Answer: A
Soln:
● The ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)’ was
launched by the Government of India in 2023 to revive mangroves across the country.
Hence, option A is correct.
● The objective of the scheme is to increase the mangrove cover along the coastline and
on salt pan lands.
● Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance to local communities to
undertake mangrove plantation activities.
● Funding Cycle: 80% of the project cost is borne by the Government of India, while the
remaining 20% is contributed by the respective State Governments.
Soln:
● The ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)’ was
launched by the Government of India in 2023 to revive mangroves across the country.
Hence, option A is correct.
● The objective of the scheme is to increase the mangrove cover along the coastline and
on salt pan lands.
● Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance to local communities to
undertake mangrove plantation activities.
● Funding Cycle: 80% of the project cost is borne by the Government of India, while the
remaining 20% is contributed by the respective State Governments.
2. Consider the following statements about the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
1. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to have liquid stages.
2. It is a three staged launch vehicle.
3. All Chandrayaan missions were carried out with this launch vehicle.
1. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to have liquid stages.
2. It is a three staged launch vehicle.
3. All Chandrayaan missions were carried out with this launch vehicle.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
39%
A. Only one
43%
B. Only two
14%
C. All the three
4%
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Soln:
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
● Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is
the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
● PSLV has a four-stage system comprising a combination of solid and liquid-fuelled
rocket stages. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
○ The first stage at the very bottom is solid fuelled, having six strap-on solid rocket
boosters wrapped around it. Second stage is liquid fuelled whereas the third stage
has a solid fuelled rocket motor. At the fourth stage, the launcher uses a liquid
propellant to boost in outer space.
● After its first successful launch in 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile launch
vehicle of India. It has a famous reputation as a "workhorse", with a very low failure
rate.
● The PSLV can lift up to 3.8 tonnes to low-earth orbit.
● Some remarkable launches by PSLV are Chandrayaan-1 (First Indian lunar probe),
Mangalyaan-1 (First Mars Orbiter Mission by India) and Astrosat (First Indian dedicated
multi-wavelength space observatory). Chandrayaan 2 was carried out using GSLV. Hence,
statement 3 is incorrect.
● In addition to launching satellites into LEO, PSLV has also launched satellites for
communication, meteorology, navigation, scientific experiments and space
exploration missions.
Soln:
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
● Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is
the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
● PSLV has a four-stage system comprising a combination of solid and liquid-fuelled
rocket stages. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
○ The first stage at the very bottom is solid fuelled, having six strap-on solid rocket
boosters wrapped around it. Second stage is liquid fuelled whereas the third stage
has a solid fuelled rocket motor. At the fourth stage, the launcher uses a liquid
propellant to boost in outer space.
● After its first successful launch in 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile launch
vehicle of India. It has a famous reputation as a "workhorse", with a very low failure
rate.
● The PSLV can lift up to 3.8 tonnes to low-earth orbit.
● Some remarkable launches by PSLV are Chandrayaan-1 (First Indian lunar probe),
Mangalyaan-1 (First Mars Orbiter Mission by India) and Astrosat (First Indian dedicated
multi-wavelength space observatory). Chandrayaan 2 was carried out using GSLV. Hence,
statement 3 is incorrect.
● In addition to launching satellites into LEO, PSLV has also launched satellites for
communication, meteorology, navigation, scientific experiments and space
exploration missions.
3. Consider the following statements.
1. Refraction is the property of a glass prism that causes the bending of light.
2. Birefringence is the property of certain materials causing light to slow down by different
amounts in two distinct directions.
3. Birefringence is caused by materials having more than one refractive index.
1. Refraction is the property of a glass prism that causes the bending of light.
2. Birefringence is the property of certain materials causing light to slow down by different
amounts in two distinct directions.
3. Birefringence is caused by materials having more than one refractive index.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. Only one
36%
B. Only two
56%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
4. Darfur, a region in Africa, seen in news often is a part of which of the following countries?
Answer: C
Soln:
● When light passes through a glass prism from air, its path bends due to a property of
the glass called refraction.
● The amount of bending depends on the material’s refractive index. It is calculated as the
ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the material.
● Some materials have more than one refractive index; that is, they slow the passage of
light to a different degree in two different directions. Such materials are said to be
birefringent.
● They occur naturally as well as can be engineered in the lab.
● Examples of naturally birefringent materials include mica and quartz; those of
synthetic ones include barium borate and lithium niobate.
● Certain materials’ birefringence can also be induced or modified by physically stressing
them or exposing them to electric or magnetic fields.
● Birefringence arises because the material has different crystal structures in different
directions, i.e. are anisotropic.
● Birefringent materials are used in LCD screens, medical microscopes, optical switches,
waveplates, frequency converters, and high-power lasers.
Soln:
● When light passes through a glass prism from air, its path bends due to a property of
the glass called refraction.
● The amount of bending depends on the material’s refractive index. It is calculated as the
ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the material.
● Some materials have more than one refractive index; that is, they slow the passage of
light to a different degree in two different directions. Such materials are said to be
birefringent.
● They occur naturally as well as can be engineered in the lab.
● Examples of naturally birefringent materials include mica and quartz; those of
synthetic ones include barium borate and lithium niobate.
● Certain materials’ birefringence can also be induced or modified by physically stressing
them or exposing them to electric or magnetic fields.
● Birefringence arises because the material has different crystal structures in different
directions, i.e. are anisotropic.
● Birefringent materials are used in LCD screens, medical microscopes, optical switches,
waveplates, frequency converters, and high-power lasers.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
Anonymous Quiz
11%
A. Morocco
53%
B. Congo
30%
C. South Africa
6%
D. Madagascar
5. How many of the following countries are members of the “Five Eyes Alliance”?
1. United States of America
2. United Kingdom
3. Japan
4. Australia
5. Canada
1. United States of America
2. United Kingdom
3. Japan
4. Australia
5. Canada
Answer: B
Soln:
● Darfur is a region in western Sudan. Hence, option B is correct.
● Operation Kaveri was India’s mission to rescue thousands of Indian citizens stranded in
Sudan in 2023.
● Darfur region is home to many Arab and Non-Arab tribes and tension among them was
not so uncommon.
● The situation escalated in 2003 when rebels, notably the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)
and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms against the Sudanese
Government, protesting the unequal distribution of economic resources.
● This conflict pitted Sudanese Government forces, supported by allied militia known as the
Janjaweed, against rebel groups resisting the autocratic rule of former President Omar al-
Bashir.
● The result was a devastating toll on Darfur. Some 300,000 people lost their lives, and
millions were displaced, including 400,000 refugees who were forced to flee to camps in
neighbouring Chad.
● In response to these atrocities, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest
warrants against several Sudanese senior officials, including Omar al-Bashir, on
charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.
Soln:
● Darfur is a region in western Sudan. Hence, option B is correct.
● Operation Kaveri was India’s mission to rescue thousands of Indian citizens stranded in
Sudan in 2023.
● Darfur region is home to many Arab and Non-Arab tribes and tension among them was
not so uncommon.
● The situation escalated in 2003 when rebels, notably the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)
and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms against the Sudanese
Government, protesting the unequal distribution of economic resources.
● This conflict pitted Sudanese Government forces, supported by allied militia known as the
Janjaweed, against rebel groups resisting the autocratic rule of former President Omar al-
Bashir.
● The result was a devastating toll on Darfur. Some 300,000 people lost their lives, and
millions were displaced, including 400,000 refugees who were forced to flee to camps in
neighbouring Chad.
● In response to these atrocities, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest
warrants against several Sudanese senior officials, including Omar al-Bashir, on
charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. Only two
16%
B. Only three
57%
C. Only four
22%
D. All five
Answer: C
Soln:
Five Eyes Alliance:
● “Five Eyes” refers to an intelligence-sharing alliance of the United States, United
Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Japan is not a member. Hence, option C
is the correct answer.
● These partner countries share a broad range of intelligence with one another in one of the
world’s most unified multilateral arrangements.
● The alliance’s origins can be traced back to the Second World War.
● In recent years, common interests, such as balancing the rise of China, have led to a closer
alignment among the Five Eyes countries.
Soln:
Five Eyes Alliance:
● “Five Eyes” refers to an intelligence-sharing alliance of the United States, United
Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Japan is not a member. Hence, option C
is the correct answer.
● These partner countries share a broad range of intelligence with one another in one of the
world’s most unified multilateral arrangements.
● The alliance’s origins can be traced back to the Second World War.
● In recent years, common interests, such as balancing the rise of China, have led to a closer
alignment among the Five Eyes countries.
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Master the art of answering Previous Year Questions with expert guidance and detailed explanations.
Drop your answers in the comments, and let’s learn together!
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IAS/IPS Exam...க்கு English ஒரு தடையா?
Worried that English might stand in the way of your IAS/IPS dreams?
Join Mr. R.A. Israel Jebasingh, Ex-IAS (AIR 59) and Director of Officers IAS Academy, for an eye-opening workshop on how language is not a barrier to success in the UPSC exam. Learn how to approach UPSC CSE in Tamil and achieve your dreams!
Date: Saturday, 22nd March 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Venue: Officers IAS Academy, Chennai
Mode: Offline
Get practical tips, insights, and the confidence to break free from language limitations!
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/LDap7jC9iqtV9kUu5
For more details, contact us: +91 93637 30226
Worried that English might stand in the way of your IAS/IPS dreams?
Join Mr. R.A. Israel Jebasingh, Ex-IAS (AIR 59) and Director of Officers IAS Academy, for an eye-opening workshop on how language is not a barrier to success in the UPSC exam. Learn how to approach UPSC CSE in Tamil and achieve your dreams!
Date: Saturday, 22nd March 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Venue: Officers IAS Academy, Chennai
Mode: Offline
Get practical tips, insights, and the confidence to break free from language limitations!
Registration Link - https://forms.gle/LDap7jC9iqtV9kUu5
For more details, contact us: +91 93637 30226
1. Consider the following statements.
1. A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
2. In the year 2023-24, India recorded a trade deficit with its largest trading partner.
3. The US is India’s largest trading partner in 2023-24.
1. A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
2. In the year 2023-24, India recorded a trade deficit with its largest trading partner.
3. The US is India’s largest trading partner in 2023-24.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
11%
A. Only one
66%
B. Only two
22%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
Answer: B
Soln:
● India has recorded a trade deficit with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China,
Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24.
● A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● China has emerged as India's largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way
commerce in 2023-24, edging past the US.
● The data also showed that the deficit with China ($85 billion), Russia ($57.2 billion),
Korea ($14.71 billion), and Hong Kong ($12.2 billion) increased in the last fiscal compared
to 2022-23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq
narrowed. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the US in 2023-24.
● America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also
there with the UK, Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh.
● India's total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9
billion in the previous fiscal.
Soln:
● India has recorded a trade deficit with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China,
Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24.
● A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● China has emerged as India's largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way
commerce in 2023-24, edging past the US.
● The data also showed that the deficit with China ($85 billion), Russia ($57.2 billion),
Korea ($14.71 billion), and Hong Kong ($12.2 billion) increased in the last fiscal compared
to 2022-23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq
narrowed. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the US in 2023-24.
● America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also
there with the UK, Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh.
● India's total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9
billion in the previous fiscal.
2. Consider the following statements about KAVACH.
1. It is an indigenously developed system to provide protection by preventing trains to pass
the signal at Red and avoid collision.
2. It was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in
coordination with private parties.
3. It is based on radio frequency technology.
1. It is an indigenously developed system to provide protection by preventing trains to pass
the signal at Red and avoid collision.
2. It was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in
coordination with private parties.
3. It is based on radio frequency technology.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
8%
A. Only one
40%
B. Only two
51%
C. All the three
1%
D. None of the above