Q37moderateSimilar Sounding
In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for
(a) fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
(b) genetic modification of sperm producing cells
(c) development of stem cells into functional embryos
(d) prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (a) about in-vitro fertilization sounds plausible because pronuclear transfer involves manipulating fertilized eggs. But it's not about fertilization itself - it's about transferring the pronuclei from a fertilized egg with defective mitochondria into an enucleated donor egg with healthy mitochondria, producing a 'three-parent baby'.
Q38moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following ?
1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
3. Disease diagnosis
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 is a time-dependent trap. In 2020 when this exam was set, AI could NOT effectively create meaningful short stories and songs (GPT-2 era). Statement 5 is a physics concept (wireless power transmission) that has nothing to do with AI. Students may confuse AI applications with general technology. Note: by 2024+ this answer would change due to GPT-4/LLMs.
Q39moderatePartial Truth
With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct ?
1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm.
2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication.
3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth.
4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 is the trap. VLC is a SHORT-range communication technology (like Li-Fi), not long-range. It works within the range of visible light from LEDs. The word 'long-range' makes it false. Students may confuse it with other optical communication technologies like fiber optics.
Q40easy
With reference to "Blockchain Technology", consider the following statements :
1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.
2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.
3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody's permission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (d)
Q41easyCommon Misconception
With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements :
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 4 about biodegradability is the potential trap. Many students assume carbon nanotubes are NOT biodegradable (since they are synthetic nanomaterials). However, research has shown that certain enzymes (like peroxidases) can biodegrade carbon nanotubes. All four statements are correct.
Q42moderateAbsolute Qualifier
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
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 about collecting whale breath samples sounds far-fetched and is designed to make students doubt it. However, scientists have successfully used drones to fly through whale blow (spout) and collect samples on petri dishes. This innovative application has been documented in marine biology research. Students unfamiliar with cutting-edge drone uses may exclude this.
Q43moderate
"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to
(a) Voyager-2
(b) New Horizons
(c) LISA Pathfinder
(d) Evolved LISA
Answer: (d)
Q44moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements :
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 about injecting human stem cells into pig embryos sounds ethically outrageous and scientifically implausible, making students doubt it. However, this has been done - scientists at the Salk Institute created human-pig chimera embryos (2017). All three are technologically feasible, even if ethically controversial.
Q45easy
What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ?
1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q46easy
In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of
(a) Digital security infrastructure
(b) Food security infrastructure
(c) Health care and education infrastructure
(d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure
Answer: (a)
Q47easy
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ?
1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Q55moderateCommon Misconception
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not ?
(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium
(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) about uranium vs thorium is a trap. The distinction is NOT about the fuel type but about the SOURCE. Under the India-US nuclear deal and separation plan, reactors using imported fuel/technology are under IAEA safeguards, while those using domestic supplies (for strategic purposes) are not. Option (c) is wrong because all reactors are domestically operated.
Q76moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Steel slag can be the material for which of the following ?
1. Construction of base road
2. Improvement of agricultural soil
3. Production of cement
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 about agricultural soil improvement may surprise students who think of slag as industrial waste. However, steel slag is rich in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that can correct soil acidity and provide nutrients. It's used as a soil amendment, particularly in acidic soils. All three uses are well-established.
Q88easy
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements :
1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)