UPSC IAS

31. Which of the following indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute t

Which of the following indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report?

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  • Undernourishment
  • Child stunting
  • Child mortality

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
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UPSC IAS – 2016
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The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It is calculated based on four component indicators.
The four component indicators used to calculate the Global Hunger Index are:
1. **Undernourishment:** The share of the population whose caloric intake is insufficient.
2. **Child Stunting:** The share of children under the age of five who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition.
3. **Child Wasting:** The share of children under the age of five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition.
4. **Child Mortality:** The mortality rate of children under the age of five (partially reflecting the fatal synergy of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments).
The Global Hunger Index is jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) was previously involved in the publication up to 2018. The question states “used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report”, which refers to the methodology that IFPRI helped develop and used during their involvement. All three indicators listed in the question (Undernourishment, Child stunting, Child mortality) are indeed components of the GHI calculation.

32. Which of the following statements is/are correct? A Bill pending in

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

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  • A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.
  • A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Only statement 2 is correct.
A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, but not on its prorogation. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Statement 1 is incorrect because prorogation merely terminates a session of Parliament, and bills pending at the time of prorogation are carried over to the next session. Statement 2 is correct as per Article 107 of the Constitution, which governs the lapse of bills. Bills originating and pending only in Rajya Sabha, or passed by Rajya Sabha but pending in Lok Sabha, do not lapse upon dissolution of Lok Sabha. Only bills pending in Lok Sabha or passed by Lok Sabha and pending in Rajya Sabha lapse.

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33. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limit

With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
  • 2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Both statements are correct.
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is indeed a Public Limited Government Company (a Mini Ratna under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and is also registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).
IREDA’s primary objective is to promote, develop, and extend financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation projects. Its status as a government company enables it to fulfil its developmental role in the renewable energy sector, while its registration as an NBFC allows it to perform lending and financial services within the regulatory framework set by the RBI.

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34. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication

Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?

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  • 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
  • 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
  • 3. Tirupathi Laddu

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Banaras Brocades and Sarees (1) and Tirupathi Laddu (3) have been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Banaras Brocades and Sarees are famous traditional textiles from the Varanasi region. Tirupathi Laddu is a famous sweet Prasad from the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Tirupathi. Both have received GI tags acknowledging their unique geographical origin and associated traditional craftsmanship or reputation. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma is a popular culinary dish from Rajasthan but does not have a GI tag, as GI status is generally not granted to generic culinary preparations unless they have a very specific unique characteristic tied to the geography (like Darjeeling Tea leaves).

35. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of t

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit?

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  • 1. Reducing revenue expenditure
  • 2. Introducing new welfare schemes
  • 3. Rationalizing subsidies
  • 4. Expanding industries

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1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Actions 1 (Reducing revenue expenditure) and 3 (Rationalizing subsidies) can be taken by the government to reduce a persistent deficit budget.
A budget deficit occurs when a government’s total expenditures exceed its total revenues. To reduce the deficit, the government must either increase revenue or decrease expenditure.
Reducing revenue expenditure (e.g., on salaries, pensions, administrative costs) directly lowers government spending. Rationalizing subsidies (e.g., reducing their amount or targeting them better) also reduces expenditure. Introducing new welfare schemes typically increases government expenditure, thus increasing the deficit. Expanding industries is a long-term strategy for economic growth which *may* eventually lead to higher tax revenues, but it is not a direct or immediate action specifically aimed at *reducing* a persistent deficit through expenditure cuts or quick revenue increases; it might even require initial government investment.

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36. Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed Village Concept’?

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Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
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The main objective of the ‘Seed Village Concept’ is involving farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost.
The Seed Village Concept aims to develop a self-sufficient seed production system within a village by training farmers to produce high-quality seeds of different crops, which they can use themselves or sell to other farmers in the same village or nearby areas.
This concept promotes decentralized seed production, reduces dependence on external seed sources, ensures timely availability of seeds, and improves the quality of seeds used by farmers, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity. It focuses on community participation and capacity building at the local level.

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37. Kalamkari painting refers to

Kalamkari painting refers to

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a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India
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Kalamkari painting refers to a hand-painted cotton textile in South India.
Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton fabric with a ‘kalam’ (pen), using natural dyes. It is primarily practiced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in South India.
There are two distinct styles of Kalamkari art in India: the Srikalahasti style, which is free-hand drawing and painting, and the Machilipatnam style, which uses block-printing followed by hand painting. Both are traditionally done on cotton textile and are renowned for their intricate details and use of natural colours, often depicting mythological figures, floral motifs, or epic scenes.

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38. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements :

  • 1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
  • 2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
  • 3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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UPSC IAS – 2015
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Only statement 1 is correct.
In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. This process is efficient and produces only water and heat as by-products when pure hydrogen is used.
Statement 2 is incorrect because fuel cells are highly scalable and can power everything from large buildings, vehicles, and grid-level energy storage to small devices like laptops and mobile phones. Statement 3 is incorrect because fuel cells generate Direct Current (DC) electricity. An inverter is required to convert the DC output to Alternating Current (AC) if needed for applications requiring AC.

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39. The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availabil

The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of

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goods and services
gold and silver
dollars and other hard currencies
exportable surplus
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UPSC IAS – 2015
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The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of dollars and other hard currencies.
International liquidity refers to the availability of financial assets that can be readily used to settle international transactions, primarily reserves of convertible foreign currencies (hard currencies), gold, and drawing rights with international institutions like the IMF (SDRs).
Hard currencies, such as the US Dollar, Euro, Yen, and Pound Sterling, are widely accepted in international trade and finance due to their stability and convertibility. A ‘problem of international liquidity’ arises when there is a shortage of these internationally accepted means of payment relative to the volume of international trade and financial flows, making it difficult for countries to finance balance of payments deficits.

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40. With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider th

With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:

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  • 1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
  • 2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

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
This question was previously asked in
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Both statements are incorrect.
Indian Railways’ bio-toilets use a bacterial inoculum, not fungal, for the anaerobic decomposition of human waste. The end products of this decomposition include biogas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide) and treated water, not solely ammonia and water vapour.
The anaerobic bacteria consortium (specifically, bacteria from the DRDO-developed inoculum) breaks down the complex organic matter in human waste. The biogas is released into the atmosphere (or sometimes vented), and the treated liquid effluent is disinfected and discharged. While some ammonia might be produced, it is not the only end product released along with water vapour.

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