Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Under the old pension scheme (OPS), the contribution of the current generation of workers was explicitly used to pay the pensions of existing pensioners.
- National Pension Scheme(NPS) is a contributory pension scheme under which employees contribute 10 percent of their salary.
- NPS is mandatory for central government employees joining services on or after January 1, 2004.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- An old pension scheme (OPS), commonly known as the PAYG scheme, is defined as an unfunded pension scheme where current revenues fund pension benefits. Under this scheme, the contribution of the current generation of workers was explicitly used to pay the pensions of existing pensioners. OPS involved a direct transfer of resources from the current generation of taxpayers to fund the pensioners.
- NPS is a defined contribution pension scheme. NPS enables an individual to undertake retirement planning while in employment. With systematic savings and investments,
- NPS facilitates the accumulation of a pension corpus during their working life. NPS is designed to deliver a sustainable solution of having adequate retirement income in old age or upon superannuation.
- NPS is mandatory for central government employees joining services on or after January 1, 2004, and almost all state governments have adopted it for their employees. NPS, regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), is a contributory pension scheme under which employees contribute 10 per cent of their salary (Basic + Dearness Allowance).
Q2. Which of the following statements about phosphorus is correct?
(a) Phosphorus is a noble gas commonly found in the Earth’s atmosphere.
(b) Phosphorus is a metalloid that is essential for all living organisms.
(c) Phosphorus exists only in one stable form, known as white phosphorus.
(d) Phosphorus is highly abundant in the Earth’s crust, making up the majority of its composition.
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- The correct statement is (B) Phosphorus is a metalloid that is essential for all living organisms.
- Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15. It is a nonmetal that is found in the Earth’s crust and is essential for all living organisms. Phosphorus is a component of DNA, RNA, and ATP, which are all essential for life.
- Context: India is facing a critical shortage of phosphorus, which is essential for fertilizers but also a major environmental pollutant.
- The phosphorus shortage is due to its limited availability in geological formations and its contamination of water bodies when not properly managed.
Q3. Consider the following rivers:
- Kabini
- Harangi
- Bhavani
- Hemavati
- Amaravati
How many of the above rivers are right bank tributaries of Cauvery?
(a) Only one
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Origin: River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka state.
Key tributaries:
- Left: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavathy
- Right: Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati, Moyar
Q4. Which of the following statements about hypertension is correct?
(a) Hypertension is defined as blood pressure consistently below the normal range.
(b) Hypertension is typically caused by a lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.
(c) Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is consistently elevated above normal levels.
(d) Hypertension is a temporary condition that doesn’t require medical attention.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever report on the global impact of high blood pressure (hypertension).
- The correct statement about hypertension is (C) Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is consistently elevated above normal levels.
- Hypertension is a common medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as blood pressure consistently above 130/80 mmHg. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs throughout the body, and it can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
Q5. Nagorno-Karabakh, recently seen in news is a region having dispute between:
(a) Russia and Azerbaijan
(b) Turkey and Armenia
(c) Armenia and Azerbaijan
(d) Azerbaijan and Iran
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It centres on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, predominantly Armenian-populated but within Azerbaijan’s borders. A ceasefire mediated by Russia in 1994 left the region under Armenian control, though it’s still recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The area is now governed by separatist Armenians and called the “Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.”
