CA Handouts_PRELIMS_2025_01_12_Solutions

Bharatpol

• Purpose: Broadcast hub for assistance and real-time action against transnational crimes via international police cooperation.

• Development: Developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), not the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

• Connectivity: Allows both central and state agencies to connect with Interpol to expedite investigations.

• Scope of Investigations: Engages in addressing transnational crimes including drug trafficking and human trafficking.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) 1 only.

Sex Ratio

• Definition: Sex ratio measures the number of females per 1,000 males in a population.

• Current Statistics: NFHS-5 reports an overall sex ratio at birth in India of 929.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) 2 only.

Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)

• Frequency: Held every two years to honor the contributions of the Indian diaspora.

• Recent Inauguration: The 18th edition was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar.

• First Event: Initiated in 2003 to recognize overseas Indians.

• Significance of Date: January 9 marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) Only three.

Santa Ana Winds

• Occurrence: Blow when high pressure builds over the Great Basin, occurring from October to January.

• Impact: These winds are a factor in exacerbating wildfires in Southern California.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) Only two.

Google Deep Research

• Functionality: Uses AI to explore complex topics and present answers in a user-friendly format.

• User Interaction: Allows users to view and edit a research plan to attain desired outcomes.

• Comparison with ChatGPT: Boasts more customization and ease of access than ChatGPT.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) 1, 2 and 3.

Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)

• Development: An indigenously designed 5.5-ton multirole helicopter by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

• Timeline: Project initiated in the mid-1980s, with first flight in August 1992.

• Military Incorporation: Used in Army, Air Force, and Navy, but also in the Coast Guard.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) Only two.

Indus Valley Civilisation Script Prize

• Announcement: Tamil Nadu offers a $1 million prize for deciphering the script of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

• Research Basis: Previous studies found parallels between South Indian graffiti marks and those of Indus civilization.

• Historical Context: The Indus Civilisation thrived between c. 3300 and 1300 BCE.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) Tamil Nadu.

UDISE+ Report

• Management: The platform is maintained by the Ministry of Education.

• Scope: Covers school education from pre-primary to higher secondary levels.

• Uses: Data is critical for fund allocation for educational programs like midday meals.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) 1 and 3 only.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

• Impact: Major cause of respiratory illness, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals.

• Contagiousness: Highly contagious especially in the early days of symptom appearance.

• Virus Type: It is an RNA virus, not a DNA virus.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) 1 and 2 only.

La Niña

• Characteristics: Characterized by stronger trade winds and is a cold climate event.

• Effect on Weather: Can lead to warmer winter temperatures in the south and cooler conditions in the north.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) Only two.

India and Taliban Meeting

• Context: Meeting occurs without India granting official recognition to the Taliban government.

• Motivation: Engagement is due to the Taliban's changing relationship with Pakistan and increasing Chinese influence.

• Security Guarantees: Taliban has assured security of Indian interests against threats like ISIS-K.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) 2, 3 and 4 only.

Dragon Arc

• Definition: A galaxy nearly 6.5 billion light-years away from Earth discovered by physicists at Durham University.

• Clarification: Misattributed previously due to its obscured view behind other galaxies.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c).

Future of Jobs Report 2025

• Skills Growth: Fastest growing sectors include AI, cybersecurity, and technological literacy.

• Job Trends: Anticipated significant increases in care jobs, contrary to the notion of decline.

• Skills Barrier: Continues to be the key barrier to business transformation.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Genome India Project

• Goal: Aims to create a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations in the Indian populace.

• Storage: The dataset of 8 petabytes is housed at the Indian Biological Data Centre established in 2022.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) neither 1 nor 2.

Lumpy Skin Disease

• Cause: Caused by Capripoxvirus, a type of virus, not protozoan.

• Transmission: Does not spread to humans; milk from infected cows is safe post-pasteurization.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) neither 1 nor 2.

Gulf of Mexico Borders

• Countries: The Gulf is bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) 1, 3 and 5 only.

BRICS Grouping

• Membership: Indonesia has recently joined BRICS as a member.

• Presidency: Brazil will hold the presidency in 2025, not Russia.

• First Summit: The inaugural BRIC summit was in 2009 in Russia, not China.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) Only one.

Islands in News

• Pairs: Rottnest Island is in Australia, while Ramree Island is in Myanmar, not Bangladesh.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) 1 only.

Russian Gas Supply Stop

• Affected Nations: Ukraine's gas supply halt has a significant effect on Austria, Slovakia, and Moldova.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) 1, 3 and 4.

Greenland's Territory

• Country: Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c).

GDP Statements

• Definitions: GDP is the market value of goods/services, with nominal GDP not adjusted for inflation and real GDP adjusted.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) Only one.

Soapstone

• Composition: It is a metamorphic rock composed mostly of talc.

• Reserves: Rajasthan holds the largest reserves of soapstone in India, not Uttarakhand.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) neither 1 nor 2.

Credit Information Companies (CICs)

• Regulation: CICs are overseen by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• Consumer Rights: RBI mandates timely updates on consumer credit histories.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d).

Logistics Index Chart 2024

• Purpose: Measures logistics efficiency; Tamil Nadu categorized as “achievers.”

• Management: Released from the Commerce and Industry Ministry, not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Urea Production Trends

• Trends: Domestic urea production has increased; imports have decreased over the years.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) 1 only.

Polar Vortex Clarification

• Nature: Polar vortex is a low-pressure area of cold air, not high pressure.

• Seasons: It strengthens in winter, not autumn, and persists in summer.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d) neither 1 nor 2.

Plate Tectonics

• Movement: Plate movements are due to processes beneath the Earth, via convection currents.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a).

Rat-Hole Mining

• Description: Method of coal extraction from narrow seams, prevalent in Meghalaya.

• Risks: It poses significant environmental and safety hazards.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a) only one.

Water Cycle Function

• Definition: Represents the movement of water in all phases; evaporation is the correct term for atmospheric escape.

• Weather Regulation: Influential in regulating earth’s weather patterns.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Brahmaputra River Facts

• Names: Known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet; enters India in Arunachal Pradesh as Siang.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c) Only three.

New Glenn Rocket

• Specifications: A heavy-lift rocket named after astronaut John Glenn; it is a two-stage rocket.

• Fuel: The second stage uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b) 2 only.

CROPS Mission

• Entity: Launched by ISRO to study plants in space under microgravity.

• Purpose: Experiment on cowpea seeds to study biological growth in space conditions.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a).

Docking Definition

• Explanation: Refers to the joining of two spacecraft moving at high speeds in a precise orbit.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c).

Agnibaan SOrTeD

• Origin: Launched by Agnikul Cosmos, not ISRO.

• Payload Capacity: Can handle payloads from 30 kg to 300 kg.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (c).

Listeria Overview

• Type: Listeria is a bacteria, not a virus, associated with contaminated food.

• Treatment: While there are treatments available for listeriosis, they vary with infection severity.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d).

Speaker of Lok Sabha Rules

• Statements: The Speaker vacates office if they cease to be a member of the House.

• Removal: Resolution for removal must be passed by a majority of members.

• Resignation: They can resign at any time.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b).

Transgender Persons Act

• Certificates: The Act allows for identity certificates to be revised post surgery.

• Procedure: A detailed process for obtaining certificates is provided in the rules.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d).

Corruption Law Reference

• Legislation: Offering a bribe is governed by the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (b).

Lok Sabha Provisions

• Term: The Lok Sabha's term can be dissolved; their first General Elections were held from 1951-52.

• Extension: During emergencies, the term can be extended, but not exceeding one year each time.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (d).

Statutory Bodies Definition

• Nature: Statutory bodies are established by legislation and include the National Green Tribunal.

• Checks on Government Power: Not all serve as checks; only constitutional bodies fulfill that role.

• Conclusion: The correct answer is (a).