The concept of 'Land Degradation Neutrality' (LDN) is central to global efforts against desertification. What does Land Degradation Neutrality aim to achieve by a specified target year?
A To halt all forms of land degradation globally.
B To restore degraded lands to a level where the amount of healthy, productive land is maintained or increased.
C To convert all degraded lands into forests.
D To reduce the rate of desertification by 50%.
Answer: B
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is a global target under the UNCCD, aiming to achieve a balance between the amount of land that is degraded and the amount of land that is restored. It seeks to ensure that the amount of healthy and productive land is maintained or increased, rather than eliminating all degradation, which is often not feasible.
32.
India has launched several initiatives to combat desertification. Which of the following is a prominent national programme contributing to this effort?
A National Mission for Green India.
B Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
C National Afforestation Programme (NAP).
D All of the above.
Answer: D
All the mentioned programmes contribute significantly to combating desertification in India. The National Mission for Green India focuses on increasing forest and tree cover, PMKSY aims to improve water use efficiency in agriculture, and the National Afforestation Programme specifically targets afforestation in degraded forest lands, all of which are crucial for desertification control.
33.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a key international framework for addressing land degradation. In 2026, which of the following is a significant focus area for new initiatives aimed at desertification control?
A Promoting drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient irrigation techniques.
B Implementing large-scale afforestation projects in arid and semi-arid regions.
C Enhancing community participation and traditional knowledge in land restoration.
D All of the above.
Answer: D
New initiatives for desertification control in 2026, aligned with UNCCD goals, typically encompass a multi-pronged approach. This includes promoting drought-resistant crops and water-efficient irrigation, undertaking large-scale afforestation, and crucially, integrating community participation and traditional knowledge for sustainable land management and restoration.
34.
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) is envisioned as a platform where individuals and organizations can earn credits for undertaking specific environmental activities. Which of the following is NOT a category of environmental activity eligible for generating green credits under the GCP?
A Water conservation and management.
B Waste management and circular economy.
C Sustainable agriculture and soil health.
D Industrial pollution control through technological upgrades.
Answer: D
While industrial pollution control is crucial, the GCP primarily focuses on incentivizing direct environmental stewardship activities like afforestation, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. Technological upgrades for pollution control, while beneficial, are not directly incentivized as a credit-generating activity under the current framework of GCP.
35.
Under the Green Credit Programme (GCP), who is primarily responsible for developing and issuing guidelines for the registration of landowners and the generation of green credits?
A The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
B The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
C The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
D The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Answer: C
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been designated as the primary agency responsible for developing and issuing guidelines for the registration of landowners and the generation of green credits under the GCP. This ensures scientific rigor and standardized methodologies.
36.
The Green Credit Programme (GCP), launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aims to incentivize environmentally positive actions. Which of the following is a key objective of the GCP?
A To promote afforestation and reforestation activities.
B To encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
C To facilitate the trading of environmental goods and services.
D All of the above.
Answer: D
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) aims to create a market-based mechanism to encourage environmentally positive actions. Its objectives include promoting afforestation, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, waste management, and air pollution reduction, thereby facilitating the trading of environmental goods and services.
37.
Which of the following missile systems is a primary offensive armament of the Project 15B destroyers like INS Surat?
A Akash missile
B Prithvi missile
C BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
D Agni missile
Answer: C
The Project 15B destroyers, including INS Surat, are equipped with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as their primary offensive anti-ship and land-attack weapon. They also carry the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system.
38.
How many destroyers are planned under the Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) for the Indian Navy, including INS Surat?
A 3
B 4
C 5
D 6
Answer: B
The Project 15B program includes four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers: INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, INS Imphal, and INS Surat. All four are expected to be in service by 2026.
39.
INS Surat, which recently gained momentum in India's indigenous destroyer program, belongs to which class of destroyers?
A Kolkata-class
B Visakhapatnam-class
C Delhi-class
D Rajput-class
Answer: B
INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers. This class is a follow-on to the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers.
40.
Which of the following is the lead ship of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates?
A INS Visakhapatnam
B INS Nilgiri
C INS Shivalik
D INS Talwar
Answer: B
INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. It was launched in 2019 and is expected to be commissioned by 2025.
