Prelims Mantra (Practice Questions) (16/03/2026)
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Climate, Banking, and Space: Key Breakthroughs Shaping Our Future
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1. Question
With reference to India's space launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLV is capable of launching satellites into polar orbits. 2. GSLV uses cryogenic upper-stage engines. 3. PSLV was used to launch India's Mars Orbiter Mission.
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
Answer: D
Explanation: - Statement 1 is correct: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was specifically designed to deliver 'earth-observation' or 'remote-sensing' satellites into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits. - Statement 2 is correct: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a three-stage vehicle that utilizes an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage (the third stage). - Statement 3 is correct: Although primarily a polar launcher, the PSLV (specifically the PSLV-C25 XL variant) was used to launch India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013.
2. Question
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aims to achieve which of the following objectives? 1. Conservation of biological diversity 2. Sustainable use of biodiversity components 3. Equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- a) 1 and 2 only
- b) 2 and 3 only
- c) 1 and 3 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All three statements represent the primary objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which was adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The CBD is a legally binding treaty with three main pillars: - Statement 1 is correct: The first objective is the conservation of biological diversity, which includes protecting ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. - Statement 2 is correct: The second objective is the sustainable use of biodiversity components, ensuring they are used at a rate that does not lead to long-term decline. - Statement 3 is correct: The third objective is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, a goal further strengthened by the Nagoya Protocol.
3. Question
Consider the following statements regarding monetary policy tools in India: 1. Repo rate is the rate at which RBI borrows money from commercial banks. 2. Cash Reserve Ratio is the proportion of deposits banks must keep with RBI in cash. 3. Statutory Liquidity Ratio requires banks to maintain reserves in liquid assets.
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
Answer: B
Explanation: - Statement 1 is incorrect: The Repo rate (Repurchase rate) is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to commercial banks, not the other way around. The rate at which the RBI borrows money from banks is known as the Reverse Repo rate. - Statement 2 is correct: The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a specific percentage of a bank's total deposits that it is mandated to keep with the RBI in the form of liquid cash. Banks do not earn any interest on these reserves. - Statement 3 is correct: The Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) requires commercial banks to maintain a minimum proportion of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) in the form of liquid assets such as cash, gold, or government-approved securities. Unlike CRR, these assets are maintained by the banks themselves.
4. Question
With reference to hydrogen energy, consider the following statements: I. Green hydrogen is produced using electricity generated from renewable sources. II. Electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. III. Hydrogen combustion produces carbon dioxide as a by-product.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a) I and II only
- b) II and III only
- c) I and III only
- d) I, II and III
Answer: A
Explanation: Hydrogen combustion produces water, not carbon dioxide.
5. Question
Which of the following characteristics are typical of mangrove ecosystems? 1. Salt-tolerant vegetation 2. Occurrence in intertidal zones 3. High capacity for carbon storage
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- a) 1 and 2 only
- b) 2 and 3 only
- c) 1 and 3 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: - Statement 1 is correct: Mangroves are salt-tolerant (halophytic) vegetation. They have evolved specialized mechanisms to survive in saline environments, such as filtering salt at their roots or secreting excess salt through specialized glands on their leaves. - Statement 2 is correct: Mangroves typically occur in intertidal zones, the areas between the high tide and low tide marks. These regions are characterized by regular tidal flooding and a mix of saline and freshwater. - Statement 3 is correct: Mangroves have a high capacity for carbon storage, often sequestering significantly more carbon than terrestrial forests. They store this 'blue carbon' not just in their biomass but extensively in their deep, anoxic soils and sediments.
6. Question
Which of the following are components of India's Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem? 1. Aadhaar 2. UPI 3. DigiLocker 4. National Stock Exchange
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- b) 1 and 3 only
- c) 2 and 4 only
- d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), often referred to as the India Stack, consists of interoperable, open-access digital rails designed to provide essential services to citizens. - 1. Aadhaar is a component: It forms the Identity Layer, providing a unique biometric-based digital ID used for authentication and KYC processes. - 2. UPI is a component: It represents the Payments Layer, allowing instant, real-time money transfers between bank accounts using mobile devices. - 3. DigiLocker is a component: It is part of the Data Exchange/Empowerment Layer, enabling citizens to store and share verified digital documents like driving licenses and academic certificates securely. - 4. National Stock Exchange (NSE) is not a component: While the NSE is a critical piece of financial market infrastructure, it is a private/semi-private stock exchange. It is not considered part of the 'foundational' digital public infrastructure (like identity or payment rails) that the government provides as a public good for cross-sectoral use.
7. Question
Which of the following greenhouse gases has the highest global warming potential over a 100-year period among the following? - a) Carbon dioxide - b) Methane - c) Nitrous oxide - d) Water vapour
Answer: C
Explanation: - Nitrous oxide: Has the highest GWP among the options provided, typically ranging from 265 to 298. It is nearly 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2 and remains in the atmosphere for over a century.
8. Question
In semiconductor technology, the term 'doping' refers to: - a) Removing impurities from semiconductor material - b) Adding controlled impurities to modify electrical conductivity - c) Increasing temperature to enhance conductivity - d) Converting semiconductor into a conductor
Answer: B
Explanation: In semiconductor technology, doping is the intentional introduction of specific impurities (known as dopants) into an intrinsic (pure) semiconductor. This process is essential for creating the electronic components that power modern devices. - Modifies Conductivity: Pure semiconductors like silicon or germanium have very low electrical conductivity at room temperature. Doping significantly increases the number of free charge carriers either electrons or 'holes'-to make the material more conductive. - Creates N-type and P-type Materials: - N-type: Adding atoms with more valence electrons (like phosphorus or arsenic) provides extra negative charge carriers (electrons). - P-type: Adding atoms with fewer valence electrons (like boron or gallium) creates positive charge carriers called 'holes'. - Enables Device Fabrication: By layering N-type and P-type materials, engineers can create fundamental electronic building blocks such as diodes and transistors.
9. Question
With reference to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), consider the following statements: I. FTAs eliminate all trade barriers between participating countries. II. They may include provisions related to services and investment in addition to goods trade. III. The European Union negotiates trade agreements on behalf of all its member states.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a) I and II only
- b) II and III only
- c) I and III only
- d) I, II and III
Answer: B
Explanation: FTAs usually reduce tariffs but do not eliminate all trade barriers, making statement 1 incorrect.
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