UPSC Essentials: Daily Subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 4)

end of the quiz.

QUESTION 1

Which of the following statements is not correct about tigers in India?

(a) The first assessment based on the scientific methodology of Indian tigers was done in 2006.

(b) The number of tigers has continuously increased in every survey since it started.

(c) The tiger census is carried out by National Tiger Conservation Authority.

(d) The tiger is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.

QUESTION 2

Which of the following are the features of Green Energy Open Access?

1. The limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW for green energy.

2. Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis.

3. Green Ammonia has been included for the fulfillment of its Renewable Purchase Obligations.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Great Indian Bustards, consider the following statements:

1. These are the only species of Bustards found in India.

2. They prefer grasslands for their habitats.

3. They are herbivorous in nature.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Fibre Broadband, consider the following statements:

1. It is much faster and reliable than the conventional broadband services.

2. The fibre optics transmits light instead of electricity.

3. The method used for data transmission is through Digital Suscriber Line (DSL).

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

QUESTION 5

Which of the following statements is not correct about Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TIHAN)?

(a) It is a multi-disciplinary initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology.

(b) It will help in solving various challenges hindering the real-time adoption of unmanned autonomous vehicles for both terrestrial and aerial applications.

(c) India has developed a testbed facility to evaluate the autonomous navigation of vehicles.

(d) It will facilitate research grounds to investigate the functioning of unmanned and connected vehicles.

QUESTION 6

Consider the following places:

             Places                         State/U.T

1. Nathanmedu                   Andhra Pradesh

2. Pangong Tso                   Ladakh

3. Nadabet                            Odisha

4. Mekedatu                         Tamil Nadu

How many pair(s) given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

QUESTION 7

With reference to the Elephant Reserves in India, consider the following statements:

1. Project Elephant was launched in the year 1993 to protect elephants, their habitat and corridors.

2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country.

3. Kerala has the highest number of elephant reserves in India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

QUESTION 8

The term “Polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAs) was often heard in news corresponds to:

(a) It is naturally occurring substance used in production of paper.

(b) Man-made chemicals used to make products that resist grease, water and oil.

(c) Man-made substances used in construction of light-weight bricks.

(d) Naturally occurring substance found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and volcanic dust and gases.

ANSWERS TO MCQs

1. (d)

FYI:

— The number of tigers in India has increased by 6.74 per cent from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,167 in 2022, according to the figures of the 5th cycle of India’s Tiger Census.

— The Indian Prime Minister released the government’s vision for tiger conservation during ‘Amrit Kaal’, and launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). IBCA will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world, including tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah, with the membership of the range countries harbouring these species.

— Project Tiger was launched by the Central government on April 1, 1973, in a bid to promote the conservation of the tiger.

— The programme came at a time when India’s tiger population was rapidly dwindling. According to reports, while there were 40,000 tigers in the country at the time of the Independence, they were soon reduced to below 2,000 by 1970 due to their widespread hunting and poaching.

— The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation. It has been at the forefront of tiger conservation work in India.

— The tiger, Panthera tigris, is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Other Source: (ntca.gov.in)

2. (c)

FYI:

— Ministry of Power has notified Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022 to further accelerate our ambitious renewable energy programmes, to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and green energy for all. 

— The salient features and benefits to common consumers from ‘Green Energy Open Access’ are as follows:

(a) These rules are notified for promoting the generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from Waste-to-Energy plants.

(b) Green Open Access is allowed to any consumer and the limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW for green energy, enabling small consumers to purchase renewable power through open access. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

(c) Consumers are entitled to demand supply of Green Power from Discoms. The Discoms would be obligated to procure and supply green power to eligible consumers.

(d) Time-bound processing by bringing uniformity and transparency in the application and approval of open access through a national portal has been mandated.

(e) Approval for Green Open Access is to be granted in 15 days or else it will be deemed to have been granted.

(f) Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

(g) There shall be a uniform Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), on all obligated entities in the area of a distribution licensee. Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia has also been included to fulfil its RPO. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

(h) Consumers will be given Green Certificates if they consume green power.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Source: (pib.gov.in)

3. (b)

FYI:

— The Central government informed the Rajya Sabha that there was no Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (KBS) in Gujarat’s Kutch district as on January 1, 2023.

— GIBs are the largest among the four bustard species found in India, the other three being MacQueen’s bustard, the lesser florican and the Bengal florican. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— GIBs’ historic range included much of the Indian sub-continent but it has now shrunken to just 10 per cent of it.

— Among the heaviest birds with flight, GIBs prefer grasslands as their habitats. They spend most of their time on the ground with occasional flights to go from one part of their habitat to the other. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— They feed on insects, lizards, grass, seeds, etc. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— GIBs are considered the flagship bird species of grassland and hence barometers of the health of grassland ecosystems.

— Scientists of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have pointed out overhead power transmission lines as the biggest threat to the GIBs.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

4. (a)

FYI:

— Fiber broadband or fiber internet is an internet connection powered by fiber optics instead of more traditional methods of data transmission like cable or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Fiber broadband is considered much faster and more reliable than conventional broadband services and immune to interference. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Fiber broadband services often offer multiple broadband plans just like regular service providers and these will also usually be significantly more expensive.

— Fiber offers the fastest internet speeds, typically up to 1,000Mbps, compared to DSL and cable connections which usually offer up to 100Mbps and 400Mbps respectively.

Fiber Optics

— Fiber optics transmit light instead of electricity. These cables can carry data over really long distances, including across entire oceans, and still offer seamless connectivity with fast speeds due to a phenomenon called as total internal reflection. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— These cables are made of a glass or plastic core, surrounded by a layer of cladding and protective sheaths. Both the core and cladding have high particular refractive indexes, with the cladding usually having a lower number than the core.

— This allows light passed through the optical fiber to be continuously reflected inside it and carried over long distances.

— They are placed at strategic intervals where the optic signal is losing strength but still can be read.

— These signals are then converted from optical to digital, and back to optical before they are pushed further on with full strength until the next repeater. This process continues till the optical signal reaches its target

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

5. (c)

FYI:

— Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation is a multidisciplinary initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, which aims at making India a global player in the futuristic and next-generation “Smart Mobility” technology.

— The multi-departmental initiative includes researchers from electrical, computer science, mechanical and aerospace, civil, mathematics, and design at IIT-Hyderabad.

— It will focus on solving various challenges hindering the real-time adoption of unmanned autonomous vehicles for both terrestrial and aerial applications.

— It will facilitate research grounds to investigate the functioning of unmanned and connected vehicles in a controlled environment by replicating different situations.

— It should be noted that there is no such testbed facility in India to evaluate the autonomous navigation of vehicles.

— It aims to fill this gap by developing a fully functional and exemplary testbed facility dedicated to connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs).

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

6. (a)

FYI:

Place	State/U.T	Description
Nathanmedu	Tamil Nadu	The archeological site at Guruvan Medu, also known as Natham Medu, near Chennai, was originally discovered in 1922. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has found hand axes, scrapers, cleavers and choppers as old as 12,000 years to rouletted ware (from the Sangam era – 2,000 years ago), Roman amphora sherds and glass beads indicating active trade with Rome.
Pangong Tso	Ladakh	Pangong Tso is a 135-km-long landlocked lake. India has around 45 km of Pangong Tso under its control, while China has more than two-thirds. China is building a second bridge on the Pangong Tso lake, not far from the site of one of the most intense friction points in the border standoff that began in May 2020.
Nadabet	Gujarat	Nadabet is located in Rann of Kutch region which was inaugurated as an Indo-Pakistan border viewing point as a part of seema darshan project. It is also known as Wagah of Gujarat.
Mekedatu	Karnataka	The reservoir project at Mekedatu was proposed by Karnataka. The project envisages a reservoir in Ramanagara district of south Karnataka at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers. The project had created disputes between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery water.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

7. (c)

FYI:

— The Indian elephant occurs in the central and southern Western Ghats, North-east India, eastern India and northern India and in some parts of southern peninsular India. It occurs in 16 of the 28 states in the country.

— It is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).

— Project Elephant was launched by the Government of India in the year 1992. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The scheme was a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following objectives:

(a) To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors

(b) To address issues of man-animal conflict

(c) Welfare of captive elephants

— The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through Project Elephant. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Elephant Reserves in India (As on November, 2022)
States	Elephant Reserves (ER)
Andhra Pradesh	Rayala ER
Arunachal Pradesh	Kameng ER, South Arunachal ER
Assam	Sonitpur ER, Dihing-Patkai ER, Kaziranga – Karbi Anglong ER, Dhansiri-Lungding ER and Chirang-Ripu ER
Chhattisgarh	Badalkhol-Tamorpingla, Lemru ER
Jharkhand	Singhbhum ER
Karnataka	Mysore ER, Dandeli ER
Kerala	Wayanad ER, Nilambur ER, Anamudi ER and Periyar
Meghalaya	Garo Hills ER
Nagaland	Intanki ER, Singphan ER
Odisha	Mayurbhanj ER, Mahanadi ER and Sambalpur ER
Tamil Nadu	Nilgiri ER, Coimbatore ER, Anamalai ER, Srivilliputtur ER and Agsthyamalai ER
Uttar Pradesh	Uttar Pradesh ER, Terai ER
Uttrakhand	Shivalik ER
West Bengal	Mayurjharna ER, Eastern Dooars ER

— Mysore Elephant Reserve in Karnataka is the largest while the Singphan Elephant Reserve in Nagaland is the smallest in India.

— Tamil Nadu and Assam have five reserve each, being the states with highest number of elephant reserves. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Source: (http://www.wiienvis.nic.in)

8. (b)

FYI:

— A recent study published in Environment Science and Technology has found that rainwater from many places across the globe is contaminated with “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” (PFAs), which are called “forever chemicals” because of their tendency to stick around in the atmosphere, rainwater and soil for long periods of time.

— According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PFAs are man-made chemicals used to make nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting forms and many other products that resist grease, water and oil.

— PFAs can migrate to the soil, water and air during their production and use. Since most PFAs do not break down, they remain in the environment for long periods of time.

— Some of these PFAs can build up in people and animals if they are repeatedly exposed to the chemicals.

— The exposure of PFA can lead to decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, interference with body hormones, increased cholesterol levels and increased risk of some cancers.

— There is no known method that can extract and remove PFAs from the atmosphere itself, there are many effective, albeit expensive, methods to remove them from rainwater that has been collected through various rainwater harvesting methods such as filtration system with activated carbon. The activated carbon will need to be removed and replaced regularly. Also, the old contaminated material must be destroyed.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Quizzes:

Polity and Governance (Week 2)

Polity and Governance (Week 3)

Polity and Governance (Week 4)

History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 2)

History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 3)

UPSC Weekly Quiz (Current Affairs)

UPSC Essentials: Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 2)

UPSC Essentials: Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 3)

UPSC Essentials: Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 4)

Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 2)

Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 3)

International Relations (Week 2)

International Relations (Week 3)

International Relations (Week 4)

Tomorrow’s Quiz: Weekly Current Affairs Quiz

The UPSC Essentials Indian Express is now on Telegram- Indian Express UPSC Hub. Click here to join our YouTube channel and stay updated with the latest updates.