Consider the following statements regarding Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- It was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit
- It is a collaboration of Government of India, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Bank, the UN Development Programme and the Global Commission on Adaptation.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: With 22,889 new COVID-19 cases, India’s tally nears one crore-mark
- India recognised the COVID-19 threat early and pursued a scientific evidence-based approach to combat the situation, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan while addressing a virtual event by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
- Speaking on “Build Back Better: building resilient health infrastructure and supply chains”, Vardhan
About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
- The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) highlights the role of improved disaster resilience, especially of infrastructure, as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
- While inaugurating the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the Prime Minister of India announced that India would work with partner countries and key stakeholders in launching a “Coalition” for disaster resilient infrastructure.
- It was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Government of India has been engaging with national governments, multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, the private sector and academia to build the case for investing in resilient infrastructure.
- It is a collaboration of Government of India, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Bank, the UN Development Programme and the Global Commission on Adaptation. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The members of CDRI are Afghanistan, Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, India, Japan, Mauritius, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and United States.
Purpose of CDRI
- The Coalition would address a common challenge of building resilience into infrastructure systems, particularly in the context of increasing disaster risk in the face of climate change.
- The Coalition would provide access to good practices to develop appropriate standards as well as regulatory mechanisms to manage infrastructure development in a manner that fosters resilience.
- The Coalition would also serve as a platform where knowledge is generated and exchanged on different aspects of disaster resilience of infrastructure.
- It will bring together a multitude of stakeholders i.e. governments, private sector, academic research institutions and international organisations.
Consider the following statements regarding Border Surveillance System (BOSS)
- It is an all-weather electronic surveillance system successfully designed and developed by Instruments Research & Development Establishment
- It facilitates monitoring and surveillance by automatically detecting the intrusions in harsh high-altitude sub-zero temperature areas with remote operation capability.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Rajnath hands three new systems built by DRDO to Armed Forces
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed three indigenously-developed Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) systems — one of which is already being used in eastern Ladakh where India and China are involved in a standoff — to the armed forces at the annual DRDO awards.
About BOSS
- The Border Surveillance System (BOSS), which Singh handed over to Army chief General MM Naravane is an “all-weather” electronic surveillance system successfully designed and developed by Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun and has been deployed at Ladakh border area for day and night surveillance. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It facilitates monitoring and surveillance by automatically detecting the intrusions in harsh high-altitude sub-zero temperature areas with remote operation capability, according to the DRDO. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It consists of Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) and EO payload mounted on a pan-tilt unit kept at the observation tower.
About Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System (IMSAS)
- It is a state-of-the-art, fully indigenous, high performance intelligent software system that provide Global Maritime situational picture, marine planning tools and Analytical capabilities.
- The system provides Maritime Operational Picture from Naval HQ to each individual ship in sea to enable Naval Command and control (C2).
- The Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru and Indian Navy has jointly conceptualised and developed the product and with the BEL.
ASTRA Missile
- It is the indigenously developed first Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile.
- It can be launched from Sukhoi-30, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Mig-29 and Mig-29K.
- It has been developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Hyderabad.
Consider the following statements about Mission Purvodaya
- It is aimed at accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hub.
- Under this mission, it will enhance capacity through easing the setup of greenfield steel plants, develop steel clusters near integrated steel plants as well as demand centres.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Steel Minister emphasizes role of SAIL steel plants in Mission Purvodaya to drive development of eastern India
- Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today visited SAIL’s IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) and Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) situated in Burnpur and Durgapur at West Bengal
- Both IISCO and Durgapur steel plants of SAIL have an important role to play in the development of the eastern region as well as the nation. They are important players not only for the region but for the nation as a whole.
- It is expected that out of the 300 Million Tonne capacity by 2030-31, over 200 Million Tonne can come from this region alone.
About Mission Purvodaya
- The programme is aimed at accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hub. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Under the mission, the government said it will enhance capacity through easing the setup of greenfield steel plants, develop steel clusters near integrated steel plants as well as demand centres. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The focus will be on eastern states of India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal) and the northern part of Andhra Pradesh which collectively holds 80% of the country’s iron ore, 100% of coking coal and a significant portion of chromite, bauxite and dolomite reserves.
- Japan is the partner country who will guide India in making Indian steel ecosystem bigger both in qualitative and quantitative terms.
Source:https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=217624#:~:text=Shri%20Pradhan%20had%20launched%20the,the%20country’s%20steel%20making%20capacity.
Consider the following statements about Indian Institute of Heritage
- It is a proposed institute under the Ministry of Culture
- It is to be set up in accordance with Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the UGC guidelines for setting up HEIs.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Prahlad Singh Patel chairs meeting of National Museum Institute Society; reviews proposal of setting up Indian Institute of Heritage
- The Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (IC), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel chaired a meeting of the National Museum Institute Society in New Delhi today. Outstation members attended the meeting through Virtual Mode. The agenda of the meeting was confirmation of the minutes of previous meeting of the society, which was held on 13.03.2020, relating to announcement of Government to establish Indian Institute of Heritage (IIH), and also to deliberate upon changing the nomenclature of existing National Museum Institute Society to Indian Institute of Heritage Society (IIHS).
About Indian Institute of Heritage
- Indian Institute of Heritage is a proposed institute under the Ministry of Culture. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was announced as part of the Budget 2020-21.
- It is to be set up in accordance with Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the UGC guidelines for setting up HEIs. It is to be established as a centre of excellence in arts and heritage studies and is to have the status of a ‘deemed university’. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Certificate and diploma courses, currently run by various institutions like IGNCA and National Archives of India, are to be brought under IIH.
- The institute is being set up for the acquisition of knowledge in disciplines such as archaeology and museology. India currently lags trained manpower in both these disciplines.
Source: https://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1681498
Consider the following statements regarding National Rail Plan
- The objective of the Plan is to create capacity ahead of demand by 2030, which in turn would cater to growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways from 27% currently to 45% in freight by 2030.
- It aims to Reduce transit time of freight substantially by increasing average speed of freight trains from present 22Kmph to 50Kmph.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In News: Indian Railways issues draft National Rail Plan to create capacity by 2030
- The objective of the Plan is to create capacity ahead of demand by 2030, which in turn would cater to growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways from 27% currently to 45% in freight by 2030. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It aims to Reduce transit time of freight substantially by increasing average speed of freight trains from present 22Kmph to 50Kmph. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- Three Dedicated Freight Corridors, namely East Coast, East-West & North-South identified along with timelines. PETS survey already underway
- Assess Locomotive requirement to meet twin objectives of 100% electrification (Green Energy) by December 2023 and also the increasing traffic right up to 2030 and beyond up to 2050.
- Several new High Speed Rail Corridors have also been identified. Survey on Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Rail already under way
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indian-railways-issues-draft-national-rail-plan-to-create-capacity-by-2030-11608290915196.html
Recently, Solar winds hack seen in the news, which is
- Solarstorm
- Cyber attack
- It is newly founded asteroid
- None of the above
Answer: b) Cyber attack
Explanation:
In NEWS: A massive hack in the US, using a novel set of tools
- The ‘SolarWinds hack’, a cyberattack recently discovered in the United States, has emerged as one of the biggest ever targeted against the US government, its agencies and several other private companies. In fact, it is likely a global cyberattack. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/us-solarwinds-hack-cybersecurity-fireeye-russia-7110550/
Consider the following statements
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a line of domestic pigs referred to as GalSafe pigs.
- The pigs are the first GM animal to be approved for food in U.S.A.
- Genetically modified (GM) pigs have been approved for food and medical use in the US, drawing mixed reactions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: What US FDA nod for genetically modified pigs means
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a line of domestic pigs referred to as GalSafe pigs. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Genetically modified (GM) pigs have been approved for food and medical use in the US, drawing mixed reactions. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The pigs are only the second GM animal to be approved for food after GM salmon in 2015. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- The US FDA this week approved the GM pigs, which have been engineered to eliminate alpha-gal, a sugar found in pigs that can cause allergic reactions.
- The FDA said it was the first time it had approved a GM animal for human food and medical use.
- The FDA said it had determined that the food from the GM pigs, known as GalSafe pigs, is “safe for the general population to eat”, and suggested the meat might be sold by mail order.
- Intentional genomic alteration in animals means making specific changes to the genome of the organism using modern molecular technologies that are popularly referred to as “genome editing” or “genetic engineering”.
- However, there are other technologies that can be used to make IGAs in animals.
- Such changes in the DNA sequence of an animal may be carried out for research purposes, to produce healthier meat for human consumption and to study disease resistance in animals among other reasons.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-fda-nod-for-genetically-modified-pigs-means-7110376/
Consider the following statements
- On December 21, almost all the viewers across the world will be able to see the two gas giants very close to each other, while they will still be hundreds of millions of miles apart in space.
- After nearly 400 years, Saturn and Jupiter will be brought closest in the night sky by an astronomical event called the “great conjunction”
- A conjunction is not unique to Saturn and Jupiter however, it is the name given to any event where planets or asteroids appear to be very close together in the sky when viewed from the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: What is the ‘Christmas Star’ conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter and how can you see it?
- After nearly 400 years, Saturn and Jupiter will be brought closest in the night sky by an astronomical event called the “great conjunction” and popularly referred to as the “Christmas Star”. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- On December 21, almost all the viewers across the world will be able to see the two gas giants very close to each other, while they will still be hundreds of millions of miles apart in space. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- A conjunction is not unique to Saturn and Jupiter however, it is the name given to any event where planets or asteroids appear to be very close together in the sky when viewed from the Earth. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Astronomers use the word “great” for the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn because of the planets’ sizes.
- The “Great Conjunction” happens once in about 20 years because of the time each of the planets take to orbit around the Sun. Jupiter takes roughly 12 years to complete one lap around the Sun and Saturn takes 30 years.
- This year, however, the event is rare because the planets will come the closest to each other in nearly four centuries.
Source https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/christmas-star-saturn-jupiter-7110041/
Consider the following statements
- S-400 Triumf is one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems that can simultaneously track numerous incoming objects
- It includes all kinds of aircraft, missiles and UAVs
- The S-400 includes advanced radar designed to detect stealth fighters like the F-35.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Won’t step back from S 400 deal with Russia, says Turkey
- S-400 Triumf is one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems that can simultaneously track numerous incoming objects
- It includes all kinds of aircraft, missiles and UAVs
- The S-400 includes advanced radar designed to detect stealth fighters like the F-35. hence all the above statements are correct.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/wont-step-back-from-s-400-deal-with-russia-says-turkey/article33358145.ece
In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology. “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for
- fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
- genetic modification of sperm producing cells
- development of stem cells into functional embryos
- prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
Answer: (d) prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
Explanation:
- A pronucleus (plural: pronuclei) is the nucleus of a sperm or an egg cell during the process of fertilization. Hence option (d) is correct answer
Topics: UPSC, Preliminary Examination, IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS, Civil Services Examination, UPSC Mains, prelims, prelims practice questions, Prelims mcq, prelims mcq questions
