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:
Answer: D
Explanation
● Catatumbo lightning is a mesmerizing natural phenomenon that occurs over the Catatumbo
River in Venezuela, where lightning strikes almost continuously.
● This phenomenon primarily happens at the mouth of the Catatumbo River, where it
meets Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in Venezuela.
● Catatumbo lightning is distinguished by its frequency and duration: the strikes occur for up
to 160 nights in a year, with an average of 28 lightning strikes per minute at its peak.
● The area has earned the title of “the lightning capital of the world”.
Cause of the phenomenon
● Warm, moist air from the Caribbean Sea is pushed towards the Andes mountains, where
it collides with cooler air descending from the peaks.
● This collision creates a perfect storm of sorts, as the warmer air is forced to rise rapidly by
the shape of the local landscape. And as it does, it cools and condenses, forming towering
cumulonimbus clouds.
● Meanwhile, the combination of strong winds and temperature differentials generates
electrical charges within these clouds. The cumulonimbus clouds — sometimes reaching
heights of more than 5 km — load up on static electricity.
● When the electrical potential within the clouds becomes too great, it discharges in the form
of lightning.
Explanation
● Catatumbo lightning is a mesmerizing natural phenomenon that occurs over the Catatumbo
River in Venezuela, where lightning strikes almost continuously.
● This phenomenon primarily happens at the mouth of the Catatumbo River, where it
meets Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in Venezuela.
● Catatumbo lightning is distinguished by its frequency and duration: the strikes occur for up
to 160 nights in a year, with an average of 28 lightning strikes per minute at its peak.
● The area has earned the title of “the lightning capital of the world”.
Cause of the phenomenon
● Warm, moist air from the Caribbean Sea is pushed towards the Andes mountains, where
it collides with cooler air descending from the peaks.
● This collision creates a perfect storm of sorts, as the warmer air is forced to rise rapidly by
the shape of the local landscape. And as it does, it cools and condenses, forming towering
cumulonimbus clouds.
● Meanwhile, the combination of strong winds and temperature differentials generates
electrical charges within these clouds. The cumulonimbus clouds — sometimes reaching
heights of more than 5 km — load up on static electricity.
● When the electrical potential within the clouds becomes too great, it discharges in the form
of lightning.
5. The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve comprises which of the following two protected areas?
Answer: C
Explanation
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
● Location: Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats. It straddles Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and
Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
● Established in: January 2010.
● It comprises Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence option C is
correct.
● Habitat attributes: The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and
plateau. The grasslands and plateau is locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in
nature.
● Fauna: The Tiger Reserve is the home to Tiger, Wild dog,Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Four
Horned Antelope, Mouse Deer and Giant Squirrel. The habitat also supports Hornbills, and
many other endemic Birds.
● The tiger population in the region has been historically low due to poaching, poor prey
base, and changing habitat. Even after the reserve was notified, the number of tigers did
not increase as breeding tigers did not colonize the reserve.
Explanation
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
● Location: Sahyadri ranges of Western Ghats. It straddles Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and
Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
● Established in: January 2010.
● It comprises Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence option C is
correct.
● Habitat attributes: The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and
plateau. The grasslands and plateau is locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in
nature.
● Fauna: The Tiger Reserve is the home to Tiger, Wild dog,Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Four
Horned Antelope, Mouse Deer and Giant Squirrel. The habitat also supports Hornbills, and
many other endemic Birds.
● The tiger population in the region has been historically low due to poaching, poor prey
base, and changing habitat. Even after the reserve was notified, the number of tigers did
not increase as breeding tigers did not colonize the reserve.
1. Consider the following statements about Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
1) The Prime Minister is the Chairman of DAC.
2) It is the highest decision-making body in the defense ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions
1) The Prime Minister is the Chairman of DAC.
2) It is the highest decision-making body in the defense ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
5%
A. 1 only
56%
B. 2 only
33%
C. Both 1 and 2
6%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is constituted under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
for overall guidance of the defence procurement planning process.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Defence Minister is the Chairman of DAC. Its members
include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of triservices.
● Statement 2 is correct: The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the defence
ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the Indian Coast Guard.
● The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved
requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame
prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
Explanation
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is constituted under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
for overall guidance of the defence procurement planning process.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Defence Minister is the Chairman of DAC. Its members
include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of triservices.
● Statement 2 is correct: The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the defence
ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the Indian Coast Guard.
● The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved
requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame
prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.