Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – February 12-13, 2023 [Mock Test]
February 25, 2023 February 25, 2023
1. Consider the following statements about Albula-Bernina route:
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The world’s longest passenger train in Russia passes through it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- The world’s longest passenger train was operationalized in Switzerland during the 175th anniversary of Swiss Railways. The passenger train is 9 km-long, having 100 coaches. It travelled 15.5 miles from the Albula Tunnel in Preda to the Landwasser Viaduct, at the outskirts of Filisur.
- The journey ended at Bergün. It travelled via the famous Albula-Bernina route – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rhaetian Railway’s Albula and Bernina lines were recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage in 2008.
2. With respect to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:
- It is a constellation of seven satellites.
- Three satellites in geosynchronous orbit and four satellites in geostationary orbit.
- Its services will be available to regions extending up to 500 km from Indian boundaries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- NavIC or the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24×7.
- There are a total of eight satellites however only seven remain active.
- Three satellites in geostationary orbit and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
- The constellations’ first satellite (IRNSS-1A) was launched on 1stJuly 2013 and the eighth satellite IRNSS-1I was launched in April 2018.
- It will provide two types of services: Standard positioning service meant for all users and restricted service which may be encrypted service provided only to authorised users (military and security agencies).
- It is designed to provide accurate real-time positioning and timing services to users in India as well as regions extending up to 1500 km from its boundary.
- India became one of the 5 countries having their own navigation system. So, India’s dependence on other countries for navigation purposes reduces.
- In April 2019, the government made NavIC-based vehicle trackers mandatory for all commercial vehicles in the country in accordance with the Nirbhaya case verdict.
3. ‘Syngas’ is a mixture of which of the following gases?
- Carbon monoxide
- Hydrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Water vapour
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 4 & 5
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
Notes:- Coal gasification is the process of producing syngas: a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)—from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.
- Rather than burning coal directly, gasification converts all of the carbon of the coal into electricity, hydrogen, and other forms of energy through partial oxidation.
- Coal gasification can also help address local pollution problems.
- Gasification facilitates utilisation of the chemical properties of coal.
- Coal gas can be converted into chemical energy and is used for the production of iron from iron ore, as well as for the production of methanol and urea.
- Carbon Capture and Storage: another advantage of coal gasification is the fact that it lets you separate the good parts from the bad, and select the parts you want to keep.
