Q1. Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of solar geoengineering?
(a) Reducing global warming
(b) Protecting crops and forests from extreme heat
(c) Preventing sea levels from rising
(d) Eliminating the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Solar geoengineering is a set of proposed techniques for deliberately modifying the climate system in order to mitigate the effects of global warming. It is not a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it could be used as a temporary measure to limit warming while emissions are reduced.
- While solar geoengineering has the potential to provide some benefits, it also has a number of potential risks. For example, it could disrupt regional climate patterns, lead to unintended consequences for ecosystems, and make it more difficult to adapt to climate change in the long term.
Q2. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions
(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
(c) Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
(d) Reducing the global warming
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- The ability of stratospheric sulfate aerosols to create a global dimming effect has made them a possible candidate for use in solar radiation management climate engineering projects to limit the effect and impact of climate change due to rising levels of greenhouse gases. Delivery of precursor sulfide gases such as sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) by artillery, aircraft and balloons has been proposed.
- Cirrus cloud thinning is a proposed form of climate engineering. Cirrus clouds are high cold ice that, like other clouds, both reflect sunlight and absorb warming infrared radiation. However, they differ from other types of clouds in that, on average, infrared absorption outweighs sunlight reflection, resulting in a net warming effect on the climate. Therefore, thinning or removing these clouds would reduce their heat trapping capacity, resulting in a cooling effect on Earth’s climate.
Q3. How are Nobel Prizes awarded?
(a) Nobel Prizes are awarded by a committee of politicians and government officials from Sweden.
(b) Nobel Prizes are awarded to individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
(c) Nobel Prizes are awarded annually to anyone who nominates themselves for the prize.
(d) Nobel Prizes are awarded solely based on a person’s age and academic qualifications.
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- B) This statement is correct. Nobel Prizes are prestigious international awards presented annually in recognition of significant achievements in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, literature, and peace. The prizes are awarded to individuals and, in the case of the Peace Prize, to organizations that have made substantial contributions to humanity in these areas.
- A) This statement is incorrect. Nobel Prizes are not awarded by politicians and government officials. They are administered by various committees and institutions in Sweden and Norway, in accordance with the wishes of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prizes.
- C) This statement is incorrect. Nobel Prizes are not awarded to individuals who nominate themselves. Nominees for Nobel Prizes are typically proposed and selected by qualified individuals and organizations in the respective fields.
- D) This statement is incorrect. Nobel Prizes are not awarded solely based on a person’s age and academic qualifications. They are awarded based on the significant contributions and achievements of the nominees in their respective fields. Age and qualifications are not the primary criteria for selection.
Q4. Consider the following statements:
- Under 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 per cent of their salary.
- NPS is mandatory for central government employees joining services on or after January 1, 2004.
- At present National Pension Scheme is regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) All four
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Statement 4 is incorrect.
- 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).
Q5. Consider the following statements about National Investment and Infrastructure Fund:
- It is a government-backed Category-II Alternate Investment Fund.
- The Indian government holds a 51% stake in NIIF, while the remaining shares are owned by both foreign and domestic investors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- It is a government-backed Category-II Alternate Investment Fund, created to offer long-term financial support to India’s infrastructure sector. The Indian government holds a 49% stake in NIIF, while the remaining shares are owned by both foreign and domestic investors. Due to the substantial government ownership, NIIF is often regarded as India’s quasi-sovereign wealth fund.
