conditions. Hence statement 1 is correct
- They are mostly found in shallow sandy bottom habitats and can form dense extensive meadows.Hence statement 2 is correct
- There are about 72 seagrass species distributed across the world’s temperate and tropical oceans. These meadows trap sediment, absorb nutrients and give us clear waters.Hence statement 3 is correct
- They’re a source of food, shelter and nursery areas for many organisms, including commercially important fish. This means that they provide food security for coastal communities by supporting artisanal fisheries and are an integral part of coastal livelihoods. They also support a number of endangered species such as dugongs, sea turtles and sea horses.
- Seagrass meadows are also important carbon sinks, capable of trapping carbon from the atmosphere 40 times faster than tropical rainforests and storing it for hundreds of years.
What’s happening to it along the coast of Kenya?
- There are about 12 species of seagrasses distributed along the Kenyan coast. According to the latest research (published about two years ago), seagrasses along the Kenyan coast covers an area of about 317 square kilometres.
- Overgrazing, in particular by the collector sea urchin, has been a major factor in how seagrass is distributed along the Kenyan coast.
- Between 1986 and 2016 — a period of 30 years — Kenya lost about 21 per cent of its seagrass cover.
- Kenya’s seagrass rehabilitation efforts are commendable and contributed to the development of seagrass ecosystem restoration guidelines for the Western Indian Ocean region, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Consider the following statements regarding Project Cheetah
- It is a project to upgrade the drones for carrying out offensive operations against the enemy.
- Under this project, 90 Heron drones of the three services would be upgraded to be armed with laser-guided bombs, air to ground and air-launched anti-tank guided missiles.
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:Govt clears fast-tracking of projects to arm Israeli dronesproduce Russian AK rifles in India
- Amid border tensions with China, Indian armed forces have reportedly decided to revive ‘Project Cheetah’ and push for arming their Heron UAVs with laser-guided bombs, precision-guided munitions and anti-tank missiles.
- The ‘Project Cheetah’ has been pending for a long time and now the tri-services have decided to revive it, which is likely to cost the exchequer over Rs 3,500 crore.
- The tri-services have sent a fresh demand to the government for the ‘Project Cheetah’.
About Project Cheetah
- The ‘Cheetah’ is a project to upgrade the drones for carrying out offensive operations against the enemy. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Under the project, tri-services want to equip their fleet of around 90 Heron drones with laser-guided bombs and anti-tank missiles to take out enemy posts and armoured regiments.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Under this project, around 90 Heron drones of the three services would be upgraded to be armed with laser-guided bombs, air to ground and air-launched anti-tank guided missilesnews agency ANI quoted government sources as saying.
- The project on upgrading the drones for carrying out offensive operations against the enemies would involve a number of Indian-developed solutions too.
- The upgraded UAVs can be used against conventional military operations as well as in counter-terrorism operations in future.
- With the upgrade in reconnaissance capabilities, the forces on the ground would also be able to get pin-point intelligence about hideouts in areas where men have to be involved in operations.
- The upgrades would also enable the Armed forces’ ground station handlers to operate these aircraft from far-off distances and control them through the satellite communication system.
Consider the following statements regarding Radio waves
- They are waves with wavelengths shorter than infrared light.
- Like all other electromagnetic waves, radio waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum.
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: This exoplanet’s discovery using radio waves matters so much?
The mass of the newly discovered planet is similar to that of Saturn’s. The dwarf star that it orbits is not a large one. The exoplanet is located about 35 light-years away.
One of the key features of the exoplanet is that its orbit is wobbly because the gravitational of the star is not at its centre which makes the phenomenon possible.
About Radio waves:
- Radio waves are waves with wavelengths longer than infrared light. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- Radio waves have frequencies as high as 300 gigahertz (GHz) to as low as 3 kHz.
- The wavelength of a radio wave can be anywhere from shorter than a grain of rice to longer than the radius of the Earth.
- Like all other electromagnetic waves, radio waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum.Hence statement 2 is correct
- They are generated by electric charges undergoing acceleration, such as time varying electric currents.
- The lightning and astronomical objects produce naturally occurring radio waves.
- Radio waves are generated artificially by transmitters and received by radio receivers, using antennas.
- Artificially formed radio waves are used in radio communication, radar, computer networks, broadcasting, different navigation systems and different applications.
Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy:
- The Principles spell out of the socio economic democracy in the country.
- The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.
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:
- The directive principles are meant for promoting the ideal of social and economic democracy.Hence statement 1 is correct
- However, unlike the Fundamental Rights, the directives are non-justiciable in nature, that is, they are not enforceable by the courts for their violation. Hence statement 2 is correct
