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. Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment, Geography, Science and Technology to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Economy Quiz.

With reference to the “loss and damage fund”, consider the following statements:

1. It is a global financial package to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change.

2. It was first announced during COP 27.

3. It refers to the compensation that developed nations pay to vulnerable nations whose carbon footprint is low but are facing the brunt of rising sea levels.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

With reference to the Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India 2023, consider the following statements:

1. The total annual ground water recharge for India increased as compared to the previous year 2022.

2. The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India is periodically assessed by Department of Water Resources.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the Rooster drones, consider the following statements:

1. These drones can be operated by a single controller.

2. The source code of the software used in these drones is indigenous.

3. These devices are developed devices that can roll as a robot and fly as a drone.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

With reference to the Pompe disease, consider the following statements:

1. It is a water-borne disease.

2. It is also known as Glycogen Storage Disease Type II.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the Namdapha Flying Squirrel, consider the following statements:

1. It is a nocturnal flying squirrel.

2. It is endemic to Arunachal Pradesh.

3. The highest diversity of flying squirrels in the world is found in north-western Himalayas.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

FYI:

— A loss and damage fund to assist vulnerable countries in dealing with the effects of climate change was officially launched on the first day of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The loss and damage fund was first announced last year at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. However, it wasn’t until a few weeks before COP 28 that rich and poor countries were able to work out some of their differences and reach an agreement on key aspects of the fund. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The term refers to the compensation that rich countries must pay to poor countries who have a low carbon footprint but are suffering from rising sea levels, floods, crippling droughts, and intense cyclones, among other things. Climate change has had an impact on people’s lives, livelihoods, biodiversity, cultural traditions, and identities. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Loss and damage is often categorised as either economic or non-economic. Economic loss and damage are negative impacts that we can assign a monetary value to.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The New Delhi revenue district, including parts of Chanakyapuri, Vasant Vihar and the Delhi Cantonment area, remains the most exploited in terms of groundwater extraction in the city, extracting far more than it recharges.

— The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India is periodically assessed by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) jointly with the State / UT level agencies. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— According to the 2023 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic metres (BCM), an increase of 11.48 BCM over the previous year (2022), whereas the annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 241.34 BCM. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— A detailed review of the assessment data reveals an increase in ground water recharge, which may be attributed primarily to an increase in recharge from canal seepage, irrigation water return flow, and recharges from water bodies/tanks and water conservation structures.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cgwb.gov.in)

FYI:

— Rooster drones, indigenously developed devices that can roll as a robot and fly as a drone, will be handed over to the Northern Command of the Indian Army at an event at Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).

— Three surveillance drones have been developed in collaboration between Hyderabad-based firm Brane Service and are enabled by GPS.

— The drone draws its name from roosters that spend most of their time on the ground. These devices are developed devices that can roll as a robot and fly as a drone. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— These three drones can be operated by a single controller. The range of a single drone is 400 meters. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The source code of the software used in these drones is indigenous and not with a foreign player. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The features of these drones enable them to gather critical intelligence and conduct surveillance missions in urban areas, dense forests, and mountainous regions, where rolling proves advantageous.

— The enhanced data transfer capacity of these drones ensures seamless communication between the drone operators and command centres.

— The capability facilitates real-time transmission of high-quality video feeds, images, and other sensor data collected by the drones.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Nidhi Shirol, India’s first Pompe disease patient, passed away last month at the age of 24 years after battling the disease. She spent the last six years in a semi-comatose state.

— In 2010, her father Prasanna Shirol started the Organisation for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), the first NGO in the country for rare diseases. Here, he explains what the disease is, how common it is, and how it is diagnosed.

What is Pompe Disease?

— Also known as Glycogen Storage Disease Type II, Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). This enzyme is crucial for breaking down glycogen into glucose within the lysosomes of cells. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.

— Its prevalence estimates range from 1 in 40,000 to 1 in 300,000 births. It occurs across diverse ethnicities and populations. The age of onset and severity can vary, leading to a spectrum of clinical presentations.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The Namdapha Flying Squirrel, which had been absent for four decades, has resurfaced in Arunachal Pradesh.

— This nocturnal flying squirrel is native to the Changlang district and endemic to Arunachal Pradesh, specifically Namdapha National Park. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The species was named the Namdapha Flying Squirrel after the location it was discovered in: the Mesua ferra jungles bordering the Noa Dihing river in Arunachal Pradesh — an area which now falls under the Namdapha National Park. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The highest diversity of flying squirrels in the world are found in South and Southeast Asia. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 42)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 42)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 41)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 41)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 41)

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