1) Recently, a report titled “Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance of global sand resources” was released by?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recently released a report, “Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance of global sand resources”.
It highlighted that sand consumption globally has been increasing and we are extracting it at rates exceeding natural replenishment rates.
It also says that, China and India head the list of critical hotspots for sand extraction impacts in rivers, lakes and on coastlines.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to Basel Convention
It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods.
India and U.S.A are not the party to this convention.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes.
India is a party, but USA is not a party to this convention.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT)
It is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
It is a legally binding treaty.
India has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
CTBT was adopted by the United Nations in 1996 but has not entered into force as eight specific states have not ratified the treaty.
When the Treaty enters into force it provides a legally binding norm against nuclear testing.
India, North Korea and Pakistan have not yet signed the Treaty.
CTBT Organisation has recently invited India to be an observer in the treaty.
Becoming an observer to CTBT is expected to give India access to data from the International Monitoring System, which can detect even small nuclear explosions using seismology, hydroacoustics, infrasound and radionuclide technology.
4) MANAV sometimes seen in the news recently is a human atlas initiative launched by which of the following organizations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
MANAV is a human atlas initiative launched by the Department of Biotechnology.
It aims at creating a database network of all tissues in the human body from the available scientific literature.
5) Which of the following agencies has recently launched its maiden fund NabVentures to give support to agriculture, food, rural start-ups?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has recently launched Nab Ventures – its maiden fund to give support to agriculture, food, rural start-ups.
6) Scientists have recently discovered a non-venomous snake locally called as Ruahlawmrul or Rain loving snake in which of the following states?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Scientists have recently discovered a non-venomous snake in Mizoram named as Smithophis atemporalis.
The snake is locally called Ruahlawmrul or rain-loving snake.
The new genus and species of the natricine — predominantly aquatic lacks specific enlarged scales in the temporal region of the head.
This character is extremely rare in snakes of this family, hence its name Smithophis atemporalis or the Mizo rain snake.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
It is an autonomous organization established in 1969 to promote research in social sciences in the country.
It comes under the Ministry of Human Resources and Development.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in the country.
It comes under the Ministry of Human Resources and Development.
8) Which one of the following is not a salient feature of Indian constitution?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
9) Early Europeans in India have made some of the settlements in India as part of their trading and administrative centers. In this context, consider the following pairs:
Nationality Settlement
French : Pondicherry
Danish : Serampore
Portuguese : Daman
British : Bengal
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
10) The process of covering soil surface with materials like plant residues is called mulching. What are the uses of mulching?
Reduces the evaporation
Reduces the soil erosion
Reduces the weed growth
Reduces the fertilizer consumption.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
