The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

Deep Ocean Mission is the initiative of International Seabed Authority (ISA).
As part of the Deep Ocean Mission, India plans to introduce deep ocean gliders to strengthen the capacity of observations in the Indian Ocean.
With the help of in-situ and satellite data of sea temperatures, currents and salinity, various climatic conditions and the monsoons can be predicted as accurately as possible.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

India has plans to introduce eight deep ocean gliders having 6-12 months endurance to travel from 3,000 km to 4,500 km, about 48 deep Argo floats at 6,000-metre depth at 24 locations and another 150 wave drifters to strengthen the capacity of observations in the Indian Ocean as part of its ‘Deep Ocean Mission’.
With the help of the in situ and satellite data of sea temperatures, currents, salinity etc., “we are trying to predict as much accurate as possible the various climatic conditions and the monsoons.
The Government is drafting a policy on ‘Blue Economy’ of which the ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ forms an integral part.
Deep Ocean Mission is the initiative of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
International Indian Ocean Conference (IIOC) organised by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

The law mandates that 75% of the total population must be covered by the PDS.
The NFSA requires that the latest completed Census be used to calculate the total PDS coverage.
Some States use their own budgets to top up PDS coverage through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 expanded the coverage of the PDS substantially.
The law mandates that 50% of the urban and 75% of the rural populations must be covered by the PDS.
The NFSA requires that the latest completed Census be used to calculate the total PDS coverage.
Some States use their own budgets to “top up” PDS coverage through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) — for example, Tamil Nadu — or local procurement — for example, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

(a) eDNA refers to the electronic documentation of environmental samples.

(b) eDNA is the extraction of DNA from historical artifacts.

(d) eDNA stands for Electronic Data Networking, a system used for tracking endangered species.

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Context: Researchers at the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), a part of the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have developed a novel method for detecting all life forms in an ecosystem using environmental DNA (eDNA).
This innovative approach involves collecting water, soil, or air samples and then sequencing the DNA fragments found in these samples to assess the total biodiversity of the ecosystem.
It can identify a wide range of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, plants, insects, birds, fish, and other animals.
This non-invasive technique is cost-effective, fast, and scalable for monitoring and conserving biodiversity in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

(a) Central Ground Water Board

(b) Central Water Commission

(d) NITI Aayog

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

Context: NITI Aayog, the Indian government’s think tank, is considering discontinuing the ‘Composite Water Management Index’ (CWMI) report, which was launched five years ago to assess water management in Indian states.
The latest edition of the report highlights that water scarcity is a national problem, with decreasing annual per capita water availability.
While the third and fourth editions of the report have been delayed due to the unavailability of updated data during the COVID-19 pandemic, NITI Aayog has considered combining these editions with future rounds to extend the data coverage to district levels.
The report aimed to support evidence-based policy decisions for water resource management and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among Indian states.

(a) A common greenhouse gas produced during photosynthesis in plants.

(b) A highly flammable gas used as a fuel source in industrial processes.

(d) A naturally occurring gas essential for respiration in humans.

Ans: (c)

Explanation: About CO:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas, slightly less dense than air. It’s produced from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, like fossil fuels, wood, and vehicle exhaust. CO is toxic as it displaces oxygen in the blood. In the atmosphere, it’s short-lived and contributes to ground-level ozone formation.