Search Previous Year Questions

The Correct answer is the Centre for Science and Environment.

Key Points 

• The Indira Gandhi Prize or the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize or the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to individuals or organizations in recognition of creative efforts toward promoting international peace, development, and a new international economic order; ensuring that scientific discoveries are used for the larger good of humanity, and enlarging the scope of freedom.
• The prize carries a cash award of 2.5 million Indian rupees and a citation.

Additional Information

• Centre For Science and Environment
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi, India.
• Established in 1980, CSE works as a think tank on environment-development issues in India, poor planning, climate shifts devastating India's Sundarbans, and advocates for policy changes and better implementation of the already existing policies.
• In 2018 the CSE was awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.
• UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Since 1954, the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award has been annually awarded to a person or an organization in recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced or stateless people.
• The UNHCR itself was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981.
• The UNHCR was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize in 2015.
• Indian Space Research Organisation
• The Indian Space Research Organisation is the national space agency of India, headquartered in Bengaluru.
• It operates under the Department of Space (DOS) which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India while the Chairman of ISRO acts as the executive of DOS as well.
• ISRO is the primary agency in India to perform tasks related to space-based applications, space exploration, and the development of related technologies.
• It is one of six government space agencies in the world that possess full launch capabilities, deploy cryogenic engines, launch extraterrestrial missions and operate large fleets of artificial satellites.
• Antrix Cooperation Limited(Commercial Wing of ISRO) set up in 1992 as the marketing arm of ISRO, Antrix's job is to promote products, services, and technology developed by ISRO.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) of the Government of India established in 2019 and it is a second commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The main objective of NSIL is to scale up industry participation in Indian space programs.
• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is awarded to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2014 in recognition of its path-breaking achievement, culminating in the Mars orbiter mission.
• Manmohan Singh
• Manmohan Singh is an Indian economist, academic, and politician who served as the 13^th prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014.
• The first Sikh in office, Singh was also the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term.
• In 2017 he was awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development award.

The Correct answer is Electricity.

Key Points

• The annual World Energy Outlook is the International Energy Agency's flagship publication, widely recognized as the most authoritative source for global energy projections and analysis. It represents the leading source for medium to long-term energy market projections, extensive statistics, analysis, and advice for both governments and the energy business.
• World Energy Outlook 2018 examines future patterns of a changing global energy system at a time of increasing uncertainties and finds that major transformations are underway for the global energy sector. Across all regions and fuels, policy choices made by governments will determine the shape of the energy system of the future.
• The energy sector is the principal source of global greenhouse gas emissions. The World Energy Outlook 2018 contains updated projections for energy-related CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.

• World Energy Outlook- 2020
• There are two key themes in this World Energy Outlook 2020
• Theme - The impact of Covid-19 on the energy sector and the prospects for accelerated energy transitions.
• By 2040, coal's share in global energy demand dips below 20% for the first time in modern energy history.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more disruption to the energy sector than any other event in recent history.
• This report explores different pathways out of the Covid-19 crisis, with a particular focus on a pivotal next ten years to 2030.

Additional Information

• International Atomic Energy Agency
• The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
• It was established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957, at the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
• As the preeminent nuclear watchdog under the UN, the IAEA is entrusted with the task of upholding the principles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970.
• Though established independently of the UN through its own international treaty, the agency reports to both the UN General Assembly and the UNSC.
• India is not a member of the IAEA.

The Correct answer is Shakti.

Key Points

• Shakti is the first Microprocessor Of India which is designed and developed by the students of IIT (Indian Institute Of Technology) Chennai.
• It is built with a microchip that is manufactured or created at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) Chandigarh.
• According to IIT-M, the Shakti microprocessor can be used in low-power wireless systems and networking systems besides reducing reliance on imported microprocessors in the communication and defense sectors.
• The Shakti family of processors was fabricated at Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Indian Space Research Organizations (ISRO) in Chandigarh, making it the first 'RISC V Microprocessor' to be completely designed and made in India.
• The other crucial aspect of such an indigenous design, development, and fabricating approach is reducing the risk of deploying systems that may be infected with back-doors and hardware Trojans.
• According to IIT-M, the Shakti processor family targets clock speeds to suit various end-user application devices such as various consumer electronic devices, mobile computing devices, embedded low-power wireless systems, and networking systems.

Additional Information

• A microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control are included on a single integrated circuit or a small number of integrated circuits.
• The microprocessor is a multipurpose, clock-driven, register-based, digital integrated circuit that accepts binary data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results (also in binary form) as output.
• Microprocessors contain both combinational logic and sequential digital logic.

The Correct answer is 1987.

Key Points

• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, abbreviation INF Treaty, nuclear arms-control accord reached by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987 in which those two nations agreed to eliminate their stocks of intermediate-range and shorter-range (or “medium-range”) land-based missiles (which could carry nuclear warheads).
• It was the first arms-control treaty to abolish an entire category of weapons systems.
• In addition, two protocols to the treaty established unprecedented procedures for observers from both nations to verify firsthand the other nation’s destruction of its missiles. In February 2019 the United States announced that it was suspending compliance with the treaty.
• The INF Treaty defined intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCMs) as those having ranges of 1,000 to 5,500 km (620 to 3,400 miles) and shorter-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) as those having ranges from 500 to 1,000 km.

The Correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• Mariculture is an activity involving food production for human consumption.
• It is an activity in which aquatic organisms both plants and animals are cultured in a confined environment in the aquatic medium which may be completely marine or marine mixed to various degrees with freshwater in the brackish water areas.
• Mariculture is a specialized branch of aquaculture (which includes freshwater aquaculture) involving the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in the open ocean of offshore aquaculture, an enclosed section of the ocean, or in tanks, ponds, or raceways which are filled with seawater.
• It is commonly known as marine farming also. An example of the latter is marine fish farming, including finfish and shellfish like prawns, or oysters and seaweed in saltwater ponds.
• Non-food products produced by mariculture include fish meal, nutrient agar, jewelry (cultured pearls), and cosmetics.

The Correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) in India.
• The center would aim to bring together the government and business leaders to pilot emerging technology policies.
• The center would be based in Maharashtra. Drones, artificial intelligence, and blockchain have been selected as the first three project areas.
• The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India will work in collaboration with the government on a national level to co-design new policy frameworks and protocols for emerging technology alongside leaders from business, academia, start-ups, and international organizations.
• The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog will coordinate the partnership on behalf of the government and the work of the center among multiple ministries.

Additional Information

• World Economic Forum 
• The World Economic Forum (WEF), based in Cologny, Geneva Canton, Switzerland, is an international NGO, founded on 24 January 1971.
• The WEF's mission is stated as "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
• The Forum provides a platform for the CEOs of the largest companies, heads of state of countries, to meet each other and discuss business through bilateral meetings. It’s a meet to showcase countries’ potential in order to attract businesses.
• The theme of WEF 2020 is Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.
• It is basically a networking event where countries project themselves to garner investment.

The Correct answer is Gujarat.

Key Points 

• Banni Grasslands Reserve or Banni grasslands form a belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat State, India. They are known for rich wildlife and biodiversity and are spread across an area of 3,847 square kilometers.
• They are currently legally protected under the status as a protected or reserve forest in India. Though declared a protected forest more than half a century ago Gujarat state's forest department has recently proposed a special plan to restore and manage this ecosystem in the most efficient way. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified this grassland reserve as one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India and a possible reintroduction site for the species.
• The word ‘Banni’ comes from the Hindi word ‘banai’, meaning made. The land here was formed from the sediments that were deposited by the Indus and other rivers over thousands of years.
• It was first declared a "protected forest" in May 1955, using the nomenclature of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Additional Information

• Sehima-Dichanthium Type
• ​These are spread over the Central Indian plateau, Choto-Nagpur plateau, and Aravalli ranges, covering an area of about 17,40,000 km².
• This region has an elevation between 300 and 1200 m.
• There are 24 species of perennial grasses, 89 species of annual grasses, and 129 species of dicots, including 56 legumes.
• This is also a rich wildlife area, with a large number of protected areas, especially forest protected areas (sanctuaries and national parks).
• Dichanthium-Cenchrus-Lasiurus type
• These are spread over an area of about 436,000 km², including northern parts of Delhi, Aravalli ranges, parts of Punjab, almost whole Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and southern Uttar Pradesh.
• The elevation of this region is not high, between 150 to 300 m.
• There are 11 perennial grass species, 43 annual grass species, and 45 dicots including 19 legumes.
• This area has many protected areas, mainly in the hilly regions, but the Lasiurus sindicus dry grassland of the Thar desert is under-represented in the PA system.
• These grasslands are extremely important for the survival of certain bird species.
• Phragmites-Saccharum-Imperata type
• These types of grasslands cover about 2,800,000 km² in the Gangetic Plains, the Brahmaputra Valley, and the plains of Punjab and Haryana.
• The elevation of this region between 300 to 500 m.
• There are 10 perennial types of grass, 26 annual types of grass, and 56 herbaceous species, including 16 legumes.
• The Gangetic Plain is one of the most thickly populated regions in the world so the original grassland type is almost gone.
• Some wet grasslands survive in protected areas of the Terai region and the Brahmaputra floodplains. These wet grasslands harbor many globally threatened wildlife species.
• Themeda-Arundinella type
• These grasslands cover about 230,000 km² and include the states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• The elevations range between 350 and 1200 m.
• There are 37 major perennial grass species, 32 annual grass species, and 34 dicots including 9 legumes.

The Correct Answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• A time zone is an area that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial and social purposes. Time zones tend to follow the boundaries between countries and their subdivisions instead of strictly following longitude because it is convenient for areas in frequent communication to keep the same time.
• Soth Africa has 2 time zones.

Countries with the Most Time Zones

The Correct answer is 15 October.

Key Points

• UN Women supports the leadership and participation of rural women in shaping laws, strategies, policies, and programs on all issues that affect their lives. Training equips them with the skills to pursue new livelihoods and adapt technology to their needs.
• The idea of honoring rural women with a special day was put forward by international NGOs at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. It was suggested that 15 October be celebrated as “World Rural Women’s Day,”.
• International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also making a call to action for strengthening gender equality and accelerating women’s empowerment.
• This international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”
• “World Rural Women’s Day” has been celebrated, primarily by civil society, across the world for over a decade. The first International Day of Rural Women was observed in New York on 15 October 2008.
• International Day of Rural Women theme 2020: “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19”.

Additional Information

• 8 March
• International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.
• It is also a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
• 2 October
• Gandhi Jayanti is an event celebrated in India to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It is celebrated annually on 2 October, and it is one of the three national holidays of India.
• The UN General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that 2 October will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
• 10 December
• Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly.
• This day is observed to protect the fundamental human rights of all people and their basic human freedom.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• Bathukamma is a Flower and Cultural festival of Telangana and celebrated by women singing Bathukamma Songs, Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Every year this festival is celebrated as per the Sathavahana calendar for nine days starting Bhadrapada Pournami (also known as Mahalaya Amavasya or Pitru Amavasya) till Durgashtami, usually in September–October of the Gregorian calendar.
• Bathukamma is celebrated for nine days during Durga Navratri. It starts on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the 9-day festivities will culminate on "Saddula Bathukamma" or "Pedda Bathukamma" festival on Ashwayuja Navami, popularly known as Durgashtami which is two days before Dussehra.
• Historically, Bathukamma meant "festival of life" and was celebrated to thank Goddess Parvati for her blessings for the crop harvest and income she helped generate this (current) year and again ask her blessing for the next year.
• It is the festival for feminine felicitation. On this special occasion, women dress up in the traditional sari combining it with jewels and other accessories.
• Teenage Girls wear Langa-Oni/Half-Sarees/Lehenga Choli combining it with jewels in order to bring out the traditional grace of the attire. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma' means ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’ and Goddess Maha Gauri-‘Life Giver’ is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma - the patron goddess of womanhood, Gauri Devi. Hence the statement 3 is correct.
• The other being Bathukamma, as the daughter of the 'Chola' King 'Dharmangada' and 'Satyavati'. The king and queen lost their 100 sons on the battlefield and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to be born in their house, as their child. Goddess Lakshmi heard their sincere prayers and chose to oblige them. When Lakshmi was born in the royal palace, all the sages came to bless her and they blessed her with immortality "Bathukamma or Live Forever". Since then Bathukamma festival is celebrated by young girls in Telangana. The purpose of this festival is to pray to the Goddess in the belief that the young girls would get husbands as per their wish, to teach the young girls how to take care of their in-laws, their husbands, be great women who respect elders, love people around them, a guide to their younger ones.
• The New South Wales Parliament in Sydney, Australia, came alive with the celebration of Telangana culture and its identity, for the first time ever, as women in resplendent clothes danced around ‘floral deities’ singing Bathukamma songs. Hence statement 2 is correct.