Questions & Answers

1. Consider the following statements regarding Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), sometimes referred to as the “Atlantic conveyor belt”.

1)It aids in distributing heat and energy around the earth.
2)At present it has remained stable.
3)Rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean can help boost the AMOC.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: b)

• Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) — which is sometimes referred to as the “Atlantic conveyor belt” — is one of the Earth’s largest water circulation systems where ocean currents move warm, salty water from the tropics to regions further north, such as western Europe and sends colder water south.
• It aids in distributing heat and energy around the earth, as the warm water it carries releases heat into the atmosphere, and in absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon.
• For thousands of years, AMOC has remained stable, but since the past 15 years, it has been weakening — a development that could have dramatic consequences for Europe and other parts of the Atlantic rim.
• Rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean can help boost the AMOC and delay slow down.

2. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Angikaar campaign’.

1)Angikaar has been launched for social behaviour change, focusing on issues such as water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree plantation, sanitation and hygiene.
2)The target group includes beneficiaries of Swachh Bharat Mission.
3)The campaign will converge with schemes and Missions of other Ministries dealing with health, sanitation and hygiene.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: b)

• Angikaar has been launched for social behaviour change, focusing on issues such as water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree plantation, sanitation and hygiene.
• Target group: It has been launched for beneficiaries of completed houses under PMAY (U), through community mobilisation and IEC activities.
• Implementation: The campaign will converge with schemes and Missions of other Ministries dealing with these subjects. The convergence would especially focus on Ujjwala for gas connection and Ayushman Bharat for health insurance to the beneficiaries of PMAY (U).

3. Consider the following statements regarding ‘UMMID’ (Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders) initiative.

1)It is to tackle inherited genetic diseases of new born babies.
2)UMMID aims to create awareness about genetic disorders amongst clinicians and establish molecular diagnostics in hospitals.
3)It aims to establish National Inherited Diseases Administration Kendras to provide counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: d)

• Government launches ‘UMMID’ initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases of new born babies.
• Department of Biotechnology has started the UMMID Initiative which is designed on the concept of ‘Prevention is better than Cure’.
• UMMID aims to create awareness about genetic disorders amongst clinicians .
• UMMID initiative aims to:
  • Establish NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras to provide counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals wherein the influx of patients is more.
  • Produce skilled clinicians in Human Genetics.
  • Undertake screening of pregnant women and new born babies for inherited genetic diseases in hospitals at aspirational districts.

• The campaign will include door to door activities, ward and city level events.

4. Consider the following statements regarding a separate state flag.

1)Supreme Court has said that there is no prohibition in the Constitution for the State to have its own flag.
2)Under the Constitution, a flag is enumerated in the concurrent list.
3)The Flag Code of India, 2002 does not impose prohibitions on a State flag.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2
b) 1 only
c) 1, 3
d) 2, 3

Solution: c)

• Supreme Court has said that there is no prohibition in the Constitution for the State to have its own flag. However, the manner in which the state flag is hoisted should not dishonour the national flag.
• Under the Constitution, a flag is not enumerated in the Seventh Schedule. However, Article 51A rules that every citizen shall abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag, and the national anthem.
• Even the Flag Code of India, 2002 does not impose prohibitions on a State flag. The Code expressly authorises the flying of other flags under the condition that they should not be hoisted from the same masthead as the national flag or placed higher than it.

5. Diwan-i-Khairat, established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq is

a) Department of slave
b) Rest house for merchants
c) Hospitals for travellers
d) Office for charity

Solution: d)
Contributions by Firoz Shah Tughlaq:

• established the Diwan-i-Khairat — office for charity.
• established the Diwan-i-Bundagan — department of slave
• established Sarais (rest house) for the benefits of merchants and other travellers
• adopted the Iqtadari framework.
• Established four new towns, Firozabad, Fatehabad, Jaunpur and Hissar.
• established hospitals known as Darul-Shifa, Bimaristan or Shifa Khana.

6. Consider the following statements about PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) platform.

1)It is a multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances.
2)The PRAGATI platform uses video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.
3)It is a three-tier system which consists of PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2
b) 2, 3
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: d)

• It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
• The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.
• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States)