LANDSLIDES

1. Context

• The recent cases of land subsidence in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, captured the spotlight.
• On June 29, 2022, at least 79 people were killed in a landslide in the Noney district of Manipur.
• The risk analysis in the report was based on the density of human and livestock populations, which indicates the impacts on people due to these landslides.
• The disaster in Kedaranath in 2013 and the landslides caused by the devastating Sikkim earthquake in 2011 are also included in this atlas.

• Globally, landslides rank third in terms of deaths among natural disasters.
• However, deforestation due to unplanned urbanisation and human greed increases the risk of such incidents.
• In 2006, about 4 million people were affected by landslides, including a large number of Indians.
• India is among the four major countries where the risk of landslides is the highest; it added. If we look at the figures, about 0.42 million square kilometres in the country are prone to landslides, which is 12.6 per cent of the total land area of the country.
• However, the figure does not include snow-covered areas. Around 0.18 million sq km of landslide-prone areas in the country are in North East Himalayas, including Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas.
• Of the rest, 0.14 million sq km falls in North West Himalaya (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir); 90, 000 sq km in the Western Ghats and Konkan hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra) and 10, 000 sq km in Eastern Ghats of Aruku in Andhra Pradesh.

4. Reasons for landslides

• Sudden heavy rains due to climate change are also increasing landslides. Around 73 per cent of landslides in the Himalayan region are attributed to heavy rains and reduced water-absorbing capacity of the soil.
• Global climate change is causing heavy rainfall that erodes steep slopes with loose soil found in a 2020 study by the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi.
• Therefore, the increasing number of landslides can no longer be termed as just natural disasters, as human actions have also played a major role in it.

• Uttakarkhand, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh reported the highest number of landslides during 1998 – 2022
• Mizoram topped the list, recording 12,385 landslide events in the past 25 years, of which 8,926 were recorded in 2017 alone
• Likewise, 2,071 events of the total 2,132 landslides reported in Nagaland during this period occurred during the 2017 monsoon season
• Manipur, too, showed a similar trend, wherein 4,559 out of 5,494 landslide events were experienced during the rainy season of 2017, Of the total 690, Tamil Nadu suffered 603 landslide events in 2018 alone
• Among all these states, an alarming situation is emerging from Uttarakhand and Kerala

• While Uttarakhand’s fragility was recently exposed during the land subsidence events reported from Joshimath since January, this Himalayan state has experienced the second highest number (11,219) of landslides since 1998, all events since occurring post 2000
• The year-wise number of landslide events in the state is: 2003 (32), 2010 (307), 2012 (473), 2013 (6,610), 2017 (1), 2021 (329) and 2022 (1)
• The number of districts with the maximum landslide exposure are in Arunachal Pradesh (16), Kerala (14), Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (13 each), Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Maharashtra (11 each), Mizoram (8) and Nagaland (7)
• Kerala has been consistently reporting massive landslides since it suffered the century’s worst floods in 2018
• The year-wise landslide events here are 2018 (5,191), 2019 (756), 2020 (9) and 2021 (29).
• From the events and images obtained, the NRSC ranked Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand at the top of 147 vulnerable districts
• It has the highest landslide density in the country, along with having the highest exposure to total population and number of houses

For Prelims & Mains

Previous year questions

Source: The Down to Earth

FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION REGULATION ACT (FCRA)

1. Context

2. Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

• The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned "in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic". 
• Foreign funding in India is regulated under the FCRA act. Individuals are permitted to accept foreign contributions without the permission of MHA. However, the monetary limit for acceptance of such foreign contributions shall be less than Rs. 25,000.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India's affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organizations. These concerns were, in fact, even older- they had been expressed in Parliament as early as 1969.

3. Provisions of the Act

• The FCRA requires every person or NGO wishing to receive foreign donations to be registered under the act, to open a bank account for the receipt of foreign funds in the statute Bank of India, Delhi, and to utilize those funds only for which they have been received, and as stipulated in the act.
•  They are also required to file annual returns, and they must not transfer the funds to another NGO.
• The Act prohibits the receipt of foreign funds by candidates for elections, journalists or newspapers and media broadcast companies, judges and government servants, members of the legislature and political parties or their office-bearers, and organizations of a political nature.

4. Key Highlights of the 2020 Amendment

• It bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions. It prohibits the transfer of foreign contributions to any other person.
• Aadhar number is mandatory for all office bearers, directors, or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contributions, as an identification document.
• The foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as an FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
• No funds other than foreign contributions should be received or deposited in this account.
• It allowed the government to restrict the usage of unutilized foreign contributions. This may be done if, based on an inquiry the government believes that such a person has contravened provisions of the FCRA.
• While NGOs earlier could use up to 50 percent of funds for administrative use, the new amendment restricted this use to 20 percent.

5. Registration under FCRA

• NGOs that want to receive foreign funds must apply online in a prescribed format with the required documentation. FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations that have definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programs.
• Following the application, the MHA makes inquiries through the Intelligence Bureau into the antecedents of the applicant and accordingly processes the application. The MHA is required to approve or reject the application within 90 days-failing which is expected to inform the NGO of the reasons for the same.
• Once granted, FCRA registration is valid for five years. NGOs are expected to apply for renewal within six months of the date of expiry of registration. In case of failure to apply for renewal, the registration is deemed to have expired.

6. Cancellation of Approval

The government reserves the right to cancel the FCRA registration of any NGO if it finds it to violate the Act. Registration can be cancelled for a range of reasons including, if "in the opinion of the Central Government, the public interest must cancel the certificate". Once the registration of an NGO is canceled, it is not eligible for re-registration for three years. All orders of the government can be challenged in the High court.

 

For Prelims: FCRA, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, NGO, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). For Mains: 1. What is the Foreign contribution regulation act and discuss the new restrictions introduced by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020.

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1.Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. (Please refer GS-II Paper, 2015)

 

Source: The Indian Express

 

FISCAL DILEMMA

 

1. Context

Fiscal deficit, or difference between total expenditure and total revenue, at ₹15.77 lakh crore, stood at 4.8% based on latest provisional estimates of GDP for FY25; income tax collections fall short

2. Fiscal Deficit

• A fiscal deficit is a financial situation that occurs when a government's total expenditures exceed its total revenue or income during a specific period, usually a fiscal year.
• In simpler terms, it means that the government is spending more money than it is earning through various sources, such as taxes, fees, and other revenues.
• The fiscal deficit is an essential indicator of a country's financial health and reflects the gap between the money the government spends on public services, infrastructure projects, social welfare programs, defense, and interest payments on existing debts, and the money it collects from various sources.
• When a government faces a fiscal deficit, it needs to finance the shortfall through borrowing.
• Governments typically borrow money by issuing government bonds or taking loans from domestic or international financial institutions. The accumulated borrowing over time leads to the creation of national debt.

3. Causes of Fiscal Deficit

• Economic Downturns: During economic recessions or downturns, government revenues tend to decline as economic activity slows down. At the same time, government spending may increase to provide stimulus and support to the economy. This combination of reduced revenue and increased expenditure can lead to a fiscal deficit.
• Insufficient Tax Revenues: If a country's tax collection system is inefficient or ineffective, it may not generate enough revenue to cover the government's expenses. Low tax compliance rates, tax evasion, or outdated tax policies can contribute to a fiscal deficit.
• High Public Spending: Governments may have high spending commitments, including expenditures on public services, infrastructure development, defense, and social welfare programs. If spending is not matched with adequate revenue generation, it can result in a fiscal deficit.
• Social Welfare Programs: Social welfare initiatives, such as healthcare, education, unemployment benefits, and pension schemes, can be costly for the government. While they are essential for the well-being of citizens, funding these programs without appropriate revenue sources can lead to fiscal deficits.
• Interest Payments on National Debt: If a significant portion of the government's budget is allocated to servicing the interest on the accumulated national debt, it can strain the budget and contribute to a fiscal deficit.
• Infrastructure Investment: Governments often invest in long-term infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. While these investments can promote economic growth, they require substantial initial funding and can contribute to a temporary fiscal deficit.

4. Public debt

• Public debt, also known as government debt or national debt, refers to the total amount of money that a government owes to external creditors (such as foreign governments, international organizations, and investors) and domestic creditors (like individuals, banks, and institutions) resulting from past borrowing and deficit financing.
• It is a key component of a country's overall debt burden and is a measure of the government's accumulated financial liabilities over time.
• Governments borrow money to finance various activities, including infrastructure development, social welfare programs, defense, and other public services when their expenses exceed their revenues.
• The main sources of public debt include issuing government bonds, treasury bills, notes, and loans from domestic and foreign lenders.

Public debt can be classified into two main categories:

Internal Debt: This refers to the debt owed by the government to its own citizens and domestic institutions. Internal debt is denominated in domestic currency and is typically held in the form of government bonds, savings certificates, and other securities.

External Debt: This refers to the debt owed by the government to foreign lenders and entities. External debt is denominated in foreign currencies and may include loans from international financial institutions, foreign governments, and private investors.

5. Challenges of High Fiscal Deficits and Debt in India

• Debt-Dynamics Equation: When GDP growth surpasses effective interest rates on government bonds and there's no primary deficit, overall debt declines. However, financial repression to keep interest rates low can cause distortions in the economy.
• Costs of High Deficits: Carrying high deficits and debt has significant costs for the economy. Interest payments consume over 5% of GDP and 25% of revenue, hindering investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• Impact on Fiscal Policy: High debt levels limit the government's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal policies and respond to economic shocks effectively.
• Captive Debt Market: The debt market in India is primarily dominated by commercial banks and insurance companies, leading to limited resources for lending to the manufacturing sector and higher borrowing costs.
• Impact on Sovereign Rating: High deficits and debt can lead to lower sovereign ratings, increasing the cost of external commercial borrowing.
• Inter-generational Burden: Large deficits and debt burden future generations as today's borrowing is taxing tomorrow.
• Regional Disparities: States like Punjab, Kerala, Rajasthan, and West Bengal face higher debt-to-GSDP ratios, exacerbating economic challenges.
• Green Transition: High debt levels may impede funding for emerging priorities like transitioning to a green economy.
• Difficulty in Calibration: High debt makes it difficult to calibrate fiscal policies effectively to address economic fluctuations.
• Need for Prudent Fiscal Management: Addressing high deficits and debt requires prudent fiscal management to ensure sustainable economic growth and development.

6. Challenges of Fiscal Consolidation and Policy Interventions

• Achieving the recommended debt-to-GDP ratio of 58.2% (14th Finance Commission) seems unfeasible in the medium term.
• Even before the pandemic, aggregate public debt was at 74.3% in 2019-20, reaching 89.7% in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
• Despite a nominal GDP recovery of 18.5% in 2021-22, the debt ratio declined only slightly to 85.7%.
• The high primary deficit in 2022-23 (3.7% of GDP) and budgeted deficit in 2023-24 (over 3%) indicate persistently elevated debt levels.
• The stable Goods and Services Tax (GST) platform is expected to improve tax administration and compliance, increasing the tax-GDP ratio by 1.5 to 2 percentage points in the medium term.
• The need to reconsider the state's role and vacate activities better suited for the market rather than competing with it.
•  The slow pace of disinvestment at the central level is a concern.
• Enforcing rules on States' borrowing is crucial to impose hard budget constraints and ensure macroeconomic stability.
• Cash transfers are preferred over subsidizing commodities and services for effective redistribution.
•  The Union government should lead by example in following and enforcing fiscal responsibility rules effectively in States.

For Prelims: Fiscal deficit, public debt, fiscal consolidation, 14th finance commission, Tax-GDP ratio. For Mains: 1. Discuss the concept of public debt and its significance in the context of fiscal sustainability. Examine the key sources of public debt and the reasons why governments resort to borrowing. (250 words).

 Source: The Hindu

 

 

MOTHER TONGUE OF INDIA

1. Context 

Early education in mother tongue lays a strong foundation for later academic achievement.

2. MTSI

• The Mother Tongue Survey of India is a project that "Surveys the mother tongues, which are returned consistently across two and more Census decades".
• It also documents the linguistic features of the selected languages.
• The report states that the NIC and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) will be documenting and preserving the linguistic data of the surveyed mother tongues in audio-video files.
• Video-graphed speech data of Mother Tongues will also be uploaded on the NIC survey for archiving purposes.

3. Mother Tongues in India 

• As per an analysis of 2011 linguistic census data in 2018, more than 19, 500 languages or dialects are spoken in India as mother tongues.
• The category "Mother's tongue" is a designation provided by the respondent, but it need not be identical to the actual linguistic medium.
• After subjecting the 19, 569 returns to linguistic scrutiny, editing and rationalisation, they were grouped into 121 mother tongues in India.

3.1 Most widely spoken mother tongues

• According to the 2011 linguistic census, Hindi is the most widely spoken mother tongue, with 52.8 crores of people or 43.6 per cent of the population declaring it as the mother tongue.
• The next highest is Bengali, the mother tongue of 9.7 crores individuals, accounting for 8 per cent of the population.

4. Impact of Mother Tongue on children's education 

• The new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for the foundational stages of education, launched by the Education Minister last month, has recommended that the mother tongue should be the primary medium of instruction in schools for children up to eight years of age.
• The focus on the mother tongue as the medium of instruction, especially for primary schooling, has been a feature of education policies for years, the latest push for the use of the mother tongue has come after repeated policy articulations in favour of the Central Government.

The New NCF deals with preschool and Classes I-II, emphasising the virtues of the mother tongues as the primary medium of instruction, saying that by the time children join preschool, they acquire significant competence in the "home language".

 

• According to the NCF, evidence from research confirms the importance of teaching children in their mother tongue during the foundational years and beyond.
• Since children learn concepts most rapidly and deeply in their home language, the primary medium of instruction would optimally be the child's home language or Mother tongue or Familiar language in the Foundational Stage.

5. Status of the Population census

• The forthcoming decennial population census will be the 16th since the first exercise was conducted in 1872.
• It will be the eighth census since independence.
• The census was supposed to take place in 2021 but was postponed due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• To ensure efficient processing and quick release of data and it has adopted some new initiatives which include digital processing and the use of geospatial technology.
• The pre-census mapping activities like the preparation and updating of maps that show administrative units will be carried out.
• Census results will be disseminated via web-based interactive maps.
• Jurisdictional changes that occurred in the country after Census 2011 till 31-12-2019 have been updated in the geo-referenced database and more than 6 lakh maps (district or sub-district or village level) have been prepared and uploaded for census functionaries.

For Prelims & Mains 

For Prelims: Mother Tongue Survey of India, National Informatics Centre (NIC), National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), National Curriculum Framework (NCF), population census, geospatial technology. For Mains: 1. What is the Mother Tongue Survey of India Discuss the impact of the Mother Tongue on children's education. (250 Words) 2. How many “mother tongues” does India have, and what is spoken the most? Discuss the status of the population census. (250 words)

 

Source: The Indian Express 

 

 

PARIS AGREEMENT

1. Context

If the world gets warmer by 2.7°C due to the current trajectory of climate policies, only 24% of the world’s present-day glaciers will remain, said a new study published in Science signalling that glaciers are more sensitive to global warming than had been previously estimated

2. What is Paris Agreement?

• Paris Agreement is a multinational agreement that was signed as part of the UNFCCC with the intention of reducing and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
• 196 nations ratified the climate change agreement at the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris in December 2015. It is an international agreement that is binding on all parties involved.
• Achieving the long-term temperature goal was the purpose of the Paris Climate Accord. To attain a world without greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century, nations strive to peak global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.
• The Paris Climate Accord's major objective is to keep global warming well below 2° Celsius and ideally below 1.5° Celsius in comparison to pre-industrial levels.
• The Paris Agreement is a watershed moment in the multilateral climate change process because it brings all nations together for the first time in a binding agreement to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

3. COP21

• To keep the rise in the average world temperature to well under 2°C above pre-industrial levels. To continue making efforts to keep global warming to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels, knowing that doing so would greatly lessen the dangers and effects of climate change.
• The Agreement also mentions achieving the global peaking of emissions by the middle of the century while taking into account the fact that developing nation Parties will have a longer peaking period.

4. What are NDCs

• At the Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place in Paris in December 2015, nations from all over the world pledged to establish a new global climate agreement by that time.
• In advance of a new international agreement, nations have committed to publicly state their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or the climate activities they plan to take after 2020.
• The 2015 agreement's ambitious goals and whether the world is put on a course toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future will be largely determined by the INDCs.
• The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of India has also been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Countries communicate actions they will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement's goals in their NDCs.
• Countries also communicate actions they will take to build resilience to adapt to the effects of rising temperatures in their NDCs.

Image Source: The Hindu

5. Highlights of the report on the performance of the Paris Agreement

• After the signing of the Agreement, the last eight years (2015-2022) have consecutively been the warmest years on record globally.
• The situation could have been far worse if the La Nina weather event had not occurred in the past three years, which has a cooling effect on the weather system.
• Globally updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius have failed even to achieve a 2-degree Celsius target.
• The Paris Agreement has not been able to equitably phase out fossil fuels predominantly responsible for the climate crisis.
• Neither the NDCs nor the disaster risk reduction and climate risk management plans are in place to combat climate-induced extreme weather phenomena.

6. A series of climate records fell over in 2022, the report showed. 

• Global mean temperature rising: The global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15°C, ranging from 1.02°C to 1.28°C above the 1850–1900 average. This was the highest on record for the past eight years. The value is about 0.2°C higher than the statistic before 2015. The pre-industrialisation era is considered a benchmark as there was no significant anthropogenic emission at the time.
• Record melting of Antarctica ice: Sea ice in Antarctica dropped to an all-time low, 1.92 million square kilometres, on February 25, 2022. This was almost a million sq km below the mean of the last three decades till 2020. 
• Greenhouse gases surged: The levels of three major greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — continued to increase in 2022. The data shows that growth rates of all three gases have increased around 20 per cent compared to 2011-15 levels.
• Sea level rise doubled: Global mean sea level continued to rise in 2022. It has doubled to 4.62 millimetres per year during 2013–2022 from 2.27 mm recorded in the first decade of the satellite record (1993–2002). The rate of increase quickened after 2015. Ocean heat content, which measures this gain in energy, reached a new observed record.
• Record thinning of glaciers: Long-term observational data is available for glaciers, which were found to have thinned over 1.3 metres between October 2021 and October 2022. The loss is much larger than before. The cumulative thickness loss since 1970 amounts to almost 30 metres.
• More than half of the oceans saw marine heatwaves in 2022:  Despite continuing La Nina conditions, 58 per cent of the ocean surface experienced at least one marine heatwave during 2022. 
• Heatwaves killed 15,000 in Europe: Record-breaking heatwaves affected China and Europe during the summer, with excess deaths associated with the heat in Europe exceeding 15000. Casualties were reported across Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Portugal.
• 1,600 suffered deaths from weather extremes in India: India suffered from significant flooding at various stages during monsoon, particularly in the northeast in June, with over 700 deaths reported from flooding and landslides and a further 900 from lightning.

For Prelims: Paris Agreement, Conference of the Parties (COP 21), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNFCCC, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). For Mains: 1. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC 2021)

 

Previous year Question 1. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2016) 1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017. 2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility for global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries cope with climate change.   Select the correct answer using the code given below A. 1 and 3 only B.  2 only C.  2 and 3 only D.  1, 2 and 3 Answer: B   2. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of ( UPSC 2016) A. pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East B. plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change C. capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank D. plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals Answer: B

Source: Down to Earth

 

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

1. Context

The ability of PM2.5 air pollutants to cause damage to cells increases sharply after concentration levels cross a certain threshold value, new research has found.

 

2. The Air Quality Index (AQI)

The AQI is a colour-coded index launched under the Swachh Bharat campaign to simplify the understanding of pollution levels. It helps convey the condition of the air and guides appropriate measures based on the severity of pollution. The AQI consists of six categories, each with a corresponding colour code: 'Good' (0-50), 'Satisfactory' (51-100), 'Moderately Polluted' (101-200), 'Poor' (201-300), 'Very Poor' (301-400) and 'Severe' (401-500).

3. Calculation of AQI

• To calculate the AQI, a technical study was conducted by an expert group, including medical professionals, air quality experts, and academics.
• Various pollutants, such as PM10, PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon, and others, are measured.
• Each pollutant is assigned a weight based on its impact on human health.
• The composite air quality index is determined by combining these weights, simplifying multiple data points into a single number and colour to represent overall air quality.
• Monitoring stations across the country assess these pollutant levels.

4. Impact of Pollutants on Health

• Among the most harmful pollutants are fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, which has a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometres.
• PM2.5 particles can easily enter the circulatory system, bypassing the nose and throat.
• They are associated with respiratory problems and reduced visibility, posing health risks such as asthma, heart attacks, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.

5. Influence on Government Policy

• Governments, especially in areas like Delhi, use the AQI to announce measures to combat air pollution.
• When the AQI in the National Capital Region (NCR) reaches the 'severe' category, Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented.
• GRAP is designed for emergency measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
• Specific actions may include prohibiting the use of non-BS-VI-compliant diesel four-wheelers and restricting the entry of trucks into the city while allowing petrol cars to continue operating as usual.

6. Conclusion

The Air Quality Index is an essential tool that simplifies the understanding of air pollution, assesses its health impacts, and influences government policies and actions to combat deteriorating air quality. As Mumbai braces for worsening air quality, the AQI will continue to be a critical resource for both the government and the public.

 

For Prelims: Air Pollution, Air Quality Index, PM 2.5, PM 10, BS-VI Vehicles, Graded Response Action Plan, National Capital Region, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon,  For Mains:  1. With the onset of worsening air quality in Mumbai, discuss the importance of the AQI as a critical resource for both the government and the public. How can the AQI assist in addressing air pollution-related challenges in the upcoming winter months? (250 Words)

 

Previous Year Questions 1. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (UPSC 2016) Carbon dioxide Carbon monoxide Nitrogen dioxide Sulfur dioxide Methane Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3 only      B. 2, 3 and 4 only   C. 1, 4 and 5 only     D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer: B 2. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (UPSC 2020) Automobile exhaust Tobacco smoke Wood burning Using varnished wooden furniture Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3 only  B. 2 and 4 only   C. 1, 3 and 4 only     D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer: A 3. What is the ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’? (UPSC 2016) (a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions (b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies. (c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022 (d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank Answer: A 4. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among (UPSC 2013) (a) NO2, O3 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight (b) CO, O2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight (c) CO, CO2 and NO2 at low temperature (d) high concentration of NO2 O3 and CO in the evening Answer: A   5. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of the environment (UPSC 2013, 2022) (a) Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen (b) Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide (c) Ozone and Carbon Dioxide (d) Nitrous Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide  Answer: D   6. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for (UPSC 2017) (a) Measuring oxygen level in blood (b) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems (c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystem (d) Assessing oxygen levels in high-altitude regions Answer: C 7. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently published the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, in 2020. Which of the following statements is correct about EIA? (Punjab Civil Service 2020) 1. It predicts the effect of a proposed industrial/infrastructural project on the environment. 2. It prevents the proposed activity/project from being approved without proper oversight or taking adverse consequences into account. 3. It compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits. 4. As per the new notification, Coal and non-Coal mineral prospecting and solar photovoltaic projects do not need prior environmental clearance. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. Only 1 and 2 B. Only 2, 3 and 4 C. Only 1, 2 and 3 D. Only 1, 2 and 4 Answer: D   8.  Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in (NDA 2017) A. Washington        B. Geneva         C. Moscow         D.  London   Answer: B     9. With reference to the 'Global Climate Change Alliance', which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2017) 1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets. 3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 and 2 only            B. 3 only           C. 2 and 3 only              D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: A   10. The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. IPCC stands for: (RRB NTPC CBT 2 2022) A. Intergovernmental Provision on Climate Change B. International Panel on Climate Change C. International Provision on Climate Change D. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change   Answer: D     11. Comprehension (SSC CHSL 2020)   Direction: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. Forest fire always (1) ______ by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused. Natural fire is generally (2) ______ by lightning, with a very small percentage (3) ______ by spontaneous combustion of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. (4) ______, human-caused fire can happen (5) ______ any number of reasons. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1. A. takes up    B. happens    C. causes    D. creates   Answer: B   12. Which of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the (UPSC 2020)  A. long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 emission in a given year. B. requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels. C. efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place. D. contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.   Answer: A   13. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs (UPSC 2012) A. the water vapour of the air and retains its heat B. the ultraviolet part of the solar radiation C. all the solar radiations D. the infrared part of the solar radiation   Answer: D   14. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of a balanced diet, to avoid unhealthy weight gain, total fat should NOT exceed _______ of total energy intake. (UPSSSC Mandi Inspector 2019) A. 20%         B.  30%        C. 10%          D. 40%   Answer: B   15. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems? (UPSC 2012) 1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water. 2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water. 3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only        B. 2 and 3 only          C. 1 and 3 only         D. 1, 2 and 3   Answer: A   16. Which of the following ultraviolet rays is more dangerous? (UPTET 2017) A. UV-A        B. UV-B          C.  UV-C          D.  None of the above   Answer: C   17. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)  1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment. 2. Cattle release ammonia into environment. 3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 3 only         B. 2 and 3 only          C. 2 only          D.  1, 2 and 3   Answer: D   18. Which of the following is a VOC? (MP Vyapam 2022)  A. Toulene          B. Water            C. Carbon dioxide          D. Carbon monoxide   Answer: A   19. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are of great concern because (UGC NET  Environmental Science  2020) A. Once such compounds are in the vapour state, they are difficult to control in the environment. B. Most of them are ozone depleting substances C. They contribute to a general increase in reactive hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. D. They are less soluble in water.   Answer: C

 Source: The Indian Express