Q1. Consider the following statements about Atlantification
1. Warm water from the Atlantic is being advected into the low-latitude ocean in increasing amounts.
2. Its effect is most prominent in the Barents Sea.
3. It affects the inflow of water from the North Atlantic through the Fram Strait.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: Option B.)
Ans. 1 Option B is correct Explanation
• Atlantification is the increasing influence of Atlantic water in the Arctic(high latitude). Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• Warmer and saltier Atlantic water is extending its reach northward into the Arctic Ocean.
• The Arctic Ocean is becoming warmer and saltier and sea ice is disappearing as a result.
• This change in the Arctic climate is most prominent in the Barents Sea, a shallow shelf sea north of Scandinavia, where sea ice is disappearing faster than in any other Arctic region. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• This pattern, is associated with anticyclonic winds over North America and cyclonic winds over Eurasia.
• It affects the inflow of water from the North Atlantic through the Fram Strait. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q2. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme
1. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is implementing the scheme to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel LPG.
2. The identification of the families under The scheme is done through Socio-Economic Caste Census Data 2011.
3. Connections are issued in the name of women of the households.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 2 Option C is the correct Explanation
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on 1st May 2016 with the slogan of “Clean Fuel, Better Life”.
• Objective: To safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hence statement 1 is correct.
• 5 crore LPG connections were to be provided to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families with a support of Rs 1600 per connection in the next 3 years (2016-19).
• Subsequently, the target was revised to 8 crore LPG connections in April 2018.
• Connections are issued in the name of women of the households. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The identification of the BPL families is done through Socio-Economic Caste Census Data 2011. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL)
1. The Ministry of Education launched integrated Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into its existing Digital
Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform.
2. PAL’s software-based approach will allow each student to have an individualized learning experience over the course of the curriculum based on their unique needs and abilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 3 Option B is correct Explanation
• The National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is set to integrate Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into its existing Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) is a software-based approach that will allow each student to have an individualized learning experience over the course of the curriculum based on their unique needs and abilities. Hence statement 2 is correct.
•The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has sought the MeitY’s expertise in facilitating PAL for DIKSHA.
Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to Palliative Care
1. It is a type of medical care that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses.
2. It is explicitly recognized under the human right to health
3. It is meant to address the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs of people with serious diseases.
4. It was recognized by WHO as part of the comprehensive services required for Non-Communicable Diseases(NCDs) through the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Solution: option D.)
Ans. 4 Option D is the correct Explanation
• It is a type of medical care that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is explicitly recognized under the human right to health. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It is meant to address the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs of people with serious diseases. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• According to WHO, each year an estimated 40 million people are in need of palliative care, 78% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries.
• Also worldwide, only about 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it.
• Furthermore, WHO explicitly recognized that palliative care is part of the comprehensive services required for Non-
Communicable Diseases(NCDs) through the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020. Hence statement 4 is correct
Q5. What is the primary purpose of biomarkers seen in the news recently?
(a) To identify specific genes responsible for diseases
(b) To track the movement of pathogens within the body
(c) To predict disease risk, diagnose conditions, and monitor treatment responses
(d) To determine the patient’s blood type for transfusions
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 5 Option C is the correct Explanation
• A biomarker refers to a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition.
• They are often measured and evaluated to examine normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacologic
responses to a therapeutic intervention. Hence, Option C is correct
• Often used in clinical trials, where they are derived from bodily fluids that are easily available to the early phase researchers.
• Disease-related biomarkers give an indication of the probable effect of treatment on patients.
Q6. Consider the following statements about tuberculosis
1. It is a communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis commonly affecting the lungs and other parts of the body.
2. India’s National TB Elimination Programme is strengthened to meet the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2025 from the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option D.)
Ans. 6 Option D is the correct Explanation
• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It commonly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
• It is a treatable and curable disease.
• Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air.
• Symptoms: Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
• Vaccine: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for TB disease.
• India’s National TB Elimination Programme is strengthened to meet the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2025 the country, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030.
Q7. With reference to the Minor Irrigation Census (MIC), consider the following statements
1. The MIC is a compendium of borewells, tubewells, and other privately owned irrigation sources by farmers.
2. Most of the Minor Irrigation Schemes are privately owned.
3. The latest edition of the Minor Irrigation Census (MIC) finds that diesel is the dominant source of power to extract water.
How many of the statements given above Is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 7 Option B is correct Explanation
• The latest (sixth) edition of the Minor Irrigation Census (MIC) finds that electricity is the dominant source of power to extract water, over diesel, windmills, and solar pumps. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• Minor Irrigation Census (MIC) is a compendium of borewells, tubewells, and other privately owned irrigation sources by
farmers. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The data reflects irrigation trends in 2017- 18 in all States and UTs except Delhi, Daman & Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep.
• This electrification of groundwater withdrawal corresponds to a rise in the use of tube wells and borewells capable of
extracting water at greater depths.
• Overall, 23.14 million MI schemes were reported in India from 695 districts and 6,47,394 villages.
• Out of all MI schemes, 21.93 million (94.8%) were for groundwater (GW) and 1.21 million (5.2%) for surface-water (SW) extraction.
• Most of the schemes (96.6%) were privately owned and small and marginal farmers owned the majority of MI schemes. Hence, statement 2 is correct
Q8. With reference to Preeclampsia, consider the following statements
1. It is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy.
2. People with preeclampsia often have high levels of protein in their urine.
3. Low-dose aspirin at early stages of the disease can reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia.
How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option D.)
Ans. 8 Option D is correct Explanation
• Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
• It can also affect other organs in the body and be dangerous for both the mother and her developing fetus.
• It is a major cause of morbidities during gestation.
• Symptoms: high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in urine (proteinuria), changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Low-dose aspirin at early stages of the disease (before 16 weeks of gestation) can reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• However, early identification of the disease is needed to initiate this intervention.
Q9. Consider the following statements on the Global Hunger Index
1. It is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global levels only.
2. It is prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and European NGO Concern Worldwide.
3. The GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger where 100 is the best score.
4. The GHI is an annual report and each set of GHI scores uses data from a 5-year period.
How many of the statements given above/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 9 Option A is correct Explanation • The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• GHI scores are based on the values of four component indicators viz. Undernourishment, Child stunting, Child
wasting, and Child mortality.
• The GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger – zero is the best score (implies no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The GHI is prepared by European NGOs of Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• The GHI is an annual report and each set of GHI scores uses data from a 5-year period. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
• The 2022 GHI scores are calculated using data from 2017 through 2021.
Q10. Which of the following statements describes the term “biofuel” most aptly?
(a) Any renewable energy source derived from plant or animal matter.
(b) A fuel produced from fossilized remains of ancient plants and animals.
(c) A fuel made from natural gas and petroleum reserves.
(d) The energy generated from nuclear reactions.
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 10 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Biofuel is a type of renewable energy derived from organic materials such as plants and animal waste. Hence, Option A is
correct
• It is considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.