KPSC KAS PRELIMS 2024 PAPER 2 PART 5

Question

46. Which of the following statements are correct with reference to the Blue Flag Certification?

(a) This certification is issued to beaches, estuaries, and deltas.

(b) The certification is issued based on 33 criteria and it is an internationally recognized eco-label.

(c) BEAMS is India's own eco-label for beaches launched in 2020.

(d) Two sites from Karnataka, Kasarkodi Beach and Padubidri Beach, have received Blue Flag Certification.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

All of the above

(a), (b), and (c) only

(c) and (d) only

(a), (b), and (d) only

Answer: All of the above

Explanation:

(a) This certification is issued to beaches, estuaries, and deltas: Correct. The Blue Flag certification is typically awarded to beaches and marinas that meet stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.

The Blue Flag certification is an eco-label certification awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boat tourism operators that meet some prescribed requirements. Blue Flag Certification provides insight into the health of the coastal ecosystem. Blue flag certification is given by international jury consisting of members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It is an internationally recognised eco-label that is accorded based on 33 criterias. These criterias are divided into 4 major heads namely,

Environmental education and information

Bathing water quality

Environmental management

Conservation and safety services in the beaches

(b) The certification is issued based on 33 criteria and it is an internationally recognized eco-label: Correct. The Blue Flag certification is awarded based on compliance with 33 criteria covering environmental education, water quality, environmental management, and safety.

(c) BEAMS is India's own eco-label for beaches launched in 2020: correct. BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Services) is a project under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) aimed at sustainable development, but it is not an eco-label similar to Blue Flag.

On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) in 2020.

(d) Two sites from Karnataka, Kasarkodi Beach and Padubidri Beach, have received Blue Flag Certification: Correct. These two beaches in Karnataka have been awarded the Blue Flag certification for meeting the required environmental and safety standards.

Kasarkod and Padubidri are two of the most mesmerizing, clean, and well-maintained beaches in Karnataka. The experience is quite different from other beaches, the environment is much more peaceful and serene, truly deserving the Blue Flag label.

47. As per the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 and amended in 2022, which of the following are correct goals?

(a) Setting up second-generation (2G) bio refineries.

(b) Development of new feedstock for biofuels.

(c) Development of new technologies for conversion of biofuels.

(d) Creating suitable environment for biofuel and its generation with the main fuel.

(e) Reinforcing ongoing ethanol/biodiesel supplies through increasing domestic production.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Only one statement is correct

Only two statements are correct

Only three statements are correct

All the statements are correct

Answer: (4) All the statements are correct

Explanation:

(a) Setting up second-generation (2G) bio refineries: Correct. The policy aims to set up advanced biofuel refineries to enhance the production of biofuels from non-food feedstocks.

(b) Development of new feedstock for biofuels: Correct. The policy encourages the development of new and sustainable feedstocks to reduce dependency on traditional food crops.

(c) Development of new technologies for conversion of biofuels: Correct. The policy promotes research and development to improve technologies for efficient biofuel production.

(d) Creating suitable environment for biofuel and its generation with the main fuel: Correct. The policy supports creating a conducive environment for blending biofuels with traditional fuels to promote their use.

(e) Reinforcing ongoing ethanol/biodiesel supplies through increasing domestic production: Correct. The policy also focuses on boosting domestic production to ensure a steady supply of biofuels.

Since all the statements are correct, the answer is (4) All the statements are correct.

48. Under the 'Recovery of Endangered Species' component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' for the recovery of endangered species, consider the following matches:

(a) Sangai — Manipur

(b) Jerdon's courser — Andhra Pradesh

(c) Megapode — Andaman and Nicobar

(d) Hangul — Jammu and Kashmir

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

All matches are correct

(a) and (d) are correct

(a), (b), and (d) are correct

(b), (c), and (d) are correct

Answer: (1) All matches are correct

Explanation:

(a) Sangai — Manipur: Correct. Sangai, the brow-antlered deer, is an endangered species found in Manipur, particularly in the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

(b) Jerdon's courser — Andhra Pradesh: Correct. Jerdon's courser is a critically endangered bird species found in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

(c) Megapode — Andaman and Nicobar: Correct. The Nicobar Megapode is an endangered ground bird endemic to the Nicobar Islands.

(d) Hangul — Jammu and Kashmir: Correct. Hangul, also known as the Kashmir stag, is a critically endangered species found in the Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir.

Since all the matches are correct, the answer is (1) All matches are correct.

49. Which of the following statements are correct with reference to International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?

(a) It was launched in 2023 with the headquarters in New Delhi.

(b) It covers only 5 big cats viz, tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah.

(c) It is a multi-country coalition of big cat range countries where the above-mentioned big cats are found.

(d) Annual budgetary support of 150 crore rupees per year will be given by Government of India for IBCA.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

All statements are correct

(a), (b), and (c) are correct

Only (a) is correct

(b), (c), and (d) are correct

Answer: 3. Only (a) is correct

Explanation:

Based on the information provided:

Statement (a) - Correct: The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was indeed launched in 2023, and its headquarters is in India.

Statement (b) - Incorrect: The IBCA covers seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, puma, and jaguar, not just five.

Statement (c) - Correct: IBCA is a multi-country coalition involving 96 big cat range countries and other interested parties.

Statement (d) - Incorrect: The Government of India has provided a one-time budgetary support of ₹150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28), not an annual budgetary support.

Correct Answer: (a) and (c) are correct.

50. Which of the following statements are correct with reference to Great Indian Bustard (GIB)?

(a) It is one of the heaviest flying birds.

(b) It is usually found in States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

(c) Siruguppa in Bellary district is the only home of the bird in Karnataka.

(d) GIB is included in species recovery programme of MOEFCC.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

All of the above statements

(a), (b), and (c) only

(a), (c), and (d) only

(b), (c), and (d) only

Answer: (3) (a), (c), and (d) only

Explanation:

(a) It is one of the heaviest flying birds: Correct. The Great Indian Bustard is indeed one of the heaviest flying birds, with adult males often weighing around 10-15 kg.

(b) It is usually found in States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. The Great Indian Bustard is primarily found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Its historical range included other states, but now its presence is mostly confined to these two states.

(c) Siruguppa in Bellary district is the only home of the bird in Karnataka: Correct. Siruguppa in Bellary district is recognized as a habitat for the Great Indian Bustard in Karnataka, though its population is very small.

(d) GIB is included in species recovery programme of MOEFCC: Correct. The Great Indian Bustard is part of the species recovery programme initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) to prevent its extinction.

Since statements (a), (c), and (d) are correct, the correct answer is (3) (a), (c), and (d) only.

Answer 1

51. Which of the following statements are correct with reference to ‘AdBlue’?

(a) It is a diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce the amount of air pollution emitted by BS 6 diesel engine.

(b) It is a mixture of demineralized water and pure urea.

(c) It is a blue color toxic fluid with highly flammable properties.

(d) It reduces the level of sulfur dioxide from the vehicle emission.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

All statements are correct

(a) and (b) only

(a) and (d) only

(b) and (d) only

Answer: (2) (a) and (b) only

Explanation:

The correct answer is: (a) and (b) only

Explanation:

Statement (a) is correct: AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce the amount of air pollution emitted by BS 6 diesel engines. It helps to lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel vehicles.

Statement (b) is correct: AdBlue is a mixture of demineralized water and pure urea (32.5% urea and 67.5% demineralized water).

Statement (c) is incorrect: AdBlue is not a blue color fluid, nor is it toxic or highly flammable. It is a clear, non-toxic, and non-flammable liquid.

Statement (d) is incorrect: AdBlue is used to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, not sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions.

52. As per Hardy-Weinberg law, the genotype and allele frequencies remain constant in the random matting population in the absence of which of the following factors?

(a) Mutation

(b) Migration

(c) Selection

(d) Genetic drift

Codes:

(a), (b), (c) and (d)

(a), (b) and (c) only

(a), (b) and (d) only

Only (a)

Answer: (1) (a), (b), (c) and (d)

Explanation:

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences. These influences include:

(a) Mutation: Changes in DNA sequences that introduce new alleles.

(b) Migration: Movement of individuals into or out of a population can introduce new alleles.

(c) Selection: Differential survival and reproduction of individuals can alter allele frequencies.

(d) Genetic drift: Random changes in allele frequencies can occur in small populations.

All these factors can cause deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, leading to changes in allele frequencies over time. Therefore, the correct answer is (1) (a), (b), (c) and (d).

53. Which of the following radioactive materials is having the highest half-life?

Plutonium-239

Cobalt-60

Uranium-235

Uranium-238

Answer: (4) Uranium-238

Explanation:

Plutonium-239: Half-life of approximately 24,100 years.

Cobalt-60: Half-life of approximately 5.27 years.

Uranium-235: Half-life of approximately 703.8 million years.

Uranium-238: Half-life of approximately 4.468 billion years.

Among the given options, Uranium-238 has the longest half-life, making it the correct answer.

54. Statement:

Energy flow in a food chain reduces at each trophic level.

Reason: At each trophic level, energy is lost because organisms use them for their survival, growth, and development.

Options:

Statement and Reason both are correct.

Statement is correct, but Reason is not correct.

Only Reason is correct, Statement is not correct.

Both Statement and Reason are not correct.

Answer: (1) Statement and Reason both are correct.

Explanation: The statement is correct because energy decreases as it moves up through trophic levels in a food chain. This occurs because organisms use energy for metabolic processes, which leads to energy loss at each level, making the Reason correct as well.

55. Match the following correctly:

(a) National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources

(b) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

(c) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources

(d) National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources

Locations: (i) New Delhi

(ii) Bengaluru

(iii) Lucknow

(iv) Karnal

Options:

(a)     (b)     (c)     (d)

(1)     (iii)   (i)     (iv)    (ii)

(2)     (i)     (ii)    (iv)    (iii)

(3)     (ii)    (i)     (iv)    (iii)

(4)     (iii)   (i)     (ii)    (iv)

Answer: (1) (iii) (i) (iv) (ii)

Explanation:

The correct answer is:

(1) (iii) (i) (iv) (ii)

Explanation:

(a) National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources: Located in Lucknow. Hence, it matches with (iii).

(b) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources: Located in New Delhi. Hence, it matches with (i).

(c) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources: Located in Karnal. Hence, it matches with (iv).

(d) National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources: Located in Bengaluru. Hence, it matches with (ii).

So, the correct matching sequence is (iii) (i) (iv) (ii), which corresponds to option (1).