Question :

Consider the following statements about “Dongria Kondh” tribe:

1. These tribal people belong to Munda ethnic group and reside in mountains of Western Ghats of Karnataka.
2. The Dongrias have earned the status of PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) from the Government of India.
3. The language spoken by Dongria Kondh people is “Kui”.

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. 1 & 3 only

B. 3 only

C. 1, 2, 3

D. 2 & 3 only

Answer : D

Explanation :

The Dongria Kondh people are members of the Kondhs, of the Munda ethnic group. They are located in the Niyamgiri hills in the state of Odisha. They sustain themselves from the resources of the Niyamgiri forests, practising horticulture and shifting cultivation. The language spoken by these people is “Kui”. They are one among the 75 PVTGs declared by the government.
Where is Niyamgiri hills located?
Niyamgiri is a hill range spread over 250 sq.km which falls under the Rayagada and Kalahandi District in south-west Odisha. These Kondh people worship ‘Niyam Raja’ the supreme god of the Niyamgiri jungle, believing that ‘Niyam Raja’ is the source of their essential resources.
Why the Question?
Recently, Amnesty India has urged Odisha Government to stop atrocities on Dongria Kondh People.

Question :

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. सेशेल्स पूर्वी प्रशांत महासागर में मौजूद एक द्वीपसमूह है और यह अफ्रीकी संघ का हिस्सा है।
2. "ब्लू बॉन्ड" जारी करने वाला दुनिया का पहला देश सेशेल्स है।
3. रणनीतिक रूप से स्थित "एजम्पशन द्वीप" सेशेल्स द्वीपसमूह का एक हिस्सा है।

नीचे दिए गए कूट से सही कथन का चयन करें:

A. केवल 2

B. केवल 3

C. 1, 2, 3

D. केवल 2 और 3

Answer : D

Explanation :

सेशेल्स हिंद महासागर में, मेडागास्कर के पूर्वोत्तर और केन्या के लगभग 1,600 किमी पूर्व में स्थित है। मेडागास्कर के उत्तर में सेशेल्स के बाहरी द्वीपों में "एजम्पशन द्वीप" एक छोटा सा द्वीप है। सेशेल्स और भारत ने "एजम्पशन द्वीप" में नौसेना बेस विकसित करने के लिए एक समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर किए थे, लेकिन स्थानीय समुदाय द्वारा प्रतिरोध के कारण परियोजना स्थगित कर दी गई है क्योंकि उन्हें लगता है कि इससे अनावश्यक रूप से सेशेल्स को चीन और भारत के बीच की प्रतिद्वंद्विता में घसीटा जायेगा।
सेशेल्स हिंद महासागर में मौजूद है, लेकिन साथ ही यह अफ्रीकी संघ का हिस्सा भी है। सेशेल्स, टिकाऊ समुद्री तट और मत्स्यपालन परियोजनाओं का समर्थन करने के लिए ब्लू बॉण्ड ($ 15 मिलियन) जारी करने वाला दुनिया का पहला देश बन गया है

Question :

The Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) is released by NITI Aayog in association with -

1. Ministry of Rural Development
2. Ministry of Water Resources
3. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2, 3

D. 2 & 3 only

Answer : C

Explanation :

CWMI is released by Niti Aayog in collaboration with Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. It has ranked India at 120 out of 122 countries in the Water Quality Index.
How CWMI is calculated?
CWMI covers nine broad sectors with 28 different indicators covering various aspects of ground water, restoration of water bodies, irrigation, farm practices, drinking water, policy and governance, etc. It was topped by Gujarat.
Why the Question?
This question has been framed from editorial of ‘The Hindu’. Students are advised to skim the prelims based information from editorials too.

Question :

एक स्थानीय वायु जो सितंबर और अक्टूबर महीनों के दौरान भारत के "मालाबार तट" पर दक्षिणी या दक्षिणपूर्वी दिशा में बहती है और दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून के अंत के रूप में चिन्हित की जाती है। यह सभी संदर्भ निम्नलिखित में से किस स्थानीय वायु से सम्बंधित हैं?

A. चिनूक

B. फोहन

C. एलिफंटा

D. सिरोको

Answer : C

Explanation :

तापमान और दाब के स्थानीय अंतर स्थानीय हवाओं को उत्पन्न कर हैं। ऐसी हवाएं काफी हद तक स्थानीय ही होती हैं और ट्रोपोस्फीयर के निम्नतम स्तर तक ही सीमित रहती है, जैसे - चिनूक, लू, फोहन, सिरोको इत्यादि। एलिफंटा ही एक ऐसी स्थानीय हवा है जो दक्षिण पश्चिम मानसून के अंत को चिह्नित करती है। ये स्थानीय हवाएं बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं और इस क्षेत्र के लिए फायदेमंद भी हैं, जैसे – फोहन, आल्प्स में एक गर्म हवा है और बर्फ पिघलने से जानवरों को चराई में मदद करती है और अंगूर के पकने में सहायता करता है। संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका और कनाडा में फोहन हवाओं की तरह ही रॉकीज़ पश्चिमी ढलानों पर चलती है जो चिनूक के नाम से जानी जाती है। रॉकीज़ पूर्व में खेतों के लिए फायदेमंद है क्योंकि यह ज्यादातर सर्दियों के दौरान घास के मैदानों को बर्फ से साफ़ रखती है।

प्रारंभिक परीक्षा के लिए यह प्रश्न इतना महत्वपूर्ण क्यों है?
हाल ही में आई कृषि मंत्रालय की एक रिपोर्ट में, भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (आईएमडी) ने दावा किया कि दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून 2018 पूर्वी और उत्तर पूर्वी भारत को छोड़कर देश भर में उचित रूप से वितरित रहा और चूंकि मानसून, यूपीएससी की परीक्षाओं के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र है, अतः इसकी महत्ता को देखते हुए हमने छात्रों का ध्यान इसके विस्तृत स्वरुप की ओर आकृष्ट करने का प्रयास किया है।

Question :

Consider the following statements about “Graphene” which is sometimes seen in the news:

1. It is a three dimensional material which is one atom thick.
2. It is an allotrope of Carbon and is at least 100 times stronger than steel.
3. Graphene is highly conductive and is transparent.

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. 3 only

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2, 3

D. 2 & 3 only

Answer : D

Explanation :

Graphene is a wonder material that is two dimensional (2D) and is one atom thick. Hence, statement 1 is wrong. It is an allotrope of Carbon meaning it possesses the same atoms but they’re arranged in a different way, giving the material different properties. For example, both diamond and graphite are forms of carbon, yet they have wildly different natures. Graphene is hexagonal in shape and is at least 100 times stronger than steel. It finds its use in Solar cells as this is highly conductive and is transparent.
Why the Question?
Recently, Innovators at IISC have developed a Battery from Graphene that has the potential to change the whole scenario of e-Vehicles in India.

Question :

Consider the following statements about “cVIGIL”:

1. This app has been launched by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to report any act of corruption.
2. This app does not allow the citizen to save the picture or video of the incidence in mobile phone gallery either.

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. Only 1

B. Only 2

C. Both 1 & 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : B

Explanation :

This application (cVIGIL stands for Citizen Vigil) has been launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to report any act of violation in the implementation of Model Code of Conduct. This app will be active only in the poll bound states.
How it will work?
Any citizen can download the application. He can take the picture or video and can send it to the linked office of the ECI. This app has inbuilt feature of tracking the location via GPS and hence in time bound manner action can be initiated.
Note: To prevent any misuse, the app will not allow uploading of the pre-recorded or old images and videos. The app will not facilitate saving of the photos or videos recorded using the ‘cVIGIL' app into the phone gallery either. The user will get 5 minutes to report an incident after having clicked a picture or a video.
Why the Question?
ECI is using this application in poll bound states of MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, etc.

Question :

Consider the following statements:

1. All Geosynchronous satellites are Geostationary, but all Geostationary satellites are not Geosynchronous.
2. Geosynchronous satellite traces the path like the number Eight (8), if observed from a particular position on ground.
3. Polar orbits are most crowded orbits.

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2, 3

D. 2 & 3 only

Answer : B

Explanation :

Geostationary satellites are placed at approximately 36000km from earth around the Equator and they appear to be standstill vis-à-vis Earth (as their time period of rotation is same as that of Earth i.e. approximately 24hours). So, these satellites are used for Telecommunication purpose.
Geosynchronous satellites are also placed at 36000km (approx) but they are inclined at some angle from the plane of Equator (around 4 degree). So, if this angle is equal to Zero, we call this as Geostationary satellites, so it is very evident that Geostationary satellite is a special case of Geosynchronus satellite.
Conclusion: All Geostationary satellites are Geosynchronous, but all Geosynchronous satellites are not Geostationary.
If we look at Geosynchronous satellite from ground, it traces a pattern of Number 8. Hence, statement 2 is correct. The most crowded orbit is Geostationary orbit not the Polar orbit, as for Geostationary orbit we have only one orbit and that is at 35,786km, but for polar orbits we can place them at 600km or 605km or 650 km, it does not matter.
Why the question?
These orbits are in news because of recently launched GSAT 29.

Question :

Consider the following statements about “Units of Measurement”:

1. There are only three Fundamental Units and all other units of measurement can be derived out from these Fundamental Units.
2. Definition of “Time” is based upon Avogadro’s Constant.

Choose the correct statement/s from the codes given below:

A. Only 1

B. Only 2

C. Both 1 & 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : D

Explanation :

There are seven Fundamental Units and all other units of measurement can be derived out from these Fundamental Units.
Fundamental Units are: Distance, Mass, Time, Current, Temperature, Amount of substance and Luminous Intensity.
Time is based upon Radiation of Caesium 133 atoms. It is also used in Atomic Clocks which are used in satellites. Hence, statement 2 is wrong.
Distance: Based upon Speed of Light
Ampere (Current): Based upon Electron’s Charge
Temperature: Based upon Boltzmann’s Constant
Mole: Based upon Avogadro’s Constant
Luminous Intensity: Efficacy of light on Specific Frequency
Mass: Based upon Planck’s Constant
Why the question on this?
At present Kilogram (Mass) is based upon the weight of Platinum –Iridium placed in a jar based in Paris, so this prototype is subject to wear and tear. So, scientists have decided to code all these physical things in form of parameters that are independent (E.g. Speed of Light, Planck’s Constant, etc.)
Out of these seven Fundamental Units, only three are based upon independent parameters namely-Distance, Time and Luminous Intensity. Scientists have decided to change the definition of other four Fundamental Units to independent parameters at the meeting which will be held in Versailles.

Question :

This temple is listed as UNESCO Heritage Site and is dedicated to Sun God; it was usually referred to as “Black Pagoda” due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors. These references are with respect to which temple?

A. Jagannath Puri

B. Lingaraj Temple

C. Mukteshwar Temple

D. Konark Temple

Answer : D

Explanation :

The word 'Konark' is a combination of two words 'Kona' and 'Arka'. 'Kona' means 'Corner' and 'Arka' means 'Sun', so when combined, it becomes 'Sun of the Corner'. Konark Sun Temple is situated in the state of Odisha and is also known as Arka khetra. Konark Temple was built by Narsinghdev1 of Ganga Dynasty in 1250. It is also called as “Black Pagoda” due to its dark color and was used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors. It was listed in UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.
Note: Jagannath Puri is referred to as “White Pagoda” by the sailors.
Why the question on Konark Temple?
Recently, it has become an issue between Odisha Government and Archeological Survey of India regarding the conservation of Konark Temple, so it is advisable to know about the cultural aspects of Konark Temple.

Question :

1947 में जब राजनीतिक वार्ताएं अपने चरम पर थीं तो किसने सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल को ‘संकल्प शक्ति वाले गतिशील व्यक्ति’ की संज्ञा दी थी?

A. महात्मा गांधी

B. जवाहर लाल नेहरू

C. सरोजिनी नायडू

D. डॉ बी आर अम्बेडकर

Answer : C

Explanation :

3 जून की योजना के अंतर्गत 562 से अधिक रियासतों को भारत या पाकिस्तान में शामिल होने या आजादी का चयन करने का विकल्प दिया गया था। भारतीय राष्ट्रवादियों और जनता के बड़े हिस्से में यह डर था कि यदि इन राज्यों ने कोई समझौता नहीं किया तो भारत छोटे-छोटे देश के रूप में बंट जाएगा। इस समय तत्कालीन गृहमंत्री सरदार पटेल ने देश के एकीकरण में महत्वपूर्ण काम किया था। इसलिए सरोजिनी नायडू ने उन्हें ‘संकल्प शक्ति वाले गतिशील व्यक्ति’ की संज्ञा दी थी जो भारत को भौगोलिक तथा सांस्कृतिक दृष्टि से से एक देश के रूप में बरकरार रख सकते हैं।
यह प्रश्न क्यों प्रासंगिक है?
सरदार पटेल "एकता की प्रतिमा" के कारण चर्चा में हैं। इसलिए भारत के स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में सरदार पटेल द्वारा निभाई गई भूमिका के बारे में बताया गया है।