UPSC IAS

21. ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situ

‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?

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Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
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UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is A) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go.
Metagenomics is the study of the collective genetic material (DNA and RNA) from a community of organisms in an environmental sample, bypassing the need to isolate and culture individual species. “Aerial” refers to the air. Therefore, “aerial metagenomics” is the technique of collecting samples from the air (which contains DNA from airborne microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen, spores, environmental DNA from insects, etc.) and analyzing the extracted genetic material to understand the biodiversity and composition of the airborne biome in a specific habitat at a particular time.
This technique allows for the broad-scale monitoring of biodiversity and ecological dynamics in the air, potentially detecting invasive species, monitoring allergens (pollen, spores), or studying pathogen distribution without extensive fieldwork or culturing.

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22. Consider the following activities: 1. Spreading finely ground basalt

Consider the following activities:

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  • 1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
  • 2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
  • 3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

Only one
Only two
All three
None
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UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is C) All three.
Let’s evaluate each activity:
1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively: This is a climate change mitigation technique known as enhanced rock weathering. Crushed silicate rocks like basalt react with CO2 from the atmosphere and soil to form stable carbonate minerals, effectively sequestering carbon. Spreading it on agricultural land also potentially improves soil health. This is considered for carbon capture and sequestration.
2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime: This is a form of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), a proposed geoengineering technique for carbon removal. Increasing ocean alkalinity enhances its capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2. This is discussed for carbon capture and sequestration.
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters: This is a description of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). CO2 emissions from industrial sources are captured and stored underground in geological formations such as depleted oil/gas fields, saline aquifers, or, as mentioned here, abandoned mines (though less common than saline aquifers). Injecting it as carbonated water is one variation, aiming for mineral carbonation. This is a well-established concept for carbon capture and sequestration.
All three activities are actively discussed and researched as methods for carbon capture and sequestration.
These methods fall under the broader categories of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) or Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) techniques, aiming to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.

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23. ‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which o

‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

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Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes
Converting crop residues into packing material
Producing biodegradable plastics
Producing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass
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The correct answer is A) Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.
The Wolbachia method involves introducing the naturally occurring bacteria *Wolbachia* into mosquito populations, particularly *Aedes aegypti*, which transmit diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. *Wolbachia* can prevent these viruses from replicating effectively inside the mosquito, thereby reducing the mosquito’s ability to transmit the disease to humans. It can also affect mosquito reproduction, potentially suppressing populations over time.
This method is being explored and implemented by organizations like the World Mosquito Program as a sustainable, long-term approach to control mosquito-borne viral diseases, as an alternative or complement to traditional methods like insecticides.

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24. With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider t

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :

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  • 1. None of them uses seawater.
  • 2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
  • 3. None of them is privately owned.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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Only one
Only two
All three
None
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UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is D) None.
Let’s examine each statement:
1. None of them uses seawater: This is incorrect. Coastal thermal power plants like the Mundra plant in Gujarat or the Ennore plant in Tamil Nadu use seawater for cooling.
2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district: This is incorrect. Many thermal power plants are located in regions facing water scarcity, leading to significant environmental and social concerns regarding their water consumption.
3. None of them is privately owned: This is incorrect. India has a significant number of privately owned coal-based thermal power plants, operated by companies like Tata Power, Adani Power, Reliance Power, etc., alongside plants owned by public sector undertakings like NTPC.
Since all three statements are incorrect, none of them are correct.
The water usage of thermal power plants, especially in water-stressed areas, is a major environmental issue in India. Many regulatory efforts are being made to improve water use efficiency in these plants. The Indian power sector is a mix of public and private ownership.

25. Consider the following statements: 1. In a seismograph, P waves are

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves.
  • 2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct. P waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that travel fastest through the Earth’s layers. S waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves and travel slower than P waves. Therefore, P waves arrive at a seismograph before S waves from the same earthquake event.
Statement 2 is correct. P waves are longitudinal waves, meaning the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the direction of wave propagation. S waves are transverse waves, meaning the particles vibrate perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation.
P waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while S waves can only travel through solids. This difference in behavior was crucial in understanding the Earth’s internal structure, particularly the liquid outer core which stops S waves.

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26. Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The temperature cont

Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-II : The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
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The correct answer is A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Statement II is correct. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land surfaces. This means that water requires more energy to raise its temperature by one degree compared to land. Conversely, water also loses heat more slowly than land.
Statement I is correct. Because of the difference in specific heat, land surfaces heat up much faster and to higher temperatures than oceans during the day and summer, and cool down much faster and to lower temperatures during the night and winter. This differential heating and cooling leads to greater temperature variations over land compared to oceans. Consequently, the temperature contrast (difference) between continents and oceans tends to be larger in summer (hot land vs. moderate ocean) and winter (cold land vs. moderate ocean) than in spring or autumn. Generally, the magnitude of the contrast is considered greater in summer.
Statement II explains Statement I. The higher specific heat of water is the fundamental reason why oceans moderate temperatures more effectively than continents, leading to the observed differences in temperature variability and the resulting seasonal contrast.
This principle is also responsible for the difference between continental climates (large temperature ranges) and maritime climates (small temperature ranges). Coastal areas benefit from the moderating effect of the ocean.

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27. Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The soil in tropical

Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
Statement-II : The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter to decompose quickly.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
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The correct answer is D) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Statement I is incorrect. Soils in tropical rainforests are typically poor in nutrients. The high rainfall leads to rapid leaching of minerals, and the high temperatures and humidity cause very rapid decomposition of organic matter. Nutrients are quickly taken up by the dense vegetation and are stored primarily in the biomass, rather than accumulating in the soil. When the vegetation is cleared, the soil quickly loses its fertility.
Statement II is correct. High temperatures and abundant moisture create ideal conditions for microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) to decompose dead organic matter (leaves, wood, dead animals) very quickly. This rapid decomposition prevents the build-up of a thick layer of nutrient-rich humus in the soil.
The rapid decomposition and nutrient uptake by plants create a fast nutrient cycling system in tropical rainforests. While the biomass is rich in nutrients, the underlying soil is often nutrient-poor and acidic, contrasting sharply with soils in temperate forests where decomposition is slower, allowing for nutrient accumulation in the soil.

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28. With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following s

With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

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The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.
Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
Infrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.
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The correct answer is C) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
Statement C is correct. Water vapour is a potent greenhouse gas and strongly absorbs infrared radiation, particularly the outgoing longwave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. Water vapour is indeed concentrated in the lower atmosphere (troposphere). This absorption is a key mechanism of the greenhouse effect.
Statement A is incorrect; the total amount of insolation at the equator is roughly double (not 10 times) the average received at the poles over a year, due to the lower angle of incidence at the poles and longer atmospheric path. Statement B is incorrect; while infrared is part of insolation, it constitutes roughly half (around 49-50%) of the total solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere, not two-thirds. Visible light constitutes about 43%. Statement D is incorrect; infrared waves have longer wavelengths than visible light and are not part of the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum ranges from approximately 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red), while infrared radiation has wavelengths from about 700 nm up to 1 mm.

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29. Consider the following countries : 1. Bulgaria 2. Czech Republic 3. Hu

Consider the following countries :
1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania
How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

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Only two
Only three
Only four
Only five
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The correct answer is A) Only two.
To answer this question, one needs to know the land borders of Ukraine with the listed countries. Ukraine shares land borders with seven countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. From the given list:
1. Bulgaria: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Romania and the Black Sea).
2. Czech Republic: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Poland and Slovakia).
3. Hungary: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
4. Latvia: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Lithuania).
5. Lithuania: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Poland).
6. Romania: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
Therefore, only Hungary and Romania from the list share a land border with Ukraine.
The other countries bordering Ukraine are Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Geographical knowledge of Eastern Europe is required to answer this type of question.

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30. Consider the following statements: 1. Recently, all the countries o

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)’.
  • 2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
  • 3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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Only one
Only two
All three
None
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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None of the above statements are correct.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) was adopted by a large majority of UN member states, but not “all”. It is explicitly non-binding on signatory states. Its scope is limited to international migration and does not address internal migration or internally displaced people.
The GCM is the first intergovernmentally negotiated agreement under the auspices of the United Nations to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. It contains 23 objectives for managing migration at local, national, regional, and global levels. While non-binding, it serves as a framework and point of reference for international cooperation on migration. The United States, among other countries, did not endorse the compact.

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