1. With reference to the Poshan Tracker application, consider the following statements:
- It is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aimed at monitoring adolescent health in schools.
- It received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 under the ‘Innovation (Centre)’ category.
- The beneficiary module of Poshan Tracker is designed to promote citizen ownership and empowerment.
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
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
The Poshan Tracker is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, not the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, making the first statement incorrect. However, it did receive the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2024 and its beneficiary module is designed to promote citizen ownership and empowerment, making statements 2 and 3 correct.
2. Consider the following statements about the Bullseye Galaxy:
- It has nine confirmed rings, a record number for any known galaxy.
- It is smaller than the Milky Way in diameter.
- Its unique structure is believed to have been caused by a head-on collision with a blue dwarf galaxy.
- It is currently classified as a Giant Low Surface Brightness (GLSB) galaxy.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] Only 1, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:- Statement 1 is correct: The Bullseye Galaxy has nine confirmed rings, a characteristic that makes it stand out among ringed galaxies.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Contrarily to what is stated, the Bullseye Galaxy is approximately 2.5 times larger than the Milky Way, not smaller.
- Statement 3 is correct: Scientists believe that the unique ringed structure of the Bullseye Galaxy is due to a head-on collision with a Blue dwarf galaxy.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Although it may evolve into one in the future, the Bullseye Galaxy is not currently classified as a Giant Low Surface Brightness (GLSB) galaxy.
3. With reference to nitrogen in biological systems, consider the following statements:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial for nerve signal transmission and blood vessel dilation in the human body.
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and DNA do not contain nitrogen.
- Nitrogen gas makes up more than 75% of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]
Notes:- Statement 1 is correct: Nitric oxide (NO) helps in nerve signal transmission and vasodilation.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: ATP and DNA do contain nitrogen; nitrogenous bases are fundamental to DNA structure.
- Statement 3 is correct: Nitrogen constitutes about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the yak and its role in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region:
- Yaks are native to both the terai and mountain regions of Nepal and play a vital role in agriculture and transport.
- Yak herding traditions in the Nepal Himalayas are predominantly maintained by indigenous communities such as the Sherpa and Tamang.
- The system of transhumance associated with yak herding has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:- Yaks indeed are vital to both the terai and mountain regions of Nepal for agriculture and transport. They provide meat, milk, fibre, manure, and draught power.
- The Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Rai, and Limbu communities predominantly maintain yak herding traditions in the Nepal Himalayas.
- The system of transhumance associated with yak herding has been acknowledged by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Therefore, all three statements are correct.
5. With reference to Article 355 of the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:
- It empowers the Union Government to directly impose President’s Rule in a state.
- It imposes a duty on the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance.
- Article 355 of the Indian Constitution imposes a duty on the Union Government to protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 355 does not grant direct power to impose President’s Rule; such action is governed by Article 356.
Statement 2 is correct: It states the Union’s duty to protect states.
Statement 3 is correct: Article 355 of the Indian Constitution imposes a duty on the Union Government to protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance. However, the invocation of Article 355 is considered to be within the discretion of the Union Government. It is generally not subject to judicial review, as the matter of the imposition of President’s Rule (which can be part of the steps taken under Article 355) falls under the President’s discretion, and the Supreme Court has upheld that such decisions are political in nature and cannot be reviewed by the judiciary.
