UPSC Geoscientist Archives

21. Which of the following statements about GPAI (Global Partnership on Ar

Which of the following statements about GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) is/are correct ?

1. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting edge research.
2. The Annual GPAI Summit was held at New Delhi in December 2023.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct. GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) is explicitly defined as a multi-stakeholder initiative (bringing together experts from government, industry, civil society, and academia) that aims to bridge the gap between scientific theory and practical application of AI by supporting cutting-edge research and pilot projects on AI-related priorities. Statement 2 is also correct. India held the presidency of GPAI in 2023 and hosted the annual GPAI Summit in New Delhi from December 12-14, 2023.

GPAI is a global initiative focused on the responsible development and use of AI, fostering international collaboration on AI-related priorities. India hosted its annual summit in December 2023.

GPAI was launched in June 2020. Its mission is to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth. It supports cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities. It currently has 29 member countries, including the EU as a member.

22. Which of the following statements about ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is/are

Which of the following statements about ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is/are correct ?

1. It is a global campaign for raising consciousness about the water crisis.
2. It is an impact-driven campaign that highlights achievements at key global events such as COP28.
3. It is a campaign undertaken by a philanthropic organization ‘Football for Peace’.

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

2 only

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct. ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is indeed a concept or campaign aimed at addressing the global water crisis by focusing on restoring natural water cycles through landscape restoration and regeneration. This inherently involves raising consciousness about the issue and potential solutions. Statement 2 is also correct. The movement/concept is impact-driven, focusing on tangible ecological restoration outcomes. Discussions and commitments related to land and water restoration are highly relevant to global environmental forums like COP28, where these issues were prominent. Statement 3 is incorrect. While various organizations and initiatives contribute to the goal of rehydrating the Earth, the campaign is not specifically undertaken by a philanthropic organization named ‘Football for Peace’. It is a broader concept involving multiple stakeholders and organizations, including environmental groups, research institutions, and international bodies.

‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is an environmental concept focusing on restoring natural water cycles and ecosystems through landscape regeneration, directly linked to addressing the water crisis and climate change. It is a subject of discussion and action at major global environmental conferences.

Restoring degraded landscapes and improving soil health are key methods in rehydrating the Earth, as healthy soil and vegetation can retain water more effectively, recharge groundwater, and improve water quality. This approach contrasts with purely engineering-based solutions to water scarcity. Global initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration promote activities that contribute to rehydrating the Earth.

23. Which one among the following statements about PDMC scheme (Per Drop M

Which one among the following statements about PDMC scheme (Per Drop More Crop) is not correct ?

This scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through micro-irrigation.

The cost borne in implementing this scheme is shared by the Central Government and the State Governments in the ratio of 50 : 50.

It is a Centrally sponsored scheme.

This scheme is implemented under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement A is correct: The PDMC scheme aims to enhance water use efficiency at the farm level, primarily through promoting micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Statement B is not correct: The cost sharing ratio for the PDMC scheme (a component of PMKSY) is typically 60:40 between the Centre and States for general states, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% for Union Territories, not a fixed 50:50.
Statement C is correct: As a component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), PDMC is a Centrally sponsored scheme.
Statement D is not correct: The PDMC scheme is implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), not the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). While both are centrally sponsored schemes related to agriculture, PDMC is specifically part of PMKSY’s ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component.
The question asks for a statement that is *not* correct. Both B and D are incorrect. However, stating that PDMC is implemented under RKVY instead of PMKSY is a fundamental misattribution of the scheme’s administrative framework. Thus, D is a clearly incorrect statement about the program’s structure. Option B is also incorrect regarding the fixed 50:50 ratio, but cost-sharing itself is a feature. D is a more direct factual error regarding the parent scheme.

The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

PMKSY was launched in 2015 with the motto “Har Khet Ko Pani” (Water to Every Field) and has different components focusing on various aspects of irrigation and water management. PDMC specifically focuses on water-saving technologies at the field level. RKVY is another umbrella scheme for agricultural development, but PDMC falls under PMKSY.

24. Which one of the following is not correct about the UNESCO Creative Ci

Which one of the following is not correct about the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature ?

Kozhikode is India's first UNESCO City of Literature

UNESCO launched it in 2004

Edinburgh was the first UNESCO City of Literature

There are four cities of India in this list

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement A is correct: Kozhikode (Kerala) was designated as India’s first UNESCO City of Literature in November 2023.
Statement B is correct: UNESCO launched the Creative Cities Network, including the City of Literature category, in 2004.
Statement C is correct: Edinburgh, Scotland, was designated as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004.
Statement D is not correct: As of the latest designations (November 2023), Kozhikode is the only Indian city specifically designated as a UNESCO City of *Literature*. While other Indian cities are part of the Creative Cities Network in different categories (e.g., Music, Gastronomy, Crafts and Folk Arts), there are not four Indian cities in the Literature list.

Only one Indian city, Kozhikode, is designated as a UNESCO City of Literature as of the end of 2023.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Digital Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music.

25. Arrange the following countries in the descending order of their rank

Arrange the following countries in the descending order of their rank in the World Happiness Report, based on a three-year average 2020 – 2022, published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network :

Israel
United Kingdom
United States of America
Switzerland

Select the answer using the code given below :

1, 4, 3, 2

4, 3, 2, 1

2, 4, 3, 1

3, 4, 2, 1

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The World Happiness Report 2023, which uses data averaged over 2020-2022, ranked countries based on happiness levels. The ranks for the given countries were: Israel (4), Switzerland (8), United States of America (15), and United Kingdom (19). Arranging them in descending order of rank (meaning from lowest rank number – highest happiness – to highest rank number – lowest happiness) gives the sequence: Israel (4), Switzerland (8), United States of America (15), United Kingdom (19). This corresponds to the order 1, 4, 3, 2.

The World Happiness Report 2023 ranked countries based on various factors influencing well-being.

Finland was ranked as the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year in the 2023 report. The report ranks countries based on six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.

26. Which of the following was the official song for the FIFA Women’s Worl

Which of the following was the official song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 ?

Lets Get Together Now

The Time of Our Lives

Live It Up

Do It Again

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The official song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, was titled “Do It Again”. It was performed by New Zealand artist Benee featuring Australian artist Mallrat.

“Do It Again” was the official song for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Major sporting events often have official songs or anthems to build excitement and represent the spirit of the competition. The other options listed were official songs for previous events: “Lets Get Together Now” (2002 FIFA World Cup), “The Time of Our Lives” (2006 FIFA World Cup), and “Live It Up” (2018 FIFA World Cup).

27. Which one of the following is the world governing body for Badminton r

Which one of the following is the world governing body for Badminton recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee ?

World Badminton League

Badminton World Federation

International Badminton Federation

International Federation of Badminton

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The world governing body for the sport of badminton, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), is the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It was founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation (IBF) and was renamed BWF in 2006.

Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the global governing body for badminton.

The BWF oversees international tournaments, sets rules, and promotes the sport globally. Its headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The old name, International Badminton Federation (IBF), is listed as an incorrect option.

28. Which of the following statements with respect to milk production in I

Which of the following statements with respect to milk production in India is/are not correct ?

1. From 2013 – 14 to 2021 – 22, the milk production in India has registered an increase of more than 50 percent.
2. Although the milk production over the above period has increased, per capita availability of milk has decreased.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct: India’s milk production increased from approximately 137.6 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 221.06 million tonnes in 2021-22, which is an increase of over 60%, well above 50 percent.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Per capita availability of milk in India has consistently increased over this period, from 307 grams/day in 2013-14 to 444 grams/day in 2021-22, due to milk production growth outpacing population growth.
The question asks for the statement(s) that are *not* correct. Therefore, only statement 2 is incorrect.

India has seen substantial growth in both total milk production and per capita availability of milk between 2013-14 and 2021-22.

India is the world’s largest producer of milk. The increase in milk production is attributed to various factors including increased livestock population, improved productivity through cross-breeding and better healthcare, and government schemes promoting dairy farming.

29. According to IUCN Red list, a ‘vulnerable’ species is one which :

According to IUCN Red list, a ‘vulnerable’ species is one which :

is likely to become endangered in the near future.

has a very high risk of getting extinct in the wild.

is known only to survive in the wild.

is known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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According to the IUCN Red List categories, a ‘Vulnerable’ (VU) species is defined as one which is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. Option A, “likely to become endangered in the near future,” aligns closely with this definition, indicating a step below ‘Endangered’ but facing a significant threat level. Option B describes the ‘Endangered’ category (very high risk), and Options C and D describe variations related to ‘Extinct in the Wild’.

A Vulnerable species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.

The IUCN Red List is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. Species are classified into nine categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated.

30. Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in which one of the following w

Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in which one of the following wetlands ?

Chilika Lagoon of Odisha

Loktak Lake of Manipur

Deepor Beel of Assam

Gurudongmar Lake of Sikkim

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in Manipur, specifically on the southeastern part of Loktak Lake. It is famous as the world’s only floating national park and is the last natural refuge of the Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer), a highly endangered species.

Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated on Loktak Lake in Manipur.

Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. Chilika Lagoon is a brackish water lagoon in Odisha. Deepor Beel is a wetland in Assam. Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in Sikkim.