1. Which commodity saw a surge in exports, reaching USD 5.84 billion, and crossed the USD 4 billion mark for the first time?
A) Spices
B) Marine products
C) Basmati rice
D) Castor oil
2. What was the floor price set for onion exports in May 2024?
A) USD 550 per tonne
B) USD 40 per tonne
C) USD 20 per tonne
D) No floor price was set
3. Which commodity witnessed a significant decline in imports due to lower global prices?
A) Spices
B) Edible oils
C) Pulses
D) Wheat
4. What was the average FAO vegetable oil sub-index during 2023-24?
A) 100 points
B) 123.4 points
C) 150 points
D) 200 points
5. What was the total value of pulse imports in 2023-24?
A) USD 3.90 billion
B) USD 4.24 billion
C) USD 3.75 billion
D) USD 5.77 billion
6. Which commodity contributed to the overall export basket apart from basmati rice and spices?
A) Castor oil
B) Marine products
C) Maize
D) All of the above
7. What does the surge in pulse imports highlight about India’s dependence?
A) Dependence on domestic production
B) Dependence on foreign sources
C) Self-sufficiency in pulse production
D) Dependence on global market conditions
8. What defines microplastics?
A) Plastics larger than 5 mm
B) Plastics smaller than 5 mm
C) Plastics smaller than 100 nm
D) Plastics larger than 100 nm
9. Which type of microplastics are intentionally designed for commercial use?
A) Primary microplastics
B) Secondary microplastics
C) Nanoplastics
D) None of the above
10. What is the primary cause of the breakdown of secondary microplastics?
A) Solar radiation
B) Ocean waves
C) Wind
D) All of the above
11. In which application are microplastics used for targeted drug delivery?
A) Cosmetics
B) Industrial cleaning
C) Medical and pharmaceutical uses
D) None of the above
12. Which polymer was found to be dominant in microplastics in testicular tissues of humans and dogs?
A) PVC
B) Polyethene (PE)
C) Polypropylene (PP)
D) Polystyrene (PS)
13. When is Global Plastic Overshoot Day (POD) projected to occur in 2024?
A) 5th September
B) 1st January
C) 31st December
D) 15th June
14. Which lake revealed significant microplastic pollution in fish, shellfish, sediment, and water?
A) Lake Superior
B) Ashtamudi Lake
C) Lake Baikal
D) Lake Titicaca
15. What hazardous heavy metals were found in microplastics in Ashtamudi Lake?
A) Gold and silver
B) Molybdenum, iron, and barium
C) Mercury and lead
D) Copper and zinc
16. Which mineral resource is particularly important for India’s electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy sectors?
A) Copper
B) Cobalt
C) Lithium
D) Rare earth elements
17. What percentage of the world’s critical mineral deposits are found in Africa?
A) Less than 10%
B) Approximately 20%
C) Over 30%
D) Around 50%
18. Which country is estimated to control over 5% of cobalt processing facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
A) India
B) China
C) South Africa
D) Zimbabwe
19. Which mineral resource is commonly associated with electric vehicle (EV) batteries?
A) Copper
B) Cobalt
C) Lithium
D) Rare earth elements
20. When did India join the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)?
A) 2020
B) 2021
C) 2022
D) 2023
21. What mineral is Sri Lanka known for, which India is interested in acquiring?
A) Gold
B) Graphite
C) Diamond
D) Copper
22. What percentage of carbon content does Sri Lankan graphite have?
A) Over 90%
B) Over 95%
C) Over 98%
D) Over 99%
23. Which initiative reflects India’s commitment to climate change mitigation?
A) Geological Survey of India (GSI)
B) Panchamrit Vision
C) Expert Committee
D) MMDR Amendment Act, 2023
24. Which act regulates the mining of minerals in the maritime zones of India?
A) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
B) Offshore Area Minerals (Development And Regulations) Amendment Act, 2023
C) Environmental Protection Act
D) Coastal Regulation Zone Act
25. What was the original name of BIMSTEC when it was formed in 1997?
A) BIST-EC
B) BIMST-EC
C) BIMSTEC
D) BIST
Answer Key:
1. Answer: C) Basmati rice
2. Answer: A) USD 550 per tonne
3. Answer: B) Edible oils
4. Answer: B) 123.4 points
5. Answer: C) USD 3.75 billion
6. Answer: D) All of the above
7. Answer: B) Dependence on foreign sources
8. Answer: B) Plastics smaller than 5 mm
9. Answer: A) Primary microplastics
10. Answer: D) All of the above
11. Answer: C) Medical and pharmaceutical uses
12. Answer: B) Polyethene (PE)
13. Answer: A) 5th September
14. Answer: B) Ashtamudi Lake
15. Answer: B) Molybdenum, iron, and barium
16. Answer: B) Cobalt
17. Answer: C) Over 30%
18. Answer: B) China
19. Answer: C) Lithium
20. Answer: D) 2023
21. Answer: B) Graphite
22. Answer: C) Over 98%
23. Answer: B) Panchamrit Vision
24. Answer: B) Offshore Area Minerals (Development And Regulations) Amendment Act, 2023
25. Answer: A) BIST-EC
