Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – October 20 2023

Questions

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

Q1. {IE – Infra–Transportation} Consider the following statements with respect to India’s Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project:

1. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is an ambitious and integrated mass transit network to enhance connectivity and access across the National Capital Region (NCR).
2. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project is constructed and managed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation of India.
3. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) trains are designed to operate with a speed similar to metro trains of the National Capital Region for effective synchronisation of transportation.

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

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

Q2. {Agri – Subsidies} Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Minimum Support Price (MSP)’ scheme of India:

1. The Central government fixes the MSPs on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
2. Only Rice and Wheat are guaranteed unlimited procurement by the government of India under the scheme.
3. Recently, MSPs have been given legislative backing due to widespread farmers’ protests.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All of the above

Q3. {Envi – Conservation} Consider the following statements regarding’ Harmful Algal Blooms’:

1. Harmful Algal Blooms are uncontrolled algae growth that produces toxic or harmful effects on organisms.
2. They occur only in marine environments due to higher levels of pollution found in marine areas.
3. They are often called “red tides” because algal blooms caused by dinoflagellates turn the water reddish-brown.

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

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

Q4. {S&T – Defence} The ‘MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’ belongs to which of the following countries?

1. United States of America
2. Israel
3. Russia
4. China

Q5. {Health – Issues} Consider the following statements regarding Formaldehyde:

1. It is found naturally in most living beings, except plant species.
2. It is used in cosmetics, household utensils, resins, and construction.
3. Formaldehyde causes respiratory disease, whereas there is no evidence of cancer caused by Formaldehyde yet.

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

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

Q6. {Polity – IC – State Legislature} Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Money Bill’ in the Indian State Legislative Assemblies:

1. A Money Bill can be introduced in either house of the state legislature.
2. The Governor can amend a Money Bill before giving assent.
3. Money Bills exclusively deal with taxation and expenditure matters.
4. The Governor is the final authority to decide whether a Bill is a Money Bill.

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

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

Q7. {Polity – IC – Judiciary} Consider the following statements regarding the Collegium system:

1. It is a group of the senior-most judges who appoint the judges of the Indian Judiciary, including subordinate courts.
2. The collegium system is mentioned explicitly in the Indian Constitution.
3. Under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court on the advice of the Collegium.

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

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

Q8. {MIH – Personalities} Who among the following social reformers is the author of the magazine ‘Tahdhib-ul-Akhlaq’?

1. Syed Ahmad Rai Barelvi
2. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
3. Maulama Abdul Kalam Azad
4. Rashid Ahmad Gangohi

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {IE – Infra–Transportation} Consider the following statements with respect to India’s Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project:

1. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is an ambitious and integrated mass transit network to enhance connectivity and access across the National Capital Region (NCR).
2. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project is constructed and managed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation of India.
3. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) trains are designed to operate with a speed similar to metro trains of the National Capital Region for effective synchronisation of transportation.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is an ambitious and integrated mass transit network to enhance connectivity and access across the National Capital Region (NCR).
• The Prime Minister will inaugurate the first leg of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), India’s first mass rapid system dedicated to regional connectivity.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project is constructed and managed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
• National Capital Region Transport Corporation is a joint venture company formed by the Central Government (Ministry of Urban and Housing Affairs and Ministry of Railways) and the Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh Governments.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) trains are designed to operate significantly higher than traditional metro trains, with an operating speed of 160 km/hour. They can run up to 180 km/hour.

Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only (incorrect)

Q2. {Agri – Subsidies} Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Minimum Support Price (MSP)’ scheme of India:

1. The Central government fixes the MSPs on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
2. Only Rice and Wheat are guaranteed unlimited procurement by the government of India under the scheme.
3. Recently, MSPs have been given legislative backing due to widespread farmers’ protests.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All of the above

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Central government fixes the MSPs on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) under the Ministry of Agriculture.
• After receiving the feedback, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Union government decides on the level of MSPs.

Statement 2 is correct

• The government, through the Food Corporation of India, has guaranteed and continues to guarantee unlimited procurement of only rice and wheat at the minimum support price.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The primary concern among farmers is that MSPs do not have any legislative backing. The government is not legally bound to pay the MSP to farmers.

Answer: (a) Only one

Q3. {Envi – Conservation} Consider the following statements regarding’ Harmful Algal Blooms’:

1. Harmful Algal Blooms are uncontrolled algae growth that produces toxic or harmful effects on organisms.
2. They occur only in marine environments due to higher levels of pollution found in marine areas.
3. They are often called “red tides” because algal blooms caused by dinoflagellates turn the water reddish-brown.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• HABs are uncontrolled algae growth that produces toxic or harmful effects on organisms.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• They occur in both marine and freshwater sources.
• Marine HABs are caused by diatoms and dinoflagellates (like Karenia brevis).
• Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria generally cause freshwater HABs.

Statement 3 is correct

• They are often called “red tides” because algal blooms caused by dinoflagellates turn the water reddish-brown.

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Q4. {S&T – Defence} The ‘MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’ belongs to which of the following countries?

1. United States of America
2. Israel
3. Russia
4. China

Explanation

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

• The MQ-9B is a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV of the US, which can boost the armed forces’ Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
• The MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) deal with the U.S. is expected to be concluded by February 2024, and deliveries will begin in 2027.

Q5. {Health – Issues} Consider the following statements regarding Formaldehyde:

1. It is found naturally in most living beings, except plant species.
2. It is used in cosmetics, household utensils, resins, and construction.
3. Formaldehyde causes respiratory disease, whereas there is no evidence of cancer caused by Formaldehyde yet.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• It is produced naturally during the decay of plant material in the soil and during normal chemical processes in most living organisms, including humans.

Statement 2 is correct

• They are used in cosmetics, household utensils, resins, constructions, preservatives, fertilisers, etc.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The use of formalin in fish is a major cancer-causing agent. It also causes respiratory disease and allergic reactions.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Q6. {Polity – IC – State Legislature} Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Money Bill’ in the Indian State Legislative Assemblies:

1. A Money Bill can be introduced in either house of the state legislature.
2. The Governor can amend a Money Bill before giving assent.
3. Money Bills exclusively deal with taxation and expenditure matters.
4. The Governor is the final authority to decide whether a Bill is a Money Bill.

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 incorrect

• Money Bills in Indian state legislative assemblies can only be introduced in the Lower House (Legislative Assembly), not in either house.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The governor does not have the power to amend a Money Bill. The Governor can only give assent or withhold assent to the bill.

Statement 3 is correct

• Money Bills in Indian state legislative assemblies exclusively deal with taxation and expenditure matters, similar to the provisions at the national level.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• According to the Indian Constitution, the Speaker decides whether a bill is a money bill or not.

Answer: (a) Only one

Q7. {Polity – IC – Judiciary} Consider the following statements regarding the Collegium system:

1. It is a group of the senior-most judges who appoint the judges of the Indian Judiciary, including subordinate courts.
2. The collegium system is mentioned explicitly in the Indian Constitution.
3. Under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court on the advice of the Collegium.

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

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

Explanation

Statement (1) is incorrect

• It is a group of the senior-most judges who appoint the judges of the Indian Judiciary in the higher courts ꟷ Supreme Court and High Court.
• The Governor appoints the judges of subordinate courts in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned State.

Statement (2) is incorrect

• The collegium system is not mentioned anywhere in the Indian Constitution.

Statement (3) is incorrect

• Under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court.
• Article 124 of India’s Constitution deals with the appointment of judges but makes no mention of a Collegium system for the same.

Answer: (d) None of the above

Q8. {MIH – Personalities} Who among the following social reformers is the author of the magazine ‘Tahdhib-ul-Akhlaq’?

1. Syed Ahmad Rai Barelvi
2. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
3. Maulama Abdul Kalam Azad
4. Rashid Ahmad Gangohi

Explanations

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

• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the most important reformer among the Muslims.
• His progressive social ideas were propagated through his magazine Tahdhib–ul-Akhlaq.
• He interpreted the Quran in the light of contemporary rationalism and science.
• He was also opposed to communal friction.
• He condemned polygamy.

Answer: (b) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan