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Q.1- According to figures of 2015-16, which among the following indirect taxes were highest? A. Service tax B. Excise duty C. Custom duty D. Other sources Q.2- Which of the following is not correctly matched? A. New Horizon : Pluto B. MOM : Mercury C. Messenger : Mercury D. All are correctly matched Q.3- Which of the following is not part of Article 39 ? A. Equal right of adequate means for men and women B. ownership and control of resources distributed for common good C. health of strength of workers is not abused D. State shall secure equal justice and free legal aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Answer  1-B,  2-B,  3-D

Q1 - Which countries are part of solar alliance announced by India in COP 21? A. Countries above equator B. Countries Between tropic of cancer and capricorn C. Countries between equator and Tropic of Cancer D. Countries between equator and Tropic of Capricorn Q2 - Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Nuclear suppliers Group? 1. It was established after India’s first nuclear test. 2. Imp Decision in NSG are taken on the basis of two-third majority. 3. Presently there are 48 members in NSG A. 1,2 B. 2,3 C. 1,3 D. All. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Answer   1-B,  2-C

Q- Which of the following is correct regarding NISAR? A. It is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite. B. It is neon fuelled space vehicle of European Union C. It is a satellite of ISRO specifically designed for SAARC nations D. None of the above Q- Which of the following is not a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO? A. Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary B. Mahabodhi Temple C. Humayun Tomb D. Hemis national park Q- The price of any currency in international market is decided by the 1. World Bank 2. demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned 3. stability of the government of the concerned country 4. economic potential of the country in question Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

Global solar energy production is taking a major hit due to dust and atmospheric particulate matter, according to a new study. The airborne particles and their accumulation on solar cells are cutting energy output by more than 25 per cent in certain parts of the world. The study, which appeared in Environmental Science and Technology Letters journal on June 23, said that the regions that are hit the hardest are also the regions that have invested the most in solar energy installation. The regions include: China. India and Arabian Peninsula. "We always knew these pollutants were bad for human health and climate change, but now we've shown how bad they are for solar energy as well," says Michael Bergin, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University and lead author of the study. "My colleagues in India were showing off some of their rooftop solar installations, and I was blown away by how dirty the panels were. I thought the dirt had to affe...

When President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement, the landmark climate accord signed by 196 nations that came into force in November 2016, the decision caused a significant negative backlash among other signatory countries. Given that the US is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, its June 1 reneging on the deal delivered a blow to the global agreement. But, as many commentators were quick to point out, as long as other leaders didn’t follow Trump’s lead, it was largely a symbolic one. So far, the international response has confirmed this: a chain reaction of support for climate change mitigation, from grassroots up to the highest ranks of government. Making the planet great again China has reiterated its support for the Paris agreement, and India, the world’s fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, seems likely to continue the renewable energy revolution already underway there. Europe, led by Germany and France, is also stepping ...

A group of Indian taxonomists has rediscovered a wild plant after a gap of nearly 100 years. Called Ceropegia omissa H.Huber, the species was last seen in 1916. Prior to this, it was seen and collected only on two occasions—in 1835 and 1914. Interestingly, all the sightings have been made in a narrow region, within a radius of about 50 km in southern parts of the Western Ghats. The area of occurrence of this plant is close to Courtallam (or Kuttalam) in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, a tourism spot known for its waterfalls. The region from where it has been found is a biosphere reserve and thus, there would be not much difficulty in launching efforts to conserve it. Flowers are traded and propagated as ornamental plants. Credit: India Science Wire Flowers are traded and propagated as ornamental plants. Credit: India Science Wire The flowers of Ceropegia genus look like a fountain of wax. The scientific name was derived from this aspect: 'keros', meaning wax and...

The mining lease of multiple quarrying companies operating along the Parsik Hill near Navi Mumbai is up for review. An ongoing campaign, led by non-profit Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) and backed by four other NGOs, hopes to bring the environmental destruction to light and halt the quarrying. Air pollution levels around stone crusher units are hundred times the acceptable levels, according to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Quarrying along the 15-kilometre-long hill stretch has destroyed biodiversity, forests and affected the water table. Stalin D, director of non-profit Vanashakti says, “The Parsik hill range has the potential for an excellent venue for eco-tourism and adventure sports. Please save these beautiful forested hills from reckless destruction.” Ambiguous ownership Quarries were first allocated to locals who had given their land to the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), for the expansion of Navi Mumbai. Thes...