Daily Current Affairs MCQs – November 21-22 2023

Questions

• Below are some questions from PMF IAS Daily Prelims Practice Questions – November 2023

Q1. {Environment – Conservation} Consider the following statements about Ghol:

1. It is the state fish of Maharashtra.
2. The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.
3. It’s widely used in Cosmetics.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None

Q2. {S&T – Defense} Kavro Doma 360 was recently in news, it is:

1. A Surface-to-Surface Missile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which has a range of around 360km.
2. A Rifle Rated Ballistic Helmet
3. An Agricultural Drone for farmers which will Help in effective crop surveillance by inspecting the field with infrared cameras.
4. One of the highest energy cosmic rays ever detected. It’s coming from an apparantly empty region of space

Q3. {IE – Money Laundering – Industry} In India, how many of the following activities are permissible?

1. A company opening up its plant in India for using it as tax haven.
2. A business investing in renewable energy projects to claim tax credits for environmental initiatives.
3. A person transferring money between different bank accounts, making international wire transfers, conducting legitimate business transactions and creating a complex web for authorities to trace the funds.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only Three
4. None of these

Q4. {S&T – IPR – GI} Consider the following statements with respect to Sea Buckthorn:

1. Sea buckthorn is grown completely organically without the use of any pesticide or other chemicals in Ladakh.
2. It has tiny, sour tasting orange or yellow berries that are high in vitamins, particularly Vitamin-C.
3. The root of sea buckthorn is resistant to cold, drought, and barrenness due to nitrogen fixation by rhizobia.
4. Ladakh has the highest number of GI Tagged Products.

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

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

Q5. {Environment – Conservation} Consider the following statements about Mudflats:

1. In Mudflats, the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.
2. Mudflats are always exposed by Tidal Actions.
3. In India, the Kadalundi Mudflats are located in the estuary of the Karyankodu and are protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4. The Great Rann of Kutchh, is also an example of Mudflat Area in India.

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

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. All Four
4. Only One

Q6. {Governance – Healthcare} Project Collaboration Agreement, recently seen in news is signed between?

1. Ministry of Ayush and World Health Organization
2. Ministry of Commerce and Industry and World Trade Organization
3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organization
4. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Q7. {IE – Start-up – Industry} Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) accelerator program is launched by India along with which of the following countries ?

1. USA
2. France
3. UK
4. Australia

Q8. {Environment – Conservation – Species} Consider the following statements about Gambusia Affinis and Gambusia Holbrooki:

1. These were introduced in 1960s as a combative measure to fight mosquito borne diseases.
2. Mosquitofish, originally from the U.S., was introduced in India to prey on mosquito larvae. However, over time, these species have adapted to our environment and have settled in coexistence with our Native Fauna.
3. Despite the World Health Organization’s withdrawal of the recommendation for Gambusia as a mosquito control agent in 1982 and its designation as an invasive alien species by the National Biodiversity Authority of the Government of India in 2018, both government and non-governmental organizations continue to release these fish for mosquito control.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None of these

Q9. {Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} Consider the following statements with respect to Tantalum:

1. Tantalum is a rare metal that is very hard and corrosion-resistant.
2. It has the highest melting point after tungsten and rhenium.
3. It is used in the production of electronic components.
4. Tantalum is completely non-toxic and has no known biological role.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only Three
4. All Four

Q10. {Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Consider the following statements with respect to ‘E Prime Layer’:

1. It is a new earth layer that is formed in the inner most part of the earth’s core.
2. It is formed as a result of surface water penetrating deep into the planet which alters the composition of liquid core’s outermost region.

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

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

Questions with their Answers and Explanation

Q1. {Environment – Conservation} Consider the following statements about Ghol:

1. It is the state fish of Maharashtra.
2. The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.
3. It’s widely used in Cosmetics.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Ghol is the state fish of Gujarat and Silver pomfret is the state fish of Maharashtra.
• Selecting a state fish is a consultative process with representatives of all the districts.Blackspotted croaker is the other name of the fish.
• Ghol is also known as ‘gold fish’ because of its price and demand that is one of the most expensive in the country.

Statement 2 is correct

• In India, this fish is found mostly in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.

Statement 3 is correct

• It has high value of its swim bladder, which is rich collagen and is used in the making of cosmetics.
• A swim bladder is a gas-filled organ in the body cavity of some fish. It helps fish stay afloat by adjusting their buoyancy.

Answer: (b) Only Two

Q2. {S&T – Defense} Kavro Doma 360 was recently in news, it is:

1. A Surface-to-Surface Missile Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), which has a range of around 360km.
2. A Rifle Rated Ballistic Helmet
3. An Agricultural Drone for farmers which will Help in effective crop surveillance by inspecting the field with infrared cameras.
4. One of the highest energy cosmic rays ever detected. It’s coming from an apparantly empty region of space

Explanation

Option a,Option c and Option d are incorrect.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is a first-of-its-kind rifle-rated ballistic helmet.
• It is developed indigenously by MKU Limited, which is based in Kanpur, India.
• The helmet offers uniform protection across five zones: front, back, left, right, and top, providing a 40% greater protection area than standard helmets due to its boltless shell design.
• It provides unprecedented protection against rifle firepower, especially designed to withstand bullets from weapons like the AK-47, M80 NATO BALL, and M193 rifle bullets.

Answer: (2) A Rifle Rated Ballistic Helmet

Q3. {IE – Money Laundering – Industry} In India, how many of the following activities are permissible?

1. A company opening up its plant in India for using it as tax haven.
2. A business investing in renewable energy projects to claim tax credits for environmental initiatives.
3. A person transferring money between different bank accounts, making international wire transfers, conducting legitimate business transactions and creating a complex web for authorities to trace the funds.

Which 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

• Tax havens are countries or jurisdictions that offer low or no taxation to attract foreign businesses.
• India is not a tax haven and has strict anti-tax avoidance laws. Companies that use India as a tax haven may face penalties and legal action.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Indian government has implemented various policies to promote investment in renewable energy. These policies include tax incentives, such as tax credits and accelerated depreciation, which make renewable energy projects more attractive to investors.

Statement 3 is Incorrect

• A person transferring money between different bank accounts, making international wire transfers, and conducting legitimate business transactions and creating a complex web for authorities to trace the funds.
• This type of activity is known as money laundering, which is the process of converting illegally obtained money into legitimate money.
• Money laundering is a serious crime in India and can result in imprisonment.

Answer: (a) Only One

Q4. {S&T – IPR – GI} Consider the following statements with respect to Sea Buckthorn:

1. Sea buckthorn is grown completely organically without the use of any pesticide or other chemicals in Ladakh.
2. It has tiny, sour tasting orange or yellow berries that are high in vitamins, particularly Vitamin-C.
3. The root of sea buckthorn is resistant to cold, drought, and barrenness due to nitrogen fixation by rhizobia.
4. Ladakh has the highest number of GI Tagged Products.

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

• Sea buckthorn is grown completely organically without the use of any pesticide or other chemicals in Ladakh.
• Ladakh remains the major site for sea buckthorn with over 70% of the total area (13,000 hectares) on which it is present in the country.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Leh Berry, or sea buckthorn (Hippophae), is a wonder plant found in Ladakh that yields tiny, sour- tasting orange or yellow berries that are high in vitamins, particularly C.
• Sea buckthorn is also popularly known as Wonder Plant, Ladakh Gold, Golden Bush or Gold Mine of cold deserts.

Statement 3 is correct

• The root of sea buckthorn is resistant to cold, drought, and barrenness due to nitrogen fixation by rhizobia.
• Rhizobia is a high-quality ecological tree species for improving soil and the ecological environment.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• It has attained Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently and is the 4^th product from Ladakh to get the tag.
• Tamil Nadu and Karnataka holds maximum number of GI tags followed by Kerala with 35 GI tag, Uttar Pradesh with 34 GI tag and Maharashtra with 31 GI tag.

Answer: (c) Only three

Q5. {Environment – Conservation} Consider the following statements about Mudflats:

1. In Mudflats, the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.
2. Mudflats are always exposed by Tidal Actions.
3. In India, the Kadalundi Mudflats are located in the estuary of the Karyankodu and are protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4. The Great Rann of Kutchh, is also an example of Mudflat Area in India.

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

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. All Four
4. Only One

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct

• Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form in intertidal areas where sediments have been deposited by tides or rivers.
• Most of the sediment within a mudflat is within the intertidal zone, and thus the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.

Statement 2 is Incorrect

• On the Baltic Sea coast of Germany in places, mudflats are exposed not by tidal action, but by wind-action driving water away from the shallows into the sea. This kind of wind-affected mudflat is called Windwatt in German.

Statement 3 is Incorrect

• Kadalundi mudflats are located in the Kasaragod district of Kerala.
• These nutrient-rich mudflats are located in the estuary of the Kadalundipuzha River.
• The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and mudflats are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Statement 4 is Correct

• The Great Rann of Kutch (Kachchh) is a marine-influenced evaporitic sump some 300 km long and 80−100 km wide on the margin of the Thar Desert in arid western India. In India’s summer monsoon, this flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, which averages 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing water.

Answer: (a) Only Two

Q6. {Governance – Healthcare} Project Collaboration Agreement, recently seen in news is signed between?

1. Ministry of Ayush and World Health Organization
2. Ministry of Commerce and Industry and World Trade Organization
3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organization
4. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct; option (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect

• The Collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) marks a significant stride toward integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) into global healthcare.
• The primary goal is to standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems, emphasizing their quality, safety, and integration into the National Health System, extending these practices globally.
• The collaboration aligns with the Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34, co-developed by WHO and supported by the Ministry of Ayush, aiming to elevate these medical systems within national health frameworks.
• Specific emphasis is placed on strengthening training and practice within the Complementary Medicine System, particularly focusing on Siddha.

Answer: (a) Ministry of Ayush and World Health Organization

Q7. {IE – Start-up – Industry} Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) accelerator program is launched by India along with which of the following countries ?

1. USA
2. France
3. UK
4. Australia

Explanation

Option (d) is Correct; Option (a), (b) and (c) are Incorrect

• The India Australia RISE Accelerator is delivered in partnership between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Startups and small to mid-sized enterprises(SMEs) in India and Australia working on circular economy technologies and solutions will benefit from a new accelerator program designed to open new doors to explore opportunities between the two countries.
• There is no charge for startups to participate in the program, which will be delivered virtually, with a number of opportunities to travel between Australia and India. Participating startups may also be eligible for up to INR 40,00,000 in non-equity grants.

Answer: (d) Australia

Q8. {Environment – Conservation – Species} Consider the following statements about Gambusia Affinis and Gambusia Holbrooki:

1. These were introduced in 1960s as a combative measure to fight mosquito borne diseases.
2. Mosquitofish, originally from the U.S., was introduced in India to prey on mosquito larvae. However, over time, these species have adapted to our environment and have settled in coexistence with our Native Fauna.
3. Despite the World Health Organization’s withdrawal of the recommendation for Gambusia as a mosquito control agent in 1982 and its designation as an invasive alien species by the National Biodiversity Authority of the Government of India in 2018, both government and non-governmental organizations continue to release these fish for mosquito control.

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

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None of these

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct

• Initially introduced in the 1960s as a biological control method to combat mosquito-borne diseases, these fish have proliferated beyond their intended habitats, causing severe ecological and environmental problems.

Statement 2 is Incorrect

• Mosquitofish, originally from the U.S., was introduced in India to prey on mosquito larvae. However, their adaptability and high tolerance for changing environmental conditions led to their widespread distribution, displacing and preying on native fauna.

Statement 3 is Correct

• Despite the World Health Organization’s withdrawal of the recommendation for Gambusia as a mosquito control agent in 1982 and its designation as an invasive alien species by the National Biodiversity Authority of the Government of India in 2018, both government and non-governmental organizations continue to release these fish for mosquito control.

Answer: (a) Only One

Q9. {Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} Consider the following statements with respect to Tantalum:

1. Tantalum is a rare metal that is very hard and corrosion-resistant.
2. It has the highest melting point after tungsten and rhenium.
3. It is used in the production of electronic components.
4. Tantalum is completely non-toxic and has no known biological role.

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

• Recently A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has found the presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the Sutlej River sand in Punjab.
• Tantalum is a rare metal that was discovered in 1802 by the Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg.
• It is bright, very hard, silver-grey metal of Group 5 of the periodic table.
• It possesses high corrosion resistance, because when exposed to air, it forms an oxide layer that is extremely difficult to remove, even when it interacts with strong and hot acid environments.

Statement 2 is Correct

• It has 3rd highest melting point next to tungsten and rhenium.
• As tantalum has a high melting point, it is frequently used as a substitute for platinum, which is more expensive.

Statement 3 is Correct

• One of the main uses of tantalum is in the production of electronic components.
• The capacitors made from tantalum are capable of storing more electricity in smaller sizes without much leakage than any other type of capacitor.

Statement 4 is Correct

• Tantalum is Completely Non Toxic and has no known biological role.
• Tantalum causes no immune response in mammals, so has found wide use in the making of surgical implants.

Answer: (d) All Four

Q10. {Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Consider the following statements with respect to ‘E Prime Layer’:

1. It is a new earth layer that is formed in the inner most part of the earth’s core.
2. It is formed as a result of surface water penetrating deep into the planet which alters the composition of liquid core’s outermost region.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• A new enigmatic layer or E prime layer is formed at the outermost part of Earth’s core.
• Tectonic plates carrying surface water have transported it deep into the Earth over billions of years.
• Upon reaching the core-mantle boundary about 1,800 miles below the surface, this water initiates significant chemical changes, influencing the core’s structure

Statement 2 is Correct

• It is formed as a result of “surface water penetrating deep into the planet” altering the composition of the metallic liquid core’s outermost region.
• The material exchange between the core and mantle is small. But the experiments revealed that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with silicon in the core, forming silica.

Answer: (b) 2 Only