How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
3%
A. Only one
65%
B. Only two
31%
C. All the three
1%
D. None of the above
Answer: B
Soln:
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor:
● The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a major international
nuclear fusion research and engineering project aimed at demonstrating the
feasibility of nuclear fusion as a source of energy. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● ITER aims to replicate the fusion processes of the sun to create energy.
● The project, involving collaboration among 33 countries, including the European Union,
India, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, and the United States, is being built in
southern France.
● Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea
for an international joint experiment in fusion was first launched in 1985.
Soln:
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor:
● The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a major international
nuclear fusion research and engineering project aimed at demonstrating the
feasibility of nuclear fusion as a source of energy. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● ITER aims to replicate the fusion processes of the sun to create energy.
● The project, involving collaboration among 33 countries, including the European Union,
India, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, and the United States, is being built in
southern France.
● Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea
for an international joint experiment in fusion was first launched in 1985.
1. Hul Diwas, recently seen in news, is related to which of the following tribal uprisings?
Answer: A
Soln:
● The Santhal rebellion, also known as the Hul revolution, was a tribal uprising in 1855-1856
in present-day Jharkhand and parts of Bengal, led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu.
● It was a response to the oppressive policies of the British colonial administration and
their collaborators, including zamindars and moneylenders, who were exploiting the
Santhal people.
● Bhognadih in Jharkhand is the birthplace of tribal icons Sido and Kanhu Murmu, who led
the Santhal rebellion against British rule.
● ‘Hul Diwas’ marks the 1855 Santhal rebellion against the British. Hence, option A is
correct.
● The rebellion, marked by fierce resistance and guerrilla warfare, highlighted the deep-
seated grievances of the Santhals against land alienation, forced labor, and economic
exploitation.
Soln:
● The Santhal rebellion, also known as the Hul revolution, was a tribal uprising in 1855-1856
in present-day Jharkhand and parts of Bengal, led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu.
● It was a response to the oppressive policies of the British colonial administration and
their collaborators, including zamindars and moneylenders, who were exploiting the
Santhal people.
● Bhognadih in Jharkhand is the birthplace of tribal icons Sido and Kanhu Murmu, who led
the Santhal rebellion against British rule.
● ‘Hul Diwas’ marks the 1855 Santhal rebellion against the British. Hence, option A is
correct.
● The rebellion, marked by fierce resistance and guerrilla warfare, highlighted the deep-
seated grievances of the Santhals against land alienation, forced labor, and economic
exploitation.
2. Consider the following statements about the Council of Ministers.
1. The original constitution did not stipulate a minimum number of Ministers at the Union
level.
2. The 91st constitutional amendment act restricted the total number of Ministers to 10% of
the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
3. A Minister can belong to any house of the Parliament.
4. A Minister is entitled to speak and vote in both the houses of the Parliament.
1. The original constitution did not stipulate a minimum number of Ministers at the Union
level.
2. The 91st constitutional amendment act restricted the total number of Ministers to 10% of
the total membership of the Lok Sabha.
3. A Minister can belong to any house of the Parliament.
4. A Minister is entitled to speak and vote in both the houses of the Parliament.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
59%
A. Only two
31%
B. Only three
8%
C. All four
2%
D. None
Answer: A
Soln:
● The Original Constitution does not stipulate a minimum number of ministers with respect to the Union Council of Ministers. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● However, there was a provision added by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act in
2003 that restricts the total number of ministers including the Prime Minister to 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● Hence, at present since the total membership of the Lok Sabha is 543, the maximum number of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 81.
● Further, the same amendment has also provided that a member of either house of the Parliament who has been disqualified under the Tenth Schedule for defection, shall not be appointed as a Minister for the remainder of the term unless he/she is re-elected (Art 75 (1A) (1B)].
● A Minister can belong to any house of the Parliament. A Minister is entitled to speak in both the Houses of Parliament but can vote only in the House of which he/she is a member [Art 88]. Hence, statement 3 is correct and statement 4 is incorrect.
Soln:
● The Original Constitution does not stipulate a minimum number of ministers with respect to the Union Council of Ministers. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● However, there was a provision added by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act in
2003 that restricts the total number of ministers including the Prime Minister to 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● Hence, at present since the total membership of the Lok Sabha is 543, the maximum number of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 81.
● Further, the same amendment has also provided that a member of either house of the Parliament who has been disqualified under the Tenth Schedule for defection, shall not be appointed as a Minister for the remainder of the term unless he/she is re-elected (Art 75 (1A) (1B)].
● A Minister can belong to any house of the Parliament. A Minister is entitled to speak in both the Houses of Parliament but can vote only in the House of which he/she is a member [Art 88]. Hence, statement 3 is correct and statement 4 is incorrect.
3. Consider the following statements about the BharatNet initiative.
1. It was launched to provide affordable high-speed internet access to every Gram Panchayat (GPs) in the country.
2. The scheme is to be executed through the local bodies in the selected areas.
3. It is funded through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
1. It was launched to provide affordable high-speed internet access to every Gram Panchayat (GPs) in the country.
2. The scheme is to be executed through the local bodies in the selected areas.
3. It is funded through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
3%
A. Only one
46%
B. Only two
51%
C. All the three
0%
D. None of the above
Answer: B
Soln:
BharatNet:
● BharatNet initiative was launched in 2011 to provide affordable high-speed internet
access to every Gram Panchayat (GPs) in the country. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● This initiative, under the Ministry of Communications, seeks to empower rural India,
fostering inclusive growth and bridging the gap between urban and rural communities.
● BharatNet is funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), a fund that aims to improve the quality and accessibility of telecommunications services in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Amended BharatNet 2023
● In 2023, the government approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
● The program provides for internet access by Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.64 lakh GPs and also to provide OF connectivity to the remaining non-GP villages (approx. 3.8 lakhs) on demand basis.
Soln:
BharatNet:
● BharatNet initiative was launched in 2011 to provide affordable high-speed internet
access to every Gram Panchayat (GPs) in the country. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● This initiative, under the Ministry of Communications, seeks to empower rural India,
fostering inclusive growth and bridging the gap between urban and rural communities.
● BharatNet is funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), a fund that aims to improve the quality and accessibility of telecommunications services in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Amended BharatNet 2023
● In 2023, the government approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
● The program provides for internet access by Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.64 lakh GPs and also to provide OF connectivity to the remaining non-GP villages (approx. 3.8 lakhs) on demand basis.
How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Anonymous Quiz
46%
A. Only one
39%
B. Only two
14%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
5. Consider the following statements about Inland Water Transport in India.
1. It is highly utilised with a major share in India’s logistics modal mix.
2. All waterways declared as National Waterways come under the control of the Central Government.
3. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is a statutory body set for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
1. It is highly utilised with a major share in India’s logistics modal mix.
2. All waterways declared as National Waterways come under the control of the Central Government.
3. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is a statutory body set for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
Answer: A
Soln:
Inland Water Transport in India:
● India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc.
● Inland Water Transport (IWT) is the most economical mode of transportation, especially
for bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, cement, food grains and fertilizer.
● Presently, it remains underutilized at a share of 2% in India’s modal mix. Hence,
statement 1 is incorrect.
● Government intends to increase the share of IWT to 5% as per Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030.
● For development of IWT in the country, 111 waterways (including 5 existing National Waterways and 106 new) spread over 24 States have been declared as National
Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
● As per constitutional provisions, only those waterways which are declared as National Waterways come under the purview of the Central Government while the rest of
waterways remain in the purview of respective State Governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Inland Waterways Authority of India:
● The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was established in 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
● It is a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Shipping. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Authority primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of Inland
Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
● The head office of the Authority is at Noida.
Soln:
Inland Water Transport in India:
● India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc.
● Inland Water Transport (IWT) is the most economical mode of transportation, especially
for bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, cement, food grains and fertilizer.
● Presently, it remains underutilized at a share of 2% in India’s modal mix. Hence,
statement 1 is incorrect.
● Government intends to increase the share of IWT to 5% as per Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030.
● For development of IWT in the country, 111 waterways (including 5 existing National Waterways and 106 new) spread over 24 States have been declared as National
Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
● As per constitutional provisions, only those waterways which are declared as National Waterways come under the purview of the Central Government while the rest of
waterways remain in the purview of respective State Governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Inland Waterways Authority of India:
● The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was established in 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
● It is a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Shipping. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Authority primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of Inland
Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
● The head office of the Authority is at Noida.
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1. Which of the following places in India have coral reefs?
Choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
20%
A) Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Kachchh, Sundarbans
54%
B) Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Kachchh, Malvan coast of Maharashtra
17%
C) Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh, Sundarbans
9%
D) Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,Malvan coast of Maharashtra, Sundarbans
Answer: B
Explanation:
● Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine
invertebrates called coral.
● The coral species that build reefs are known as hermatypic, or "hard," corals because they
extract calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from seawater to create a hard, durable exoskeleton
that protects their soft, sac-like bodies.
● Other species of corals that does not involve reef building are known as “soft” corals. These
types of corals are flexible organisms often resembling plants and trees and include species
such as sea fans and sea whips.
Symbiotic relationship
● Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae which live in
their tissues. The corals and algae have a symbiotic relationship.
● The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for
photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.
The presence of the zooxanthellae also provides coloured pigments to help protect the
coral's white skeleton from sunlight.
Significance of Coral reefs
● Coral reefs only occupy 0.1% of the area of the ocean but they support 25% of all marine
species on the planet.
● Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called
the "rainforests of the sea."
● The majority of reef building corals are found within tropical and subtropical waters. These
typically occur between 30°N and 30°S of the equator.
● The largest of these coral reef systems, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, is more than
1,500 miles long (2,400 km).
Coral reefs in India
● Coral reefs are present in the areas of Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar,
Lakshadweep Islands and Malvan coast of Maharashtra.
Explanation:
● Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine
invertebrates called coral.
● The coral species that build reefs are known as hermatypic, or "hard," corals because they
extract calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from seawater to create a hard, durable exoskeleton
that protects their soft, sac-like bodies.
● Other species of corals that does not involve reef building are known as “soft” corals. These
types of corals are flexible organisms often resembling plants and trees and include species
such as sea fans and sea whips.
Symbiotic relationship
● Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae which live in
their tissues. The corals and algae have a symbiotic relationship.
● The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for
photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.
The presence of the zooxanthellae also provides coloured pigments to help protect the
coral's white skeleton from sunlight.
Significance of Coral reefs
● Coral reefs only occupy 0.1% of the area of the ocean but they support 25% of all marine
species on the planet.
● Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called
the "rainforests of the sea."
● The majority of reef building corals are found within tropical and subtropical waters. These
typically occur between 30°N and 30°S of the equator.
● The largest of these coral reef systems, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, is more than
1,500 miles long (2,400 km).
Coral reefs in India
● Coral reefs are present in the areas of Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar,
Lakshadweep Islands and Malvan coast of Maharashtra.
2. The ‘LaQshya’ programme was launched by the government with the main objective of?
choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
16%
A. Setting up of 1.5 lakh Health Wellness Centres across the country
17%
B. Setting up of new AIIMS like institutes in underserved regions of the country
19%
C. Government-backed small savings scheme for the benefit of girl children
48%
D. Improving quality of care in the labor room and maternity Operation Theatre