Question 27: Consider the following statements:

1. It takes half as much energy for a rocket to travel to the Moon from the Low earth orbit compared to what it takes to travel to Low earth orbit from Earth.
2. More than 80 per cent of the launch-time weight of any space mission is the fuel.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• Not surprisingly, most of a rocket’s energy is burnt in travelling to the lower earth This is because the force of gravity is the strongest here. The journey farther into space is much smoother and requires far less energy. In fact, it takes half as much energy for a rocket to travel to the Moon from the LEO (a journey of nearly 4 lakh km) compared to what it takes to travel to LEO from Earth (about 200 km).
• The passenger (or payload) comprises barely 2 to 4 per cent of the weight of the Between 80 and 90 per cent of the launch-time weight of any space mission is the fuel, or the propellant.

Question 28: Consider the following statements:

1. Use of Iridium satellite phones is illegal in India.
2. Satellite phones work in remote areas where there is no cell phone towers.
3. A Thuraya satellite phone will not work on the Iridium network.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1,2 and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Section 6 of The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 makes it illegal to possess “any wireless telegraphy apparatus, other than a wireless transmitter, in contravention of the provisions of section 3 [of the Act]”. Section 3 says “no person shall possess wireless telegraphy apparatus” without a license “save as provided by Section 4”.
• Section 4 of the Act allows the central government to make rules under the Act to “exempt any person or any class of persons from the provisions of this Act either generally or subject to prescribed conditions, or in respect of specified wireless telegraphy apparatus”. 
• A notification on the website of the Department of Telecommunications says:

“Satellite phones are permitted: (i) With specific permission/ NOC from Department of Telecommunications, Government of India; or (ii) As provisioned by M/s BSNL in accordance with license granted to M/s BSNL for provision and operation of satellite-based service using Gateway installed in India.”

• Notifications posted on the websites of the Indian Embassy in several countries around the world specify that “Use of Thuraya/Iridium satellite phones is unauthorized/illegal in India”, and that “any passenger carrying satellite phone(s) via baggage is required to declare the same to Customs on arrival and produce permission for use from the concerned authority.”
• Satellite phones work in remote areas where there are no cell phone towers and therefore, no cellular connectivity. Satellite (or sat) phones usually cover most of the planet with fairly robust connectivity.
• There are a few well known satellite connectivity providers. These are Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya and Global Star.
• Each sat phone device works only with a specific provider — which means a Thuraya phone will not work on the Iridium network.

Question 29: Consider the following statements:

1. The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.
2. It is funded entirely by its members.
3. The fine imposed by the Authority shall not exceed 1 lakh.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1,2 and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), a self-regulatory agency set up by news and digital broadcasters, has fined the Hindi   TV channel News18 India Rs 50,000 for turning a news debate on hijab into a “communal issue” and not adhering to guidelines.
• The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital Funded entirely by its members, the NBDA has 26 news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 119 news and current affairs channels) as its members.
• The Authority may initiate proceedings on its own and issue notice or take action in respect to any matter which falls within its regulations. This can also be through complaints referred to the Authority by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting or any other governmental body, or by anyone else via its website.
• Within 14 days from the date of receipt of a complaint, the Authority will issue notice to the concerned broadcaster to show cause why action should not be taken under the regulations.
• The NBDSA may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, warn, censure, express disapproval against and/or impose a fine upon the It can also recommend to the concerned authority for suspension/revocation of the license of such broadcaster. The fine imposed by the Authority shall not exceed Rs. 1 lakh and such fine shall be recovered from the concerned broadcaster.

Question 30: Two Establishes and Two Safeguards are two political slogans, sometimes seen in the news, related to which of the following country:

1. Russia
2. China
3. UK
4. USA

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

• Two Establishes and Two Safeguards are two political slogans promoted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to reinforce CCP general secretary Xi Jinping‘s rule. According to the CCP historical resolution, the Two Establishes are:
• “To establish the status of Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party’s Central Committee and of the whole Party”.
• “To establish the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era”
• According to the Sixth Plenum of the 19th Central Committee of the CCP, the Two Safeguards are:
  • “Safeguard the ‘core’ status of General Secretary Xi Jinping within the CCP”
  • “To safeguard the centralized authority of the Party”

Question 31: Consider the following statements:

1. The concept of food miles is to highlight the hidden ecological, social and economic consequences of food production to consumers in a simple way.
2. Food that is transported by road produces more carbon emissions than any other form of transported food.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• The concept of food miles is part of the broader issue of sustainability which deals with a large range of environmental, social and economic issues, including local food. The term was coined by Tim Lang (now Professor of Food Policy, City University, London) who says: “The point was to highlight the hidden ecological, social and economic consequences of food production to consumers in a simple way, one which had objective reality but also connotations.”
• The increased distance travelled by food in developed countries was caused by the globalization of food trade, which increased by four times since 1961.
• Food that is transported by road produces more carbon emissions than any other form of transported food. Road transport produces 60% of the world’s food transport carbon emissions. Air transport produces 20% of the world’s food transport carbon Rail and sea transport produce 10% each of the world’s food transport carbon emissions.
• Food miles is the distance food is transported from the time of its making until it reaches the consumer. Food miles are one factor used when testing the environmental impact of food, such as the carbon footprint of the food.