Bonalu Festival is celebrated in which one of the following states in India?
a) Telangana
b) Assam
c) Odisha
d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (a) Telangana
Explanation:
In NEWS: Bonalu’ festivities to begin in Telangana, officials urge Covid-19 norms
- Telangana is all set to celebrate the ‘Asha Bonalu’ festival, one of the biggest traditional folk festivals in the state.
- The Bonalu festival was declared a ‘state festival’ by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government after the state’s formation back in 2014.
- ‘Bonalu’ is a traditional folk festival celebrated every year in the Telugu month of Ashadham (falling in June/July), in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and some other parts of Telangana state. Hence option (a) is correct.
- The Bonalu festival involves devotees offering the traditional ‘bonam’ (derived from Bhojanam, meaning meals) to the goddess Mahankali at 25 temples.
- The origin of this festival can be traced back to the 18th Century in the erstwhile Hyderabad State.
- To celebrate ‘Bonalu’, devotees make ‘bonam’ (meal, comprising cooked rice, milk, and jaggery) in new earthen pots (ghatams), which womenfolk carry on their heads to the temple and offer to the deity. The pots are adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion.
- The first of these offerings — the ‘golden bonam’ — will be offered to the goddess Jagdamba at the temple in Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort at 12 noon.
Consider the following statements regarding Cropping Seasons in India:
- Rabi, Kharif and Zaid are the three cropping seasons of India.
- Kharif crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June.
- Rabi crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and these are harvested in September-October.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Kharif sowing till July 9 lagging by 10%
- India has completed sowing of the kharif season crop on 46% of the normal area of 1,073 lakh hectare allocated for summer cultivation. Farmers have sown kharif crops on 499.87 lakh hectares until July 9, about 10.4% lower than 558.11 lakh hectares sown during the corresponding period last year.
About Cropping Seasons in India
Various types of food and fibre crops, vegetables and fruits, spices and condiments, etc. constitute some of the important crops grown in the country. India has three cropping seasons — rabi, kharif and zaid. Hence statement (1) is incorrect.
About Rabi crops
- Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June. Some of the important rabi crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- Though these crops are grown in large parts of India, states from the north and northwestern parts such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are important for the production of wheat and other rabi crops.
- Availability of precipitation during winter months due to the western temperate cyclones helps in the success of these crops.
- However, the success of the green revolution in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan has also been an important factor in the growth of the abovementioned rabi crops.
About Kharif crops:
- Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and these are harvested in September-October. Hence statement (3) is correct.
- Important crops grown during this season are paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, tur (arhar), moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut and soybean. Some of the most important rice-growing regions are Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, particularly the (Konkan coast) along with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- Recently, paddy has also become an important crop of Punjab and Haryana. In states like Assam, West Bengal and Odisha, three crops of paddy are grown in a year. These are Aus, Aman and Boro
About Zaid season
- In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is a short season during the summer months known as the Zaid season. Some of the crops produced during ‘zaid’ are watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops. Sugarcane takes almost a year to grow.
Recently, the term Bryum Bharatiensis is seen in news, it is related to
a) It is a native moss species in Antarctica
b) It is a jellyfish species largely found in the Bay of Bengal region
c) It is a kind of rubber tree found in Western Ghats
d) It is a medicinal plant species discovered in Assam temples
Answer: (a) It is a native moss species in Antarctica
Explanation:
In NEWS: Indian scientists discover novel plant species in Antarctica
- Polar biologists from India have discovered a new plant in Antarctica. The native species of moss has been named Bryum bharatiensis. Hence option (a) is correct
- Indian scientists have discovered a new plant species in Antarctica. The species is named Bryum bharatiensis – after the country’s name and India’s Antarctic station Bharati. Bharati is also the name of the Hindu goddess of learning.
- Antarctica is getting greenified. Many temperate species of plants that previously could not survive in this frozen continent are now seen everywhere because of the warming up of the continent
- This is the first time a plant species has been discovered in the four decades of the Indian Antarctic mission, which began in 1981.
- India’s first Antarctic station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1984 but got abandoned and decommissioned in 1990 as the station submerged in the ice sheet. Maitri station was commissioned in 1989 while Bharti station in 2012, both are currently operational. They remain operational throughout the year.
Source: https://newsonair.com/2021/07/10/indian-scientists-discover-novel-plant-species-in-antarctica/
Consider the following statements regarding Madden-Julian Oscillation:
- It is a moving band of rain clouds that travels around the globe.
- It is most prominent over the Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean sea.
- The changes in behaviour of this oscillation have increased the rainfall over northern Australia and southeast Asia.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 only
- b) 2 and 3 only
- c) 1 and 3 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Why the monsoon stalled in 2021: Blame it on anomalous world weather
- The southwest monsoon, one of the most stable weather systems on the planet, has gone for a toss in 2021. This is a major cause of concern for the millions of farmers in India who are still dependent on the annual rainfall season for their agricultural activities.
- These oscillations determine the further progress of the trough. A repeat of last year, with excess rain later this month and into September and even a delayed withdrawal into October, may happen again.
- As of July 12, the monsoon winds over India have remained stalled for 24 days. This is one of the longest such hiatus in the progress of the monsoon season over India in recent time and even if the monsoon revives, it may remain weak for the next week or so.
- The monsoon stalling is also one of the reasons for the spate of heat waves in north and north west India for the past few weeks.
- Another reason for the break in monsoon progress that all scientists have highlighted is the unfavourable Madden Julian oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole. The Madden Julian Oscillation is an eastward moving pulse of cloud and rainfall that recurs every 30 to 60 days. It causes major fluctuations in the monsoon over India.
About Madden-Julian Oscillation:
- It is an oceanic-atmospheric phenomenon which affects weather activities across the globe. It brings major fluctuation in tropical weather on weekly to monthly timescales.
- The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), as it’s called, is a moving band of rain clouds that travels around the globe spanning 12,000–20,000 km across the tropical oceans. Hence statement (1) is correct.
- The MJO can be defined as an eastward moving ‘pulse’ of clouds, rainfall, winds and pressure near the equator that typically recurs every 30 to 60 days.
- It’s a traversing phenomenon and is most prominent over the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- The MJO clouds on average are spending only 15 days, instead of 19, over the Indian Ocean. Over the west Pacific, it increased by five days (from an average 16 days to 23 days). Hence statement (3) is correct.
- This change in the residence time of MJO clouds has altered the weather patterns across the globe.
- The changes in MJO behaviour have increased the rainfall over northern Australia, west Pacific, Amazon basin, southwest Africa and southeast Asia.
- This has also brought a decline in rainfall over the central Pacific, along the west and east coast of the U.S. (e.g., California), north India, east Africa and the Yangtze basin in China.
- The frequent California fires, droughts in Africa and East Asian floods and cyclones in the Bay of Bengal may be linked to these changes in global weather.
Source:
Consider the following statements regarding India industrial Land Bank System:
- It was launched by the Reserve Bank of India.
- It is a one-stop repository of all industrial infrastructure-related information.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 only
- b) 2 only
- c) Both 1 and 2
- d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: GIS Enabled Land Bank gaining popularity
- According to the Ministry of Commerce, the India industrial land bank system has been integrated with industry-based GIS systems of 17 states so far and will achieve pan-India integration by December 2021.
- India Industrial Land Bank System(IILBS) was launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2020. Hence statement (1) is incorrect.
- The India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) is a GIS-based portal – a one-stop repository of all industrial infrastructure-related information – connectivity, infra, natural resources & terrain, plot-level information on vacant plots, line of activity, and contact details. Hence statement (2) is correct.
- Currently, the IILB has approximately 4000 industrial parks mapped across an area of 5.5 lakh hectare of land, serving as a decision support system for investors scouting for land remotely.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1734169
Consider the following statements regarding Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES):
- It is a severe case of encephalitis transmitted by mosquitoes and is characterized by high fever and inflammation of the brain.
- It commonly affects old and disabled people.
- Japanese encephalitis virus is the major cause of AES in India.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 and 2 only
- b) 1 and 3 only
- c) 1 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: 97 Lakh Households get tap Water Supply in 5 Encephalitis Affected States in Just 22 Months
- Prime Minister has emphasised providing clean tap water on priority to every household in Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (JE-AES) affected areas under Jal Jeevan Mission.
- The districts of Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are on the high priority.
- Jal Jeevan Mission has significantly strengthened the preventive measures to reduce the spread of JE-AES by providing a clean tap water supply to economically poor households in these states.
- Specific funds for JE-AES affected priority districts are allocated on the basis of drinking water sources and the extent of water contamination.
About Acute Encephalitis Syndrome:
- Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a serious public health problem in India.
- It is characterized as acute-onset of fever and a change in mental status (mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, or coma) and/or new-onset of seizures in a person of any age at any time of the year. Hence statement (1) is correct.
- The disease most commonly affects children and young adults and can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- Viruses are the main causative agents in AES cases, although other sources such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, spirochetes, chemicals, toxins, and noninfectious agents have also been reported over the past few decades.
- It is not vaccine-preventable.
- Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the major cause of AES in India (ranging from 5%-35%). Hence statement (3) is correct.
- Herpes simplex virus, Nipah virus, Zika virus, Influenza A virus, West Nile virus, Chandipura virus, mumps, measles, dengue, scrub typhus, S.pneumoniae are also found as causative agents for AES.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1734397
Consider the following statements regarding Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha:
- The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the President of India.
- The Deputy Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.
- He/She cannot preside over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament if the speaker is absent.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a) 2 only
- b) 2 and 3 only
- c) 1 and 2 only
- d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: (a) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: Electing a Speaker and Deputy Speaker
- The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has been without a Speaker for most of this year. Last week, it concluded its two-day Monsoon Session without electing a Speaker.
- Maharashtra has been without a Speaker since February, 2021 while Lok Sabha and several State Assemblies are without a Deputy Speaker.
About Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- The Deputy Speaker is also elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members right after the election of the Speaker has taken place.
- The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker (date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President). Hence statement (1) is incorrect.
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha (5 years). Hence statement (2) is correct.
- The Deputy Speaker has one special privilege, that is, whenever he/she is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee, he/she automatically becomes its chairman.
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha (5 years).
The Deputy Speaker may vacate his/her office earlier in any of the following three cases:
- If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
- If he resigns by writing to the Speaker.
- If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.
- The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker’s office when it is vacant.
- He/She also acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent from the sitting of the House. Hence statement (3) is incorrect.
- He/She also presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-electing-a-speaker-deputy-speaker-7399970/
Consider the following statements regarding Lightning:
It is a very rapid and massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere.
The Cloud to ground lightning is visible and harmless.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: 68 killed in lightning strikes in 3 States; experts issue warning
- With the monsoon making a slow revival over several parts of India, except the northwest region, there is a rise in lightning-linked deaths.
- Nearly 68 were reportedly struck dead by lightning on a single day in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, according to reports from the States
- In 2019, an analysis by private weather company Skymet reported that five States accounted for half the lightning strikes that year, led by Odisha with 9,37,462 strikes or about 16% of the cloud-to-ground strikes. There were 20 million lightning strikes in that period with over 72% of them being instances of “in-cloud” lightning.
- Of these, 35.3% deaths were reported due to ‘lightning’, 15.6% deaths due to ‘heat/sun stroke’ and 11.6% deaths due to ‘flood’. Most of those who died due to accidents caused by forces of nature were reported to be belonging to the age-group of 30-45 (25.3%) and 45-60 (24.9%) together.
- Under ‘lightning’, Bihar (400), Madhya Pradesh (400), Jharkhand (334) and Uttar Pradesh (321) reported the maximum number of victims.
About Lightning
- It is a very rapid and massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. It is the process of occurrence of a natural ‘electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud’, accompanied by a bright flash and sound, and sometimes thunderstorms. Hence statement (1) is correct.
- Inter cloud or intra cloud (IC) lightning are visible and harmless.
- It is cloud to ground (CG) lightning, which is harmful as the ‘high electric voltage and electric current’ leads to electrocution. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- It is a result of the difference in electrical charge between the top and bottom of a cloud.
- As water vapour moves upwards in the cloud, it condenses into water due to decreasing temperatures. A huge amount of heat is generated in the process, pushing the water molecules further up.
- As they move to temperatures below zero, droplets change into small ice crystals. As they continue upwards, they gather mass, until they become so heavy that they start descending.
- It leads to a system where smaller ice crystals move upwards while larger ones come down. The resulting collisions trigger release of electrons, in a process very similar to the generation of electric sparks. The moving free electrons cause more collisions and more electrons leading to a chain reaction.
- The process results in a situation in which the top layer of the cloud gets positively charged while the middle layer is negatively charged.
- It is a result of the difference in electrical charge between the top and bottom of a cloud. The lightning-generating clouds are typically about 10-12 km in height, with their base about 1-2 km from the Earth’s surface. The temperatures at the top range from -35°C to -45°C.
Source: TH Pg: No: 8
Consider the following statements:
- Jagannath Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri, Odisha.
- Jagannath Temple is believed to have been constructed in the sixth century by the Chalukyan King.
- This Jagannath temple is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage sites of India.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 2 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Puri Rath Yatra under way without devotees
The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath got underway without devotees for the second year in a row in the coastal town of Puri on Monday due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Majestic chariots of sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra were towed by ‘sevayatas’ (traditional priests).
Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Ratha Jatra, also called as Chariot Festival, is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri, Odisha. Hence statement (1) is correct.
- The festival is celebrated on the 2nd day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh, the third month, according to the traditional Oriya calendar.
- It is a 9 day-long event and marks the return of Lord Krishna to Vrindavan with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (maternal aunt’s home) near Saradha Bali, Puri.
- During the festival, the three holy chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram (Balabhadra) and sister Subhadra are pulled by thousands of devotees from India and abroad.
About Jagannath Temple
- The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.
- This temple was called the “White Pagoda” and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram). Hence statement (3) is correct.
- There are four gates to the temple- Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ which is the main gate with two crouching lions, Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, Western ‘Vyaghra Dwara’ and Northern ‘Hastidwara’. There is a carving of each form at each gate.
- In front of the entrance stands the Aruna stambha or sun pillar, which was originally at the Sun Temple in Konark.
Source: TH Pg: No: 10
In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be potential sites for carbon sequestration?
Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Carbon sequestration is the process involved in carbon capture and the long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- Geological sequestration involves the storage of CO2 underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline formations or deep, unmineable coal beds. Hence option (d) is correct.
