Ans: A

Exp:

India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024 (2nd February).

Three of these sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve are located in Karnataka, whereas two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, are in Tamilnadu. 

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu and is a significant source of groundwater recharge for the area. 

Karaivetti has one of the largest congregations of waterbirds in the State of Tamil Nadu. About 198 species of birds have been recorded here; some of the important visitors are the Bar-headed Goose, Pin-tailed duck, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common teal and Cotton teal.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest is located in Tamil Nadu. ‘Solai’ means ‘tropical rainforest’. The ‘Sholas’ are found in the upper reaches of the Nilgiris, Anamalais, Palni hills, Kalakadu, Mundanthurai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. These forested wetlands serve as habitats for the globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri wood pigeon. As many as 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of the Western Ghats are found in these wetlands.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve is a human-made wetland in Karnataka. It was constructed to store rainwater for irrigation purposes. It is home to over 166 species of birds, of which 130 are migratory. Magadi Kere is also one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose in Southern India.  The wetland is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) and is also listed as a priority area for conservation in India.

Ans: D

Exp:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took major action against the Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), directing the company to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts, including wallets, FASTags and other instruments after February 29. The action by RBI comes after a system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report from external auditors.

Statement 1 is correct: FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India operated by the NHAI. FASTag implementation has reduced the waiting time at NH fee Plazas significantly.

Statement 2 is correct: FASTag employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.

Statement 3 is correct: Government requirements mandate having a FASTag on the windshield of all four-wheeler vehicles. 

As per amendments in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, FASTag is mandatory for all vehicles (four-wheelers and above) carrying goods and/or passengers w.e.f. 1st January 2021.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Chrome plating is used as it is hard and wear-resistant.

However, it consists of chromates, fluorites, and hexavalent chromium, making it carcinogenic in nature. The search for a safer, environment-friendly alternative with an equivalent or superior wear resistance and crack-free coating has led to the development of a new method called the high-velocity air fuel (HVAF) technique.

Statement 2 is correct: Chrome plating is a process that involves electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. 

The chromed layer is resistant to corrosion, easy to clean, or increases surface hardness. The excellent properties of the chrome layer make it play an essential role in the electroplating industry. When applied to metal parts, chrome plating offers a protective layer and a shiny lustre.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Public food stockholding (PSH) refers to the procurement, storage and release of food stocks by governments through state-owned enterprises or other public agencies. 

It has been an important part of agricultural policy in many countries, targeting, in particular, products that are prevalent in national diets and therefore provide a large proportion of the overall dietary intake.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There are different types of PSH programmes-

• EMERGENCY STOCKS: to reduce the vulnerability of consumers to supply disruptions or food price shocks in emergencies 
• BUFFER STOCKS: to stabilise prices within the domestic market to avoid excessive volatility (the policy focus is on both consumers and producers) 
• STOCKS FOR DOMESTIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION / AID: to promote physical and economic access to adequate quantities of food for certain target population groups

Statement 3 is correct: PSH programmes can also affect traded volumes and prices, depending on the scale of operations and the size and the status of the market of the country that implements them. This ultimately has impacts on producers and consumers in other countries. Given the possible international impacts, PSH therefore remains a difficult area of agricultural negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Ans: A

Exp:

Originating in the Mediterranean Sea, the western disturbances are eastward-moving jet streams carrying moisture in their upper layers. As they reach the Indian sub-continent, they encounter the Himalayas, and the moisture transpires into precipitation over northwestern regions of India during winter months.

During their passage, western disturbances bring snowfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and rainfall over the plains of Delhi, Rajasthan and UP. After these streams move away from India, the associated cold winds penetrate into central and north peninsular India regions, thus lowering the temperatures.