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UPSC Previous Years (Prelims & Mains) Questions
1 .
In the context of In WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:
 
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
 
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A)
1, 3 and 4
B)
1 and 4 only
C)
2, 3 and 4
D)
1 and 2 only

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 1 and 4 only

Note :

* The updated guidelines state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15 µg/m3

* The highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of sunny weather.

* PM10 are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs but PM2.5 can even enter the bloodstream       
 
* Long-term exposure to ozone is linked to aggravation of asthma, and is likely to be one of many causes of asthma development. Studies in locations with elevated concentrations also report associations of ozone with deaths from respiratory causes.

Source : c40knowledgehub, WHO, WHO, Epa

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
A)
The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
B)
Algae from the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
C)
Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
D)
Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.

Correct Answer : Option (??) - Correct Option: (A/D)

Note :

The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
 
Explanation : Your kidneys remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. Your kidneys also remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals. In the same manner As sediment, excess nutrients and chemicals flow off of the land, wetlands filter the run off before it reaches open water. Nutrients are stored and absorbed by plants or microorganisms. Sediment settles at the bottom after reaching an area with slow water flow.

Source : Basix

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
3 .
Consider the following statements :
 
1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100".
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emmission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".
 
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A)
1, 2, 4 and 5
B)
1, 3 and 4 only
C)
2, 3 and 5 only
D)
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 1, 3 and 4 only

Note :

* CLIMATE GROUP IS an international non-profit founded in 2003, with offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Amsterdam and Beijing. Their mission is to drive climate action. Fast.   This group builds and run networks. Statement 1 is correct.

* EP100 is a global initiative led by the international non-profit Climate Group, bringing together over 120 energy smart businesses committed to measuring and reporting on energy efficiency improvements. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is correct.

* Mahindra and Mahindra became the first Indian company to join the EP100 initiative. Statement 4 is correct.

* Climate Group is the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition and works with governments to accelerate climate action through four work streams:
Pathways
 
* Policy action
* Transparency
* Diplomacy 
 
 Statement 5 is incorrect.

Source : Theclimategroup, Theclimategroup, Theclimategroup

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
A)
Database created by coalition of research organisations
B)
Wing of "International Panel of Climate Change"
C)
Committee under "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change"
D)
Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Database created by coalition of research organisations

Note :

The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement aim of "holding warming well below 2°C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C." A collaboration of two organisations, Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute, the CAT has been providing this independent analysis to policymakers since 2009.

CAT quantifies and evaluates climate change mitigation targets, policies and action. It also aggregates country action to the global level, determining likely temperature increases during the 21st century using the MAGICC climate model. CAT further develops sectoral analysis to illustrate required pathways for meeting the global temperature goals.

Source : Climateactiontracker

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
5 .
If a major solar storm (solar-flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible. effects on the Earth ?
 
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
 
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A)
1, 2, 4 and 5 only
B)
2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
C)
1,3, 4, 6 and 7 only
D)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1,3, 4, 6 and 7 only

Note :

Impact of Solar Flares and CMEs on Earth
 
Space-dependent services: Solar storms can hit operations of space-dependent services like global positioning systems (GPS), radio, and satellite communications.

Radio communication: Geomagnetic storms interfere with high-frequency radio communications and GPS navigation systems.

Magnetosphere: CMEs, with ejectiles loaded with matter travelling at millions of miles an hour, can potentially create disturbances in the magnetosphere, the protective shield surrounding the Earth.

Astronauts: Astronauts on spacewalks face health risks from possible exposure to solar radiation outside the Earth’s protective atmosphere.

Other: Aircraft flights, power grids, and space exploration programmes are vulnerable.

Source : Space

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
6 .
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
 
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
2. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
 
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
1 and 3 only
D)
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 and 3 only

Note :

* COVISHIELD vaccine is based on the platform which uses a recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein. Following administration, the genetic material of part of coronavirus is expressed which stimulates an immune response. Hence the statement is incorrect.

* Sputnik V is the world's first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenovirus vector platform. It has been approved for use in 71 countries with a total population of 4 billion people. The vaccine is named after the first Soviet space satellite. The launch of Sputnik-1 in 1957 reinvigorated space research around the world, creating a so-called “Sputnik moment” for the global community. The vaccine’s efficacy is 97.6%, based on the analysis of data on the incidence of coronavirus among Russians vaccinated with both vaccine components between December 5, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Statement 2 is correct.

* Covaxin is an inactivated viral vaccine. This vaccine is developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. They contain inactivated viruses, which cannot infect a person but still can teach the immune system to prepare a defence mechanism against the active virus. Statement 3 is correct.

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
7 .
Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :
 
1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not "naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.
 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A)
1 only
B)
2 only
C)
1 and 3
D)
2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1 and 3

Note :

1. Probiotics are foods that are made up of good live bacteria or yeasts that naturally stay in the human body. Human body is a host to good and bad bacteria. Whenever one gets an infection, there is more bacteria that is bad. 

Probiotic supplements add good bacteria to the human body.
 
2. These are a combination of beneficial bacteria and yeasts that naturally stay in the human body. Bacteria is not always a negative addition to the body, it is positive too. 

Probiotics are part of a larger picture concerning bacteria and your body which is called your microbiome. These microbes are a combination of:
 
* Bacteria.
* Fungi (including yeasts)
* Viruses
* Protozoa
Statement 1 is correct.
 
 Benefits of Probiotics in a Nutshell
 
* Help the digestive system of the body
* Keeping bad bacteria from getting out of control and making one ill
* Create vitamins in the body
* Help support the cells that line your gut to prevent bad bacteria that you may have consumed from entering your blood.
* Breakdown and absorption of medications

Statement 2 is incorrect. And statement 3 is correct.

Source : Healthline

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
8 .
Consider the following statements :
 
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
 
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
1 and 3 only
D)
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

* Biofilm is an association of micro-organisms in which microbial cells adhere to each other on living or non-living surfaces within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance.

* Biofilm formation is a multi-step process starting with attachment to a surface then formation of micro-colony that leads to the formation of three dimensional structure and finally ending with maturation followed by detachment.

* During biofilm formation many species of bacteria are able to communicate with one another through a specific mechanism called quorum sensing. It is a system of stimulus to coordinate different gene expression.

* Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings.

* Biofilms can be present on the teeth of most animals as dental plaque, where they may cause tooth decay and gum disease. Statement 1 is correct

* A combination of several pathogens can synergistically interact to form biofilms in the food industry. In food-processing environments, bacteria are able to exist as multispecies biofilms, from where both spoilage and pathogenic bacteria can contaminate food. For instance in the fishing industry, fresh fish products can suffer from biofilm formation by mixed pathogenic species (Aeromonashydrophila, L. monocytogenes, S. enterica, or Vibrio spp.), which can imply significant health and economic issues. Synergistic interactions have been observed in a fresh-cut produce processing plant, where E. coli interacted with Burkholderiacaryophylli and Ralstoniainsidiosa to form mixed biofilms. Statement 2 is correct.

* Bacterial biofilm is less accessible to antibiotics and the human immune system and thus poses a big threat to public health because of its involvement in a variety of infectious diseases. Statement 3 is correct.

Source : Livescience

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
9 .
Consider the following communication technologies :
 
1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network
 
Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies ?
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
1 and 3 only
D)
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

Short Range Devices (SRD) are radio devices that offer a low risk of interference with other radio services, usually because their transmitted power, and hence their range, is low. The definition 'Short Range Device' may be applied to many different types of wireless equipment, including various forms of:
 
* Access control (including door and gate openers)
* Alarms and movement detectors
* Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
* Cordless audio devices, including wireless microphones
* Industrial control
* Local Area Networks
* Medical implants
* Metering devices
* Remote control
* Radio frequency identification (RFID)
* Road Transport Telematics
* Telemetry.

Short range devices often benefit from a relaxed regulatory regime compared with other radio communications equipment.  As a general principle, a user is licence free to operate such equipment, some specific cases may require an individual licence.

Source : ETSI

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies
A)
Cloud Services
B)
Quantum Computing
C)
Visible Light Communication Technologies
D)
Wireless Communication Technologies

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Quantum Computing

Note :

The phrase ‘quantum supremacy’ was coined in the year 2011 by John Preskill, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology.
 
* Quantum supremacy refers to a problem-solving process by the quantum computer that cannot be solved by a classical computer in its normal lifetime.
* The concept is related to the speed at which a quantum computer performs.
* Quantum computers are different from binary digital electronic computers that are based on transistors (a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power).
* The common digital computing requires the data to be encoded into binary digits (bits), each of which is always in one of two definite states (0 or 1).
* Quantum computation uses quantum bits (qubits).

Quantum Bit (Qubit)
 
* A quantum bit (qubit) is the smallest unit of quantum information, which is the quantum analog of the regular computer bit, used in the field of quantum computing.
* They operate according to two key principles of quantum physics: superposition and entanglement.? Superposition means that each qubit can represent both a ‘1’ and a ‘0’ at the same time.

* Entanglement means that qubits in a superposition state can be correlated with each other; that is, the state of one qubit (whether it is a 1 or a 0) can depend on the state of another qubit. It means that particles remain connected so that actions performed on one affect the other, even when separated by great distances. The phenomenon so riled Albert Einstein that he called it "spooky action at a distance."

* Using these two principles, qubits can act as more sophisticated switches, enabling quantum computers to function in ways that allow them to solve difficult problems that are unmanageable using today’s computers.

Year : 2022
Category : General Studies