19 February 2024

Q1. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?

(a) Article 15

(b) Article 19

(c) Article 21

(d) Article 29

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The “Right to Privacy” is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Article 21 states: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law.” This has been interpreted by the Supreme Court of India to include the right to privacy as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty.

Q2. With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:

1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

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: (b)

Explanation:

• Ocean water: 97.2 percent
• Glaciers and other ice: 2.15 percent
• Groundwater,: 0.61 percent
• Fresh water lakes: 0.009 percent
• Inland seas: 0.008 percent
• Soil Moisture: 0.005 percent
• Atmosphere: 0.001 percent
• Rivers: 0.0001 percent.
• The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is indeed more than the amount of groundwater. However, the first statement, “The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater,” is not generally correct. Groundwater, which is stored beneath the Earth’s surface, typically represents a much larger portion of the Earth’s fresh water compared to the water in rivers and lakes.

Q3. The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of:

(a) brown forest soil

(b) fissure volcanic rock

(c) granite and schist

(d) shale and limestone

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The correct answer is (b), fissure volcanic rock.
• Black cotton soil, also known as regur soil, is a type of soil that is formed from the weathering of volcanic rocks. It is found in many parts of the world, including India, Pakistan, and Brazil. In India, black cotton soil is found in the Deccan Plateau, which is a large volcanic plateau.

Q4. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of:

(a) clonal propagation of crop plants

(b) developing genetically modified crop plants

(c) production of plant growth substances

(d) production of biofertilizers

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of developing genetically modified crop plants.
• Bollgard I and Bollgard II are Bt cotton technologies that have been genetically engineered to produce proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests. This makes Bollgard cotton resistant to these pests, which can reduce the need for farmers to use insecticides.

Q5. Consider the following:

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
• Bacteria and fungi can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium, but viruses cannot. Viruses require a living host cell to replicate, so they cannot be grown in a culture medium on their own.