Answer: A
Explanation
Agni Class of Missiles
● Agni class of missiles are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability which also
includes the Prithvi short range ballistic missiles, submarine launched ballistic missiles and
fighter aircraft.
● Statement 2 is correct: The longest of the Agni series, Agni-V, an Inter-Continental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
Evolution of Agni
● Agni I: Range of 700-800 km. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
● Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
● Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
● Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a
range of over 5,000 to 8000 km. An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a missile with
a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery
IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)
● It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field
of missile technology.
● The 5 missiles developed under this program are:
○ Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5) Hence, statement
1 is correct.

○ Akash: Medium range surface to air missile.
○ Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile.
○ Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile.
○ Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.

Officers' Daily Motivation

#upsc #upscpreparation #motivation #success

1. Consider the following statements about Quality Council of India (QCI)
1) QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry.
2) The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the
industry to the Government.

Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Quality Council of India (QCI) was set up jointly by the
Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry
associations i.e. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM),
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI), to establish and operate national accreditation structure and promote
quality through National Quality Campaign.
● QCI is registered as a non-profit society with its own Memorandum of Association. QCI is
governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representations of government,
industry and consumers.
● Statement 2 is correct: Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the
recommendation of the industry to the government. The Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry is the nodal
ministry for QCI.
Functions
● To develop, establish & operate National Accreditation program in accordance with the
relevant international standards
● To encourage development & application of third party assessment model for use in
government, regulators, organizations and society
● To lead nationwide quality movement in the country through National Quality
Campaign aimed at creating awareness amongst citizens, empowering them to demand
quality in all spheres of activities
● Promoting the establishment of quality improvement and benchmarking centers, as a
repository of best international / national practices and their dissemination among the
industry in all sectors.

Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Quality Council of India (QCI) was set up jointly by the
Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry
associations i.e. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM),
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI), to establish and operate national accreditation structure and promote
quality through National Quality Campaign.
● QCI is registered as a non-profit society with its own Memorandum of Association. QCI is
governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representations of government,
industry and consumers.
● Statement 2 is correct: Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the
recommendation of the industry to the government. The Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry is the nodal
ministry for QCI.
Functions
● To develop, establish & operate National Accreditation program in accordance with the
relevant international standards
● To encourage development & application of third party assessment model for use in
government, regulators, organizations and society
● To lead nationwide quality movement in the country through National Quality
Campaign aimed at creating awareness amongst citizens, empowering them to demand
quality in all spheres of activities
● Promoting the establishment of quality improvement and benchmarking centers, as a
repository of best international / national practices and their dissemination among the industry in all sectors.

2. Consider the following statements about the Amazon Rainforest
1) It is the largest rainforest in the world.
2) Nearly 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest is located in Bolivia.
3) The Nile river runs through the Amazon rainforest.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: It is the largest rainforest in the world and is located in South
America.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: Nearly 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil.
● Despite covering only around 1% of the planet’s surface, the Amazon rainforest is home
to an estimated 10% of the world's known species, including diverse plant, animal,
insect, and microbial life.
● The Amazon rainforest plays a critical role in climate regulation by absorbing and storing
vast amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change. It is often referred to as
‘Lungs of the Planet’.

● Statement 3 is incorrect: The Amazon River which runs through the Amazon rainforest is
the world’s second longest river after the Nile. It is also the world’s largest by water
volume.
Threats in Amazon
● Illegal activities, such as logging and land encroachment, contribute to deforestation and
habitat loss in the Amazon.
● Changing climate patterns, including extreme weather events and longer dry seasons, are
affecting the health of the rainforest , making it more susceptible to fires and drought.
● Roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects fragment habitats and open up
previously inaccessible areas for exploitation.

3. Brunei Darussalam is located on the island of

Answer: B
Explanation
● Brunei Darussalam is located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast
Asia.

● Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and is shared by three countries: Brunei,
Malaysia, and Indonesia.
● Brunei occupies a small area on the islands northern part, bordered by the South China Sea
to the north and surrounded by Malaysia on all other sides.
● Unlike Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, which are other major islands in the Indonesian
archipelago, Borneo is unique in being divided among multiple countries, with Brunei being
the only nation on Borneo's territory that is not part of Indonesia.

4. What is the common factor among Willy-Willies, Typhoons, and Hurricanes?

Answer: B
Explanation
● Willy-Willies, Typhoons, and Hurricanes are different names for similar meteorological
phenomena—tropical cyclones—depending on their location:
○ Willy-Willies: A term used in Australia for tropical cyclones occurring mainly in
the Indian Ocean region off the northwest coast of Australia.
○ Typhoons: The name used for tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
○ Hurricanes: The term for tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Eastern Pacific Ocean.

● All these phenomena are characterized by their low-pressure centers, strong winds, and
formation over warm ocean waters, but they are distinguished by their regional naming
conventions.

5. Which countries share land borders with the United Arab Emirates?

Answer: A
Explanation
● The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and south and
Oman to the southeast.
● It does not share a land border with Qatar, Yemen, or Jordan.
● The UAE’s strategic location on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula places it
close to several key regional neighbors.