Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – October 14 2023

Questions

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

Q1. {IR – UN} Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

1. It is the only UN body with the power to make binding resolutions on the member countries.
2. The Non-permanent members of the UNSC are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by a simple majority for two years on a regional basis.
3. India has been a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times.

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

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

Q2. {IE – Industry} Consider the following statements regarding the Classification of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs):

1. The Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises grant Ratna status in four categories.
2. RITES Limited (Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways involved in transport consultancy and the engineering sector, was recently granted Navratna status.
3. Net profit over Rs. 5,000 crores in the last three years is an eligibility condition to become a Maharatna.
4. Coal India Limited (CIL) is an example of a Maharatna company.

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

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

Q3. {IR-Groupings} Which of the following countries are the ‘G4 Group’ members?

1. Brazil, Turkey, Germany, Italy
2. India, Japan, Brazil, Pakistan
3. Germany, Brazil, Japan, India
4. South Africa, Japan, Germany, India

Q4. {Envi – Air Pollution} Consider the following statements regarding the Ozone layer:

1. This layer absorbs the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and prevents it from reaching the Earth’s surface.
2. It reflects and modifies radio waves used for communication and navigation.
3. Recently, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite of NASA has detected a giant ozone hole over Antarctica.

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

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. None

Q5. {Vulnerable Sections – Children} ‘Global Girlhood Report 2023’ was released by:

1. World Economic Forum.
2. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
3. Save the Children, an NGO.
4. United Nations Women.

Q6. {Envi – Biodiversity} Consider the following statements regarding Micrixalus (Dancing Frogs):

1. This least threatened amphibious genus of India is endemic to the western ghats.
2. They are known for their unique foot-flagging behaviour, which they use to attract mates and defend their territories.
3. Chytrid fungus has been a threat to this species.

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

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

Q7. {S&T – IT} Consider the following statements regarding the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network:

1. Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network is a National Survey network of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) base stations that broadcast corrections in the position of the survey drones/rovers, usually over an internet connection.
2. It is capable of precise Location-based services, which can provide centimetre-level positioning services in real-time through real-time kinematics with an accuracy of +/- 3cm.
3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has set up more than 1,000 CORS stations across India.

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

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. None of the above

Q8. {Envi – Biodiversity} Why is there a rise in interest in’ Gambusia’ fish cultivation in India?

1. It is used to reduce eutrophication in rivers.
2. It is an efficient method to control the Mosquito population.
3. It is known for its Luminescence property.
4. Its gelatinous body is used widely in cosmetic industries.

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {IR – UN} Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

1. It is the only UN body with the power to make binding resolutions on the member countries.
2. The Non-permanent members of the UNSC are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by a simple majority for two years on a regional basis.
3. India has been a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• UNSC is the only UN body that has legally binding resolutions-making power.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Each year, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elects five non-permanent members by a two-thirds majority for two years on a regional basis.

Statement 3 is correct

• In 2021, India was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the eighth time.

Answer: (c) Only two

Q2. {IE – Industry} Consider the following statements regarding the Classification of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs):

1. The Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises grant Ratna status in four categories.
2. RITES Limited (Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways involved in transport consultancy and the engineering sector, was recently granted Navratna status.
3. Net profit over Rs. 5,000 crores in the last three years is an eligibility condition to become a Maharatna.
4. Coal India Limited (CIL) is an example of a Maharatna company.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises grant Ratna status in three categories: Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna.

Statement 2 is correct

• RITES Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways involved in transport consultancy and the engineering sector, was recently granted Navratna status.

Statement 3 is correct

• For a company to be listed in Maharatna. The following are the eligibility conditions
  1. Listed on the Indian stock exchange as per SEBI regulation.
  2. Net profit over Rs. 5,000 crores in the last three years.
  3. Annual turnover of Rs. 25,000 crore or net worth of Rs. 15,000 crore for three years.
  4. Global presence through international operations.

Statement 4 is correct

• Coal India Limited (CIL) is an example of a Maharatna company.

Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4 Only

Q3. {IR-Groupings} Which of the following countries are the ‘G4 Group’ members?

1. Brazil, Turkey, Germany, Italy
2. India, Japan, Brazil, Pakistan
3. Germany, Brazil, Japan, India
4. South Africa, Japan, Germany, India

Explanation

• G4 Group comprises four countries: Brazil, India, Germany, and Japan.
• They support each other’s bids to become permanent members of the UNSC.
• They demand the reforms and representation of African countries in the UNSC.

Answer: (c) Germany, Brazil, Japan, India.

Q4. {Envi – Air Pollution} Consider the following statements regarding the Ozone layer:

1. This layer absorbs the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and prevents it from reaching the Earth’s surface.
2. It reflects and modifies radio waves used for communication and navigation.
3. Recently, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite of NASA has detected a giant ozone hole over Antarctica.

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

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• This layer absorbs the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and prevents it from reaching the Earth’s surface, protecting Earth’s living beings.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The ionosphere reflects and modifies radio waves used for communication and navigation.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite of the European Space Agency has detected a giant ozone hole over Antarctica.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Q5. {Vulnerable Sections – Children} ‘Global Girlhood Report 2023’ was released by:

1. World Economic Forum.
2. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
3. Save the Children, an NGO.
4. United Nations Women.

Explanation

Statement (c) is correct; statements (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect

• Save the Children, an NGO, released the Global Girlhood Report 2023. According to the report:
  1. 2/3rd of child marriages occur in regions with higher climate risks.
  2. A 10% increase or decrease in rainfall is associated with a 1% increase in child marriage.

Answer: (c) Save the Children, an NGO.

Q6. {Envi – Biodiversity} Consider the following statements regarding Micrixalus (Dancing Frogs):

1. This least threatened amphibious genus of India is endemic to the western ghats.
2. They are known for their unique foot-flagging behaviour, which they use to attract mates and defend their territories.
3. Chytrid fungus has been a threat to this species.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Endemic to Western Ghats, they are India’s most threatened amphibian genus and the fifth most threatened globally.

Statement 2 is correct

• Dancing frogs are known for their unique foot-flagging behaviour.

Statement 3 is correct

• Chytrid fungus has been a threat to the dancing frog species. Chytrid fungus is a deadly pathogen that can cause chytridiomycosis, a fatal disease to amphibians.

Answer: (c) Only two.

Q7. {S&T – IT} Consider the following statements regarding the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network:

1. Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network is a National Survey network of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) base stations that broadcast corrections in the position of the survey drones/rovers, usually over an internet connection.
2. It is capable of precise Location-based services, which can provide centimetre-level positioning services in real-time through real-time kinematics with an accuracy of +/- 3cm.
3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has set up more than 1,000 CORS stations across India.

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

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. None of the above

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network is a National Survey network of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) base stations that broadcast corrections in the position of the survey drones/rovers, usually over an internet connection.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is a precise location-based service with an accuracy of +/- 3 cm.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Survey of India, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has set up more than 1,000 CORS stations across India.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Q8. {Envi – Biodiversity} Why is there a rise in interest in’ Gambusia’ fish cultivation in India?

1. It is used to reduce eutrophication in rivers.
2. It is an efficient method to control the Mosquito population.
3. It is known for its Luminescence property.
4. Its gelatinous body is used widely in cosmetic industries.

Explanation

Statement (b) is correct; statements (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect

• Gambusia (or mosquitofish) are freshwater fish that control the mosquito population.
• They are voracious feeders that primarily feed on mosquitoes.
• They are invasive species, which is a cause of concern.
• The Andhra Pradesh government recently released millions of Gambusia fish to fight mosquito-borne diseases.

Answer: (b) It is an efficient method to control the Mosquito population.