UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 46)

1. India launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019.

2. The Centre has set a new target of 40 percent reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026.

3. The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 80 micrograms per cubic metre.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

With reference to the PRITHvi VIgyan, consider the following statements:

1. It is an umbrella scheme spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

2. It aims to help ongoing research projects and efforts in the areas of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere and biosphere.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements about Himalayan Wolf:

1. It has been categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.

2. The animal is found only across the Tibetan Plateau.

3. In 2023, the Himalayan Wolf was assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 4

Kuril Islands was in the news. It is located in:

(a) Atlantic Ocean

(b) Indian Ocean

(c) Arctic Ocean

(d) Pacific Ocean

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Graphene, consider the following statements:

1. It is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice.

2. It is a thermally conductive material.

3. It has vast potential in the energy and medical world.

4. Kerala declared the opening of the first Graphene Innovation Centre in the nation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (b)

FYI:

— The Centre has set a new target of 40 percent reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026, updating the earlier goal of 20 to 30 percent reduction by 2024. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— According to the Union Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under the NCAP have witnessed an “overall improvement” in PM10 levels in 2021 as compared to 2017 levels.

— The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), an ambitious, time-bound national level strategy to address air pollution nationwide, was introduced by the Indian government’s Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change in January 2019. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and pose the greatest risk to health.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

2. (b)

FYI:

— The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 4,797 crore research scheme to boost and maintain research momentum in the fields of ocean, atmospheric and polar sciences.

— The PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) will be an umbrella scheme spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— It will help ongoing research projects and efforts in the areas of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere and biosphere till 2026. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

With climate change and its negative effects being felt on a global scale — whether in the form of extreme weather events like floods, heavy rain, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, stronger cyclones, or protracted dry spells — there is a growing need to better understand the roles that the atmosphere, ocean, and poles play in these processes.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

3. (a)

FYI:

— The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayan range of Nepal and India and across the Tibetan Plateau. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The animal has been categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— In 2023, the Himalayan Wolf was assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.downtoearth.org.in)

4. (d)

FYI:

— The strategically located islands are known as Kuril Islands in Russia, and were seized by Soviet forces in the closing days of WWII.

— Moscow and Tokyo have held talks about the Iturup (Etorofu in Japanese), Kunashir (Kunashiri), Shikotan and Habomai Islets several times in the past, but failed to agree on a solution. This led to the two sides never formally signing a peace treaty to end the war.

— The Kuril Islands divide the Sea of Okhotsk from the North Pacific Ocean and span northeast from Hokkaido in Japan to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

5. (d)

FYI:

— The Kerala government announced the country’s first Graphene Innovation Centre, a joint venture of Digital University of Kerala, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) and Tata Steel Limited. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— The project would significantly benefit both scientific research and the state’s industrial sector. Apart from Tata Steel Limited, the venture’s principal stakeholder, other industrial businesses would also assist the Innovation Centre.

— Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It is the building-block of Graphite, but graphene is a remarkable substance on its own with a multitude of astonishing properties.

— It is the thinnest, most electrically and thermally conductive material in the world, while also being flexible, transparent and incredibly strong. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Graphene is also known as a wonder material due to its vast potential in the energy and medical world. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 46)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 46)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 45)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 45)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 45)

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