Question 6: Consider the following statements:

1. The exoplanets Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d orbiting a distant planet are “water worlds” with water making up a large part of their volumes.
2. The two planets, Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d, have much lower densities than our planet.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• A team of astronomers have found that two exoplanets orbiting a distant planet are “water worlds” with water making up a large part of their volumes.
• According to the University of Montreal, these two exoplanets are located in a planetary system that is 218 light years away in the constellation Lyra and are unlike any planets in our solar system.
• The exoplanets Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d were observed using NASA’s Hubble and retired Spitzer space telescope. The astronomers discovered that these planets are about one and a half times the size of the Earth and that they could be largely composed of water.
• With volumes more than three times the Earth’s and masses twice as much, the two planets — Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d — have much lower densities than our planet.
• This came as a surprise to the scientists because most of the planets slightly bigger than Earth that have been studied until now have all turned out to be rocky worlds just like the pale blue dot.

Question 7: Consider the following statements:

1. First Loss Default Guarantee (FLDG) System is a lending model between a fintech and a regulated entity in which a third party guarantees to compensate up to a certain percentage of default in a loan portfolio of the regulated entities.
2. It helps expand the customer base of traditional lenders but relies on the fintech’s underwriting capabilities.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

First Loss Default Guarantee (FLDG) System: RBI

• FLDG is a lending model between a fintech and a regulated entity in which a third party guarantees to compensate up to a certain percentage of default in a loan portfolio of the regulated entities (RE).
• Under these agreements, the fintech originates a loan and promises to compensate the partners up to a pre-decided percentage in case customers fail to repay.
• The bank/NBFC partners lend through the fintech but from their own books.
• FLDG helps expand the customer base of traditional lenders but relies on the fintech’s underwriting capabilities.
• A report by an RBI-constituted working group on digital lending has laid down risks of FLDG agreements with unregulated the other concern is that FLDG costs are often passed on to customers.

Question 8: Consider the following statements:

1. Project Vaani aims to build an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) model to collect language samples from various districts across India.
2. It is a collaboration between Google India and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
3. It will be an AI-based language model that can understand diverse Indian languages and dialects.
4. The project is part of Bengaluru-based IISc and AI and Robotics Technology Park’s (Artpark) Bhasha AI project.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1, 2 and 3

B) 2, 3 and 4

C) 1, 2 and 4

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Google India has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for Project The aims of this initiative to build an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) model to collect language samples from 773 districts across India.
• It will be an AI-based language model that can understand diverse Indian languages and dialects. Potential use of such datasets is in building apps in areas such as health, agriculture, and financial inclusion.
• The project is part of Bengaluru-based IISc and AI and Robotics Technology Park’s (Artpark) Bhasha AI project that includes SYSPIN (Synthesizing Speech in Indian languages) and RESPIN (Recognizing Speech in Indian languages).

Question 9: Consider the following statements:

1. Vadnagar of Rajasthan, is a multi-layered and multi-cultural mercantile settlement with its history stretching back to nearly 8th Century BCE.
2. Vadnagar is an L-shaped town located on the bank of Sarmishtha Lake.
3. At Vadnagar, two major ancient trade routes crossed each other.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

Vadnagar town (Gujarat):

• Vadnagar is a municipality under Mehsana district of Gujarat. It is a multi-layered and multi-cultural mercantile settlement with its history stretching back to nearly 8th Century BCE.
• It is an L-shaped town with Sharmishtha Lake located on its north-eastern edge. At Vadnagar, two major ancient trade routes crossed each other.
• One of them joined central India with Sindh and further northwest regions while another connected port towns on Gujarat coast to northern India.
• It has hinterland port, center for industries of shells and beads, religious center/temple town etc.

Question 10: Consider the following statements:

1. Sun Temple at Modhera is located on left bank of the river Pushpavati.
2. It is being built in Maru-gurjara architectural style of 11th century.
3. It is built with bright yellow sandstone.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

Sun Temple at Modhera and its adjoining monuments:

• Located on left bank of the river Pushpavati, a tributary of river Rupan in Mehsana district of Gujarat.
• Built in Maru-gurjara architectural style of 11th century (under patronage of Solanki dynasty).
• It consists of main temple shrine (garbhagriha), a hall (gadhamandapa), an outer hall or assembly hall (Sabhamandapa or rangamandapa) and a sacred pool (Kunda), which is now called Ramakunda.
• Built with bright yellow sandstone.
• Sculptures features include life-sized figures belonging to three groups of deities: Adityas, Lokapalas, and Devis.