PYQ Bank — UPSC Civil Services

Statement 1 is correct: guide RNA directs Cas9 to specific DNA sequences for precise editing.

Statement 2 is incorrect: CRISPR-Cas9 can be used in both somatic and germline cells, though germline editing raises ethical concerns.

Statement 3 is correct: CRISPR-Cas9 is derived from bacterial immune mechanisms that bacteria use against viruses.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Option C is incorrect because dark matter has NOT been directly observed or photographed, despite decades of research.

Its existence is inferred through indirect gravitational effects on visible matter and radiation.

Options A, B, and D are all correct: dark matter comprises ~85% of matter in the universe, its existence was inferred from galaxy rotation curves, and it forms halos around galaxies affecting their dynamics.

Dark matter remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in physics.

Statements 1, 2, and 3 correctly describe mechanisms of antibiotic resistance: bacteria can enzymatically inactivate antibiotics, acquire resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer from other bacteria, and mutations conferring resistance are selected for under antibiotic pressure.

Statement 4 is incorrect because antibiotic exposure does not directly cause permanent genetic changes; rather, it selects for pre-existing or newly mutated resistant variants.

Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies to combat antibiotic resistance, a major global health threat.

Ecological debt refers to the historical responsibility and obligation of developed nations due to their disproportionate consumption of global resources and emission of greenhouse gases since industrialization, which has degraded the global environment.

This concept acknowledges that developed nations owe a debt to developing nations for the environmental damage caused.

Option A refers to conservation obligations, Option C refers to economic costs of environmental measures, and Option D describes ecological footprint—none of which capture the essence of ecological debt.

The concept is central to climate justice discussions and frames environmental accountability in terms of historical responsibility.

Statement 1 is correct—the NAPCC identifies eight core national missions including missions on solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and others.

Statement 2 is incorrect as the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Shram Kalyan Yojana is a social security scheme for mine workers, not one of the NAPCC missions.

Statement 3 is correct as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the eight core missions explicitly addressing agricultural sustainability and water management.

The NAPCC was approved in 2008 and serves as India's comprehensive climate change policy framework.

Statement 1 is incorrect because Reserved Forests, while protected, do allow some regulated extractive activities like timber harvesting and non-timber forest product collection under management plans, unlike National Parks which prohibit extractive use.

Statement 2 is correct as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 establishes these three categories of Protected Areas with varying levels of protection.

Statement 3 is correct as Community Forests and Community Reserves represent participatory forest management where local communities have significant roles in management and benefit-sharing.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, reflecting India's multi-layered conservation approach combining state protection with community participation.

The IMO 2030 sulfur cap regulations (implemented in 2020, with enhanced targets for 2030) do require reduction in sulfur content and aim to reduce air pollution-related health impacts.

However, statement 3 is incorrect as the regulations provided transition periods and exemptions for certain ships, particularly those with scrubber technology.

The regulations represent a significant environmental initiative to combat marine pollution and its health consequences.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework established ambitious targets including the protection of at least 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030 and the reduction of subsidies harmful to biodiversity.

Statement 3 is incorrect because benefit-sharing from genetic resources is meant to be equitable and benefit all nations, particularly developing countries rich in biodiversity, under the principles of the Nagoya Protocol.

Statements 1 and 2 correctly reflect key commitments of this landmark biodiversity agreement.

COP28 achieved historic milestones including the establishment of a 'Loss and Damage Fund' to support vulnerable nations facing climate impacts, and made language about 'transitioning away' from fossil fuels in energy systems, marking a significant shift in global climate negotiations.

However, statement 3 is incorrect as the conference did not commit to phasing out coal by 2030; the language was more cautious, focusing on transitioning away from fossil fuels without specifying a fixed timeline for coal phase-out.

Statements 1 and 2 represent genuine breakthroughs at COP28.