'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?

Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go

Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat

Using air-bome devices to collect blood samples from moving animals

Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

Correct Answer : Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go

Note : * Metagenomics is the study of the structure and function of entire nucleotide sequences isolated and analysed from all the organisms (typically microbes) in a bulk sample.

* Metagenomics is often used to study a specific community of microorganisms, such as those residing on human skin, in the soil or in a water sample.

* Aerial metagenomics is a scientific field that involves studying the genetic material present in the air, specifically the DNA and RNA of microorganisms suspended in the atmosphere.

* It focuses on the analysis of the microbial communities or microbiomes found in the air samples collected from various environments such as outdoor air, indoor air, and airborne particles.

Hence, option A is correct.

Year : 2023

Category : General Studies

About Ethics Committee :

* This committee was constituted in Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in Lok Sabha in 2000. It enforces the code of conduct of members of Parliament. It examines the cases of misconduct and recommends appropriate action. Thus, it is engaged in maintaining discipline and decorum in Parliament.

* It is the only committee that probes lay citizen's complaints against lawmakers of the Lok Sabha.

History of Ethics Committee in LokSabha :

* In the case of Lok Sabha, a study group of the House Committee of Privileges, after visiting Australia, the UK, and the US in 1997 to look into practices pertaining to the conduct and ethics of legislators, recommended the constitution of an Ethics Committee, but it could not be taken up by Lok Sabha.

* The Committee of Privileges finally recommended the constitution of an Ethics Committee during the 13th Lok Sabha. The late Speaker, G M C Balayogi, constituted an ad hoc Ethics Committee in 2000, which became a permanent part of the House only in 2015. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Procedure for Complaints :

* Initially, there was a provision under the rules of the Ethics Committee that allowed any Indian citizen to file a complaint against a lawmaker.

* But, in 2014, a sub-committee suggested that such a provision would allow any political rival to lodge complaints against a lawmaker on flimsy grounds. The rule was then modified to the extent that a complaint had to be submitted to the panel through a lawmaker.

* Till then, any person can complain against a Member through another Lok Sabha MP, along with evidence of the alleged misconduct, and an affidavit stating that the complaint is not “false, frivolous, or vexatious”. If the Member himself complains, the affidavit is not needed. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

* However, the committee does not entertain complaints solely based on media reports or matters currently under judicial review. Hence, statement 3 is correct

Hence, option C is correct.

Source : Rajyasabha, Indianexpress, Indianexpress, Business Standard

Year : 2024

Category : General Studies

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between:

Canada and the United States of America

Chile and Argentina

China and India

Kazakhstan and Russian Federation

Correct Answer : Canada and the United States of America

Note : * Canada and the United States share the longest international border in the world, spanning a massive 8,890 kilometres. Hence, option (a) is correct.

* In comparison, the Russia-Kazakhstan border measures 6,846 kilometres, and the Chile-Argentina border measures 5,308 kilometres.

* India shares 3488 Km of border with China that runs along the States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Source :

International perspective

MHA