UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Economy to check your progress.

The Indian Railways renewed an existing pact with which country for technological collaboration, track maintenance, and infrastructure modernisation in the rail sector?

(a) United States

(b) Norway

(c) Switzerland

(d) France

Explanation

— The Railways ministry renewed an existing pact with the transport department of Switzerland for technological collaboration, track maintenance, and infrastructure modernisation in the rail sector.

— A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by video conference with the Swiss Confederation’s Federal Department of Environment, Transport, and Communications (DETEC).

— The initial Memorandum of Understanding, signed on August 31, 2017, was good for five years. In October 2023, the Swiss side expressed interest in renewing the rail sector cooperation agreement.

— Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal DETEC, Albert Roesti, stated that Switzerland’s excellent railway technology can benefit Indian Railways by increasing operating efficiency, safety standards, service quality, and railway infrastructure development.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

With reference to the direct seeding of rice (DSR), consider the following statements:

1. It uses more water per irrigation.

2. It is effective against weeds.

3. In DSR, water functions as a natural herbicide.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The Punjab government is encouraging the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) paddy technology, which saves water and personnel costs compared to the traditional puddling method.

— The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was first established in Madagascar in the 1980s, and it has subsequently been used by several countries throughout the world, including India.

— Direct seeding of rice (DSR) involves sowing paddy straight in the field, without any nursery preparation, puddling or flooding. It uses less water per irrigation. DSR replaces water with chemical herbicides. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— During transplanting, the wet fields essentially deny oxygen to the weed seeds in the soil, inhibiting their germination. Water, thus, functions as a natural herbicide. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— DSR is more effective against weeds and requires less water than transplanting. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The second irrigation is only needed 18-20 days after sowing. A second “post-emergent” herbicide, bispyribac sodium, is administered (at 100-125 g/acre) 20-25 days after planting, after the crop’s main stem has produced 2-3 leaves.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

The term Silvopasture refers to:

(a) A practice integrating trees, forage and livestock on the same land.

(b) It is widely sown pasture grass in Aotearoa New Zealand.

(c) A seasonal movement of livestock between summer and winter pastures.

(d) A practice which provides livestock with protection from sun and wind.

Explanation

— Silvopasture is a practice that integrates trees, fodder, and livestock in the same area.

— Silvopasture systems provide an effective remedy to deforestation trends. It has the potential to significantly reverse the bad trend of deforestation for pasture land.

— A study of deforestation factors in seven South American nations discovered that more than 70 per cent of deforestation was caused by growing demand for grazing.

— The trees on silvopasture grounds operate as natural carbon sinks, sequestering five to ten times more carbon than pastures without trees, while maintaining or increasing productivity.

— Silvopasture systems also regulate local climatic conditions, buffering against temperature and wind extremes and creating a comfortable living environment for animals.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

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

Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: India’s total exports to Russia in 2023 surged by 40 per cent.

Statement 2: Exports in the “engineering goods” category nearly doubled, surpassing the $1-billion mark in 2023.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— The majority of the Indian entities sanctioned by the US for allegedly aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine by supplying Moscow with materials and technology that could be used in military applications are suppliers of electronic components, with a few also providing aircraft parts, machine tools, and components, among other items.

— According to Commerce Ministry data, India’s total exports to Russia increased by 40% in 2023, topping $4 billion, with engineering goods nearly doubling to $1.32 billion from $680 million in 2022. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— India is boosting its exports of machineries, car parts, steel and aluminium goods, internal combustion engines, pumps, and other items to Russia. Exports in the “engineering goods” category nearly doubled, exceeding $1 billion in 2023. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

The term ‘West Texas Intermediate’, sometimes found in the news, refers to a grade of:

(a) Rare Earth Elements

(b) Crude Oil

(c) Thorium

(d) Uranium

Explanation

— The oil prices raised concerns of lower supply as major producers are keeping output cuts in place and on signs of stronger economic growth in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer.

— A meeting of top ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC +) including Russia, kept oil supply policy unchanged and pressed some countries to boost compliance with output cuts.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 82)

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Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 82)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 81)

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