3. With reference to India’s biodiversity, Gold-billed Magpie, Red-billed Magpie and Blue Magpie are

Answer: C
Soln:
Kavach:

● The KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by
the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the
Indian industry. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
○ RDSO is a research and development organisation under the Ministry of Railways
of India.

● It is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standards. It
is meant to provide protection by preventing trains to pass the signal at Red (which marks
danger) and avoid collision. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as
per speed restrictions.
● In addition, it prevents the collision between two locomotives equipped with functional
Kavach systems.
● ‘Kavach’ is one of the cheapest, SIL-4 certified technologies where the probability of error
is 1 in 10,000 years.
How does Kavach work?
● The Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), with the help of equipment on board the
locomotive and transmission towers at stations connected with Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) tags, helps in two-way communication between the station
master and loco-pilot to convey any emergency message. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The instrument panel inside the cabin helps the loco-pilot know about the signal in advance
without visual sighting, and the permissible speeds to be maintained.
● If a red signal is jumped and two trains come face to face on the same line, the technology
automatically takes over and applies sudden brakes.

4. Consider the following statements about Eco-sensitive zones.
1. In general, land falling within 10kms of the boundaries of National Parks or Wildlife
sanctuaries are categorised as eco-sensitive zones.
2. These zones are declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
3. Any kind of infrastructure augmentation is prohibited in this zone.

Answer: A
Soln:
Magpies:
● Magpies are birds of the family Corvidae, which also includes other birds such as jays,
ravens, crows, etc. Hence, option A is correct.
● Magpies live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
● These birds build nests in tall trees and need open grasslands nearby for feeding.
● They are widely considered to be intelligent creatures. The Eurasian magpie, for instance, is
thought to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures.
● Magpies have shown the ability to make and use tools, imitate human speech, grieve, play
games, and work in teams.
● Magpies such as Gold-billed Magpie, Red-billed Magpie, Blue Magpie are found in
India.

5. Consider the following statements.
1. Exoplanets are planets which orbit stars other than the Sun.
2. NASA’s PREFIRE mission aims to study exoplanets for extra terrestrial intelligence.

Answer: A
Soln:
Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ):
● As a general principle, land falling within 10 kms (in some exceptional cases it can even
go beyond that) of the boundaries of the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are
categorised as Eco-Fragile Zones or Eco Sensitive Zones. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● They are declared under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and are notified by the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoFCCC). Hence, statement 2 is
incorrect.
● The purpose of declaring Eco-sensitive Zones around National parks and Sanctuaries is to
create some kind of ''Shock Absorber" for the Protected Areas.
● They would also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving
lesser protection.
● The activities in the eco-sensitive zones would be of a regulatory nature rather than
prohibitive nature, unless and otherwise so required.
Activities in ESZ
● Prohibited Activities: Commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units; major
hydroelectric project; handling of hazardous substances; discharge of untreated effluents;
setting up of brick kilns; setting up of polluting industries, which have high potential for
environmental damage.
● Regulated Activities: Activities like infrastructure augmentation including civic
amenities, widening of roads, non polluting industries etc., Hence, statement 3 is
incorrect.
● Permitted Activities: Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities,
dairy farming, aquaculture, fisheries, poultry farm, goat farm, food related units etc.,4

Answer: A
Soln:
Exoplanet

● All of the planets in our solar system orbit around the Sun. Planets that orbit around
other stars are called exoplanets. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● Exoplanets are very hard to see directly with telescopes. They are hidden by the bright glare
of the stars they orbit.
● So, astronomers use other ways to detect and study these distant planets. They search for
exoplanets by looking at the effects these planets have on the stars they orbit.
PREFIRE MISSION:
● The mission, dubbed PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment), is
aimed at measuring how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica radiate into space and
how this influences the planet’s climate. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The PREFIRE mission consists of two shoebox-sized CubeSats, each equipped with a
sophisticated thermal infrared spectrometer capable of measuring the far-infrared
radiation emitted by the Earth’s coldest and most remote regions.
● By collecting this crucial data, scientists hope to better predict the impact of climate change
on sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea-level rise.

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1. Consider the following statements about ASHA workers.
1. These workers create awareness about basic nutrition, hygiene practices, and the health
services available among the community.
2. These positions were created under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
3. They are recognised as government servants and are given a fixed monthly pay.

Answer: C
Soln:
ASHA Workers:
● ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers are volunteers from within the
community who are trained to provide information and aid people in accessing
benefits of various healthcare schemes of the government.
● They act as a bridge connecting marginalised communities with facilities such as
primary health centres, sub-centres and district hospitals.
● The role of these community health volunteers was first established in 2005 under the
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● ASHAs are primarily married, widowed, or divorced women between the ages of 25
and 45 years from within the community.
○ She should be a literate woman with due preference in selection to those who are
qualified up to 10 standard.

What do ASHA workers do?
● ASHAs are the first port of call for any health related demands of deprived sections of
the population, especially women and children, who find it difficult to access health
services.
● They go door-to-door in their designated areas creating awareness about basic nutrition,
hygiene practices, and the health services available. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● They also provide basic medicines and therapies to people under their jurisdiction such
as oral rehydration solution, chloroquine for malaria, iron folic acid tablets to prevent
anaemia, and contraceptive pills.
● They are also tasked with screening for infections like malaria during the season.
How much are ASHA workers paid?
● Since they are considered “volunteers”, governments are not obligated to pay them a
salary. And, most states don’t. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● ASHAs receive performance-based incentives for promoting universal immunization,
referral and escort services for Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) and other healthcare
programmes, and construction of household toilets.

2. Consider the following statements about the office of Comptroller and Auditor general in India.
1. The CAG is mandated to audit the accounts of the Union government only.
2. All administrative expenses associated with the CAG office are done only after the scrutiny
and vote of the Parliament.
3. CAG carries out the functions of both the Comptroller and Auditor in India.

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Answer: D
Soln:
● The CAG is required to audit the accounts of the Union as well as the State Governments and
bring out the irregularities, if any. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● Hence, the Constitution provides for various safeguards to ensure the independence of the
CAG. The key provisions that provide for independence of the CAG under Article 148 are as
follows:
○ Security of tenure- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India shall only be
removed from office in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the
Supreme Court.
○ Financial security - Neither the salary of a Comptroller and Auditor General nor
his/her rights in respect of leave of absence, pension or age of retirement shall be
varied to his/her disadvantage after his/her appointment.
○ The administrative expenses of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General,
including all salaries, allowances and pensions payable to persons serving in that
office, shall be charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India.Thus, it is not
under the sanction of the Parliament. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
○ Restriction on further employment: The Comptroller and Auditor General shall
not be eligible for further office either under the Government of India or under the
Government of any State after he/she has ceased to hold his/her office. This is to
ensure that the CAG is not unduly influenced by any post-retirement employment
opportunity while he/she discharges his/her functions as the CAG.

Indian CAG versus UK CAG
● The office of the CAG has been modelled on the basis of the Auditor General under the
Government of India Act, 1935. After independence, this was created as the Comptroller
Auditor General in the Constitution, in line with the CAG office of the United Kingdom.
● However, while the nomenclature (term used) is CAG in India, the Indian CAG differs from
the CAG in the UK on the following grounds:
○ The Indian CAG is just Auditor General and not Comptroller and Auditor
General, whereas CAG England does both controlling and audit functions. Hence,
statement 3 is incorrect.
○ The CAG England controls the receipt of public money and issue of public money
from the Public Exchequer. Thus, he/she can prevent withdrawal for any
unauthorised purpose.
○ The CAG India does not have control over the issue of money from the Consolidated
Fund of India. He/she only does an audit once expenditure is incurred or revenue is
collected.

3. Consider the following statements about Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

1. These schools aim to provide quality primary education for Scheduled Tribe students in
remote areas.
2. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)
establishes, endows, maintains, controls and manages these schools.
3. Only Scheduled Tribe students can be enrolled into these schools.