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UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Economy to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the International Relations Quiz.
Consider the following statements:
1. Most of the oil fields in Libya have been closed.
2. It has resulted from a power struggle between two competing governments, one in Tripoli and another in eastern Libya.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.
(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.
(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.
Explanation
— Oil prices have perked up recently from a spell of torpor because a political dispute in Libya has curtailed much of the North African country’s output.
— The political dispute in Libya is removing oil from the market. Closing oil fields has resulted from a power struggle between what are effectively two competing governments: the internationally recognized one in Tripoli and another in eastern Libya that controls most of the country’s oil fields and has ordered the shutdowns. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
— Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at Energy Aspects, a research firm, estimates that more than 60% of Libya’s capacity, or the production of 750,000 barrels a day, has been shut down and that this volume is likely to grow.
— So far, the shutdown, which represents less than 1% of global supplies, has helped lift prices by a few dollars.
Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
With reference to the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE), consider the following statements:
1. The scheme offers subsidies/demand incentives for adopting electric vehicles.
2. The scheme will replace Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II.
3. Heavy vehicles and e-trucks are not covered under this scheme.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— The Union Cabinet approved a new scheme called PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) for the promotion of electric vehicles (EV) in India.
— The PM E-DRIVE will replace Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— The new scheme offers subsidies/demand incentives worth Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise adoption of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 3 is not correct.
— Convenience Energy Services Limited (CESL) will aggregate demand in nine cities with populations over 40 lakh, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad. Intercity and interstate e-buses will be supported in collaboration with states.
— The government said that the primary objective of the PM E-DRIVE scheme is to expedite the adoption of EVs by providing upfront incentives for their purchase, as well as by facilitating the establishment of essential charging infrastructure for EVs.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. Bajra is predominantly grown in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, while Ragi is mainly cultivated in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
2. Bajra grows well in sandy and shallow black soils, whereas red and shallow black soil is suited for Ragi.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.
(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.
(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.
Explanation
— Millets are a kind of small-grained cereal food crops that require little in the way of chemical inputs like pesticides and fertilisers to produce and are extremely resilient to drought and other adverse weather.
— The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has acknowledged the significance of millets and designated them as “Nutri-Cereals” for production, consumption, and trade purposes. These millets include Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandua), and Minor Millets, such as Foxtail Millet (Kanngani/kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet (Kodo), Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/Jhangora), Little Millet (Kutki), Brown Top Millet, and two pseudo-millets, Buck-wheat (Kuttu), and Amaranth (Chaulai).
Bajra
— It is commonly referred to as “pearl millet”.
— Rajasthan is the leading producing state, followed by Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
— It grows best in black cotton soil or sandy loam soil with good drainage.
Ragi
— It is grown mostly in southern India (mostly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) on soils ranging from rich loam to poor shallow upland soils.
— It thrives in southern India’s marginal soil conditions, which include lateritic and red sandy loams.
Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(Other Source: vikaspedia.in)
With reference to agriculture, which of the following are the uses of drones?
1. Capturing detailed and real-time images of the fields.
2. Application of pesticides and fertilisers.
3. Reduces runoff
4. Minimises pollution
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
— Experts believe that these drones would revolutionise pesticide or fertiliser application, which has historically been done manually by hired labourers or farmers themselves.
Application of Drones for Farmers
— Pesticide application is labour-intensive. A labourer can take several hours to cover an acre of land, but drones can do so in just 5-7 minutes. This is especially critical in tall crops such as maize and sugarcane, where workers are frequently drenched with herbicides during application.
— Close and extended exposure to pesticides and chemical fertilisers can be extremely damaging to farmers’ health.
— Manual spraying frequently leaves portions of the crop untreated. This negatively affects yields. In contrast, drone-based applications are more efficient.
— Furthermore, drones handle the difficulty of applying nano fertilisers such as nano urea and nano DAP, which must be utilised in extremely small quantities.
— Drones can also be used for capturing detailed, real-time images of the fields, allowing farmers to monitor crop health and make prompt interventions if needed.
— Drones can quickly cover large areas of land with pesticides, not only in cases of pink bollworm infestation, but also during locust swarms and whitefly infestation.
— Plants absorb up to 90% of the nutrients in micro fertilisers delivered via drone, decreasing runoff and air, water, and soil pollution. In contrast, typical application methods might result in up to 60% of nutrients being lost to the atmosphere.
— Traditional pesticide application methods require a lot of water. Drones can reduce water consumption by up to 90 percent.
— Drones are also being considered for novel projects such as “seed ball” bombardment, which involves dropping balls of soil and cow dung containing seeds over large areas of land.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
The term ‘vertiports’ refers to:
(a) a port built on undeveloped land
(b) an artificial deep-sea port
(c) a port where an aircraft can take off and land vertically.
(d) a inland port
Explanation
— Aviation watchdog DGCA issued guidelines for vertiports that can be used for operating aircraft that can take off and land in a vertical manner.
— The government is looking to push for eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft as part of advanced air mobility solutions.
— After extensive stakeholder consultations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular for the development and operation of vertiports to be used for aircraft capable of vertical take-offs and landings.
— It also mentions battery charging requirements as well as procedures to ensure preparedness and safety in case of emergencies.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 75)
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 75)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 75)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 74)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 74)
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