Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – November 01 2023

Questions

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

Q1. {IR – India-Bangladesh} Consider the following statements:

1. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
2. “Textile and textile articles” play a significant role in the trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. The recently inaugurated Agartala-Akhaura rail link is expected to boost connectivity and trade between India and Bhutan.

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

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Q2. {IR – International Organizations} Consider the following statements regarding the World Health Organization (WHO):

1. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for international public health.
2. Only the United Nations (UN) member states can become a member of WHO.
3. The director-general of WHO holds the office for five years and cannot be re-appointed.
4. The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of WHO, attended by all WHO Member States delegations.

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

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

Q3. {MoES – Mission} Consider the following statements regarding the Samudrayaan Mission:

1. It will be India’s first expedition to a depth of 6,000 m in the Indian Ocean.
2. “MATSYA 6000” is a manned submersible developed by ISRO for deep-sea exploration under this mission.
3. India will become the first country to conduct a manned under-sea expedition beyond 5,000 meters with the launch of “MATSYA 6000.”

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

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

Q4. {Agri – Sustainability} The practicing of ‘Natural Farming’ will lead to:

1. Improved soil health and fertility.
2. Reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
3. A potential decrease in crop yields due to the absence of chemical inputs.
4. Enhanced biodiversity in farmlands.
5. Promoting monoculture farming practices.

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

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

Q5. {S&T – Cybersecurity} Consider the following statements regarding various cybersecurity threats:

1. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release.
2. Phishing attacks involve the use of fraudulent emails or websites to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information.
3. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target’s online services, making them unavailable to users.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Q6. {S&T – Cybersecurity} Regarding the ‘CERTin (Computer Emergency Response Team),’ consider the following statements:

1. CERT-In is the national nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.
2. It was formed under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, of 2000.
3. It is also responsible for safeguarding critical information infrastructure against cyber threats.

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

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

Q7. {S&T – IPR} With reference to photocopying and xerography, consider the following statements:

1. Photocopying is a method that uses light and photoconductive materials to produce copies of documents.
2. Xerography is a dry photocopying technique that uses electrostatic charges to create an image.
3. Xerography is typically used in offset printing but not in laser printers.

Which of the above statement(s) is incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. None

Q8. {S&T – Nanotech} Consider the following statements regarding ‘Carbon Nanoflorets’:

1. They are a type of carbon nanomaterial with a unique flower-like morphology.
2. They are primarily used in electronics for their excellent electrical conductivity and high thermal stability.
3. The unique three-dimensional structure of this material makes it ideal for water purification applications.
4. They are made with the incorporation of silica in their structure.

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

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {IR – India-Bangladesh} Consider the following statements:

1. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
2. “Textile and textile articles” play a significant role in the trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. The recently inaugurated Agartala-Akhaura rail link is expected to boost connectivity and trade between India and Bhutan.

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

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• In the last five years, Bangladesh has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
• India-Bangladesh bilateral trade stands at around 15 billion dollars (India–Nepal around 8 billion dollars)
• Hint: Statement 2 gives a clue about Bangladesh.

Statement 2 is correct

• “Textile and textile articles” play a significant role in the trade between India and Bangladesh.
• Hint: Jute cultivation in the region (Basic NCERT)

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Agartala-Akhaura rail link project has been inaugurated.
• It is a 12.24 rail link between Agartala in Tripura and Akhaura in Bangladesh.
• It is expected to improve the trade relations between India and Bangladesh

Answer: (c) 2 only

Q2. {IR – International Organizations} Consider the following statements regarding the World Health Organization (WHO):

1. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for international public health.
2. Only the United Nations (UN) member states can become a member of WHO.
3. The director-general of WHO holds the office for five years and cannot be re-appointed.
4. The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of WHO, attended by all WHO Member States delegations.

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

• The WHO is a specialized agency of the UN responsible for international public health.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Article 3 of WHO’s Constitution states that ‘Membership in the Organization shall be open to all States.’

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The director-general is WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer.
• A Director-General is elected by the World Health Assembly by a secret ballot.
• The director-general holds the office for five years and can be re-appointed once.

Statement 4 is correct

• The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of WHO.
• It is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, and is attended by all WHO Member States delegations.

Answer: (b) Only two

Q3. {MoES – Mission} Consider the following statements regarding the Samudrayaan Mission:

1. It will be India’s first expedition to a depth of 6,000 m in the Indian Ocean.
2. “MATSYA 6000” is a manned submersible developed by ISRO for deep-sea exploration under this mission.
3. India will become the first country to conduct a manned under-sea expedition beyond 5,000 meters with the launch of “MATSYA 6000.”

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• ‘Samudrayaan‘ will be India’s expedition to a depth of 6,000 m in the Indian Ocean.
• The Samundrayaan Mission is India’s first manned deep ocean mission.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• MATSYA 6000 is an indigenously built manned submersible under the Samudrayaan Mission.
• Developed by NIOT, it is designed to carry three humans to a depth of 6000 m.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• With its launch, it will make India the sixth country (after the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China) to have a manned under-sea expedition beyond 5,000 m.

Answer: (a) Only one

Q4. {Agri – Sustainability} The practicing of ‘Natural Farming’ will lead to:

1. Improved soil health and fertility.
2. Reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
3. A potential decrease in crop yields due to the absence of chemical inputs.
4. Enhanced biodiversity in farmlands.
5. Promoting monoculture farming practices.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Improved soil health and fertility is a positive outcome of natural farming.

Statement 2 is correct

• Reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers is a benefit of natural farming.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• A potential decrease in crop yields due to the absence of chemical inputs is not necessarily true.
• Natural farming aims to maintain or even improve crop yields through sustainable practices.

Statement 4 is correct

• Enhanced biodiversity in farmlands is a goal of natural farming.

Statement 5 is incorrect

• Promoting monoculture farming practices is not aligned with the principles of natural farming, which encourages diversity in crops.

Answer: (b) Only three

Q5. {S&T – Cybersecurity} Consider the following statements regarding various cybersecurity threats:

1. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release.
2. Phishing attacks involve the use of fraudulent emails or websites to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information.
3. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target’s online services, making them unavailable to users.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release.

Statement 2 is correct

• Phishing attacks involve using fraudulent emails or websites to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information.

Statement 3 is correct

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target’s online services, making them unavailable.

Answer: (c) All three

Q6. {S&T – Cybersecurity} Regarding the ‘CERTin (Computer Emergency Response Team),’ consider the following statements:

1. CERT-In is the national nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.
2. It was formed under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, of 2000.
3. It is also responsible for safeguarding critical information infrastructure against cyber threats.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• CERT-In is the national nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.

Statement 2 is correct

• It was formed in 2004 under the Information Technology Act of 2000.
• It is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Statement 3 is incorrect

• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is responsible for safeguarding critical information infrastructure against cyber threats.

Answer: (b) Only two

Q7. {S&T – IPR} With reference to photocopying and xerography, consider the following statements:

1. Photocopying is a method that uses light and photoconductive materials to produce copies of documents.
2. Xerography is a dry photocopying technique that uses electrostatic charges to create an image.
3. Xerography is typically used in offset printing but not in laser printers.

Which of the above statement(s) is incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Photocopying is a method that uses light and photoconductive materials to produce copies of documents.

Statement 2 is correct

• Xerography is a dry photocopying technique that uses electrostatic charges to create an image.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Xerography is primarily used in photocopiers and laser printers for document reproduction, not in offset printing, which is a different printing method.

Answer: (c) 3 only

Q8. {S&T – Nanotech} Consider the following statements regarding ‘Carbon Nanoflorets’:

1. They are a type of carbon nanomaterial with a unique flower-like morphology.
2. They are primarily used in electronics for their excellent electrical conductivity and high thermal stability.
3. The unique three-dimensional structure of this material makes it ideal for water purification applications.
4. They are made with the incorporation of silica in their structure.

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

1. 1, 2 and 4 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Carbon nanoflorets, which resemble tiny marigold flowers.

Statement 2 is correct

• Carbon nanoflorets are known for their excellent electrical conductivity and high thermal stability, making them suitable for electronic applications.

Statement 3 is correct

• The unique three-dimensional structure of this material makes it ideal for water purification applications.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• They are a material made only of carbon.
• Hint: – Silica is not a good conductor. Therefore, this statement contradicts statement 2.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only