Daily Static Quiz (Science) March 21, 2025
Daily Static Quiz
1. Regarding India’s Gaganyaan mission, consider the following statements:
It aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by sending a crew to a 400-kilometre orbit for a three-day mission.
The mission will use GSLV Mk III launch vehicle for sending the crew module into space.
After successful completion, India will become the fourth country to independently send humans to space.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
2. With reference to the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), consider the following statements:
It is a joint mission between ISRO and the European Space Agency (ESA).
It is designed to study the dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
The satellite carries two scientific payloads: POLIX and XSPECT.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
3. With reference to the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission, consider the following statements:
It is equipped with both L-Band and S-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems.
NASA is responsible for providing the S-Band SAR payload while ISRO provides the L-Band SAR payload.
The satellite will map the entire Earth every 12 days to monitor changes in ecosystems.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
4. Concerning the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission, consider the following statements:
It is designed to test the capability of autonomous docking of spacecraft in orbit.
The mission involves a single spacecraft that will separate into two modules and then reunite.
It will test the control of one spacecraft from the Attitude Control System of another spacecraft while docked.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
5. With reference to genome editing, consider the following statements:
It is possible to introduce genetic changes in cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
CRISPR-Cas9 system involves using RNA molecules to identify specific DNA sequences and the Cas9 enzyme to cut the DNA at that location.
In India, genome editing of human embryos is allowed for therapeutic purposes but prohibited for enhancement of traits.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
6. In the context of biotechnology, consider the following techniques:
RNA interference (RNAi)
Pronuclear Transfer
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
Which of the above techniques can be used to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 3 only
D) 1 and 3 only
7. With regard to RNA interference (RNAi) technology, which of the following applications is/are correct?
Development of gene silencing therapies
Treatment of various types of cancer
Creation of transgenic plants resistant to viral pathogens
Development of new antibiotics
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
8. Consider the following statements regarding agricultural biotechnology:
Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.
Golden Rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A.
Gene silencing technology can be used to develop crops resistant to specific insect pests without introducing foreign genes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
9. With reference to agricultural practices in India, consider the following statements:
Zero Budget Natural Farming emphasizes elimination of chemical inputs and promotes the use of fermented microbial cultures.
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has been shown to increase rice yields while using less water than conventional flooding methods.
Conservation agriculture practices have been widely adopted across all major agricultural states of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
10. Consider the following statements about India’s agricultural sector:
The share of agricultural land under pulses cultivation has shown significant increase over the last decade.
Commercial banks have surpassed cooperative banks in disbursement of agricultural credit in recent years.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is announced for 23 crops, but effective procurement mostly happens for rice and wheat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS
Answer 1: D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching a three-person crew into a 400-kilometre orbit for a three-day mission before safely returning them to Earth by landing in Indian sea waters.
Statement 2 is correct: The mission will use GSLV Mk III (now referred to as LVM3) launch vehicle for sending the crew module into space, as it is India’s most powerful rocket capable of carrying human payloads.
Statement 3 is correct: After successful completion of the Gaganyaan mission, India will become the fourth country to independently send humans to space, after Russia, USA, and China.
Answer 2: B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: XPoSat is not a joint mission with ESA. It is solely an ISRO mission and is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission for studying astronomical X-ray sources.
Statement 2 is correct: XPoSat is designed to study the dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions, providing valuable data about high-energy cosmic phenomena.
Statement 3 is correct: The satellite carries two scientific payloads – POLIX (X-ray Polarimeter) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) for comprehensive study of X-ray emissions from celestial sources.
Answer 3: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: NISAR is equipped with both L-Band and S-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems, which will enable comprehensive Earth observation across different radar frequencies.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The responsibilities are reversed – NASA is in charge of providing the L-Band SAR payload system, while ISRO is responsible for the S-Band SAR payload.
Statement 3 is correct: The satellite will map the Earth in a 12-day cycle, providing spatially and temporally consistent data to help scientists understand changes in the Earth’s ecosystems.
Answer 4: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: SPADEX is designed to demonstrate autonomous docking technologies in space, which is a critical capability for future space stations and complex space missions.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The mission involves two separate spacecraft (a twin spacecraft mission) that will demonstrate the capability to dock with each other in orbit, not a single spacecraft that separates.
Statement 3 is correct: One of SPADEX’s objectives is to control one spacecraft from the Attitude Control System of another spacecraft while they are docked, demonstrating advanced spacecraft control capabilities.
Answer 5: A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: As indicated in a 2020 UPSC Prelims question, genetic changes can be introduced in cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent (germline editing).
Statement 2 is correct: The CRISPR-Cas9 system works by using guide RNA molecules to identify specific DNA sequences, and the Cas9 protein (which is an enzyme) to cut the DNA at that specific location, allowing for precise genetic modifications.
Statement 3 is incorrect: In India, genome editing of human embryos is not currently allowed for therapeutic purposes. The regulatory framework is still evolving, with strict restrictions on genetic manipulation of human embryos.
Answer 6: B) 2 only
Explanation:
According to a 2020 UPSC Prelims question, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring.
Pronuclear Transfer involves removing the pronuclei (nuclei from the egg and sperm after fertilization but before they fuse) from a zygote with defective mitochondria and transferring them to an enucleated zygote with healthy mitochondria. This technique prevents the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA disorders.
RNA interference and induced pluripotent stem cells have various applications but are not specifically used to prevent mitochondrial disease transmission from mother to child.
Answer 7: A) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Based on a 2019 UPSC Prelims question:
Statement 1 is correct: RNAi is used in developing gene silencing therapies, which can suppress the expression of specific genes.
Statement 2 is correct: RNAi can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer by silencing oncogenes (cancer-causing genes).
Statement 3 is correct: RNAi can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens by silencing crucial viral genes.
Statement 4 is incorrect: While RNAi has many applications, it is not directly used for developing new antibiotics. Antibiotics typically target bacterial structures or processes, whereas RNAi primarily works on eukaryotic cells or viruses.
Answer 8: D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: As of now, Bt cotton remains the only genetically modified crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in India. Despite field trials of several other GM crops, regulatory approvals for commercial release have not been granted for any other crop.
Statement 2 is correct: Golden Rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene, which is a precursor of Vitamin A. This biofortified rice was developed to address Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries where rice is a staple food.
Statement 3 is correct: Gene silencing technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) can be used to develop crops resistant to specific insect pests by suppressing essential genes in the pest without introducing foreign proteins.
Answer 9: A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Zero Budget Natural Farming emphasizes elimination of chemical inputs and promotes the use of fermented microbial cultures like Jeevamrutha and Beejamrutha, which are made from cow dung, urine, jaggery, and other natural ingredients.
Statement 2 is correct: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has indeed been shown to increase rice yields while using less water than conventional flooding methods. It involves using younger seedlings, wider spacing, and maintaining soil moisture without continuous flooding.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While conservation agriculture practices (minimum tillage, permanent soil cover, crop rotation) are being promoted in India, they have not been widely adopted across all major agricultural states. Adoption remains concentrated in certain regions like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of western Uttar Pradesh.
Answer 10: B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: According to search result, the overall arable area dedicated to pulses has maintained a relatively consistent level for numerous years, fluctuating between 14-18 MT. The cultivation area has remained more or less stagnant over the last decade.
Statement 2 is correct: Scheduled commercial banks constitute the primary source of credit disbursement to the agriculture and allied sectors, accounting for approximately 78-80% of agricultural credit, followed by cooperative institutions (15-16%) and Regional Rural Banks (5%).
Statement 3 is correct: The government announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 23 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops. However, effective procurement operations are largely limited to rice and wheat, with limited procurement for other crops.