17 March 2023

1. The Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization & Evaluation (SPACE) facility is described as follows:

1. It was fired off by ISRO.
2. It is mostly used for Sonar system evaluation, enabling rapid deployment and simple recovery of scientific packages such sensors and transducers.
3. At the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, it is placed.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) launched the Hull Module of Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization & Evaluation (SPACE) facility to support “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and India’s “Make in India” promise.
• The second claim is true.
• The SPACE facility was built by M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Chennai, based on the concept design and specifications proposed by NPOL. This will be used mostly for testing sonar systems, making it possible for scientific packages like sensors and transducers to be deployed quickly and recovered with ease.
• The third statement is untrue.
• The Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in Kochi has it installed.
• The SPACE is a unique building in the globe. The innovative submersible platform that can be lowered to depths of up to 100 metres utilising a set of synchronously operated winches is what makes this facility exceptional.
• The platform’s design and construction strictly correspond to the inspection and registration requirements set forth by the Kerala Inland Vessel Rules as well as the requirements of the Indian Register of Shipping and the vessel classifying authority.

2. Take into account the following statements concerning the Middle East Green Initiative Summit in 2022:

1. An programme to plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East is being led by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
2. Initiative intends to cut regional hydrocarbon production’s carbon emissions by more than 60%.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• A programme called the Middle East Green Initiative Summit 2022, which is led by Saudi Arabia, aims to plant 50 billion trees around the region.
• In the Middle East, it intends to plant 50 billion trees and rehabilitate 200 million hectares of degraded land.
• The programme will contribute to a 2.5% decrease in world carbon emissions.
• The second claim is true.
• It intends to cut regional hydrocarbon production’s carbon emissions by more than 60%.
• On October 25, 2021, in Riyadh, HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, convened the inaugural Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit.

3. Take into account the following claims about the National Hydrogen Mission:

1. By 2030, the government wants to produce five billion tonnes of green hydrogen, and the mission intends to help with that goal as well as the related expansion of renewable energy capacity.
2. The carbon emissions from the production of “green” hydrogen are caught, stored, or used again.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• The project intends to make India a green hydrogen hub and assist the government in achieving its climate goals.
• By 2030, five million tonnes of green hydrogen must be produced, and the accompanying expansion of renewable energy capacity, will be made possible thanks to this.
• The second claim is untrue.
• The production of hydrogen, which is mostly used in the petrochemical and fertiliser industries and is largely derived from natural gas, results in significant carbon dioxide emissions.
• Hydrogen is divided into three categories: grey, blue, and green, depending on the type of extraction process used.
• It matters where the hydrogen comes from.
• Currently, it is primarily made industrially from natural gas, which produces a sizable amount of carbon emissions. It is referred to as “grey” hydrogen.
• “Blue” hydrogen, for which the carbon emissions are caught and stored or utilised, is a cleaner alternative.
• The cleanest hydrogen is “green” hydrogen, which is created using renewable energy without ever releasing carbon emissions.

4. Consider the following statements regarding the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (Lead-IT) programme:

1. The World Economic Forum backs it, and it was started by the governments of Sweden and India.
2. It is a volunteer programme to encourage the low-carbon transition, particularly in the challenging industries.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• The World Economic Forum supports it. It was introduced by the governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
• The belief that energy-intensive industries can and must advance along low-carbon paths with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is shared by members of LeadIT.
• The second claim is true.
• Through the active involvement of private sector enterprises, LeadIT is a voluntary project for fostering low-carbon transition, particularly in the difficult-to-abate sectors like Iron & Steel, Aluminium, Cement and Concrete, Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Bricks, Heavy-Duty Transport, etc.
• Currently, Dalmia Cement, Mahindra Group, and SpiceJet are among the Group’s 19 enterprises and 16 member nations.

5. What statement about the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is true?

1. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction introduced CDRI in 2019. (UNDRR).
2. It seeks to encourage infrastructure system resilience to threats from the weather and natural disasters, ensuring sustainable growth.
3. It belongs to the intergovernmental sector.

Select the appropriate response:

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

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was founded in 2019 with backing from UNDRR and leadership provided by the Government of India.
• The second claim is true.
• In order to support sustainable development, it strives to increase the ability of both new and existing infrastructure systems to withstand climate change and disaster hazards.
• To address the imperatives of the Sustainable Development Goals of expanding universal access to essential services, enabling prosperity, and decent work, it strives to swiftly expand the development and retrofit of resilient infrastructure.
• The third statement is untrue.
• A multi-stakeholder global alliance of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, international development banks and finance mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions makes up the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• In New Delhi, India, is where the CDRI Secretariat is located.
• It gives India a platform to become a world authority on climate action and disaster resilience.

6. Take into account the following statements about Dynamic Composite Risk Analysis (Web-DCRA):

1. The Department of Science and Technology developed it.
2. It is a technique for predicting the anticipated damage brought on by storms that would make landfall over the nation’s coastal districts.
3. This project will be carried out by IMD in collaboration with the participating State Governments.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• A web-based Dynamic Composite Risk Analysis has been created by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) (Web-DCRA).
• The second claim is true.
• It is a technique for predicting the anticipated damage brought on by storms that would make landfall over the nation’s coastal districts.
• Better vulnerability assessments may be made by disaster managers, who can then use this tool to mobilise mitigating measures.
• In order to reduce the risk of cyclones in the nation, this falls under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) of the Indian government.
• The project’s goal is to implement appropriate structural and non-structural measures to lessen the consequences of cyclones in India’s coastal states and UTs.
• The third statement is untrue.
• This project will be carried out in conjunction with the participating State Governments by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

7. Take into account the following statements about Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant:

1. In accordance with the provisions of Article 275 of the Constitution, the Center provides them to the States.
2. According to the recommendations of the several Finance Commissions, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance releases the funding to the States.

Which of the aforementioned statements is/are false?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• Under Article 275 of the Constitution, the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grants are made available to the States.
• Grants from the Union to certain States are mentioned in Article 275.
• The second claim is untrue.
• According to the recommendations of the previous Finance Commissions, the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance releases the funding to the States.
• To close the revenue gap in the States’ revenue accounts following devolution, the grants are disbursed in accordance with the Finance Commission’s recommendations in monthly instalments (of the divisible tax pool of the Centre.

8. Take into account these claims about IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilient Island States):

1. The UN has started this project to build the infrastructure of tiny island countries that are susceptible to climate change.
2. It is a component of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and would concentrate on capacity building and experimental initiatives, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS).

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are both untrue.
• Through technical assistance, information exchange, partnerships, and technical collaborations, IRIS seeks to assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in attaining sustainable development through a methodical approach to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure.
• India introduced this approach at the COP 26.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), of which the IRIS initiative is a component, would concentrate on capacity building and pilot projects, particularly in small island developing states.

9. Considering the National Population Register, which of the following statements is false?

1. It is a list of the nation’s citizens.
2. The Citizenship Act of 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules of 2003 are being followed in its preparation.
3. In 2010, the NPR was originally compiled, and it was then revised in 2015.
4. All of the above

Explanation

• The NPR is a list of the nation’s regular residents. Both locals and visitors are included.
• For the purposes of NPR, a person is considered a regular resident if they have lived in the area for the past six months or more or plan to stay there for the upcoming six months or more.
• The National Population Register (NPR) is a register that includes information on people who typically live in a town, village, ward, or other region that is delineated within a ward of a town or city.
• In accordance with Sub-rule (4) of Rule 3 of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, created in accordance with the Citizenship Act, 1955, NPR was initially created in 2010 and revised in 2015.
• Along with Houselisting and Housing Operations of the next Census, the NPR would be updated to reflect the changes brought about by birth, death, and migration.
• The National Population Registry’s goal is to compile a thorough record of the nation’s typical residents. Throughout this activity, no document will be gathered.

10. Take into account the following statements about the Black Sea Grain Initiative:

1. It makes an effort to combat rising food costs brought on by supply chain disruptions brought on by Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
2. Ukraine is the world’s greatest exporter of wheat, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
3. The UN and Turkey mediated the agreement.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• The Black Sea Grain Agreement aims to address rising food costs brought on by supply chain interruptions as a result of Russia’s operations in the “breadbasket” of the globe (Ukraine).
• The second claim is untrue.
• Ukraine is currently the fifth-largest exporter of wheat in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• Between 2016–17 and 2020–21, it had a 10% market share worldwide.
• The third statement is true.
• On July 22 of this year, the agreement was inked in Istanbul after being mediated by the UN and Turkey.
• Deal was to provide a safe maritime humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian exports (especially for food grains) from three of its important ports, namely Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi, initially for a period of 120 days, with an option to prolong or cancel after November.
• The main goal was to control market volatility by assuring a sufficient supply of grains and preventing an increase in food prices.
• Ukraine is one of the world’s top exporters of rapeseed, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, and wheat. It can immediately approach Russia, Europe, and grain importers from West Asia and North Africa because to its proximity to the deep-sea ports in the Black Sea.
• Exactly what the effort attempted to solve was how Russia’s operations in the East European nation had disrupted the route that was previously utilised to ship 75% of its agricultural exports.