Daily Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs) – November 26-27 2023

Questions

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

Q1. {Polity – IC – Governor – Separation of Powers} Consider the following statements:

1. The governor, being a part of the State legislature, has the authority to utilise his/her constitutional powers to disrupt the regular course of lawmaking within the State.
2. Once the State legislature reconsiders the Bill and passes it again, whether with or without amendments and presents it to the Governor for assent, the Governor is obligated to grant assent without withholding it.

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. {Envi – Pollution – Biogas} Consider the following statements with respect to the latest Compressed Bio-Gas Blending Obligations (CBO)

1. CBO will be voluntary till FY 2024-2025 and mandatory from FY 2025-26.
2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MOEFCC).
3. CBO will be 5% of total CNG/PNG consumption from 2028-29 onwards.

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

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

Q3. {S&T – Defence – In News} Consider the following statements with respect to Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS:

1. It is the first-ever twin-seater Aircraft that is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
2. The Tejas is designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
3. After Mr Rajiv Gandhi, PM Modi became the only Indian Prime Minister to have flown in a fighter aircraft.

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

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

Q4. {Envi – Species – Conservation} Consider the following statements with respect to Sangai Deer:

1. It is the state animal of Manipur and comes under the critically endangered category of IUCN.
2. Phumdi is the most important and unique part of Sangai’s habitat.
3. It is a unique and rare species found exclusively in Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP).

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

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

Q5. {Art & Culture – Folk Dances} Consider the following statements with respect to Chavittu Nadakam:

1. It is a theatre art form that flourished at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu with the spread of Christianity.
2. Stamping Drama is one of the attractive features of this art, where the artists produce resonating sounds by stamping the floor while dancing.
3. It is also known as Thatupolipan because it is performed in planked arenas.
4. This visual art form was modelled after the theatrical forms of medieval Europe in content and presentation.

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

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

Q6. {S&T – Space – In News} Amaterasu, recently seen in news is?

1. A recently discovered Supernova by the American Space Association.
2. One of the highest-energy cosmic rays ever detected.
3. One of the four major asteroids discovered between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
4. The first interstellar visitor ever observed in this solar system, as per NASA.

Q7. {Envi – Conservation – Ramsar – In News} Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site and an Important Bird Area is located in:

1. Meghalaya
2. Assam
3. Mizoram
4. Manipur

Questions with their Answers and Explanation

Q1. {Polity – IC – Governor – Separation of Powers} Consider the following statements:

1. The governor, being a part of the State legislature, has the authority to utilise his/her constitutional powers to disrupt the regular course of lawmaking within the State.
2. Once the State legislature reconsiders the Bill and passes it again, whether with or without amendments and presents it to the Governor for assent, the Governor is obligated to grant assent without withholding it.

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

• While the Governor has certain powers that can affect the legislative process, the Governor does not have the authority to disrupt the regular lawmaking course.
• The Governor’s role in the legislative process is primarily to review and approve bills passed by the State legislature.
• In a state legislature, Governor is considered to be it’s integral part.

Statement 2 is correct

• Once the State legislature reconsiders the Bill and passes it again, whether with or without amendments, and presents it to the Governor for assent, the Governor is obligated to grant assent without withholding it.

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

Q2. {Envi – Pollution – Biogas} Consider the following statements with respect to the latest Compressed Bio-Gas Blending Obligations (CBO)

1. CBO will be voluntary till FY 2024-2025 and mandatory from FY 2025-26.
2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MOEFCC).
3. CBO will be 5% of total CNG/PNG consumption from 2028-29 onwards.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• CBG Blending Obligation (CBO) aims to promote the production and consumption of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) in the country.
• The key objectives of the CBO include:
  • To stimulate demand for CBG in the City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector,
  • Import substitution for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and
  • Saving in Forex and assisting in achieving the target of net zero emission.

• CBO will be voluntary till FY 2024-25, & mandatory blending obligation will start from FY 2025-26.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It will be monitored and implemented by the Central Repository Body (CRB), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Statement 3 is correct

• CBO shall be kept at 1%, 3%, and 4% of total CNG/PNG consumption for FY 2025-26, 2026- 27, and 2027-28, respectively. From 2028-29 onwards, CBO will be 5%.

Answer: (b) Only Two | Difficulty Level: Tough (Very Factual)

Q3. {S&T – Defence – In News} Consider the following statements with respect to Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS:

1. It is the first-ever twin-seater Aircraft that is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
2. The Tejas is designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
3. After Mr Rajiv Gandhi, PM Modi became the only Indian Prime Minister to have flown in a fighter aircraft.

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

• LCA Tejas is a 4.5 generation, all-weather and multi-role fighter aircraft.
• It is the first-ever twin-seater Aircraft that is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
• The Maximum Speed of LCA Tejas is 1.6 Mach.
• It is also designed to undertake Ground Maritime Operations.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Tejas is designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• LCA Mk1A is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas.
• It includes Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Electronic Warfare (EW) suite consisting of radar warning and self–protection jamming, Digital Map Generator (DMG), Smart Multi-function Displays (SMFD), Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT) and Advanced Radio Altimeter and other advances features.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Recently, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi flew in Tejas, and the only Indian Prime Minister to have flown in a fighter aircraft.

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

Q4. {Envi – Species – Conservation} Consider the following statements with respect to Sangai Deer:

1. It is the state animal of Manipur and comes under the critically endangered category of IUCN.
2. Phumdi is the most important and unique part of Sangai’s habitat.
3. It is a unique and rare species found exclusively in Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP).

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Sangai deer is also called the Manipur Brow-antlered deer and Dancing Deer.
• It is the state animal of Manipur.
• The IUCN Status of Sangai is Critically Endangered.
• It is included under the Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Sangai (CR) (Sub-species of Eld’s Deer)

Eld’s Deer (EN)

Statement 2 is correct

• Phumdi is the most important and unique part of Sangai’s habitat.
• These floating circular swamps look almost like islands and are a mass of soil, organic matter, and vegetation. 

Statement 3 is correct

• The Sangai is found nowhere in the world but in Manipur.
• Loktak Lake (Ramsar Site) is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
• The lake houses the only floating national park in the world, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the last refuge of sangai, Manipur’s state animal.

Eld’s Deer Range: Eld’s deer (thamin or brow-antlered deer) are primarily found in Myanmar and Thailand. Habitat: various forested areas, including grasslands and moist deciduous forests. Social Behavior: They are social animals who live in small herds, led by a dominant male. Threats to Survival: Habitat loss due to deforestation, hunting, and fragmentation of their habitat. IUCN Red List: Endangered A Female Eld’s Deer (On the left) and their Geographical Confinement (in the map)

Answer: (d) None| Difficulty Level: Easy (Conceptual)

Q5. {Art & Culture – Folk Dances} Consider the following statements with respect to Chavittu Nadakam:

1. It is a theatre art form that flourished at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu with the spread of Christianity.
2. Stamping Drama is one of the attractive features of this art, where the artists produce resonating sounds by stamping the floor while dancing.
3. It is also known as Thatupolipan because it is performed in planked arenas.
4. This visual art form was modelled after the theatrical forms of medieval Europe in content and presentation.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Chavittu Natakam is a colourful and vigorous theatre form that flourished at Kodungalloor in Kerala with the spread of Christianity.
• It is considered to be a folk art form noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements.

Statement 2 is correct

• ‘Stamping Drama’ is the most attractive feature of this art, where the artists produce resonating sounds by stamping the floor while dancing.
• The actors sing their lines loudly and, with exaggerated gestures.

Statement 3 is correct

• This folk-drama dance takes place on a stage that is referred to as ‘thattu’. The ‘thattu’ is laid with planks of wood.
• It is also known as Thatupolipan because it is performed in planked arenas .

Statement 4 is correct

• This art was formed in Kerala after the arrival of the Portuguese. In content and presentation, it is modelled after the theatrical forms of medieval Europe.
• Chavittu Natakam has attractive costumes for all characters. The characters generally dress in roles reminiscent of ancient Greco-Roman soldiers and European kings.

Answer: (c) Only three | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q6. {S&T – Space – In News} Amaterasu, recently seen in news is?

1. A recently discovered Supernova by the American Space Association.
2. One of the highest-energy cosmic rays ever detected.
3. One of the four major asteroids discovered between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
4. The first interstellar visitor ever observed in this solar system, as per NASA.

Explanation

• A professor of Osaka Municipal University detected a sub-atomic particle that hit Earth with energy.
• It was named “Amaterasu Particle” after the ancient Japanese goddess of the Sun and the universe.
• For the record, the Amaterasu Particle is not the most powerful cosmic ray detected on Earth. That title goes to the Oh-My-God Particle, which was discovered in 1991.

Answer: (b) One of the highest cosmic rays ever detected | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q7. {Envi – Conservation – Ramsar – In News} Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site and an Important Bird Area is located in:

1. Meghalaya
2. Assam
3. Mizoram
4. Manipur

Explanation

• Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake in a former Brahmaputra channel south of the main river.
• It is a wildlife sanctuary and a Ramsar Site.
• Some of the globally threatened species of birds, like spot-billed pelican, lesser adjutant stork, Baer’s pochard, Pallas’s sea eagle, and greater adjutant stork, are also seen here.
• The freshwater lake was the venue for the four-day ‘The Rising Sun Water Fest – Revisiting Saraighat’, an event that paid tribute to the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. It was organized jointly by the Assam government and the Army.
• Battle of Saraighat (1671): The Ahoms, under the leadership of Lachit Borphukan, defended their kingdom against the Mughal forces, preventing the expansion of the Mughal Empire into Assam).

Answer: (b) Assam | Difficulty Level: Easy (Very Factual)