Daily Quiz 21 June 2024

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Location: Situated on the northern boundary of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh, India.
  • Geography: The area is characterized by vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, interspersed with patches of dense forests.
    • The Chambal river bisects the sanctuary into two distinct parts.
  • Forest: The region’s forest is classified as part of the Khatiyar-Gir dry deciduous forest.
  • Flora: The sanctuary features a variety of trees including Salai, Kardhai, Dhavada, Tendu, and Palash.
  • Fauna: It hosts a diverse array of wildlife such as Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Sambhar, Indian leopard, langur, Indian wild dog, peacock, otter, and crocodile.

Cultural Heritage: The sanctuary includes the Chaturbhuj Nala Rock Shelter, a site of archaeological and historical significance.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Hydrogen atoms consist of one proton and one electron, each possessing a characteristic known as spin.
• Spins can be aligned (both up or down) or anti-aligned (opposite directions).
• Anti-aligned spins result in higher energy states compared to aligned spins.
• When the electron in a hydrogen atom flips from an anti-aligned to an aligned spin, it emits electromagnetic radiation.
  • This radiation has a specific wavelength of 21 cm.
• This emission appears as a characteristic line in some detectors, known as the ‘hydrogen line‘.
• It was first discovered in 1951, marking a pivotal moment in radio astronomy.
• Applications in Astronomy: The hydrogen line allows for the detection of cold, neutral hydrogen gas in interstellar space.
  • It enabled the creation of the first map of the Milky Way galaxy and the identification of its spiral arms.
• Modern Uses: Astronomers use the 21 cm line to investigate the early galaxies of the universe and their first light emissions.
  • It is considered a potential method for transmitting information through space, possibly reaching extraterrestrial civilizations.

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Correct: The MMPR system is an electoral system that combines elements of the First Past the Post (FPTP) system and the Proportional Representation (PR) model to elect representatives in legislative bodies which allocates seats based on the overall vote share of parties.
• Statement 2 is Correct: In MMPR, voters typically cast two votes: one for a local candidate and another for a party list.
  • Constituency Vote: Each voter casts one vote for a candidate to represent their local electoral district, similar to the FPTP system. The candidate with the most votes in each district wins that district’s seat.
  • Party Vote: Voters also cast a second vote for a political party, independent of their candidate choice. This vote determines the overall proportion of seats each party should have in the legislature.
  • Allocation of Seats:
    • Direct Seats: These are filled by the candidates who win the constituency vote in each district.
    • List Seats: Additional seats are allocated to parties based on their share of the party votes, ensuring that the total seats a party holds are proportional to its party vote percentage.
  • Overhang and Compensation Seats: If a party wins more direct seats than their proportional share of the party vote would entitle them to, these are called “overhang seats.” To maintain proportionality across the legislature, additional “compensation seats” may be awarded to other parties.
• Statement 3 is Correct: MMPR aims to ensure that the proportion of seats a party receives in the legislature is reflective of its proportion of the total vote, achieving a more balanced and representative outcome.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Location: Situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.
• Island of Hispaniola:
  • Occupies the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola.
  • Shares a border with the Dominican Republic on the eastern side, Jamaica to the west and Cuba to the northwest.
• Capital and Major Cities:
  • The capital city is Port-au-Prince.
  • Other major cities include Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes, and Gonaïves.
• Population: Haiti has an estimated population of around 11 million people.
• Language: The official languages are Haitian Creole and French.
• Government:
  • It is the second oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States.
  • A president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government.
  • The political situation has been unstable, with frequent changes in leadership and ongoing challenges related to governance.
• Since its independence from France, Haiti’s development has been menaced by forces that run the gamut, including interference of foreign powers, domestic political malfeasance, natural disasters, social instability, and epidemics.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: Agnipath introduced on June 14, 2022.
  • Purpose: Recruits individuals for Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on four-year contracts, inclusive of six months training.
    • The overall intake has been capped at75 lakh till 2026.
    • Agniveers on completion of four years will get an opportunity to join regular cadre and up to 25% would be selected through another recruitment process.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • The applicant’s age must be between 17.5-21 years.
    • He must have obtained a class 10th degree.
    • The candidate needs to pass all the physical strength and medical fitness tests as per the standards of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • Statement 2 is Incorrect: Agniveers do not receive a pension after retirement, unlike regular military personnel.
    • Only 25% of Agniveers who continue in the forces after four years are eligible for pension benefits, and their initial four-year tenure does not count towards these benefits.
  • Statement 3 is Correct:
    • Salary: Agniveers earn a basic monthly salary between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000, plus additional risk and hardship allowances.
    • Seva Nidhi Fund: They contribute 30% of their monthly earnings to this fund, which is equally matched by the government.
    • Severance Package: Upon completing their service, Agniveers receive around Rs 11.71 lakhs (with interest) from the Seva Nidhi fund, tax-free.
    • Compensation in Case of Death: Families of Agniveers who died on duty get Rs 1 crore, including the Seva Nidhi, plus full pay for the uncompleted service period.
    • Disability Compensation: Agniveers disabled in service can receive up to Rs 44 lakh, based on the severity and service connection of the disability.