Answer: C
Explanation
Exclusive economic zone
● The exclusive economic zone can be defined as a belt of water which extends up to 200
nautical miles from the baseline of the coastal state. Thus it includes both territorial sea
and contiguous zone. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● The exclusive economic zone provides the coastal state control over all economic resources such as fishing, mining, oil exploration, and marine research. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The coastal state also has jurisdiction regarding protection and preservation of natural resources and marine environment. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Explanation
Exclusive economic zone
● The exclusive economic zone can be defined as a belt of water which extends up to 200
nautical miles from the baseline of the coastal state. Thus it includes both territorial sea
and contiguous zone. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● The exclusive economic zone provides the coastal state control over all economic resources such as fishing, mining, oil exploration, and marine research. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The coastal state also has jurisdiction regarding protection and preservation of natural resources and marine environment. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
4. Consider the following statements about notices issued by Interpol.
1) Notices are issued at the request of a member country’s Interpol National Central Bureau.
2) National Investigation Agency is the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India.
3) Interpol itself can order law enforcement authorities to act on a particular notice.
1) Notices are issued at the request of a member country’s Interpol National Central Bureau.
2) National Investigation Agency is the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India.
3) Interpol itself can order law enforcement authorities to act on a particular notice.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Anonymous Quiz
21%
A. 1 and 2 only
31%
B. 1 and 3 only
33%
C. 2 and 3 only
15%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation
● Notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s
INTERPOL National Central Bureau. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is the National Central Bureau for Interpol
in India, which coordinates with all law enforcement agencies in India for assistance via INTERPOL channels. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● INTERPOL’s notices are completely discretionary, i.e. Interpol itself cannot compel law enforcement authorities to act on a particular notice. Very often, actual action on the notices is predicated on the relations between the two countries. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Explanation
● Notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s
INTERPOL National Central Bureau. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is the National Central Bureau for Interpol
in India, which coordinates with all law enforcement agencies in India for assistance via INTERPOL channels. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● INTERPOL’s notices are completely discretionary, i.e. Interpol itself cannot compel law enforcement authorities to act on a particular notice. Very often, actual action on the notices is predicated on the relations between the two countries. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
5. Consider the following statements.
1) Digi Doctor initiative aims to create a detailed database of doctors.
2) Digi Qure and Cure Bay are health tech startups.
1) Digi Doctor initiative aims to create a detailed database of doctors.
2) Digi Qure and Cure Bay are health tech startups.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
3%
A. 1 only
15%
B. 2 only
79%
C. Both 1 and 2
2%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
● Digi Doctor
○ Under the Digi Doctor initiative, a detailed database of doctors has been created, including their qualifications, specialization, and affiliations with healthcare facilities.
○ This ensures accurate mapping of available medical resources. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Success Stories of Healthtech Startups
● Digi Qure:
○ The startup provides tele-consultation services for just Rs 1. This startup makes
access to doctors all year round in rural India which costs Rs 365 for a year.
○ In Digi Qure, patients come to the e-clinic with their Saksham card and book an
appointment.
○ Here trained health workers do the initial test, and after connecting with the doctor,
the patient gets a digital prescription and patients are given complete treatment
support and consultation through follow-up calls.
● Cure Bay
○ Cure Bay provides healthcare services at an affordable cost. The initial consultation fee is just ₹99, which brings doctors to patients living in remote villages without having to travel from village to city for medical treatment.
○ Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Explanation:
● Digi Doctor
○ Under the Digi Doctor initiative, a detailed database of doctors has been created, including their qualifications, specialization, and affiliations with healthcare facilities.
○ This ensures accurate mapping of available medical resources. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Success Stories of Healthtech Startups
● Digi Qure:
○ The startup provides tele-consultation services for just Rs 1. This startup makes
access to doctors all year round in rural India which costs Rs 365 for a year.
○ In Digi Qure, patients come to the e-clinic with their Saksham card and book an
appointment.
○ Here trained health workers do the initial test, and after connecting with the doctor,
the patient gets a digital prescription and patients are given complete treatment
support and consultation through follow-up calls.
● Cure Bay
○ Cure Bay provides healthcare services at an affordable cost. The initial consultation fee is just ₹99, which brings doctors to patients living in remote villages without having to travel from village to city for medical treatment.
○ Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Answer: A
Explanation
● Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers for installation of
solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
Hence, answer is option A.
● The Scheme consists of three components:
○ Component A: Setting up of Decentralized Ground/ Stilt Mounted Grid
Connected Solar or other Renewable Energy based Power Plants by the farmers
on their land
○ Component B: Installation of Stand-alone Solar Agriculture Pumps
○ Component C: Solarisation of Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps including
Feeder Level Solarization
● Benefits of the scheme
○ The scheme will open a stable and continuous source of income to the rural land
owners.
○ The scheme would ensure that sufficient local solar/ other renewable energy based
power is available for feeding rural load centres and agriculture pump-set loads, which require power mostly during the day time.
○ As these power plants will be located closer to the agriculture loads or to electrical
substations in a decentralized manner, it will result in reduced Transmission losses for Discoms.
○ The solar pumps will save the expenditure incurred on diesel for running diesel
pump and provide the farmers a reliable source of irrigation through solar pump
apart from preventing harmful pollution from running diesel pump.
Explanation
● Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja
Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers for installation of
solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
Hence, answer is option A.
● The Scheme consists of three components:
○ Component A: Setting up of Decentralized Ground/ Stilt Mounted Grid
Connected Solar or other Renewable Energy based Power Plants by the farmers
on their land
○ Component B: Installation of Stand-alone Solar Agriculture Pumps
○ Component C: Solarisation of Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps including
Feeder Level Solarization
● Benefits of the scheme
○ The scheme will open a stable and continuous source of income to the rural land
owners.
○ The scheme would ensure that sufficient local solar/ other renewable energy based
power is available for feeding rural load centres and agriculture pump-set loads, which require power mostly during the day time.
○ As these power plants will be located closer to the agriculture loads or to electrical
substations in a decentralized manner, it will result in reduced Transmission losses for Discoms.
○ The solar pumps will save the expenditure incurred on diesel for running diesel
pump and provide the farmers a reliable source of irrigation through solar pump
apart from preventing harmful pollution from running diesel pump.
2. Consider the following statements about Hypersonic missiles.
1) Hypersonic missiles generally have speed ranging from Mach 1 to Mach 4.
2) Hypersonic missiles have a fixed trajectory that can not be altered.
1) Hypersonic missiles generally have speed ranging from Mach 1 to Mach 4.
2) Hypersonic missiles have a fixed trajectory that can not be altered.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
27%
A. 1 only
22%
B. 2 only
19%
C. Both 1 and 2
31%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
3. Consider the following statements about Chikungunya.
1) Chikungunya is a bacterial disease.
2) Chikungunya pathogen is transmitted by mosquitoes.
3) There is no commercial vaccine available to protect against chikungunya.
1) Chikungunya is a bacterial disease.
2) Chikungunya pathogen is transmitted by mosquitoes.
3) There is no commercial vaccine available to protect against chikungunya.
Answer: D
What Are Hypersonic Missiles?
● Hypersonic missiles are advanced weapons capable of speeds greater than Mach
5—five times the speed of sound. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
○ Supersonic missiles generally have speed ranging from Mach 1 to Mach 4.
● These weapons are distinct from traditional ballistic missiles due to their ability to
maneuver during flight.
● Two primary types of hypersonic weapons include:
○ Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched on rockets and glide to
their targets, using aerodynamic lift for maneuverability.
○ Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by air-breathing scramjet
engines, these missiles sustain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight.
● The key advantage of hypersonic missiles lies in their ability to evade conventional
missile defence systems.
● Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed trajectory, hypersonic missiles can alter
their course, making them significantly harder to detect and intercept. Hence, statement 2
is incorrect.
● Globally, countries like the US, Russia, and China are leading in hypersonic missile
development. By mastering hypersonic technology, India has not only enhanced its
strategic deterrence capabilities but also strengthened its position in the global
defence landscape.
What Are Hypersonic Missiles?
● Hypersonic missiles are advanced weapons capable of speeds greater than Mach
5—five times the speed of sound. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
○ Supersonic missiles generally have speed ranging from Mach 1 to Mach 4.
● These weapons are distinct from traditional ballistic missiles due to their ability to
maneuver during flight.
● Two primary types of hypersonic weapons include:
○ Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched on rockets and glide to
their targets, using aerodynamic lift for maneuverability.
○ Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by air-breathing scramjet
engines, these missiles sustain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight.
● The key advantage of hypersonic missiles lies in their ability to evade conventional
missile defence systems.
● Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed trajectory, hypersonic missiles can alter
their course, making them significantly harder to detect and intercept. Hence, statement 2
is incorrect.
● Globally, countries like the US, Russia, and China are leading in hypersonic missile
development. By mastering hypersonic technology, India has not only enhanced its
strategic deterrence capabilities but also strengthened its position in the global
defence landscape.
Which of the above given statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. 1 only
13%
B. 1 and 3 only
36%
C. 2 only
45%
D. 2 and 3 only
Answer: D
Explanation
About Chikungunya
● Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus
(CHIKV), an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. Hence,
statement 1 is incorrect.
● It was first identified in 1952 in Tanzania.
● Transmission: Chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes
aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These
mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Symptoms: Chikungunya virus infection typically begins with a sudden onset of fever
accompanied by severe joint pain, which can be debilitating and last from days to years.
Other symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and rash.
● Diagnostics: Chikungunya virus may be detected directly in blood samples collected during
the first week of illness using tests such as reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction
(RT–PCR).
● Treatment and vaccines: There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for CHIKV
infections. Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms, with the use of
analgesics and antipyretics to alleviate pain and fever, along with encouraging rest and
maintaining adequate hydration. There is no commercial vaccine available to protect
against chikungunya virus infection. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● Prevention: To prevent Chikungunya, key measures include avoiding mosquito bites,
especially during the first week of illness. Reducing mosquito breeding sites by cleaning
water containers is essential, and insecticides may be used in outbreaks to control
mosquito populations.
Why in News?
● Following a spike in chikungunya cases in Telangana, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for U.S. travelers returning from
Telangana.
Explanation
About Chikungunya
● Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus
(CHIKV), an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. Hence,
statement 1 is incorrect.
● It was first identified in 1952 in Tanzania.
● Transmission: Chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes
aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These
mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Symptoms: Chikungunya virus infection typically begins with a sudden onset of fever
accompanied by severe joint pain, which can be debilitating and last from days to years.
Other symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and rash.
● Diagnostics: Chikungunya virus may be detected directly in blood samples collected during
the first week of illness using tests such as reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction
(RT–PCR).
● Treatment and vaccines: There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for CHIKV
infections. Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms, with the use of
analgesics and antipyretics to alleviate pain and fever, along with encouraging rest and
maintaining adequate hydration. There is no commercial vaccine available to protect
against chikungunya virus infection. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● Prevention: To prevent Chikungunya, key measures include avoiding mosquito bites,
especially during the first week of illness. Reducing mosquito breeding sites by cleaning
water containers is essential, and insecticides may be used in outbreaks to control
mosquito populations.
Why in News?
● Following a spike in chikungunya cases in Telangana, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for U.S. travelers returning from
Telangana.
4. Consider the following statements about Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP).
1) The objective of ADP is to uplift backward districts.
2) NITI Aayog coordinates the programme.
3) The objectives are achieved through ‘Collaboration, Convergence and Competition’.
1) The objective of ADP is to uplift backward districts.
2) NITI Aayog coordinates the programme.
3) The objectives are achieved through ‘Collaboration, Convergence and Competition’.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Anonymous Quiz
11%
A. 1 only
11%
B. 3 only
26%
C. 2 and 3 only
51%
D. None
Answer: D
Explanation
Aspirational Districts Programme
● Launched in 2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is one of the largest
experiments on outcomes-focused governance in the world.
● The ADP is NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to uplift those backward 112 districts that
are lagging behind in specific development parameters of health and nutrition,
education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, skill development, and basic
infrastructure. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● NITI Aayog anchors the programme with support from Central Ministries and the State
Governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Officers at the level of Joint Secretary / Additional Secretary have been nominated to
become the ‘Central Prabhari Officers’ of each district.
● The broad contours of the programme are:
○ Convergence (of Central & State Schemes),
○ Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers & District Collectors), and
○ Competition among districts. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Explanation
Aspirational Districts Programme
● Launched in 2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) is one of the largest
experiments on outcomes-focused governance in the world.
● The ADP is NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to uplift those backward 112 districts that
are lagging behind in specific development parameters of health and nutrition,
education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, skill development, and basic
infrastructure. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● NITI Aayog anchors the programme with support from Central Ministries and the State
Governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Officers at the level of Joint Secretary / Additional Secretary have been nominated to
become the ‘Central Prabhari Officers’ of each district.
● The broad contours of the programme are:
○ Convergence (of Central & State Schemes),
○ Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers & District Collectors), and
○ Competition among districts. Hence, statement 3 is correct.