Set 37 of the Science & Technology mixed quiz has 20 multiple-choice questions from 16 different topics of the subject: Indian Satellites and NavIC, DRDO and Defence Technology, Mega Science Projects: ITER, CERN, LIGO-India and the Neutrino Observatory and more. 13 of them were asked in real previous-year papers. A topic quiz checks one chapter; this set revises the whole subject at once, the way an exam paper does, where the next question can come from any chapter. Every question carries an explanation of why the correct option is right and why the others are wrong. Keep to the timer, read the explanations at the end, and go back to the notes of any topic where you slipped.
20 questions with answers and explanations
Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?
Japan runs its own regional satellite navigation system, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), also called Michibiki.
Read the full explanation →With reference to 'LiFi', recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.
2. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than 'WiFi'.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
LiFi (Light Fidelity) sends data wirelessly by switching LED light on and off far too fast for the eye to notice, and it can be many times faster than WiFi.
Read the full explanation →Mission Shakti (DRDO) of India is related to which one among the following ?
Mission Shakti was India's first anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test. On 27 March 2019 DRDO fired a ground-launched interceptor from Dr. A.P.J.
Read the full explanation →The ITER project, the world largest fusion experiment, is being built in which country?
ITER is coming up at Saint-Paul-les-Durance in the Cadarache area of southern France, and its seven partners are the European Union, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States; the name is the Latin word for the way.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media ?
In a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System, a warhead is placed in a low orbit around the Earth and then brought down out of that orbit onto its target.
Read the full explanation →The strength of the static magnetic field of an MRI scanner is measured in which unit?
The tesla is the SI unit of magnetic flux density, and clinical MRI scanners commonly work at one and a half or three tesla, produced by a superconducting coil kept cold by liquid helium.
Read the full explanation →In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ?
For India, the Additional Protocol strengthens IAEA oversight of the civilian nuclear facilities India has chosen to place under safeguards; its military programme stays outside.
Read the full explanation →During gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments move towards which electrode, and why?
Each nucleotide of DNA carries a phosphate group, and the phosphate backbone gives the whole molecule a net negative charge at the pH used in the laboratory.
Read the full explanation →With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future ?
1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.
2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants.
3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Genome sequencing helps find useful genes, speeds up breeding and shows how pathogens attack crops. Genome sequencing reads the complete order of bases in an organism's DNA.
Read the full explanation →Under the foreign direct investment policy amended in 2024, foreign investment in satellite manufacturing and operation is allowed up to what level through the automatic route?
The amendment approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2024 divides space activities into three groups with different automatic-route ceilings.
Read the full explanation →In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Sputnik V uses adenovirus vectors and Covaxin uses killed (inactivated) virus; Covishield is not an mRNA vaccine. Covishield is the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine made in India by the Serum Institute.
Read the full explanation →Which statement correctly describes augmented reality?
In augmented reality the room, street or object in front of the user stays visible and images, text or sound are added on top of it, as when a camera labels a monument or a windscreen display shows directions.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 - 1000 physical qubits.
2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
The mission targets intermediate-scale quantum computers of 50 to 1000 physical qubits and is being carried out through four Thematic Hubs.
Read the full explanation →The Department of Biotechnology, which funds most biotechnology research in India, was set up in which year?
The Department of Biotechnology was created in 1986 under the Ministry of Science and Technology to give the subject a separate home, and it supports institutions, fellowships and national facilities; the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation also works under it.
Read the full explanation →In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements :
1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
H-CNG lowers carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions, and hydrogen up to about a fifth by volume can be mixed into CNG for buses.
Read the full explanation →The National Institute of Virology, a leading Indian laboratory for the study of viral diseases, is located in which city?
The National Institute of Virology is at Pune in Maharashtra and works under the Indian Council of Medical Research; it began in 1952 as the Virus Research Centre and it isolated the virus strain used in developing the indigenous whole virion inactivated vaccine Covaxin.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is the best description of 'INS Astradharini', that was in the news recently?
INS Astradharini is an Indian Navy ship built to launch torpedoes during trials and recover them afterwards. The vessel was commissioned at Visakhapatnam in 2015.
Read the full explanation →With reference to 'Quality Council of India (QCI)', consider the following statements:
1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry.
2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
QCI is a joint body of the government and industry, and its chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister on the industry's recommendation.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?
1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.
3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Samudrayaan is part of the Deep Ocean Mission and its vehicle Matsya-6000 is built to take three people into the deep sea; the mission belongs to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?
1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below:
GenomeIndia is India's own national programme, paid for by the Department of Biotechnology, and its goal is a reference catalogue of Indian genetic variation.
Read the full explanation →