Consider the following activities : 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, 1, 2 and 3. Drones are already used for all three jobs: spraying crops, looking into volcanic craters and catching whale breath for study.
Agricultural drones carry small tanks and nozzles and spray pesticides or liquid fertiliser evenly over a field, saving labour and keeping farmers away from the chemicals; India allows such use under its drone rules. Volcanologists fly drones fitted with cameras and gas sensors over active craters that are too hot or toxic for people to approach. Marine biologists use a drone often nicknamed "SnotBot" that hovers above a surfacing whale and collects the mist from its blowhole on Petri dishes, giving DNA, hormones and microbes without touching the animal.
A is wrong: it leaves out whale breath sampling, which drones already do.
B is wrong: it leaves out crop spraying, the most common farm use of drones.
C is wrong: it leaves out volcano inspection, a well-established drone task.
Exam tip: when UPSC lists drone uses that are dull, dangerous or delicate, "all of the above" is usually right.
Practice Questions
View allHindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first two indigenously designed and manufactured light combat aircrafts to the Indian Air Force in 2016. What is the name of these new combat aircrafts?
- A.Marut
- B.Garud
- C.Tejas
- D.Pushpak
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Tejas is India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, and the first two were handed over to the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2016 to form No. 45 Squadron, the Flying Daggers.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements about Bitcoin is/are correct? 1. It is a decentralized virtual currency. 2. It is generated through complex computer software systems. 3. The Reserve Bank of India recognized it as a legal tender in January 2016. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Bitcoin is a decentralised digital currency created by computer software, but the Reserve Bank of India has never made it legal tender.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is India's first indigenously designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms?
- A.Astra
- B.Akash
- C.Nirbhay
- D.Shankhnaad
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Nirbhay is the long-range subsonic cruise missile designed and developed in India by the DRDO. Nirbhay was developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bengaluru.
Read the full explanation →"Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge" (MANAK), a scheme under the flagship programme, Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), caters to :
- A.The college students studying in the undergraduate programme in the age group of 19 - 25 years.
- B.The research scholars in recognized research laboratories of national importance.
- C.The college teachers of the country.
- D.The school children studying in classes 6 - 10 in the age group of 10 - 15 years.
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Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- A.BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile made by India and Russian Federation.
- B.The name BrahMos came from two rivers, Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia.
- C.Indian military scientists were capable of integrating BrahMos cruise missile with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
- D.Defence Research and Development Organization is the manufacturer of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
Show answer
The Sukhoi-30 MKI is not made by DRDO; it was designed by Russia's Sukhoi bureau and is built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Nashik.
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