13 June 2023

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2022-2023:

1. SFSI is a biennial assessment released by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
2. SFSI is based on performance of State/UT on 5 significant parameters with Consumer Empowerment being one of the indicators.
3. Kerala has topped the Food Safety Index 2022-23, replacing Tamil Nadu which has slipped to third position.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) Only three
4. d) None

Solution: 

• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare released the Sate Food Safety Index, 2023 as part of the World Food Safety Day celebrations organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) is an annual assessment released by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The index was started in 2018-19 to create a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country. The 5 parameters of the SFSI are:
• Human Resources and Institutional Data,
• Compliance,
• Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance,
• Training and Capacity Building and
• Consumer Empowerment.
• Kerala has topped the Food Safety Index 2022-23 replacing Tamil Nadu which has slipped to third position and Punjab in second position. Among smaller states Goa stood first for the fourth time in a row which was followed by Manipur and Sikkim.

Correct Answer – (B)

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):

1. ICCPR was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966.
2. UN Human Rights Committee that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
3. India ratified the ICCPR in 1979.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All Three
4. d) None

Solution: 

• ICCPR is a multilateral treaty that commits nations to respect the civil and political rights of individuals. ICCPR was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966. India ratified ICCPR on 1979 while Sri Lanka ratified on 1980.

Correct Answer – (C)

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to Ground-Level Ozone :

1. It is a colourless and highly irritating gas.
2. It forms up to 2 miles from the earth’s surface.
3. It is a primary pollutant directly emitted into the air.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All Three
4. d) None

Solution: 

• Ground-level ozone is “a colourless and highly irritating gas that forms just above the Earth’s surface (up to 2 miles above the ground). Ground-level ozone is also called as tropospheric ozone (O3).  It’s not directly emitted into the air but rather produced when two primary pollutants react in sunlight and stagnant air. These two primary pollutants of Ground-level ozone are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ground-level ozone is called a Secondary pollutant. The pollutant from Ground-level ozone can also travel long distances due to wind and affect rural areas also.
• Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas, it has serious health consequences. The pollutant from Ground-level ozone can also affect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems, including forests, parks and wildlife refuges.

Correct Answer – (B)

Q. Consider the following statements with respect to Kakhovka dam:

1. The dam is located on the Dnieper River which runs via Russia and Ukraine before draining into black sea.
2. Kakhovka dam reservoir provides water for the cooling system of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: 

• Recently Kakhovka Dam was collapsed in the Ukraine Russia war with each side blaming each other for the cause of the collapse of the dam. The Kakhovka Dam is located on the Dnieper River. The primary purposes of the dam are hydroelectric power generation, irrigation and navigation. The Dnieper River is one of the major transboundary rivers of Europe rising in the Valdai Hills near Smolensk, Russia and flows through Belarus and Ukraine before draining into Black Sea. The collapse of the dam could increase the global wheat prices since Ukraine being one of the largest exporters of wheat in the world.

Correct Answer – (C)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Fuel cell AIP generates power through the reverse electrolysis of oxygen and hydrogen whereas the Sterling propulsion system uses diesel fuel and liquid oxygen.
2. Fuel cell-based AIP does not need air, but requires storage of highly inflammable hydrogen on board.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: 

• In the recently announced Project 75-I, The submarines, powered by air-independent propulsion (AIP) are planned to be built under a Rs 45,000 crore programme. Fuel cell-based AIP generates power through the reverse electrolysis of oxygen and hydrogen which does not need air, but requires storage of highly inflammable hydrogen on board.
• The second type of AIP, based on the Stirling engine, is the first modern combat-ready system. It is a simple system that uses diesel fuel (typical for the submarine) and liquid oxygen, discharging the plant overboard at small and medium depths. Although AIP, based on the Stirling engine lacks stealth, it has proved relatively good in a small area, shallow depths, complex hydrology and heavy traffic, which require a submarine’s acoustic signature to be minimised.

Correct Answer – (C)

Q. The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is mentioned in which Upanishad:

1. a) Mundaka Upanishad
2. b) Chandogya Upanishad
3. c) Aitareya Upanishad
4. d) Maha Upanishad

Solution: 

• The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is made up of three Sanskrit words, Vasudhaa (earth/world), iva (like) and kutumbakam (large/extended family).
• The verse finds mention in Maha Upanishad  and is further referred to in the Hitopadesha and other literary works of India.

Correct Answer – (D)

Q. Which of the nation are part of G20 troika after December:

1. Indonesia
2. India
3. Brazil

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. a) 1 & 2 only
2. b) 2 & 3 only
3. c) 1 & 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 & 3

Solution:

• G20 troika after December 1 will comprise the past, the incoming and the next G20 presidencies, i.e., Indonesia, India and Brazil.

Correct Answer – (D)

Q. La Nina is suspected to cause floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino?

1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean, whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean
2. El Nino has adverse effect on South- West monsoon in  India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:

• Statement 1 is not correct: Both La Nina and El Nino are associated with the Pacific Ocean. La Nina is the name given to the situation when the West equatorial Pacific becomes exceptionally warm and the East Equatorial Pacific becomes exceptionally cold. It is the opposite of the El Nino situation.
• Statement 2 is not correct:  La Nina has an effect on the Indian monsoon. It is associated with excess rainfall during the monsoon season.

Correct Answer – (D)

Q. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for:

1. a) Measuring oxygen level in blood
2. b) Computing oxygen level in forest ecosystems
3. c) Pollution analysis in aquatic systems
4. d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude region

Solution: 

• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic (oxygen is present) conditions at a specified temperature. Therefore, it is used for Pollution analysis in aquatic systems.

Correct Answer – (C)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at level to which the market price will never rise.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: 

• Statement 1 not correct. : Procurement is open-ended process , However it is not unlimited since our buffer stock is limited. Procurement is done for the cereal which are notified by Centre and state government under MSP.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Market price has no link with Minimum Support Prices and it can go below or above of MSP depends upon the demand and supply of crop in the market,

Correct Answer – (D)