Q1. Consider the following statements
1. India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric in the world.
2. The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
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. 1 Option D is correct Explanation
• India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh ha was under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes (over 75% of global turmeric production).
• The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q2. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among
the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly?
A. Chenab
B. Jhelum
C. Ravi
D. Sutlej
Solution: option D.)
Ans.2 Option D is correct Explanation
• The Jhelum joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan. The Ravi joins the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu.
• Satluj is joined by the Chenab in Pakistan.
• Thus, Satluj receives the collective drainage of the Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.
• It joins the Indus a few kilometers above Mithankot.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
1. The IUCN is a global union composed of governments only.
2. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 3 Option A is correct Explanation
• The IUCN is a global union composed of both governments as well as civil society organizations. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Created in 1948, it is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
• It is headquartered in Switzerland.
• India became a member of IUCN in 1969, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
• It is also a key indicator for the SDGs and Aichi Targets.
Q4. Consider the following statements about The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
1. It is India’s central authority for Indian child adoption.
2. It is a statutory organization that reports to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
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 C.)
Ans. 4 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is India’s central authority for Indian child adoption. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is a statutory organization that reports to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It is authorized to control and supervise both international and domestic adoptions.
• CARA is India’s recognized authority for intercountry adoptions under the terms of the 1993 Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. In 2003, India ratified the treaty.
Q5. Which of the following best defines the term “sustainable development”?
A. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
B. Achieving economic growth at any cost to ensure prosperity for the current generation.
C. Rapid industrialization and urbanization to improve living standards in the short term.
D. Prioritising environmental conservation over human well-being.
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 5 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Sustainable Development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Hence, Option A is correct.
• This most widely accepted definition of Sustainable Development was given by the Brundtland Commission in its report Our Common Future (1987).
• Three core elements of sustainable development are economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
Q6. Consider the following statements with reference to MGNREGA
1. MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programs in the world launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural development.
2. It aims to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
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 C.)
Ans. 6 Option C is the correct Explanation
• MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programs in the world launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural Development. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It aims to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The act aims at addressing the causes of chronic poverty through a rights-based framework.
• If any rural adult fails to get work within 15 days of demanding it, an ‘unemployment allowance’ is given.
Q7. Consider the following statements
1. The power to create/alter/abolish new districts or existing districts rests with both the Central Government and the State Government.
2. The power to change the name of a district or a railway station rests with the Central Government.
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. 7 Option B is correct Explanation
• The power to create/alter/abolish new districts or existing districts rests with the State governments.
• This can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.
• The Centre has no role to play in the alteration of districts or the creation of new ones. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Home Ministry comes into the picture only when a State wants to change the name of a district or a railway station. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The State government’s request is sent to other departments and agencies seeking clearance.
Q8. Consider the following statements on the National Air Quality Index
1. The National AQI uses color codes for the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity.
2. The measurement of air quality is based on six pollutants enumerated in the Kyoto Protocol.
3. It has three categories of air quality namely Good, Satisfactory, and Poor
4. It is published by the Central Pollution Control Board.
How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 8 Option B is correct Explanation
• The National Air Quality Index was launched in 2014 with an outline ‘One Number – One Color – One Description’ for the common man to judge the air quality within his
vicinity. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The widely-used National Air Quality Index (NAQI) given by the Central Pollution. Control Board is a 24-hour average. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
• It has been developed by the CPCB in consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical and air quality professionals.
• The measurement of air quality is based on eight pollutants viz. Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide(SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3) and Lead (Pb). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• AQI has six categories of air quality namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately PollutedPoor, Very Poor, and Severe. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Q9. Which of the following is not a glacial lake?
A. Lonar lake
B. South Lhonak Lake
C. Devtal lake
D. Chorabari Lake
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 9 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar Crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, saline, soda lake.
• It is located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India.
• Lonar Lake is an astrobleme created by a meteorite impact during the Pleistocene Epoch Hence, option A is correct.
Q10. Consider the following statements with reference to inflation
1. If the inflation is too high, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy government securities.
2. Wholesale price index (WPI) is adopted as a key measure of Inflation by the Reserve Bank of India.
3. Decreased money circulation helps in controlling inflation.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 10 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Inflation refers to the rise in the average price level of goods and services leading to a decline in the value of money within a particular economy.
• The wholesale price index and the consumer price index are the two main indicators of inflation in India.
• The Reserve Bank of India has adopted the consumer price index as its key measure of inflation in India since 2014. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• If the inflation is too high, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to sell the government securities. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Decreased money circulation helps in controlling inflation. Hence, statement 3 is correct.