41. The term ‘Polymerase Chain Reaction’ is often mentioned in news in the

The term ‘Polymerase Chain Reaction’ is often mentioned in news in the context of

alternate sources of energy
production of safe plastics
developing hypersonic missiles
diagnosis of infectious diseases
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The correct answer is (D) diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a laboratory technique used to amplify or make many copies of specific DNA sequences. This allows for the detection of even tiny amounts of genetic material from pathogens.
PCR is a fundamental tool in molecular biology and is widely used in various fields, including genetic research, forensics, and particularly in the diagnosis of infectious diseases like COVID-19, HIV, influenza, and many bacterial or viral infections by detecting the presence of the pathogen’s genetic material.

42. Among the following, which one has been accorded the status of UNESCO

Among the following, which one has been accorded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site recently?

Chausath Yogini Temple, near Morena
Sri Kalahastheeswara Temple, near Tirupati
Ramappa Temple, near Warangal
Manjunatha Temple, near Dharmasthala
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The correct answer is (C) Ramappa Temple, near Warangal.
The Ramappa Temple (also known as Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple) in Telangana was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021.
The Ramappa Temple dates back to the 13th century and is a masterpiece of Kakatiya architecture. India had two sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021: the Ramappa Temple and the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation city of Dholavira in Gujarat.

43. Consider the following statements: 1. The Regional Comprehensive Eco

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the world’s biggest free trade deal.
  • 2. India is a member of the RCEP.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
Statement 1 is correct: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is considered the world’s largest free trade agreement, covering about 30% of the world’s population and GDP.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India participated in the RCEP negotiations for many years but decided not to join the agreement in November 2019 due to concerns about potential impacts on its domestic industries and agriculture.
RCEP was signed in November 2020 by 15 countries, including the ten ASEAN member states and five of their major trading partners: Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. India remains outside the agreement but has the option to join later.

44. What is ‘Pegasus’ often heard in news?

What is ‘Pegasus’ often heard in news?

A type of cloud computing
A digital payment platform
A spyware
A radar system
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
‘Pegasus’ is a sophisticated spyware developed by the Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO Group.
It is designed to secretly infiltrate smartphones and other devices, allowing its operators to extract data, activate microphones and cameras, and track location without the user’s knowledge.
Pegasus gained significant international attention following reports by a consortium of journalists and organizations in 2021, which alleged its use by governments around the world for surveillance on journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents, and other targets.

45. ‘Van Panchayats or Village Forest Councils’ are unique to which one am

‘Van Panchayats or Village Forest Councils’ are unique to which one among the following States?

Himachal Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Uttarakhand
Sikkim
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
‘Van Panchayats’ or Village Forest Councils are a unique system of community forest management that is prevalent in the state of Uttarakhand.
These are self-governing institutions that manage local forests based on traditional practices and statutory provisions. They have been in existence for decades and have a distinct legal identity under state legislation.
While other states have various forms of community involvement in forest management, such as Joint Forest Management (JFM), the Van Panchayat system in Uttarakhand is considered a unique model with significant autonomy and legal backing for local communities to manage specific forest areas.

46. The Green Revolution as an agrarian revolution aimed at revolutionizin

The Green Revolution as an agrarian revolution aimed at revolutionizing the production of

food grains
fruits and vegetables
cereals
fisheries
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The Green Revolution in India was an agrarian revolution aimed at significantly increasing the production of food grains.
It primarily focused on improving the yield of major cereal crops like wheat and rice through the adoption of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of seeds, along with better irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The Green Revolution, starting in the late 1960s, transformed India from a food-deficit country relying on imports into a food-surplus nation, particularly in wheat and rice production. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is considered the father of the Green Revolution in India.

47. Which one of the following is referred to in the Constitution of India

Which one of the following is referred to in the Constitution of India as the ‘Date of its Commencement’ ?

14th November, 1949
17th October, 1949
26th January, 1950
26th November, 1949
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The Constitution of India is referred to have commenced on 26th January, 1950. This date is celebrated as Republic Day in India.
While certain provisions relating to citizenship, elections, provisional Parliament, etc., came into force on 26th November, 1949 (the date of adoption and enactment of the Constitution), the bulk of the Constitution and its Preamble came into effect on 26th January, 1950.
The date 26th January was specifically chosen for the commencement of the Constitution to commemorate Purna Swaraj Day, which was first celebrated on 26th January, 1930, following the Lahore Session (1929) resolution of the Indian National Congress.

48. Which one of the following is not a Fundamental Right under the Consti

Which one of the following is not a Fundamental Right under the Constitution of India?

Right to property
Right against exploitation
Right to constitutional remedies
Cultural and educational right
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The Right to property is not a Fundamental Right under the Constitution of India. It was originally a Fundamental Right under Article 31.
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, repealed Article 31 and removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights. It was made a legal right under Article 300A, which states that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.
Rights against exploitation (Articles 23-24), Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32), and Cultural and educational rights (Articles 29-30) are all currently enshrined as Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution.

49. Through which one of the following amendment acts were Fundamental Dut

Through which one of the following amendment acts were Fundamental Duties introduced to the Constitution of India?

The 44th Amendment Act
The 42nd Amendment Act
The 43rd Amendment Act
The 25th Amendment Act
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
Fundamental Duties were introduced into the Constitution of India by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
This amendment added a new Part IVA to the Constitution, consisting of Article 51A, which originally listed ten Fundamental Duties for citizens. The 42nd Amendment Act is also known as the ‘Mini Constitution’ due to the significant and extensive changes it made to the Constitution.
The idea of Fundamental Duties was inspired by the constitution of the erstwhile USSR. A committee headed by Sardar Swaran Singh recommended their inclusion. Later, the 11th Fundamental Duty was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, relating to education.

50. Which one of the following is not applicable to a writ of Habeas

Which one of the following is not applicable to a writ of Habeas Corpus?

It is a powerful safeguard to citizens against arbitrary acts of the State
It can be invoked for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights
The writ may be addressed to any person, private or official, who has another person in his custody
It secures the release of a person who has been imprisoned by a court of law on a criminal charge
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
A writ of Habeas Corpus is a legal remedy used to challenge the legality of detention or confinement. It secures the release of a person who has been unlawfully detained, but it is generally not applicable to secure the release of a person imprisoned by a court of law after a valid conviction on a criminal charge.
Habeas Corpus serves as a powerful safeguard against arbitrary state action (A) and can be invoked for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, particularly Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) (B). The writ can be addressed to anyone, state authority or private person, who is holding someone in custody (C).
If a person is convicted and imprisoned by a competent court, the appropriate legal recourse is typically appeal or revision against the conviction, not Habeas Corpus, unless the conviction or the court’s jurisdiction itself is fundamentally flawed rendering the detention unlawful.