Answer: B
Soln:
● Pralay is an indigenously-developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing
state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The system has been developed by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration other DRDO
labs - Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory,
Armament Research & Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research
Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research
Laboratory, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) and ITR etc; industry
partners - Bharat Dynamics Limited Bharat Electronics Limited and many other industries and MSMEs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Soln:
● Pralay is an indigenously-developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing
state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The system has been developed by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration other DRDO
labs - Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory,
Armament Research & Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research
Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research
Laboratory, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) and ITR etc; industry
partners - Bharat Dynamics Limited Bharat Electronics Limited and many other industries and MSMEs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
3. Consider the following statements.
1. It has the shortest day in the solar system.
2. It has an incredibly strong magnetic field, 20,000 times stronger than Earths.
3. The four largest moons of this planet are known as the Galilean satellites.
4. Europa and Ganymede are the moons of this planet.
1. It has the shortest day in the solar system.
2. It has an incredibly strong magnetic field, 20,000 times stronger than Earths.
3. The four largest moons of this planet are known as the Galilean satellites.
4. Europa and Ganymede are the moons of this planet.
Which of the following planets are being described in these above statements?
Anonymous Quiz
13%
A. Saturn
19%
B. Neptune
63%
C. Jupiter
5%
D. Uranus
4. Consider the following statements about the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
1. It aims to provide long-term capital to Indias infrastructure sector.
2. The stakes are completely held by Indian Government and Domestic Indian investors.
3. The Governing Council of NIIF is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
1. It aims to provide long-term capital to Indias infrastructure sector.
2. The stakes are completely held by Indian Government and Domestic Indian investors.
3. The Governing Council of NIIF is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
19%
A. Only one
48%
B. Only two
31%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Soln:
Jupiter:
● Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth planet from the sun.
● Jupiter has the shortest day in the solar system. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ One day on Jupiter takes only about 10 hours.
● Jupiter has 95 moons. The four largest moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto –
were first observed by the astronomer Galileo Galilei in 1610. These four moons are known as the Galilean satellites. Hence, statements 3 and 4 are correct.
● Jupiter has an incredibly strong magnetic field, 20,000 times stronger than Earth's, which
creates intense radiation belts that are dangerous for space probes. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
Soln:
Jupiter:
● Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth planet from the sun.
● Jupiter has the shortest day in the solar system. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ One day on Jupiter takes only about 10 hours.
● Jupiter has 95 moons. The four largest moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto –
were first observed by the astronomer Galileo Galilei in 1610. These four moons are known as the Galilean satellites. Hence, statements 3 and 4 are correct.
● Jupiter has an incredibly strong magnetic field, 20,000 times stronger than Earth's, which
creates intense radiation belts that are dangerous for space probes. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
Answer: B
Soln:
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF):
● National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is an Indian-government backed
entity established in 2016 to provide long-term capital to the country’s infrastructure
sector. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The NIIF aims to maximize the economic impact mainly through infrastructure
development in commercially viable projects.
● The Indian government has a 49 per cent stake in NIIF with the rest held by foreign and
domestic investors. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● NIIF got registered with SEBI as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
Alternative Investment Funds:
● Alternative Investment Funds are private funds which are otherwise not coming under
the jurisdiction of any regulatory agency in India.
● In India, AIFs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Alternative
Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
● The Governing Council of NIIF is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. Hence,
statement 3 is correct.
● NIIF currently manages four funds each with its distinctive investment mandate.
○ Master Fund
■ It primarily invests in operating assets in core infrastructure sectors such as
transportation and energy.
○ Private Markets Fund
■ This fund invests in funds managed by third-party managers in
infrastructure and associated sectors.
○ Strategic Fund
■ This fund is aimed at growth and development-stage investments in large scale projects in a broad range of sectors of economic and commercial
importance. India-Japan Fund
■ This is NIIF’s first bilateral fund. IJF invests in environment preservation in
India and also seeks to enable opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Japanese companies.
Soln:
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF):
● National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is an Indian-government backed
entity established in 2016 to provide long-term capital to the country’s infrastructure
sector. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The NIIF aims to maximize the economic impact mainly through infrastructure
development in commercially viable projects.
● The Indian government has a 49 per cent stake in NIIF with the rest held by foreign and
domestic investors. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● NIIF got registered with SEBI as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
Alternative Investment Funds:
● Alternative Investment Funds are private funds which are otherwise not coming under
the jurisdiction of any regulatory agency in India.
● In India, AIFs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Alternative
Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
● The Governing Council of NIIF is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. Hence,
statement 3 is correct.
● NIIF currently manages four funds each with its distinctive investment mandate.
○ Master Fund
■ It primarily invests in operating assets in core infrastructure sectors such as
transportation and energy.
○ Private Markets Fund
■ This fund invests in funds managed by third-party managers in
infrastructure and associated sectors.
○ Strategic Fund
■ This fund is aimed at growth and development-stage investments in large scale projects in a broad range of sectors of economic and commercial
importance. India-Japan Fund
■ This is NIIF’s first bilateral fund. IJF invests in environment preservation in
India and also seeks to enable opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Japanese companies.
5. Consider the following statements about the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
1. It is the organization through which to organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the international seabed area.
2. It is established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
1. It is the organization through which to organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the international seabed area.
2. It is established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. 1 only
10%
B. 2 only
81%
C. Both 1 and 2
3%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer:C
Soln:
International Seabed Authority:
● The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization
established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS organize and control all
mineral-resources-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of humankind as a whole. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ The international seabed area is the seabed and ocean floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
○ The international seabed area represents around 50 per cent of the total area of the
world’s oceans.
● ISA has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities.
● ISA, which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence in 1994, upon
the entry into force of UNCLOS.
● All States Parties to UNCLOS are ipso facto (by the fact itself) members of ISA. ISA has
more than 160 Members (including India).
Soln:
International Seabed Authority:
● The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization
established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS organize and control all
mineral-resources-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of humankind as a whole. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ The international seabed area is the seabed and ocean floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
○ The international seabed area represents around 50 per cent of the total area of the
world’s oceans.
● ISA has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities.
● ISA, which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence in 1994, upon
the entry into force of UNCLOS.
● All States Parties to UNCLOS are ipso facto (by the fact itself) members of ISA. ISA has
more than 160 Members (including India).
1. Which of the following statements about star campaigners is/are correct?
1) There is a limit on the number of star campaigners a party can appoint.
2) Their campaign expenditure is not counted towards the candidate's limit.
1) There is a limit on the number of star campaigners a party can appoint.
2) Their campaign expenditure is not counted towards the candidate's limit.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Anonymous Quiz
29%
A) 1 only
12%
B) 2 only
58%
C) Both 1 and 2
1%
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation
● The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) provides for law relating to
expenditure incurred by ‘leaders of a political party’. These ‘leaders of a political party’
are popularly known as ‘star campaigners’.
● These star campaigners are usually the top leaders of a political party but can include
other celebrities as well. The only requirement is that these persons have to be members
of the political party that appoints them.
● Statement 1 is correct: The RP Act provides that a recognised political party (national
or State) can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners while a registered
unrecognized political party can appoint up to 20.
What are the benefits?
● Statement 2 is correct: The RP Act provides that expenditure incurred by the ‘leaders of
a political party’ on account of travel by air or any other means of transport for
campaigning for their political party shall not be deemed to be part of the election
expenditure of a candidate of such party.
● The election expenditure limit for candidates is ₹95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency in
larger States and ₹75 lakh in smaller States.
● Hence, these star campaigners would be vote-fetchers for candidates set up by respective parties without affecting their expenditure limit.
Explanation
● The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) provides for law relating to
expenditure incurred by ‘leaders of a political party’. These ‘leaders of a political party’
are popularly known as ‘star campaigners’.
● These star campaigners are usually the top leaders of a political party but can include
other celebrities as well. The only requirement is that these persons have to be members
of the political party that appoints them.
● Statement 1 is correct: The RP Act provides that a recognised political party (national
or State) can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners while a registered
unrecognized political party can appoint up to 20.
What are the benefits?
● Statement 2 is correct: The RP Act provides that expenditure incurred by the ‘leaders of
a political party’ on account of travel by air or any other means of transport for
campaigning for their political party shall not be deemed to be part of the election
expenditure of a candidate of such party.
● The election expenditure limit for candidates is ₹95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency in
larger States and ₹75 lakh in smaller States.
● Hence, these star campaigners would be vote-fetchers for candidates set up by respective parties without affecting their expenditure limit.
3. Consider the following statements about INCOIS
1) It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2) It is responsible for providing forecasts and warnings for swell waves.
1) It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2) It is responsible for providing forecasts and warnings for swell waves.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
7%
A) 1 only
49%
B) 2 only
41%
C) Both 1 and 2
4%
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation
● El Nino is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Hence Option B is correct.
● During El Niño, the surface winds across the entire tropical Pacific are weaker than usual.
Ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than
average, and rainfall is below average over Indonesia and above average over the central
or eastern Pacific.
● Rising air motion (which is linked to storms and rainfall) increases over the central or
eastern Pacific, and surface pressure there tends to be lower than average. Meanwhile, an
increase in sinking air motion over Indonesia leads to higher surface pressure and dryness.
● Since the Pacific covers almost one-third of the earth, changes in its temperature and
subsequent alteration of wind patterns disrupt global weather patterns.
● El Niño causes dry, warm winters in Northern U.S. and Canada and increased flooding
risk on the U.S. gulf coast and southeastern U.S. It also brings drought to Indonesia and
Australia.
Explanation
● El Nino is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Hence Option B is correct.
● During El Niño, the surface winds across the entire tropical Pacific are weaker than usual.
Ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than
average, and rainfall is below average over Indonesia and above average over the central
or eastern Pacific.
● Rising air motion (which is linked to storms and rainfall) increases over the central or
eastern Pacific, and surface pressure there tends to be lower than average. Meanwhile, an
increase in sinking air motion over Indonesia leads to higher surface pressure and dryness.
● Since the Pacific covers almost one-third of the earth, changes in its temperature and
subsequent alteration of wind patterns disrupt global weather patterns.
● El Niño causes dry, warm winters in Northern U.S. and Canada and increased flooding
risk on the U.S. gulf coast and southeastern U.S. It also brings drought to Indonesia and
Australia.
Answer: B
Explanation
About INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services)
● Statement 1 is incorrect: INCOIS was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under
the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science
Organisation (ESSO).
○ Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) was set up in October 2007 as an
executive arm to implement policies and programmes of the Ministry of Earth
sciences.
○ It deals with four branches of earth sciences, viz. (i) Ocean Science & Technology (ii)
Atmospheric and Climate Science (iii) Geoscience and (iv) Polar Science and
Cryosphere.
Functions and Responsibilities of INCOIS
● Provides round-the-clock monitoring and warning services for the coastal population on
tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, etc.
● Provides daily advisories to fisher folk to help them easily locate areas of abundant fish in
the ocean while saving on both fuel and time used to search for the same.
● Short term (3-7 days) Ocean State Forecasts (waves, currents, sea surface temperature,
etc.) are issued daily to fisher folk, the shipping industry, the oil and natural gas industry,
the Navy, the Coast Guard, etc. These forecasts inform users about the expected sea
conditions during the next few days and help them to plan their activities at sea.
● Training and capacity building for students, young researchers in India and Indian
Ocean Rim Countries through short and long duration training courses.
Why in the News?
● Statement 2 is correct: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
(INCOIS) forecasted that high sea waves, also known as swell waves, might hit the coastal
areas of Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep,
Karnataka, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
What are Swell Waves?
● The waves that are formed, not due to the local winds, but rather due to distant storms
like hurricanes, or even long periods of fierce gale winds are called Swell waves.
○ A gale is a strong, sustained wind with wind speeds between 62 km/h to 74 km/h
● During such storms, huge energy transfer takes place from the air into the water, leading
to the formation of very high waves.
● Such waves can travel thousands of kilometres from the storm centre until they strike
shore.
What is the difference between swell waves and tsunamis?
● Unlike swell waves, a tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater
disturbance usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean.
● Tsunamis are around 10 times faster than swell waves.
● Although both swell waves and tsunamis slow down near the coast, the swell waves hit
land at 30–50 km/h.
Explanation
About INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services)
● Statement 1 is incorrect: INCOIS was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under
the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science
Organisation (ESSO).
○ Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) was set up in October 2007 as an
executive arm to implement policies and programmes of the Ministry of Earth
sciences.
○ It deals with four branches of earth sciences, viz. (i) Ocean Science & Technology (ii)
Atmospheric and Climate Science (iii) Geoscience and (iv) Polar Science and
Cryosphere.
Functions and Responsibilities of INCOIS
● Provides round-the-clock monitoring and warning services for the coastal population on
tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, etc.
● Provides daily advisories to fisher folk to help them easily locate areas of abundant fish in
the ocean while saving on both fuel and time used to search for the same.
● Short term (3-7 days) Ocean State Forecasts (waves, currents, sea surface temperature,
etc.) are issued daily to fisher folk, the shipping industry, the oil and natural gas industry,
the Navy, the Coast Guard, etc. These forecasts inform users about the expected sea
conditions during the next few days and help them to plan their activities at sea.
● Training and capacity building for students, young researchers in India and Indian
Ocean Rim Countries through short and long duration training courses.
Why in the News?
● Statement 2 is correct: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
(INCOIS) forecasted that high sea waves, also known as swell waves, might hit the coastal
areas of Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Lakshadweep,
Karnataka, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
What are Swell Waves?
● The waves that are formed, not due to the local winds, but rather due to distant storms
like hurricanes, or even long periods of fierce gale winds are called Swell waves.
○ A gale is a strong, sustained wind with wind speeds between 62 km/h to 74 km/h
● During such storms, huge energy transfer takes place from the air into the water, leading
to the formation of very high waves.
● Such waves can travel thousands of kilometres from the storm centre until they strike
shore.
What is the difference between swell waves and tsunamis?
● Unlike swell waves, a tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater
disturbance usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean.
● Tsunamis are around 10 times faster than swell waves.
● Although both swell waves and tsunamis slow down near the coast, the swell waves hit
land at 30–50 km/h.
4. Catatumbo lightning is a natural phenomenon characterized by: