Q190. Which body launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) Asian Development Bank
(B) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(C) New Development Bank
(D) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Answer: (A) Asian Development Bank
Explanation: The Asian Development Bank launched this hub to expand finance for nature-based solutions in Asia and the Pacific. Projects can involve healthy forests, wetlands and coastal systems, providing resilience, biodiversity benefits and climate mitigation through natural processes.
Q189. Which statements about the Gooty or peacock tarantula are right?
I. It is a crustacean.
II. It has a limited natural range.
III. It lives in trees.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) I only
(B) I and III only
(C) II only
(D) II and III only
Answer: (D) II and III only
Explanation: The Gooty tarantula is an arachnid, not a crustacean. Its natural occurrence is restricted to limited forest habitats in India, and it is arboreal, occupying trees and their hollows. Habitat loss and collection pressure contribute to conservation concerns.
Q188. Concerning Indian COâ‚‚ emissions, which assertions stand?
I. Per-capita emissions are below 0.5 tonnes.
II. India is second in Asia-Pacific fuel-combustion emissions.
III. Electricity and heat lead domestic emissions.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) I and III only
(B) II only
(C) II and III only
(D) I, II and III
Answer: (C) II and III only
Explanation: India’s per-capita CO₂ emissions exceed half a tonne, so statement I is wrong. The country is a major regional emitter after China, and coal-heavy electricity and heat generation are leading domestic sources of fuel-combustion emissions.
Q187. Compare oxygen on Earth:
I. Rainforests produce more oxygen than oceans.
II. Marine microbes produce about half of global oxygen.
III. Surface water contains several times the oxygen concentration of air.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) I and II
(B) II only
(C) I and III
(D) None
Answer: (B) II only
Explanation: Photosynthetic marine plankton and bacteria account for roughly half of global oxygen production. Rainforests do not exceed the oceans as claimed, and dissolved oxygen in water is far less concentrated than oxygen in the atmosphere.
Q186. For a circular economy, reduced virgin material use and reduced manufacturing waste are cited as explanations for lower greenhouse-gas emissions. Which option fits?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) Both mechanisms are valid explanations
(B) Both are true but only one explains reductions
(C) Only one is correct
(D) Neither is correct
Answer: (A) Both mechanisms are valid explanations
Explanation: Reusing and recycling materials curbs extraction, processing and transport. Preventing waste also reduces energy demand and downstream disposal emissions. Both efficiency pathways help explain why circular economic systems can have a lower climate footprint than linear production.
Q185. What pair of agents was asked in connection with artificial rainfall or cloud seeding for reducing air pollution?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) Silver iodide and potassium iodide
(B) Silver nitrate and potassium iodide
(C) Silver iodide and potassium nitrate
(D) Silver nitrate and potassium chloride
Answer: (A) Silver iodide and potassium iodide
Explanation: Silver iodide and potassium iodide are recognised cloud-seeding materials that can promote ice formation in suitable clouds. Seeding does not generate precipitation from a clear sky; atmospheric conditions must already support the process.
Q184. The warning about wet-bulb temperatures above 35°C implies:
I. Rising extreme-weather risks in peninsular India.
II. Critical difficulty in losing body heat through perspiration.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) Both I and II
(D) Neither
Answer: (C) Both I and II
Explanation: Wet-bulb temperature combines heat and humidity, reflecting the difficulty of evaporative cooling. Extremely high readings threaten human survival and compound broader climate risks, including floods, cyclones and droughts. Both consequences featured in this UPSC question.
Q183. Which organisation adopted the Nature Restoration Law, aimed at reversing ecosystem degradation?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) European Union
(B) World Bank
(C) OECD
(D) FAO
Answer: (A) European Union
Explanation: The European Union enacted the Nature Restoration Law, creating a framework for restoring degraded habitats and ecosystems across member states. It is an EU legislative measure rather than a programme formally adopted by the World Bank or OECD.
Q182. Which wetland sites listed are NOT in Uttar Pradesh:
1. Sarsai Nawar Jheel
2. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
3. Rudrasagar Lake
4. Sultanpur National Park?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims – GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) 1 and 3
(B) 3 and 4
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 1 and 2
Answer: (B) 3 and 4
Explanation: Rudrasagar Lake is in Tripura, while Sultanpur National Park is in Haryana. Sarsai Nawar Jheel and Samaspur Bird Sanctuary are both Ramsar wetland sites in Uttar Pradesh.
Q181. Match
A. Dachigam,
B. Keoladeo,
C. Kanha and
D. Periyar
with these state codes:
1. Madhya Pradesh,
2. Rajasthan,
3. Kerala,
4. Jammu and Kashmir.
[UPPSC PCS Prelims – GS Paper I (2025)]
(A) 4, 2, 3, 1
(B) 2, 4, 1, 3
(C) 2, 4, 3, 1
(D) 4, 2, 1, 3
Answer: (D) 4, 2, 1, 3
Explanation: Dachigam is in Jammu and Kashmir, Keoladeo in Rajasthan, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Periyar in Kerala. The correct sequence of state codes is therefore 4, 2, 1, 3.
