December 01 2023 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Questions

• The questions below are based on PMF IAS Daily Current Affairs – December 2023.

Q1. {Envi – UNFCCC} Consider the following statements about Global Stocktake:

1. Global Stocktake is an evaluation process established by the Kyoto Protocol.
2. It evaluates the carbon dioxide levels to curtail global warming.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. {Geo – EG} Consider the following statements about coking coal:

1. Coking coal is a combustible sedimentary rock.
2. It is used in thermal power plants.
3. It is a type of anthracite coal.
4. It is washed to improve its quality.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q3. {IR – Groupings} Which of the following countries are part of the Five Eyes Alliance?

1. USA, China, Canada, Japan, India
2. USA, Russia, Japan, Australia, India
3. Russia, China, Iran, Canada, India
4. USA, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada

Q4. {IR – Groupings} Consider the following statements about the Group of 77 (G77):

1. G77 is the UN’s largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries.
2. 70 countries formed it and now have membership of 77 countries.
3. It works for climate negotiations.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of these

Q5. {MoAFW – Schemes} Consider the following statements regarding Scheme for Drones to Women SHGs:

1. The scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
2. The scheme aims to provide interest-free loans to women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
3. The scheme aims to promote the use of nano fertilisers.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of these

Q6. {MoSPI – Schemes} Consider the following regarding the Periodic Labour Force Survey:

1. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases the survey annually.
2. The survey provides yearly estimates for urban areas only.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q7. {Polity – Act} Consider the following regarding RTI Act, 2005:

1. RTI Act has replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
2. Information to an applicant shall be supplied within 15 days.
3. The Act doesn’t apply to all intelligence and security organisations.
4. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the information, he/she can directly appeal at the High Court.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q8. {Polity – Election} Consider the following statements about the Indian election:

1. EVMs were used for the first time in the by-elections of the Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in 1982.
2. VVPAT was used for the first time in the by-election to the Noksen Assembly Constituency of Nagaland in 2013.
3. Under the VVPAT, voters can verify their vote, which is visible for ten sec.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q9. {Polity – Election} Consider the following statements about the voting system in India:

1. Under-trial prisoners can vote through the postal ballot system.
2. Absentee Voters can vote through the postal ballot system.
3. A husband of a service voter who ordinarily resides with her can vote through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
4. Under proxy voting, a proxy must be a registered elector.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None of these

Questions with their Answers and Explanation

Q1. {Envi – UNFCCC} Consider the following statements about Global Stocktake:

1. Global Stocktake is an evaluation process established by the Kyoto Protocol.
2. It evaluates the carbon dioxide levels to curtail global warming.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Global Stocktake (GST) is an evaluation process established by the Paris Agreement (2015).
• Under the Paris Agreement, nations pledged to limit global warming to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels, with an aspirational target of 1.5 °C.
• To ensure accountability and encourage ramped-up efforts, the agreement mandates a GST every five years, starting in 2023.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• GST is a comprehensive assessment of the world’s progress on climate action.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2 | Difficulty Level: Easy

Q2. {Geo – EG} Consider the following statements about coking coal:

1. Coking coal is a combustible sedimentary rock.
2. It is used in thermal power plants.
3. It is a type of anthracite coal.
4. It is washed to improve its quality.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Coal (or black gold) is a combustible sedimentary rock with high carbon and hydrocarbon content.
• It also contains volatile matter, moisture, and ash (sometimes sulphur and phosphorous).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Coking coal is an essential fuel and reactant for steel production.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Coking coal is a high-quality bituminous coal used to produce coke.

Statement 4 is correct

• Coal washing enriches combustibles in coal by removing non-combustible impurities based on the specific gravity difference between coal and impurities like shale, sand, and stones.

Answer: (b) Only Two | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q3. {IR – Groupings} Which of the following countries are part of the Five Eyes Alliance?

1. USA, China, Canada, Japan, India
2. USA, Russia, Japan, Australia, India
3. Russia, China, Iran, Canada, India
4. USA, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada

Explanation

• Five Eyes Alliance is an intelligence-sharing alliance of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
• The core purpose of the Five Eyes alliance is to share intelligence information and collaborate on matters related to national security and defence.
• Its origin is traced back to the Second World War.
• After World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom formalised the UKUSA agreement.
• It was expanded twice by 1956 and formed this alliance.
  • Canada joined it in 1949.
  • New Zealand and Australia joined it in 1956.

Answer: (d) USA, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q4. {IR – Groupings} Consider the following statements about the Group of 77 (G77):

1. G77 is the UN’s largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries.
2. 70 countries formed it and now have membership of 77 countries.
3. It works for climate negotiations.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of these

Explanations

Statement 1 is correct

• G77 is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries within the UN.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It was established in 1964 by 77 developing nations.
• At present, the group comprises 135 member states.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• G77 aims to promote their collective economic interests and strengthen their joint negotiating capacity on international economic issues.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Easy (Factual)

Q5. {MoAFW – Schemes} Consider the following statements regarding Scheme for Drones to Women SHGs:

1. The scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
2. The scheme aims to provide interest-free loans to women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
3. The scheme aims to promote the use of nano fertilisers.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of these

Explanations

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Union Cabinet has approved a central sector scheme to provide drones to women self-help groups (SHGs).
• The scheme converges the efforts and resources of various departments, including the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the Department of Rural Development, and the Department of Fertilizers.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Central Financial Assistance, which will be 80% of the cost of the drone as well as accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh, will be provided to women SHGs for them to purchase drone.
• The cluster level federation (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
• Interest subvention at the rate of 3% on the AIF loan will be provided.

Statement 3 is correct

• To provide drones to 15,000 selected women SHGs during the period 2023-24 to 2025-2026 to provide rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes.
• LFCs will also promote the use of nano fertilisers such as nano urea and nano DAP. The SHGs would use these fertilisers with drones.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Medium (Factual)

Q6. {MoSPI – Schemes} Consider the following regarding the Periodic Labour Force Survey:

1. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases the survey annually.
2. The survey provides yearly estimates for urban areas only.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey results.

Statement 2 is correct

• The PLFS was initiated by the National Statistical Office in 2017 for frequent labour force data.
• The inaugural annual report was published in 2019, utilising data from July 2017 to June 2018.
• PLFS’s objective is to estimate vital employment and unemployment indicators like the Labour Force Participation Rate every three months in urban areas.
• It also aims to provide yearly estimates for both rural and urban regions.

Answer: (b) 2 only | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q7. {Polity – Act} Consider the following regarding RTI Act, 2005:

1. RTI Act has replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
2. Information to an applicant shall be supplied within 15 days.
3. The Act doesn’t apply to all intelligence and security organisations.
4. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the information, he/she can directly appeal at the High Court.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• RTI Act 2005 empowers citizens to access information under the control of public authorities.
• It replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Information to an applicant shall be supplied within 30 days.
• Life or liberty-related information must be provided within 48 hours.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Act doesn’t apply to intelligence and security organisations listed in the Second Schedule, including any information furnished by such organisations to that Government.
• Exception: Information on corruption and human rights violations is not excluded under this.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Applicants not provided with information or dissatisfied with the information provided can appeal to an officer who is senior in rank to the Public Information Officer.
• If unsatisfied, can make a second appeal to the Central Information Commission.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Tough

Q8. {Polity – Election} Consider the following statements about the Indian election:

1. EVMs were used for the first time in the by-elections of the Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in 1982.
2. VVPAT was used for the first time in the by-election to the Noksen Assembly Constituency of Nagaland in 2013.
3. Under the VVPAT, voters can verify their vote, which is visible for ten sec.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• EVMs were used for the first time in the by-elections of the Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in 1982.

Statement 2 is correct

• VVPAT with EVM was used for the first time in the by-election to the Noksen Assembly Constituency of Nagaland in 2013.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• In the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) system, the voter casts his/her vote by pressing the “blue button” on the Ballot Unit against the candidate of his/her choice.
• Thereafter, a paper slip showing the serial number, name, and symbol of the candidate of his/her choice is generated and is visible for about seven seconds through the transparent window of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
• This enables voters to verify that the vote has been cast correctly.

Answer: (b) Only two | Difficulty Level: Easy (Very Factual)

Q9. {Polity – Election} Consider the following statements about the voting system in India:

1. Under-trial prisoners can vote through the postal ballot system.
2. Absentee Voters can vote through the postal ballot system.
3. A husband of a service voter who ordinarily resides with her can vote through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
4. Under proxy voting, a proxy must be a registered elector.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None of these

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect, and 2 is correct

• Under the postal ballot system, voters can cast their vote through the postal ballot (PB) paper.
• The following classes of persons are entitled to vote by post:
  • Voters on election duty
  • Voters subjected to preventive detention.
  • Service voters other than those who opt for proxy voting.
  • Special voters like PM, President, etc
  • Spouse of Service Voters and Special Voters
  • Absentee voters

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Service Voters and the wife of a service voter would be eligible for ETPBS.
• The ETPBS facility is not available for the husband of a lady service voter.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Under Proxy voting, the proxy should be:
  • Any ordinary adult resident of that constituency.
  • May not be registered elector.
  • Must not be disqualified to be an elector.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Easy