1. Consider the following statements with reference to National Commission on Scheduled Castes (NCSC):
- It is a constitutional body.
- Article 238 of the Indian constitution deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
- It was established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo-Indian communities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer:(c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In news: SC panel meets Lakhimpur Kheri rape victims’ family
NCSC:
- NCSC is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo-Indian communities to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests; special provisions were made in the Constitution. Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Hence statements (1) and (3) are correct.
- Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
- It provides for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development etc.
2. Consider the following statements with reference to Egypt, recently visited by our defence minister:
- Egypt is located completely above the Tropic of Cancer.
- Its capital is located west of the Nile River.
- The Nile River forms a delta in the Mediterranean Sea.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 3 only
In news: Rajnath on 2-day Egypt visit, agrees to focus on defence co-production
Explanation: Refer map below
3. Recently UNSC 1267 committee was seen in news, it is associated with
- Child rights
- Women rights
- Terrorism
- Israel and Palestine
Answer: (c) Terrorism
Explanation:
In news: China defends move to block Lashkar terrorist Mir’s listing
China on Monday defended its controversial move to block a joint India-U.S. effort to place a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist on the U.N. Security Council’s 1267 committee sanctions list. Hence option (c) is correct.
Sajid Mir, who is wanted for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is lodged in a Pakistan jail after being convicted of terror financing at a trial earlier this year.
- India and the US jointly proposed to list Makki, a top LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) Militant, under the UN Security Council’s Al-Qaeda and ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) Sanctions Committee which is also known as the UNSC 1267 Committee.
- But China placed a “technical hold” on the proposal to list Makki and this measure can last for up to six months at a time.
- Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the Islamic State, transnational Sunni insurgent group operating primarily in western Iraq and eastern Syria.
4. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)?
- This treaty was signed during the session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome in November 2001.
- The treaty seeks to achieve food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA).
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: No negotiations at the cost of food security, says Tomar at agriculture conference
The ITPGRFA was signed during the 31st session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome in November 2001. Hence statement (1) is correct.
The treaty seeks to achieve food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), equitable sharing of profits from its use, as well as playing an important role in the recognition of rights of farmers. Hence statement (2) is correct.
5. With reference to International Finance Corporation, consider the following statements:
- IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries.
- IFC is a member of the World Bank Group.
- India was a founding member of this institution.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In news: FM urges World Bank arm IFC to raise lending to India
IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. Hence statement (1) is correct.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, advances economic development and improves the lives of people by encouraging the growth of the private sector in developing countries.
We achieve this by creating new markets, mobilising other investors, and sharing expertise. In doing so, we create jobs and raise living standards, especially for the poor and vulnerable. Our work supports the World Bank Group’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Hence statement (2) is correct.
IFC was founded in 1956 on a bold idea: that the private sector has the potential to transform developing countries. Since then we’ve expanded to more than 100 countries, coining the term “emerging markets” and pioneering new markets such as sustainable bonds.
India is one of the founder members of the IFC. IFC finances investments with its own resources and by mobilising capital in the International financial markets. 3.38% of the voting power. Hence statement (3) is correct.
6. Consider the following statements with reference to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC):
- It is an autonomous body functioning under the All-India Council for Technical Education.
- It assesses and certifies Higher Education Institutions with gradings as part of accreditation.
- If an institution is graded D, it means it is not accredited.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
In news: The controversy over NAAC’s system for assessing higher education
- The NAAC, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC), assesses and certifies HEIs with gradings as part of accreditation. Hence statement (1) is incorrect and (2) is correct.
- Through a multi-layered process, a higher education institution learns whether it meets the standards of quality set by the evaluator in terms of curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and other parameters.
- The ratings of institutions range from A++ to C. If an institution is graded D, it means it is not accredited. Hence statement (3) is correct.
Source: Indian Express
7. InSight lander is recently seen in news was launched by
- ISRO
- NASA
- ESA
- JAXA
Answer: (b) NASA
Explanation:
In news: NASA’s InSight lander detects space rocks as they slam into Mars
Scientists are now gaining a fuller understanding of this Martian trait, with help from NASA’s robotic InSight lander. Hence option (b) is correct.
Mars, by virtue of its tenuous atmosphere and proximity to our solar system’s asteroid belt, is far more vulnerable than Earth to being struck by space rocks – one of the many differences between the two planetary neighbours.
Scientists are now gaining a fuller understanding of this Martian trait, with help from NASA’s robotic InSight lander. Researchers on Monday described how InSight detected seismic and acoustic waves from the impact of four meteorites and then calculated the location of the craters they left – the first such measurements anywhere other than Earth.
The Martian atmosphere is only about 1% as thick as Earth’s. The asteroid belt, an abundant source of space rocks, is located between Mars and Jupiter.
The scientific goals set for InSight ahead of the mission were to investigate the internal structure and processes of Mars, as well as studying seismic activity and meteorite impacts.
InSight’s seismometer instrument established that Mars is seismically active, detecting more than 1,300 marsquakes. In research published last year, seismic waves detected by InSight helped decipher the internal structure of Mars, including the first estimates of the size of its large liquid metal core, thickness of its crust, and nature of its mantle.
8. With reference to Battery waste management Rules, 2022, consider the following statements:
- The rules cover all types of batteries including industrial batteries.
- The rules function based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
- Environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India published the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 24th August 2022 to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.
Notification of these rules is a transformative step towards implementation of the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his address to the Nation on Independence Day on 15th August 2021 to promote Circular Economy in full earnest.
New rules will replace Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.
The rules cover all types of batteries, viz. Electric Vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries. Hence statement (1) is correct.
The rules function based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) where the producers (including importers) of batteries are responsible for collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries and use of recovered materials from wastes into new batteries. Hence statement (2) is correct.
EPR mandates that all waste batteries be collected and sent for recycling/refurbishment, and it prohibits disposal in landfills and incineration. To meet the EPR obligations, producers may engage themselves or authorise any other entity for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries.
The rules will enable setting up a mechanism and centralised online portal for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers to fulfil the obligations of producers.
The rules promote setting up of new industries and entrepreneurship in collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.
Mandating the minimum percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries under the rules will bring new technologies and investment in the recycling and refurbishment industry and create new business opportunities.
Prescribing the use of a certain amount of recycled materials in making of new batteries will reduce the dependency on new raw materials and save natural resources.
Online registration & reporting, auditing, and a committee for monitoring the implementation of rules and to take measures required for removal of difficulties are salient features of rules for ensuring effective implementation and compliance.
On the principle of Polluter Pays Principle, environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets, responsibilities and obligations set out in the rules. The funds collected under environmental compensation shall be utilised in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries. Hence statement (3) is correct.
9. Ethereum and Dogecoin functions based on which of the following?
- Edge computing
- Distributed ledger technology
- Quantum computing
- 6 G
Answer: (b) Distributed ledger technology
Explanation:
Ethereum is one of the most used platforms by developers to build decentralised apps (dApps), smart contracts, and even crypto tokens. The platform’s currency, Ether, is only second to Bitcoin (BTC) in terms of market capitalisation. The change in the way Ethereum builds the blockchain comes with not just environmental consequences, but also major cyber and financial security implications. Both built using Blockchain technology which is also known as Distributed ledger technology. Hence option (b) is correct.
10. Which of the following is/are tributary tributaries of Brahmaputra?
1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Hence option (d) is correct.
