Q 1 . With reference to Zonal Councils , consider the following statements:
1 . Zonal Councils are constitutional bodies.
2 . The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 divided the country into five zones and provided a zonal council for each zone along with a North Eastern Council.
3 . The Prime minister is the common chairman of the five zonal councils.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Refer https://fotisedu.com/zonal-councils-establishment-membership-and-functions/
(d) Why in news? Recently the meeting of Western Zonal Council was held. ■ Zonal Councils are the statutory (and not the constitutional) bodies. ■ The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 divided the country into five zones. ■ North Eastern Council was set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. ■ The home minister of Central government is the common chairman of the five zonal councils.
Q 2 . With reference to Emperor penguin recently in news , consider the following statements:
1 . They are the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species.
2 . They are endemic to Antarctica.
3 . They are the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic summer.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Refer https://fotisedu.com/emperor-penguin-the-tallest-and-heaviest-living-penguin-species/
(b) Statement 3 is not correct. Why in news? A catastrophic die-off of emperor penguin chicks has been observed in the Antarctic, with up to 10,000 young birds estimated to have been killed. ■ The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. ■ The only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter.
Q 3 . With reference to Taiwan, consider the following statements:
1 . It is an island territory in East Asia, between the East China Sea in the north and the South China Sea in the south.
2 . It shares maritime borders with China, Japan and Indonesia.
3 . The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of the territory
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(b) Statement 2 is not correct. Why in news? Tensions between China and Japan have risen in recent times. ■ It is an island territory in East Asia, between the East China Sea in the north and the South China Sea in the south. ■ It shares maritime borders with China, Japan and the Philippines. ■ The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of the territory
Q 4 . With reference to defence and military exercises involving India, consider the following pairs:
1 . Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 : a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise.
2 . Exercise Cyclone-I : between special forces of Indian and Egyptian Army
3 . AUSINDEX-23 : a biennial maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy
How many of the pairs given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(c) Why in news? Recently, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has departed to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to take place at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt, from August 27 to September 16, 2023. ■ This marks the first time that the IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, joining contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Qatar. ■ Other exercises between India and Egypt: Exercise Cyclone-I: It Is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army. The first edition of the exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in January 2023. ■ AUSINDEX-23 is a biennial maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy
Q 5 . With reference to coil gun, consider the following statements:
1 . It is an electromagnetic weapon that can launch high-speed projectiles with exceptional velocity.
2 . Coil guns are also known as magnetic accelerators.
3 . These weapons could be used for launching missiles or satellites into space.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(c) Why in news? The Chinese navy is reportedly testing an advanced coil gun, an electromagnetic weapon that can launch high-speed projectiles with exceptional velocity. ■ Coil guns, also known as magnetic accelerators, have the potential to revolutionize warfare by allowing faster and more devastating attacks on enemy targets. ■ These weapons could be used for launching missiles or satellites into space. ■ Compared to traditional artillery, the coil gun offers advantages such as faster launch speeds and lower launch costs. ■ The technology involves a series of energized coils along the barrel of the gun that generate a magnetic field to propel the projectile forward without touching the barrel’s walls. This approach prevents wear on components and enables repeated firings.
