Siachen Glacier is situated to the
[amp_mcq option1=”East of Aksai Chin” option2=”East of Leh” option3=”North of Gilgit” option4=”North of Nubra Valley” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
UPSC IAS
42. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct ?
- It is spread over two districts.
- There is no human habitation inside the Park.
- It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
2. **No human habitation inside the Park:** This statement is incorrect. Like many large national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, DNP has several villages and human settlements within its vast area. The park management works alongside local communities living inside and around the park.
3. **Habitat of Great Indian Bustard:** DNP is widely recognized as one of the primary and last remaining natural habitats for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps). Conservation efforts for this species are heavily focused on DNP. This statement is correct.
43. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the followin
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :
- At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
- Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
- Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”2 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
2. **Ammonia production:** Ammonia (NH3), the primary input for urea synthesis, is predominantly produced in India and globally from natural gas (methane) through processes like steam reforming. This statement is correct.
3. **Sulphur as raw material:** Sulphur is a key raw material for producing sulphuric acid (H2SO4), which is essential for manufacturing various phosphatic fertilizers (like Single Super Phosphate – SSP, Diammonium Phosphate – DAP). Sulphur is a significant by-product recovered from the desulfurization of crude oil and natural gas in refineries and processing plants. This statement is correct.
44. With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct ?
- OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January – March.
- OMT collected during January – March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
2. **Monsoon Prediction:** Studies have shown a strong correlation between the Ocean Mean Temperature in the southeastern equatorial Indian Ocean and the southwestern Bay of Bengal during the pre-monsoon period (January-March or April-May) and the subsequent Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall. Higher OMT in this region is generally associated with a better monsoon. This statement is correct.
45. Consider the following minerals : Bentonite Chromite Kyanite Sill
Consider the following minerals :
- Bentonite
- Chromite
- Kyanite
- Sillimanite
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals ?
[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”4 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”2, 3 and 4 only” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
1. Bentonite: Generally classified as a Minor Mineral.
2. Chromite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
3. Kyanite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
4. Sillimanite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
Therefore, only Chromite, Kyanite, and Sillimanite among the given options are major minerals.
46. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ? Controlling
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ?
- Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
- Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
- Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
- Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3 only” option2=”1, 2 and 4 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4 only” option4=”2, 3 and 4 only” correct=”option3″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
2. **Efficient application of Phosphatic fertilizers:** While some soluble phosphatic fertilizers (e.g., monoammonium phosphate – MAP, diammonium phosphate – DAP after dissolution, urea phosphate) can be efficiently applied through fertigation, highly insoluble phosphatic fertilizers like rock phosphate are not suitable for fertigation systems as they can clog emitters and are not readily available to the plant in solution. Therefore, efficient application of *all* phosphatic fertilizers, particularly rock phosphate, is *not* possible via fertigation.
3. **Increased availability of nutrients:** Delivering nutrients directly to the active root zone in solution form enhances their availability and uptake by the plants compared to broadcasting or banding.
4. **Reduction in leaching:** Precise application of nutrients based on plant needs and growth stage, along with water management through irrigation, can reduce the amount of nutrients that leach below the root zone, minimizing environmental pollution and nutrient loss.
47. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
[amp_mcq option1=”Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.” option2=”Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.” option3=”Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.” option4=”Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
B) There is a safe and effective vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B infection. In contrast, there is currently no effective preventive vaccine for Hepatitis C, although treatments for Hepatitis C have significantly advanced. Thus, the statement that Hepatitis B *does not* have a vaccine is false.
C) According to WHO estimates, significantly more people globally live with chronic Hepatitis B and C infections compared to HIV. This statement is correct.
D) Both Hepatitis B and C infections can be asymptomatic for many years, with chronic liver damage occurring silently before symptoms appear. This statement is correct.
48. What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?
What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?
[amp_mcq option1=”A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing” option2=”A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients” option3=”A gene that makes plants pest-resistant” option4=”A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops” correct=”option1″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
B) While gene editing tools *could* potentially be involved in developing biosensors, Cas9 itself is not primarily a biosensor.
C) Cas9 is a tool for editing genes, not a gene that confers pest resistance directly, although it could be used to insert or modify genes to make plants pest-resistant.
D) Cas9 is a protein used for DNA modification, not a herbicidal substance.
49. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billion
Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of lightyears away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?
[amp_mcq option1=”Higgs boson particles’ were detected.” option2=”‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.” option3=”Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.” option4=”It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
A) Higgs boson particles were detected at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, which is unrelated to black hole mergers.
C) While black holes and general relativity are related to the concept of wormholes, the detection of gravitational waves from a merger does not confirm the possibility of inter-galactic space travel through wormholes.
D) Observing black hole mergers and the resulting gravitational waves provides insights into the nature of gravity in extreme conditions, but it does not directly enable scientists to understand the singularity at the heart of a black hole, which remains a theoretical concept under current physics.
50. RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last
RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
- It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
- It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
- It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
- It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 4″ option2=”2 and 3″ option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
2. **Cancer treatment:** RNAi can be used to silence genes that promote cancer cell growth, survival, or metastasis, making it a promising area of research for developing new cancer therapies.
3. **Hormone replacement therapies:** Hormone replacement therapy involves administering exogenous hormones to correct a deficiency or imbalance. RNAi deals with regulating gene expression and is not directly used in hormone replacement therapy.
4. **Crop resistance to viral pathogens:** RNAi can be engineered in plants to target and silence viral genes, thereby making the plants resistant to specific viral infections. This is a recognized application in agricultural biotechnology.