UPSC Prelims 2016 Analysis

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Bitcoins are not tracked by central banks in the same way as traditional fiat currencies. Instead of a centralized tracking system, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a decentralized public ledger called the blockchain. However, this ledger does not inherently link transactions to individual users, as Bitcoin addresses function pseudonymously rather than being tied directly to identities.

Statement 2 is correct: Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from another Bitcoin address. These addresses function similarly to account numbers but do not necessarily require identity verification, making transactions more accessible and less dependent on traditional banking systems.

Statement 3 is correct: Bitcoin enables online payments with a degree of anonymity. While all transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain, the identities of the sender and receiver are not explicitly revealed, only their Bitcoin addresses appear. However, absolute anonymity is not guaranteed, as advanced blockchain analysis can sometimes trace transactions back to individuals.

Hence the correct answer is option B. 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10) is an experimental, hybrid-electric aircraft developed and tested by NASA as part of its research into advanced aeronautics.

Key Features of GL-10:

1. Hybrid-electric Design: The GL-10 is a subscale, remotely-piloted aircraft that integrates both electric and conventional propulsion for efficiency and flexibility.
2. VTOL Capability: It is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, meaning it can take off and land like a helicopter but transition into fixed-wing flight for greater range and efficiency.
3. Potential Applications: NASA is testing the GL-10 as a future unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with potential applications in cargo transport, surveillance, and scientific research.
4. Distributed Electric Propulsion: The aircraft showcases distributed electric propulsion technology, which uses multiple electric motors and propellers to enhance thrust, control, and efficiency, paving the way for more advanced electric aircraft in the future.

Explanation

Neem-coated Urea dissolves more slowly compared to normal Urea, which helps prevent leaching and ensures a gradual release of nitrogen into the soil. Neem has inhibitory properties that reduce nitrogen loss at multiple stages, including volatilization and denitrification. By slowing down the conversion of Urea into nitrate, it minimizes excess nitrate accumulation, reducing denitrification losses and improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops.

To curb misuse and diversion of highly subsidized Urea to the chemical industry, the Government of India made it mandatory for all Urea manufacturers to Neem-coat 100% of their production. This move not only ensures that Urea is used exclusively for agriculture but also enhances soil fertility and crop productivity by improving nitrogen retention.

Explanation

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of banana, Musa indandamanensis, in the remote tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island. This remarkable species stands out for its exceptional height, reaching up to 11 meters, nearly three times taller than common banana plants.

Located 16 km inside the Krishna Nalah forest, this species is globally distinct due to its unique green flowers, an unusually large fruit bunch axis (lux) thrice the size of regular banana species, and cylindrical-shaped flowers instead of the typical conical form. Additionally, the fruit pulp is orange, differing from the usual white or yellow found in common bananas.

This discovery adds significant value to botanical research and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the unique flora of the Andaman Islands.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: DigiLocker is a cloud-based digital locker system launched by the Government of India under the Digital India Programme. Its primary objective is to reduce reliance on physical documents by providing secure digital storage and access to e-documents issued by government departments, educational institutions, and other entities.

Statement 2 is correct: DigiLocker enables users to access their electronic documents (e-documents) anytime, anywhere, provided they have an internet connection. This enhances convenience, eliminates the need to carry physical documents, and ensures secure and verifiable digital storage.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Mangalyaan is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). This was its official designation.

Statement 2 is incorrect: India was not the second country to orbit Mars. Several countries had successfully sent spacecraft to Mars before Mangalyaan, including the USA, Russia, and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Statement 3 is correct: India was indeed the only country at that time to succeed in placing a spacecraft into Martian orbit on its very first attempt. This was a significant achievement for ISRO.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Viruses that infect bacteria are known as bacteriophages or phages. These viruses use bacterial cells as hosts to replicate and propagate.

Statement 2 is correct: Certain viruses, called mycoviruses, can infect and replicate within fungal cells, using them as hosts.

Statement 3 is correct.Viruses that infect plants are known as plant viruses. They can hijack the cellular machinery of plant cells to replicate and spread within the plant.

Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. India is the 5th country to join the space observatory elite list after the USA, Russia, Japan, and Europe.

Statement 2 is incorrect: AstroSat with a lift-off mass of about 1513 kg was launched into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 degrees to the equator by PSLV-C30.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Explanation

INS Astradharini is an indigenously built torpedo launch and recovery vessel for the Indian Navy.

Explanation

The movie The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the life of the famous Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. It portrays his journey from India to England and his collaboration with the British mathematician G.H. Hardy.

Explanation

The transcriptome refers to the complete set of RNA molecules present in a single cell or a population of cells at a given time. It can include all types of RNA or be limited to messenger RNA (mRNA), depending on the experiment's focus.

Unlike the exome, which represents only the protein-coding regions of DNA, the transcriptome captures the actively expressed genes by identifying RNA molecules and their relative abundance. This provides crucial insights into gene expression patterns, cellular functions, and responses to environmental changes.

Explanation

Project Loon was an ambitious initiative by Loon LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company), aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions worldwide.

The project deployed high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere, equipped with networking technology to create an aerial wireless network, functioning like floating cell towers. These balloons were designed to deliver internet access in disaster-hit areas and regions with poor infrastructure.

However, despite its technological success, Project Loon was discontinued in January 2021 due to difficulties in achieving commercial sustainability.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) utilizes light waves for data transmission. It uses rapid flickering of light, invisible to the human eye, to carry information.

Statement 2 is correct: Li-Fi is a wireless technology and has the potential to be significantly faster than Wi-Fi. While actual speeds depend on various factors, Li-Fi boasts theoretical speeds exceeding 100 Gbps compared to the current Wi-Fi standards offering up to 11 Gbps.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Explanation

India is a key participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a global nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject. ITER is set to become the world's largest magnetic confinement plasma physics experiment, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, sustainable energy source.

India's involvement in ITER provides technological expertise, research collaboration, and industrial capabilities, which can significantly contribute to its future efforts in developing nuclear fusion reactors for commercial power generation. By participating in this international project, India gains access to cutting-edge advancements in fusion technology, potentially paving the way for its own fusion-based energy infrastructure. Hence, the correct answer is option D.