Q 1 . With reference to Timor-Leste, consider the following statements:
1 . Timor-Leste is a Southeast Asian nation occupying eastern half of the island of Timor.
2 . The western half of the island of Timor is administered by Malaysia.
3 . Arafura sea separates Timor-Leste from Australia.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(a) Statements 2 and 3 are not correct. Why in news? India’s Prime Minister has announced the opening of an Indian embassy in Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste, during the recent 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta. ■ Timor-Leste is a Southeast Asian nation occupying half the island of Timor . ■ It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, of which the western half is administered by Indonesia. ■ Timor sea separates Timor-Leste from Australia. ■ Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony until 1975, followed by Indonesian rule after the conflict. In 1999, it gained independence through a UN-sponsored act and became the 1st sovereign state of the 21st century (in 2002).
Q 2 . Consider the following statements with respect to naval exercises of Indian Navy:
1 . INDRA NAVY is a joint exercise conducted by India and France.
2 . SIMBEX is an annual bilateral naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.
3 . SLINEX are a series of naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy.
4 . Varuna naval exercise are a series of naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 & 2
(b) Only 2 & 3
(c) 1 & 4
(d) 1 , 2 , 3 & 4
(b) Statements 1 and 4 are incorrect. Recently the 21st edition of the India-France bilateral naval exercise ‘Varuna-23’ took place in the Arabian Sea. ■ Indian naval exercises : 1 . INDRA NAVY is a joint exercise conducted by India and Russia. 2 . Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is an annual bilateral naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. 3 . SLINEX (Sri Lanka India Naval Exercise) are a series of naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy. 4 . Varuna naval exercise are a series of naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. 5 . Exercise Malabar is a naval exercise involving the United States, Japan and India as permanent partners. Australia rejoined the exercise in 2020. 6 . Milan is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. 7 . IBSAMAR are a series of naval exercises between the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa.
Q 3 . Consider the following statements with respect to Leucism:
1 . It is an abnormal condition of increased pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles).
2 . It is marked by overall dark color or patches of increased colouring.
3 . It is caused by a genetic mutation.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 & 2
(b) Only 2 & 3
(c) Only 1 & 3
(d) Only 3
(d) Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. Why in news? Recently, researchers have made a rare discovery of a “white” sambar deer with a condition called leucism, resulting in white or pale skin, in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, India. ■ Leucism is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
Q 4 . With reference to Hallmarking in India, consider the following statements:
1 . At present only gold has been brought under the purview of Hallmarking.
2 . Mandatory hallmarking order is applicable on 22 and 24 carats of gold jewellery/artefacts only.
3 . ISI Mark is given to all hallmarked items.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(d) All three statements are incorrect. Why in news? The third phase of mandatory hallmarking in India, starting from September 8, 2023, will include an additional 55 districts, bringing the total number of districts covered under this system to 343. ■ At present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking. ■ Mandatory hallmarking order is applicable on 14, 18 and 22 carats of gold jewellery/artefacts only. ■ BIS assigns a unique HUID (Hallmarking Unique ID) number to all hallmarked items . ■ Under the Hallmarking scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS), Jewellers are registered for selling hallmarked jewellery and recognised testing and hallmarking centres.
Q 5 . Consider the following statements with respect to World Food Price Index :
1 . World Food Price Index is released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
2 . It consists of the average of ten commodity group price indices weighted by the average export shares of each of the groups over 2014-2016.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 & 2
(d) None
(a) Statement 2 is not correct. Why in news? Recently , the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the world food price index fell to a new two-year low recently. ■ The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities. ■ It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices weighted by the average export shares of each of the groups over 2014-2016.
