Q1. Consider the following statements:
- India and Malaysia upgraded their ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015.
- Malaysia is a significant global hub for semiconductor testing and packaging.
- India’s Semiconductor Mission has an outlay of about US$10 billion.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: (C) All three
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: India–Malaysia ties were upgraded to Enhanced Strategic Partnership (2015), institutionalising defence, economic, and tech cooperation.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Malaysia handles a notable share (~10–15%) of global semiconductor testing & packaging, making it a key node in chip value chains.
- Statement 3 – Correct: India launched the Semiconductor Mission (2021) with ~US$10 billion incentive outlay to build fabrication and ATMP capacity.
Q2. Thwaites Glacier, recently in the news, is located in:
A. East Antarctica near Ross Sea
B. West Antarctica near Amundsen Sea
C. Greenland ice sheet near Baffin Bay
D. Arctic region near Svalbard
Answer: (B) West Antarctica near Amundsen Sea
Explanation:
- Thwaites is a West Antarctic outlet glacier draining into the Amundsen Sea.
- It is nicknamed “Doomsday Glacier” due to potential sea-level rise impacts.
- West Antarctica is more vulnerable due to marine ice sheet instability.
Q3. Which of the following are major challenges for biotechnology growth?
- Biosafety and ethical concerns
- Low R&D costs
- Short gestation periods for returns
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: Biosafety, GM crop ethics, and regulatory approvals are real constraints.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: Biotech suffers from high R&D costs, not low.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect: Biotech has long gestation periods for commercialisation.
Q4. With reference to Software as a Service (SaaS), consider the following statements:
- SaaS delivers software over the internet on a subscription basis.
- SaaS users must install and maintain software locally.
- SaaS providers manage updates and security centrally.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: SaaS is cloud-based subscription software.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: No local installation required; browser access suffices.
- Statement 3 – Correct: Providers handle patches, updates, cybersecurity.
Q5. Khurmi and Thethri, recently seen in the news, are best described as:
A. Tribal languages spoken in Central India
B. Traditional snack and sweet delicacies from Chhattisgarh
C. Indigenous millet varieties promoted under the nutri-cereals mission
D. Folk dances performed during harvest festivals
Answer: (B) Traditional snack and sweet delicacies from Chhattisgarh
Explanation:
- Thethri: Savoury snack made from besan (gram flour), often linked to festive occasions.
- Khurmi: Sweet made from jaggery, wheat flour, semolina.
- Highlighted recently, linking to food heritage & ODOP potential.
