Ques 1. Which of the following statements are correct in respect of the Kharif season in India:
- Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the southwest monsoon and harvested at the end of the monsoon.
- Major Kharif crops include rice, maize, cotton, pulses, and groundnut.
- The Kharif season generally spans from October to March across all parts of India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Ques 2. Consider the following with reference to Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023:
- The scheme provides a national framework for trading carbon credit certificates issued for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
2. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the administrator of the scheme, while the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) regulates trading.
3. The scheme currently allows both voluntary and compliance-based trading of carbon credits in India.
How many of the above is/are not correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Ques 3. Consider the following statements with reference to Mercator Map :
Statement I: The Mercator projection is a conformal cylindrical map projection first presented Gerardus Mercator in 1569.
Statement II: In the 18th century, it became the standard map projection for navigation due to its property of representing rhumb lines as straight lines.
Statement III: In the Mercator Map, landmasses such as Greenland and Antarctica appear far larger than they actually are relative to landmasses near the equator
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Ques 4. Who is considered the Father of the Green Revolution in India?
- Norman Borlaug
- Verghese Kurien
- C. V. Raman
- M. S. Swaminathan
Ques 5 . Which of the following pathogens can cause Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)?
- Only viruses
- Only bacteria and viruses
- Only parasites and fungi
- Viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and toxins
Answers
Ans 1. Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- The southwest monsoon begins in June and withdraws by September.
- Kharif crops like rice, maize, cotton, bajra, and pulses depend on monsoon rains.
- They are sown with rains (June–July) and harvested (Sept–Oct).
Statement 2 is correct:
- Rice is the most important Kharif crop.
- Other examples: maize, millets (jowar, bajra), cotton, soybean, pulses (urad, moong, arhar), oilseeds (groundnut, sunflower).
- All require warm weather and plenty of water during growth.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
- October–March is the Rabi season (crops like wheat, barley, mustard, peas).
- The Kharif season is June to October, not October to March.
Source: The Hindu (Page 9)
Ans 2. Answer: a (3 only)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023 was notified under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- It establishes a national framework to develop a domestic carbon market.
- Entities reducing or removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can earn Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs) for trading.
Statement 2 is correct:
- BEE is designated as the administrator of the scheme.
- CERC acts as the regulator for carbon credit trading on power exchanges.
- This division ensures policy oversight (BEE) and market regulation (CERC).
Statement 3 is incorrect:
- At present, the scheme has notified only the compliance mechanism.
- The voluntary carbon market is to be developed later in phases.
- So, both voluntary and compliance are not operational together yet.
Source: The Hindu (Page 8)
Ans 3. Answer: b
Explanation:
- The Mercator projection is a conformal cylindrical map projection first presented by Flemish geographer and mapmaker Gerardus Mercator in 1569. In the 18th century, it became the standard map projection for navigation due to its property of representing rhumb lines as straight lines.
- When applied to world maps, the Mercator projection inflates the size of lands the farther they are from the equator. Therefore, landmasses such as Greenland and Antarctica appear far larger than they actually are relative to landmasses near the equator.
- Therefore option (b) is correct.
Source: The Indian Express, page no 19
Ans 4. Answer: d
Explanation:
Option d is correct:
- M. S. Swaminathan is widely recognized as the Father of the Green Revolution in India.
- He played a key role in introducing high-yield variety (HYV) seeds of wheat and rice in India during the 1960s and 1970s.
- His efforts, in collaboration with scientists like Norman Borlaug, helped India achieve self-sufficiency in food grainsand avoid famine.
- While Norman Borlaug is called the “Father of the Green Revolution” globally for his work in developing HYV wheat in Mexico, Swaminathan adapted and implemented these technologies in the Indian context, focusing on Indian soil, climate, and agricultural practices.
Source: The Hindu (Page 8)
Ans 5. Answer: d
Explanation:
- Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES is characterized by a sudden onset of high-grade fever, convulsions, altered sensorium, and multi-organ dysfunction. Other common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, respiratory failure with nasal bleeding.
- AES can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, as well as toxins and chemicals.
- The diagnosis of AES can be challenging due to the similarity of symptoms with other viral infections.
Source: The Indian Express, page no 19