December 03-04 2023 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Questions

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

Q1. {Geo – PG – Climatology} Consider the following statements:

1. Rapid Intensification is a key factor that distinguishes an extratropical cyclone from a tropical cyclone.
2. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) oversees the management of rotating name lists tailored for each tropical cyclone basin.
3. The names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean can be repeated and can be used again.
4. Cyclones arising in various ocean basins globally receive their names from regional specialized meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) worldwide.

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

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

Q2. {IR – International Organizations} Consider the following statements:

1. The Central Bureau of Investigation is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.
2. A Green Notice is issued by Interpol in order to gather some additional information from member countries.
3. Notices are issued only by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau.
4. General Secretariat is the highest decision-making body of the Interpol.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. All

Q3. {IC – Judiciary} Consider the following statements:

1. Fast-track courts were first introduced on the recommendation of the 11^th Finance Commission.
2. The primary aim of the Fast Track Special Courts is to provide legal assistance to underprivileged individuals.
3. Fast Track Special Courts contribute to judicial reforms by ensuring that all cases are resolved within a specific timeframe.
4. Fast Track Special Courts Scheme aims to ensure swift dispensation of justice, offering quick relief to victims while strengthening the deterrence framework for sexual offenders.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. None

Q4. {Geo – Places in News} Which of the following countries borders the Golan Heights?

1. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran
2. Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
3. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.
4. Iran, Israel and Jordan.

Q5. {Envi – Climate Financing – UNFCCC} Consider the following statements with reference to the “Loss & Damage”:

1. The concept of “loss and damage” refers to financial penalties for non-compliance with emission reduction targets.
2. Taxation on industries contributing to climate change is one of the ways of generating Loss & Damage Fund.
3. Compensating for losses after the occurrence of climate-related events is one of the roles played by Loss & Damage Fund in encouraging climate resilience and risk reduction.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All
4. None

Q6. {Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Consider the following statements:

1. Leprosy causing bacteria and TB causing bacteria belong from the same Family.
2. Under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, India aims to eliminate TB from India by 2030 (5yrs before the Global Target of 2035).
3. Under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a Political Party doesn’t qualify to be a Nikshaya Mitra.
4. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Revaccination is recommended by WHO for Infants to protect them from TB.

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

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

Questions with their Answers and Explanation.

Q1. {Geo – PG – Climatology} Consider the following statements:

1. Rapid Intensification is a key factor that distinguishes an extratropical cyclone from a tropical cyclone.
2. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) oversees the management of rotating name lists tailored for each tropical cyclone basin.
3. The names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean can be repeated and can be used again.
4. Cyclones arising in various ocean basins globally receive their names from regional specialized meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) worldwide.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Extratropical Cyclone have a cold core, meaning their energy is derived from the temperature contrasts between air masses rather than warm ocean currents.
• It is this Cold Core which is a key factor that distinguishes an extratropical cyclone from a tropical cyclone.

  

Statement 2 is correct

• The practice of naming storms (tropical cyclones) began years ago by World Meteorological Organisation in order to help in the quick identification of storms in warning messages because names are presumed to be far easier to remember than numbers and technical terms.
• Many agree that appending names to storms makes it easier for the media to report on tropical cyclones, heightens interest in warnings and increases community preparedness.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean will not be repeated, once used it will cease to be used again.
• The name of a tropical cyclone from south China Sea which crosses Thailand and emerge into the Bay of Bengal as a Tropical cyclone will not be changed.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Cyclones arising in various ocean basins globally receive their names from regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) within those areas.
• There are a total of six RSMCs across the world.
• Member nations of the RSMCs propose the names for tropical cyclones. For instance, the Indian RSMC, comprising 13 nations, puts forward 13 names each for cyclones formed in the region.
• In the earlier practice, before the official adoption of naming conventions, tropical cyclones were named based on locations, objects, or the feast days of saints on which they occurred.
• The names will be used sequentially column wise. The first name will start from the first row of column one and continue sequentially to the last row in the column thirteen.
• The name shall not exceed 8 Letters.

Answer: (a) Only One | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q2. {IR – International Organizations} Consider the following statements:

1. The Central Bureau of Investigation is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.
2. A Green Notice is issued by Interpol in order to gather some additional information from member countries.
3. Notices are issued only by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau.
4. General Secretariat is the highest decision-making body of the Interpol.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The CBI is the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India and coordinates all international police cooperation requirements of Indian law enforcement agencies via Interpol channels.
• India, which joined Interpol in 1949, had hosted the 90^th Interpol General Assembly in Delhi in October 2022.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• To provide warning about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety.

  

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau.
• Notices can also be issued at the request of International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to seek persons wanted for committing crimes within their jurisdiction, notably genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• They can also be issued at the request of the United Nations in relation to the implementation of sanctions imposed by the Security Council.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body, comprising representatives from each of their member countries.
• It meets once a year and each session lasts around four days.

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

Q3. {IC – Judiciary} Consider the following statements:

1. Fast-track courts were first introduced on the recommendation of the 11^th Finance Commission.
2. The primary aim of the Fast Track Special Courts is to provide legal assistance to underprivileged individuals.
3. Fast Track Special Courts contribute to judicial reforms by ensuring that all cases are resolved within a specific timeframe.
4. Fast Track Special Courts Scheme aims to ensure swift dispensation of justice, offering quick relief to victims while strengthening the deterrence framework for sexual offenders.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Fast-track courts were first introduced on the recommendation of the 11^th Finance Commission.
• The Commission recommended the establishment of 1,734 fast-track courts in the country to expeditiously dispose of long-pending Sessions and other cases.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The primary aim of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) is to expedite the trial of specific types of cases, such as sexual offenses against women and children.
• FTSCs are not intended to provide legal assistance to underprivileged individuals, although they may indirectly do so by providing faster access to justice for victims of crime.

Statement 3 is correct

• The establishment of Fast Track Special Courts is part of judicial reforms to address delays in the legal system.
• These courts are designed to resolve cases within a specific timeframe, contributing to a more efficient and timely justice delivery system.

Statement 4 is correct

• The Fast Track Special Courts Scheme aims to ensure swift dispensation of justice, offering quick relief to victims while strengthening the deterrence framework for sexual offenders. This is because FTSCs provide faster access to justice for victims, which can help them to heal and move on from their traumatic experiences.
• Additionally, the quick resolution of cases can help to deter potential offenders.

Answer: (c) Only three | Difficulty Level: Easy (Conceptal)

Q4. {Geo – Places in News} Which of the following countries borders the Golan Heights?

1. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran
2. Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
3. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.
4. Iran, Israel and Jordan.

Explanation

• The Golan Heights is a strategically important plateau in the Middle East, located in southwestern Syria. It is bordered by Israel to the west, Lebanon to the northwest, and Jordan to the south.
• It is a volcanic plateau that rises to an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level and overlooks the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley.

  

• Golan Heights was part of Syria until 1967. But Israel captured it in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed it in 1981. The area is a key source of water. Rainwater from the Golan’s catchment feeds into the Jordan River. The land is fertile, and the volcanic soil is used to cultivate vineyards and orchards and raise cattle.

Answer: (b) Israel, Lebanon and Jordan | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q5. {Envi – Climate Financing – UNFCCC} Consider the following statements with reference to the “Loss & Damage”:

1. The concept of “loss and damage” refers to financial penalties for non-compliance with emission reduction targets.
2. Taxation on industries contributing to climate change is one of the ways of generating Loss & Damage Fund.
3. Compensating for losses after the occurrence of climate-related events is one of the roles played by Loss & Damage Fund in encouraging climate resilience and risk reduction.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The concept of “loss and damage” refers to the unavoidable negative effects of climate change, even if mitigation and adaptation efforts are successful.
• It includes both non-economic losses, such as loss of life, culture, and biodiversity, as well as economic losses, such as loss of property, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Statement 2 is Incorrect

• Financial penalties for non-compliance with emission reduction targets are a separate concept, often referred to as “climate finance” or “carbon pricing.”
• While taxation on industries contributing to climate change could be a way to generate revenue, it is not directly linked to the Loss and Damage Fund.

Statement 3 is correct

• Compensating for losses after the occurrence of climate-related events is one of the important roles played by the Loss and Damage Fund. This helps to provide support to vulnerable communities that have been affected by climate change and to rebuild their livelihoods.
• Additionally, the fund also supports measures to reduce vulnerability to future climate events.

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

Q6. {Social Sector – Health – Diseases} Consider the following statements:

1. Leprosy causing bacteria and TB causing bacteria belong from the same Family.
2. Under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, India aims to eliminate TB from India by 2030 (5yrs before the Global Target of 2035).
3. Under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a Political Party doesn’t qualify to be a Nikshaya Mitra.
4. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Revaccination is recommended by WHO for Infants to protect them from TB.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
• Leprosy-causing bacteria Mycobacterium Leprae and TB-causing bacteria belong to the same family.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• It aims to eliminate TB from India by 2025 (5 years earlier than the global target of 2030).
• Objectives
  • Provide additional patient support to improve treatment outcomes of TB patients
  • Leverage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Ni-Kshaya Mitra shall provide additional support to all the on-treatment TB patients who have given consent for support.
• Ni-Kshaya Mitra can be a cooperative, corporate, elected Representative, individual, institution, NGO, or political party.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine is typically given to infants to protect them from TB.
• However, the effectiveness of the vaccine can wane over time.
• India now wants to implement BCG revaccination at scale; 23 states have already consented.
• There is currently no consensus on whether or not BCG revaccination is effective.
• WHO does not currently recommend BCG revaccination for any person.

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