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Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 16-05-2023 (Online Prelims Test)

1) Consider the following statements with respect to Permafrost

  1. Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen (0°C) or colder for at least 2 years straight.
  2. Permafrost can be found both on land and below the ocean floor.
  3. Permafrost is found only in the arctic regions.

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

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c

Thawing permafrost in the Arctic could unlock toxic waste buried for decades.

Permafrost

  • Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen 32°F (0°C) or colder for at least 2 years straight.
  • These permanently frozen grounds are most common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes near the North and South Poles.
  • Permafrost can be found on land and below the ocean floor.
  • It is often found in Arctic regions such as Greenland, the U.S. state of Alaska, Russia, China, and Eastern Europe.
  • It is found in mountainous regions such as the South American Andes and New Zealand's Southern Alps, as well as below Antarctica.
  • Permafrost is made of a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice.
  • Near the surface, permafrost soils contain large quantities of organic carbon leftover from dead plants that couldn’t decompose due to the cold.
  • A layer of soil on top of permafrost does not stay frozen all year.
  • This layer, called the active layer, thaws during the warm summer months and freezes again in the fall.
  • Permafrost does not always form in one solid sheet – it is both continuous and discontinuous.

Impacts

  • Increase in water levels
  • Increased erosion
  • Traces of zombie virus that can infect humans have been found preserved in permafrost.
  • Co2 and methane released from permafrost could cause global warming.  

2) Consider the following statements with respect to Report on International Religious Freedom

  1. It is an annual report released by The Committee of Religious NGOs, United Nations Organ.
  2. The committee promotes religious freedom for the UN member states and observer countries.
  3. The report recommended for designating India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

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

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c

Report on International Religious Freedom

  • It is an annual Report released by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
  • The US Congressional-mandatory annual report on international religious freedom documents the status of religious freedom in countries across the world.
  • India is recommended to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern for the 4th time in a row.
  • The ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) is the category of countries whose governments either engage in or tolerate “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom.

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)

  • It is an independent bi-partisan US federal government commission that was created by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) 1998.
  • It has a mandate to monitor religious freedom violations globally and make policy recommendations to the U.S. President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress.
  • It is a congressionally created entity and not an NGO or advocacy organization.
  • The report recommendations are voluntary in nature.

3) Consider the following statements with respect to Carbon Capture and Storage

  1. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the capture and storing of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Carbon-monoxide (CO) before it is released into the atmosphere.
  2. The captured carbon can be stored only in geological process.

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

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : d

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

  • It is a way of reducing carbon emissions, which could be key to helping to tackle global warming.

Types of Carbon Sequestration

Biological Carbon Sequestration

  • This roughly is the storage of carbon dioxide in vegetation like grasslands and forests, as well as in soils and oceans.

Geological Carbon Sequestration

  • This is where carbon dioxide is stored in underground geologic formations, such as in rocks.

Technological Carbon Sequestration

  • This is a relatively new way of capturing and storing carbon dioxide and continues to be explored by scientists.
  • The method looking into more ways of using carbon dioxide as a resource rather than removing it from the atmosphere.

Industrial Carbon Sequestration

  • This is not a widely renowned method, but it can be used in some industries.
  • They capture the carbon in 3 ways from a power plant, pre-combustion, post-combustion and oxy-fuel.

4) Consider the following statements with respect to Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG)

  1. It is a working group under G-7 forum.
  2. International Energy Agency (IEA) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) participated in the 3rd ETWG meeting.

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

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : b

The 3rd Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting (ETWG) is being held under India’s G20 Presidency, in Mumbai.

Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG)

  • It is a grouping that focuses on achieving energy transition in the world.
  • The 3-day’s meeting has participation of over 100 delegates from G20 member countries, special invitee countries.
  • International Organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) also participated.
  • It discussed the need to give preference to the development and adoption of sustainable energy sources and policies that promote conservation and reduce carbon emissions.
  • The Meeting was complemented by 3 side events.
  • Workshop with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
  • Seminar on Just Transition Roadmap
  • Seminar on Biofuels

5) Consider the following statements with respect to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

  1. UPSC recruits both Group A and Group B central services of India.
  2. The UPSC consists of a chairman and other members appointed by the President of India.
  3. The chairman of the Commission hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 62 years.

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

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

  • It is the central recruiting agency in India.
  • UPSC recruits both Group A and Group B (EPFO) central services of India.
  • It is an independent constitutional body in the sense that it has been directly created by the Constitution.
  • Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Constitution contain elaborate provisions regarding the UPSC.
  • The UPSC consists of a chairman and other members appointed by the President of India.
  • The Constitution, without specifying the strength of the Commission has left the matter to the discretion of the president, who determines its composition.
  • Usually, the Commission consists of nine to eleven members including the chairman.
  • The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • However, they can relinquish their offices at any time by addressing their resignation to the president.
  • They can also be removed before the expiry of their term by the president in the manner as provided in the Constitution.
  • It conducts examinations for appointments to the all-India services, Central services and public services of the centrally administered territories.
  • The role of UPSC is not only limited, but also recommendations made by it are only of advisory nature and hence, not binding on the government.
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