Q.1 With reference to the “India International Exchange” , consider the following statements :
1. It was opened very recently at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat
2. With this, it will be the third largest International Exchange in the world in terms of order response
Select the correct answer using the using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. D
-It was opened IN 2017 at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat
,BUT NOT VERY RECENTLY.
– With this, it will be the fastest International Exchange in the world in terms of order response with
the trade speed of four microseconds
-This is better than BSE’s domestic exchange in Mumbai, which has an order response time of six
microseconds
– Singapore is the second fastest International exchange has the order response of 60 microseconds
Q.2 In Context with the “Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)”, consider the following
statements :
1. It is a greenhouse gas mitigation technology which produces negative carbon dioxide emissions
2. BECSS works by involving the process of pyrogenic carbon capture and storage (PyCCS) or biochar
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. A
-Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a potential greenhouse gas mitigation technology
which produces negative carbon dioxide emissions by combining bioenergy (energy from biomass) use with
geologic carbon capture and storage.[1] The concept of BECCS is drawn from the integration of trees and
crops, which extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as they grow, the use of this biomass in
processing industries or power plants, and the application of carbon capture and storage via CO2
injection into geological formations.[2]
There are other non-BECCS forms of carbon dioxide removal and storage that include technologies such as
biochar, carbon dioxide air captureand biomass burial[3] and enhanced weathering.
According to a recent Biorecro report, there is 550 000 tonnes CO2/year in total BECCS capacity
currently operating, divided between three different facilities (as of January 2012)
In the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), BECCS was
indicated as a key technology for reaching low carbon dioxide atmospheric concentration targets.[8]
The negative emissions that can be produced by BECCS has been estimated by the Royal Society to be
equivalent to a 50 to 150 ppmdecrease in global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations[9] and
according to the International Energy Agency, the BLUE map climate change mitigation scenario calls for
more than 2 gigatonnes of negative CO2 emissions per year with BECCS in 2050.[10]
According to Stanford University, 10 gigatonnes is achievable by this date
According to the OECD, “Achieving lower concentration targets (450 ppm) depends significantly on the
use of BECCS”.[13]
An alternative to BECSS is pyrogenic carbon capture and storage (PyCCS) or biochar.[14] Which are
superior in order to fix carbon in a more stable way: solid C, for longer times. Carbon dioxide
injected into geologic formations eventually leaks back into the atmosphere due to seismic activity and
natural faults and problems with the seal of the ancient injection pits.
Q.3 Which among the following is/are classified under the Third Generation Vaccines ?
1. DTP vaccine
2. DNA Vaccine
3. Polio Vaccine
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 3
B) 2 & 3
C) 1 & 2
D) Only 2
Ans. D
DTP vaccine – Second generation Vaccine
DNA Vaccine- Third generation Vaccine
Polio Vaccine- First generation Vaccine
DNA vaccination is a technique for protecting against disease by injection with genetically engineered
DNA so cells directly produce an antigen, producing a protective immunological response. DNA vaccines
have potential advantages over conventional vaccines, including the ability to induce a wider range of
immune response types.
Several DNA vaccines are available for veterinary use. Currently no DNA vaccines have been approved for
human use. Research is investigating the approach for viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases in humans,
as well as for several cancers.
Applications
No DNA vaccines have been approved for human use in the United States. Few experimental trials have
evoked a response strong enough to protect against disease and the technique’s usefulness remains to be
proven in humans. A veterinary DNA vaccine to protect horses from West Nile virus has been approved.
First-Generation Vaccines. Attenuated and inactivated vaccines are identified in the first generation,
which use a primary method in their production. Attenuated pathogens, full organisms or inactivated
bacterial toxin, which are effectively immunogenic, are used in making these vaccines.
2nd Generation Vaccines:-
The second generation vaccines were created in order to minimize the risks of having the pathogen
revert to a dangerous form.
The way these vaccines work is that they do not contain the whole organism, but rather subunits.
Subunits may consist of the toxins that the pathogen create (if they are bacterial). Another example of
subunit vaccines are those that only contain protein sections of the pathogen, such as an acellular
form.
A great example of a 2nd generation vaccine is DTaP. The vaccine contains diptheria toxoid, tetanus
toxoid, pertussis toxoid, as well as the acellular version of pertussis.
As with the issues with the 1st generation of vaccines, the 2nd generation vaccines can generate
antibody response and T-helper response, but AGAIN, no T-Killer response.
Q.4 Which among the following is/are the examples of The Near Field Communication ?
1. Public transport card readers
2. Smart phones
3. Touch payment terminals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 2 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. D
Near-field communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices,
one of which is usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing
them within 4 cm (1.6 in) of each other.[1]
NFC devices are used in contactless payment systems, similar to those used in credit cards and
electronic ticket smartcards and allow mobile payment to replace or supplement these systems. This is
sometimes referred to as NFC/CTLS (Contactless) or CTLS NFC. NFC is used for social networking, for
sharing contacts, photos, videos or files.[2] NFC-enabled devices can act as electronic identity
documents and keycards.[3] NFC offers a low-speed connection with simple setup that can be used to
bootstrap more capable wireless connections.
Q.5 With reference to the CLOUD ACT, consider the following statements :
1. It has been passed by the U.S. Congress very recently to make artificial rain by spraying clouds with substances like
Silver Iodide
2 US has enacted in 2018 by passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. B
Cloud act –
§ The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, passed by the U.S. Congress earlier
this year, seeks to de-monopolise control over data from U.S. authorities.
§ The law will for the first time allow tech companies to share data directly with certain
foreign governments. This, however, requires an executive agreement between the U.S. and the foreign
country certifying that the state has robust privacy protections, and respect for due process and the
rule of law.
§ Before this Cloud Act, an Indian officer investigating would have to raise a request for data
to the U.S. government where it is stored.
How CLOUD act impacts law enforcement in India :-
§ Timely access to electronic data for police is required to prevent, mitigate or prosecute even
a routine crime. With the enactment of the CLOUD Act, an Indian officer for the purposes of an
investigation will no longer have to make a request to the U.S. government but can approach the company
directly.
Q.6 Which among the following is/are the expected benefits to a country by signing the pact of Duqm
port in Oman ?
1. Port is located near the Persian Gulf through which half of the world’s oil tanker pass
2. It has a special economic zone where 2.5 $ billion investments are expected to be made by the Indian
companies
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. A
It has a special economic zone where 1.8 $ billion investments are expected to be made by the Indian
companies
Port is located near the Persian Gulf through which half of the world’s oil tanker pass.It is also near
the Chabahar port of Iran
Q.7 What is/are the consequence/ consequences of a country becoming the member of the ‘European Bank for Reconstruction &
Development’ ?
1. Membership would provide access to the technical & financial assistance of the bank related to the development of the
private sector
2. Co-financing opportunities, access to the international markets will be enhanced through the membership
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 & 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. B
Membership would provide access to the technical assistance & sectoral knowledge of the bank related to
the development of the private sector
Co-financing opportunities, access to the international markets will be enhanced through the membership
Explanation:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution
founded in 1991. As a multilateral developmental investment bank, the EBRD uses investment as a tool to
build market economies. Initially focused on the countries of the former Eastern Bloc it expanded to
support development in more than 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Similar to other
multilateral development banks, the EBRD has members from all over the world (North America, Africa,
Asia and Australia, see below), with the biggest shareholder being the United States, but only lends
regionally in its countries of operations. Headquartered in London, the EBRD is owned by 69 countries
and two EU institutions, 69th being Indiarecently in July 2018. Despite its public sector shareholders,
it invests in private enterprises, together with commercial partners.
The EBRD is not to be confused with the European Investment Bank (EIB), which is owned by EU member
states and is used to support EU policy. EBRD is also distinct from the Council of Europe Development
Bank (CEB).
Q.8 STARLINK refers to :
A) It is a research & development project developed by Google X to provide internet access to rural & remote areas
B) It is the solar powered drone launched by facebook to provide internet access to four billion people around the world
C) Any type of drone that can be controlled by the Microwave signals of high wavelength
D) It is the planned constellation of satellites that would provide high speed global internet connection
Ans. D
Starlink is a satellite constellation development project underway by SpaceX,[1] to develop a low-cost,
high-performance satellite bus and requisite customer ground transceivers to implement a new space-based
Internet communication system.[2][3] By 2017, SpaceX submitted regulatory filings to launch nearly
12,000 satellites to orbit by the mid-2020s.[4]SpaceX also plans to sell satellites that use a satellite
bus that may be used for military[5], scientific or exploratory purposes.[6] In November 2018 SpaceX
received FCC approval to deploy 7,518 broadband satellites, in addition to the 4,425 satellites that
were approved in March 2018.
Development began in 2015, and prototype test-flight satellites were launched on 22 February 2018.
Initial operation of the constellation could begin in 2020 with satellite deployment beginning mid 2019.
The SpaceX satellite development facility in Redmond, Washington, houses the research and development
operations for the satellite Internet project.
Q.9 Which among the following sites have been identified for the development of Water Aerodromes ?
1. Wular lake
2. Sabarmati river front
3. Chilika lake
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 3
C) 2 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. C
Chilika lake IN Orissa, Gujarat’s Sardar Sarovar Dam , Sabarmati river front have been identified for
the development of Water Aerodromes
Q.10 Which among the following products have been classified into Minor Forest Products ?
1. Tamarind
2. Sandalwood
3. Bamboo
4. Cane
5. Fuel & Timber
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1,3,4,5
B) 2,4,5
C) Only 2 & 5
D) 1,3,4
Ans. D
Major Forest Produce and Minor Forest Products. The Major Forest Products comprise Pulpwood, Sandalwood,
Social Forestry that incudes Fuel and Timber.
The Minor Forest Products include the items such as tamarind, curry leaf, Tendu Patta, gallnut, Cane,
Soapnut, tree moss and now Bamboo also.
