Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – January 26-27, 2023 [Mock Test]
February 8, 2023 February 8, 2023
1. Which of the following is/are the criteria for a person to be eligible for election as President of India?
- He should be a citizen of India.
- He should have completed the age of thirty years.
- He should be qualified for election as a member of the Parliament.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- No person shall be eligible for election as President unless he—
- is a citizen of India,
- has completed the age of thirty-five years, and
- is qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.
- A person shall not be eligible for election as President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
2. Which of the following genetically modified crops is/are approved in India?
- Bt Cotton
- Bt Brinjal
- Bt Mustard
- Bt Golden rice
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11) is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard. It is a genetically modified variant of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard. It contains two alien genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens that enable breeding of high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
- It has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University.
- ‘Heera’ and ‘Donskaja’ are other varieties of mustard.
- In 2002, the GEAC approved Bt Cotton for commercial cultivation in 6 states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. It has to be noted that, Bt cotton is the first and only transgenic crop approved by the GEAC.
- Even though GEAC 2007 had recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal, the initiative was blocked in 2010.
3. With respect to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), consider the following statements:
- It is a non-statutory body.
- It is responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment.
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: B [Only 2]
Notes:- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is a statutory body constituted under the ‘Rules for the Manufacture, Use /Import /Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineering Organisms or Cells, 1989’ notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- The body regulates the use, manufacture, storage, import and export of hazardous microorganisms or genetically-engineered organisms and cells in India.
- The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
- GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
