UPSC Editorials Quiz : 23 March 2024

#### Quiz-summary

0 of 5 questions completed

Questions:

#### Information

Introducing QUED – Questions from Editorials, an innovative initiative from InsightsIAS. Considering the significant number of questions in previous UPSC Prelims from editorials, practicing MCQs from this perspective can provide an extra edge. While we cover important editorials separately in our Editorial Section and SECURE Initiative, adding QUED to your daily MCQ practice alongside Static Quiz, Current Affairs Quiz, and InstaDART can be crucial for better performance. We recommend utilizing this initiative to enhance your preparation, with 5 MCQs posted daily at 11 am from Monday to Saturday on our website under the QUIZ menu. Best of luck! 🙂

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading...

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:

0 of 5 questions answered correctly

Your time:

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)

#### Categories

• Not categorized 0%

• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA). The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Union Finance Ministry to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices. It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold. Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not accounted for in the CGRA. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Reserve Bank to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices. Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not taken to the income account but instead accounted for in the CGRA. CGRA provides a buffer against exchange rate/ gold price fluctuations. It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold. When CGRA is not sufficient to fully meet exchange losses, it is replenished from the Contingency Fund (CF). Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Reserve Bank to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices. Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not taken to the income account but instead accounted for in the CGRA. CGRA provides a buffer against exchange rate/ gold price fluctuations. It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold. When CGRA is not sufficient to fully meet exchange losses, it is replenished from the Contingency Fund (CF).

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA).

• The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Union Finance Ministry to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices.

• It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold.

• Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not accounted for in the CGRA.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

• The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Reserve Bank to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices.

• Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not taken to the income account but instead accounted for in the CGRA.

• CGRA provides a buffer against exchange rate/ gold price fluctuations. It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold.

• When CGRA is not sufficient to fully meet exchange losses, it is replenished from the Contingency Fund (CF).

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

• The Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) is maintained by the Reserve Bank to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices.

• Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not taken to the income account but instead accounted for in the CGRA.

• When CGRA is not sufficient to fully meet exchange losses, it is replenished from the Contingency Fund (CF).

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements. Palghat Gap is a major break in the Eastern Ghats Mountain range located between the Nilgiri Hills and Anaimalai Hills. Most elephant reserves in India are found in the flat terrain and very few of them are located in the mountainous habitats. Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 3 is correct. A recent article says the endangered Asian Elephant has lost most of its “optimal” habitat: flat terrain that is easily negotiable. The WG [Western Ghats] is an escarpment running north–south along the western coastline of India, interrupted towards the south by the low-lying Palghat Gap that separates the northern from the southern elephant populations. This gap has been transformed by agriculture for several centuries, is 3 km at its narrowest, and 40 km at its widest. The Palghat Gap is a break in the Western Ghats that is “relatively flat and consequently easily negotiable by elephants”. However, human settlements and crop cultivation have hindered the movement of the elephants, keeping them confined to the hilly areas, considered sub-optimal habitats. Over thousands of years, elephants roamed freely across South-East Asia, all the way to China, but “anthropogenic pressures” have restricted them to mountain chains. Ironically, most elephant reserves in India are found in mountainous habitats. Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 3 is correct. A recent article says the endangered Asian Elephant has lost most of its “optimal” habitat: flat terrain that is easily negotiable. The WG [Western Ghats] is an escarpment running north–south along the western coastline of India, interrupted towards the south by the low-lying Palghat Gap that separates the northern from the southern elephant populations. This gap has been transformed by agriculture for several centuries, is 3 km at its narrowest, and 40 km at its widest. The Palghat Gap is a break in the Western Ghats that is “relatively flat and consequently easily negotiable by elephants”. However, human settlements and crop cultivation have hindered the movement of the elephants, keeping them confined to the hilly areas, considered sub-optimal habitats. Over thousands of years, elephants roamed freely across South-East Asia, all the way to China, but “anthropogenic pressures” have restricted them to mountain chains. Ironically, most elephant reserves in India are found in mountainous habitats.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements.

• Palghat Gap is a major break in the Eastern Ghats Mountain range located between the Nilgiri Hills and Anaimalai Hills.

• Most elephant reserves in India are found in the flat terrain and very few of them are located in the mountainous habitats.

• Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

A recent article says the endangered Asian Elephant has lost most of its “optimal” habitat: flat terrain that is easily negotiable.

The WG [Western Ghats] is an escarpment running north–south along the western coastline of India, interrupted towards the south by the low-lying Palghat Gap that separates the northern from the southern elephant populations. This gap has been transformed by agriculture for several centuries, is 3 km at its narrowest, and 40 km at its widest.

The Palghat Gap is a break in the Western Ghats that is “relatively flat and consequently easily negotiable by elephants”. However, human settlements and crop cultivation have hindered the movement of the elephants, keeping them confined to the hilly areas, considered sub-optimal habitats.

Over thousands of years, elephants roamed freely across South-East Asia, all the way to China, but “anthropogenic pressures” have restricted them to mountain chains. Ironically, most elephant reserves in India are found in mountainous habitats.

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

A recent article says the endangered Asian Elephant has lost most of its “optimal” habitat: flat terrain that is easily negotiable.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question In India, which of the followingatomic minerals are prevented from being auctioned to private companies? Zirconium Titanium Lithium How many of the above options are correct? (a) Only One (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: d) India’s Parliament passed a law allowing the government to auction and mine its newly-discovered reserves of lithium, among other minerals, increasing the mining of the critical input for EV batteries. Under the law, lithium, along with other minerals was removed from a previous list of atomic minerals, which prevented it from being auctioned to private companies. “Upon removal of these minerals from the list of atomic minerals, exploration and mining of these minerals will be open to private sector,” as per a government statement. Lithium reserves were discovered earlier this year in Jammu and Kashmir. Other minerals that will now be open for mining and auction include titanium, beryl, niobium and zirconium. These minerals were earlier only allowed to be mined by state-run companies, which meant they were mined in limited quantities, and the involvement of private firms could be a ‘force multiplier’, the government added. Incorrect Solution: d) India’s Parliament passed a law allowing the government to auction and mine its newly-discovered reserves of lithium, among other minerals, increasing the mining of the critical input for EV batteries. Under the law, lithium, along with other minerals was removed from a previous list of atomic minerals, which prevented it from being auctioned to private companies. “Upon removal of these minerals from the list of atomic minerals, exploration and mining of these minerals will be open to private sector,” as per a government statement. Lithium reserves were discovered earlier this year in Jammu and Kashmir. Other minerals that will now be open for mining and auction include titanium, beryl, niobium and zirconium. These minerals were earlier only allowed to be mined by state-run companies, which meant they were mined in limited quantities, and the involvement of private firms could be a ‘force multiplier’, the government added.

#### 3. Question

In India, which of the followingatomic minerals are prevented from being auctioned to private companies?

How many of the above options are correct?

• (a) Only One

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: d)

India’s Parliament passed a law allowing the government to auction and mine its newly-discovered reserves of lithium, among other minerals, increasing the mining of the critical input for EV batteries.

Under the law, lithium, along with other minerals was removed from a previous list of atomic minerals, which prevented it from being auctioned to private companies.

“Upon removal of these minerals from the list of atomic minerals, exploration and mining of these minerals will be open to private sector,” as per a government statement.

Lithium reserves were discovered earlier this year in Jammu and Kashmir.

Other minerals that will now be open for mining and auction include titanium, beryl, niobium and zirconium.

These minerals were earlier only allowed to be mined by state-run companies, which meant they were mined in limited quantities, and the involvement of private firms could be a ‘force multiplier’, the government added.

Solution: d)

Under the law, lithium, along with other minerals was removed from a previous list of atomic minerals, which prevented it from being auctioned to private companies.

“Upon removal of these minerals from the list of atomic minerals, exploration and mining of these minerals will be open to private sector,” as per a government statement.

Lithium reserves were discovered earlier this year in Jammu and Kashmir.

Other minerals that will now be open for mining and auction include titanium, beryl, niobium and zirconium.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) scheme aims to a) Sustainable placements for the rural poor youth b) Improve watershed management practices to help farmers become more resilient to climate change c) Enhance infrastructure in villages along India's Northern border d) Develop Rurban clusters across rural areas in India Correct Solution: c) VVP was announced in the Union Budget FY 2022-23. VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. Activities under the VVP include building infrastructure such as housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, providing decentralised renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation. Incorrect Solution: c) VVP was announced in the Union Budget FY 2022-23. VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. Activities under the VVP include building infrastructure such as housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, providing decentralised renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation.

#### 4. Question

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) scheme aims to

• a) Sustainable placements for the rural poor youth

• b) Improve watershed management practices to help farmers become more resilient to climate change

• c) Enhance infrastructure in villages along India's Northern border

• d) Develop Rurban clusters across rural areas in India

Solution: c)

VVP was announced in the Union Budget FY 2022-23.

VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Activities under the VVP include building infrastructure such as housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, providing decentralised renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation.

Solution: c)

VVP was announced in the Union Budget FY 2022-23.

VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements regarding Aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is also the human body’s largest blood vessel. An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta. How many of the above statements are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: c) The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body; it is also the body’s largest blood vessel. An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta. An aneurysm is a localised weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, which causes the vessel to bulge in that area — as a result of which the vessel may widen to more than 50 per cent of its usual diameter. Aneurysms are more commonly seen in arteries than in veins. An aneurysm increases in size over time, and the wall of the blood vessel gets progressively weaker in that area. The vessel may ultimately burst or separate, triggering a bleeding rush that can be life-threatening, and potentially lethal. Possible causes of thoracic aortic aneurysm (i) degenerative disease that causes breakdown of the aortic wall tissue; (ii) genetic disorders; (iii) family history; (iv) vasculitis, or inflammation of the arteries; and (v) atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque on the walls of the artery. In rare cases, an infection can also trigger an aneurysm. Incorrect Solution: c) The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body; it is also the body’s largest blood vessel. An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta. An aneurysm is a localised weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, which causes the vessel to bulge in that area — as a result of which the vessel may widen to more than 50 per cent of its usual diameter. Aneurysms are more commonly seen in arteries than in veins. An aneurysm increases in size over time, and the wall of the blood vessel gets progressively weaker in that area. The vessel may ultimately burst or separate, triggering a bleeding rush that can be life-threatening, and potentially lethal. Possible causes of thoracic aortic aneurysm (i) degenerative disease that causes breakdown of the aortic wall tissue; (ii) genetic disorders; (iii) family history; (iv) vasculitis, or inflammation of the arteries; and (v) atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque on the walls of the artery. In rare cases, an infection can also trigger an aneurysm.

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Aorta.

• The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

• It is also the human body’s largest blood vessel.

• An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta.

How many of the above statements are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: c)

The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body; it is also the body’s largest blood vessel. An aortic aneurysm is a weakening and bulging in a portion of the aorta.

An aneurysm is a localised weakening of the wall of a blood vessel, which causes the vessel to bulge in that area — as a result of which the vessel may widen to more than 50 per cent of its usual diameter. Aneurysms are more commonly seen in arteries than in veins.

An aneurysm increases in size over time, and the wall of the blood vessel gets progressively weaker in that area. The vessel may ultimately burst or separate, triggering a bleeding rush that can be life-threatening, and potentially lethal.

Possible causes of thoracic aortic aneurysm (i) degenerative disease that causes breakdown of the aortic wall tissue; (ii) genetic disorders; (iii) family history; (iv) vasculitis, or inflammation of the arteries; and (v) atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque on the walls of the artery. In rare cases, an infection can also trigger an aneurysm.

Solution: c)

Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates

Join our Twitter Channel HERE

Follow our Instagram Channel HERE