Prologue
- Time Limit: 30 minutes. 2 Marks for correct answer; -0.66 marks for wrong answers.
- Mitron, my [T25] series contains 25 Mock MCQ sets primarily aimed at UPSC IAS/IPS Civil Service exam aspirants.
- I usually don’t give direct answer below the MCQs but indirect hints. Because, then you’ve read the MCQ again & apply logical reasoning skills. This will improve your mental faculties compared to a scenario where direct answers are spoon-fed. having said that, if you want to learn some background theory and the correct answer, you may visit my playlist at Unacademy.
- This 35th set contains questions from Current Affairs from 2019 August to October season.
- धीरे धीरे करते हुए, so far I’ve done 35 sets x 25 questions each = 875 MCQs. Given the fact that UPSC Prelims even asks contemporary topics even from 2-3 years preceding the exam, so you should go through all of them available at Mrunal.org/Prelims
Environment: Tiger Census, Kadaknath Chicken
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the recent “Tiger census” of india –
- It is conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India
- It is conducted every five years.
- Odisha has the highest number of tigers in India.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- None of the above
HINT:
- Tiger Census conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), every four years since 2006.
- Highest no of tigers: MP> Karnataka> Uttrakhand > Maharashtra > Tamil Nadu
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the recent “Tiger census” of india –
- There is an increase of 33% in tiger population as compared to the last census.
- Palamu Tiger reserve witness largest % growth in tiger population.
- M-Stripes drones were used for counting the tigers.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2
- Only 1 and 3
- 1 and 2 and 3
HINT:
- M-STrIPES is not drone but Android App for Monitoring system for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.
- 33% rise in tiger population since 2014.
- No tiger was recorded in Buxa (West Bengal), Dampa (Mizoram) and Palamu (Jharkhand) tiger reserves.
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the “RUCO” initiative –
- It is launched by Min. of Petroleum and gas.
- Repeated use of the same cooking oil destroys the Total Polar Compounds(TPC) present in it.
- Under RUCO initiative, used cooking oil is converted to bioethanol.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 2
- 1 and 2 and 3
HINT:
- Total Polar Compounds(TPC) are formed (and not destroyed) on repeated frying with same cooking oil. TPC is bad for one’s health.
- So, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative for conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.
- RUCO App created to facilitate this collection activity.
Q. Find out the incorrect statement/s regarding the “World Biofuel day”:
- It creates awareness about the importance of non-fossils fuels.
- Theme of present year is ‘Production of Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil (UCO)’.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- None of the above
HINT: For faster revision, both statements
are correct.
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding “IPCC report on land use” which was released in Aug. 2019:
- Agriculture and cattle rearing are a major source of nitrous oxide
- methane and nitrous oxide are far more dangerous than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- None of the above
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding “IPCC report on the Ocean and Cryosphere” which was released in Sept. 2019:
- The sea levels are rising because of thermal expansion of ocean waters due to rising temperatures
- The sea levels are rising because of the melting of glaciers and polar ice.
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: IPCC identified both reasons as valid for the sea level rising.
Q. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) granted ‘renewable energy’ status to ocean energy in 2019-Aug. It includes:
- Tidal energy
- wave energy
- ocean thermal energy
Answer Codes:
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- All of them
HINT: MNRE granted renewable energy status to various forms of ocean energy like tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy. Currently India does not have any installed ocean energy capacity. But, the Gulf of Cambay and the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat on the west coast show potential for tidal energy production.
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the recent fire in the Amazon forest –
- Amazon forest produces approximately 20 percent of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- 90% of the Amazon forest is located in Brazil.
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: Amazon forest contributes to 1/5th of the O2 supply. The forest is spread across Brazil (60%), Peru (13%), Colombia (10%), and with minor amounts in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
Q. In 2019-September, “Hurricane Dorian” resulted in large scale loss of life and property in:
- Peru
- Bahamas
- Japan
- Indonesia
HINT: Correct country’s Capital city is Nassau.
Q. In August 2019, Indonesia announced the location of New Capital. Find correct statement(s) about it
- Indonesia will shift the capital from Jakarta to Borneo Island.
- Primary reasons for shifting the capital is extreme air pollution and the rise of extremist groups surrounding the present capital.
- Jakarta is located in Java Island.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- All of the above
HINT: Primary reason is ocean level rise in Java Island where present capital Jakarta is located. Government will shift new capital to Borneo island Although exact location within Borneo
Island is not yet decided.
Q. Find out the correct statement regarding “Golden Butterfly”:
- It is a rare species of Butterfly found in Assam.
- It is a rare variety of Tea found in Assam.
- It is a rare species of Butterfly found in Karnataka.
- It is a rare variety of Coffee found in Karnataka.
HINT: Golden Butterfly is an exceptionally rare and special tea from Assam. Its one kg pack was auctioned for ₹ 75,000,
hence in News.
Q. Find out the correct statement regarding “Kadaknath Chicken”:
- It is a black feathered chicken species native to Uttarakhand.
- It has been granted the geographical indication status in 2019.
- It is low in cholesterol and high in protein content.
Answer Codes:
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- All of them
HINT: It is native of the state which has the largest population of tigers. Eliminate accordingly.
Science-Tech
Q. Find correct statements about ‘Fedor’ the robot
- It has been designed by the United States of America
- It is meant for bomb disposal.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Q. Find correct statements about ‘HOPE probe project”-
- It is an ambitious project for Mars by Oman.
- It is the first Mars mission attempted from anywhere in the Arab world.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: UAE aims to be the first Arab nation to send a
probe to Mars.
Q. Find correct statement regarding “Automated multimodal biometric identification system (AMBIS)”:
- It’s the new system by UIDAI to generate Aadhar cards at a faster pace.
- It’s the new system by HRD Ministry for teachers attendance.
- It’s the digital fingerprint and iris scanning system of Maharashtra Police.
- It’s the new system by rural development ministry to eliminate ghost workers.
HINT: It helps in fingerprint and facial recognition of
criminals.
Q. Find correct statements regarding “NEWSPACE INDIA Limited (NSIL)”-
- It is the first commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
- It will produce powerful PSLV with the private sector in India through technology transfers.
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: It is second commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation,
first was Antrix. While Antrix Corporation handles ISRO’s commercial deals for satellites and launch vehicles with foreign customers, NSIL deals with capacity building of local industry for space manufacturing
Q. Find correct statements regarding “Tardigrade”-
- It is a nocturnal mammal of Amazon forest.
- They are also called water-bears.
- They can survive in extreme hot and cold temperature levels.
- Recently Russia sent them to the moon.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2 and 4
- Only 3 and 4
- Only 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 and 3
HINT: Tardigrade aka water bears are microscopic creatures. Israel dehydrated them and sent to the moon, because they come back to
life upon rehydration. Eliminate accordingly.
Q. Find correct statement(s) regarding “Parker Solar Probe”:
- It’s European Space Agency’s robotic spacecraft to study outer corona of Sun.
- NASA’s will launch similar solar probe named “Solar Orbiter (SolO)”.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: Inverse the statements: NASA: Parker, ESA: SoIO.
it is NASA’s first planned robotic spacecraft to study outer corona of the Sun. European space agency
mission is SolO.
Q. Find correct statements regarding “Gravitational lensing”-
- It is based on Einstein’s theory of relativity.
- When light rays from distant galaxies will pass through the gravitational field of dark matter, they get bent by the Gravitational lensing.
Answer Codes
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Polity
Q. In 2019, Which of the following State Government is preparing a proposal to set up a Legislative Council?
- Telangana
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
HINT: It is the state with the largest population of tigers. Alternatively you may eliminate the states which already have Legislative Council, then also you will arrive at the correct answer!
Q. The strength of Legislative Council has been prescribed under the article 171 of our constitution. Find correct statements regarding this:
- Legislative Council of a state shall not have more than one-fourth of the number of MLAs of the state
- Legislative Council of a state shall not have not less than 45 members.
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
HINT: Read chapter 33 of M Laxmikant on state legislature.
Q. Find correct statement/s regarding Justice Srikrishna committee report on data protection
- It was set up by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Broadcasting.
- It recommended personal data of Indians can’t be stored overseas.
- It helped the Government to draft a Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 3
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 3
- None of the above
HINT: The Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
(MEITY) had setup this Committee. It recommended Personal data can be stored in overseas but copy needs to be stored in India. Critical personal data to be stored only in India. Govt. needs to define category of critical personal data. Committee also helped Government to draft PDP bill.
Q. Through Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Government of India aims to setup an Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal. What are its features?
- Decision of this tribunal can be challenged in the High court.
- Tribunal shall comprise of 1 chairman and only 1 member from each of the states who is involved in the river dispute.
- Tribunal must deliver its judgement in not more than 1 year from receiving the complaint.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 and 3 all
- None of the above
HINT:
- The decision of the tribunal would carry the weight of an order of the Supreme Court. It’ll be binding on both the parties.
- the Tribunal must give its decision within three years, which may be extended by two years.
- The Tribunal will consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, three judicial members, and three expert members.
Q. What is the exact name of the bill that was passed in 2019 to protect Muslim women against arbitrary oral divorce by husband?
- The Muslim Women (Protection against Triple Talaq) Bill, 2019
- The Muslim Women (Prohibition of Triple Talaq) Bill, 2019
- The Muslim Women (Abolition of Triple Talaq) Bill, 2019
- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019
HINT: bill’s title doesn’t contain the word ‘Triple Talaq’.
Q. Find out the correct statement/s regarding the Bill passed in 2019 to protect Muslims women against Triple Talaq:
- It allowed talaq-e-biddat but prohibited talaq-e-halala.
- Triple talaq is banned in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Muslim husband can pronounce Talaq through written or electronic format (SMS, email) but not through oral pronouncement.
Answer Codes
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- 1 and 2 and 3 all
HINT:
- Talaq-e-biddat refers to the practice under Muslim personal laws where pronouncement of the word ‘talaq’ thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his wife results in an instant and irrevocable divorce. Bill makes it illegal.
- Talaq can’t be pronounced orally, written or electronic form.
