MCQ 1. Why is Oman’s election to the MAB Council particularly aligned with its Vision 2040?
• Option C is correct: Oman’s Vision 2040 explicitly talks about balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection, which aligns with its role in the MAB Council.
• A is false: Vision 2040 does not ignore environmental constraints.
• B is false: Sustainability is central to the vision.
• D is obviously incorrect: Vision 2040 does not aim to eliminate reserves; rather, it supports conservation.
MCQ 2. With reference to the Rare Earth Hypothesis, consider the following statements:
1. It suggests that microbial life may be common, but complex life is extremely rare.
2. It challenges the Copernican Principle.
3. It supports the idea that intelligent life should be abundant in the universe.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
• Statement 1: Correct
• Statement 2: Correct (REH says Earth is special → opposite of Copernican Principle)
• Statement 3: Incorrect (REH says intelligent life is rare)
⇒ Correct answer: 1 and 2 only.
MCQ 3. According to the Rare Earth Hypothesis, which of the following are essential for the evolution of complex life?
1. Presence of a large moon
2. Plate tectonics
3. Tidal locking of the planet
4. A Jupiter-like gas giant in outer orbit
Select the correct answer:
• 1: Large moon stabilizes tilt → Correct
• 2: Plate tectonics regulate carbon cycle → Correct
• 3: Tidal locking → Harmful → Incorrect
• 4: Jupiter protects Earth → Correct
MCQ 4. The Rare Earth Hypothesis is primarily used to explain:
REH is one of the main explanations of why intelligent aliens have not been detected.
MCQ 5. Which of the following planetary characteristics reduce the likelihood of complex life according to the Rare Earth Hypothesis?
1. Weak magnetic field
2. Frequent asteroid impacts
3. Highly variable axial tilt
4. Absence of a gas giant in the system
Select the correct answer:
All four conditions hinder complex life.
MCQ 6. Consider the following:
1. Earth’s location in the Galactic Habitable Zone
2. Presence of oxygen in the atmosphere from the beginning
3. Billions of years of climate stability
4. Absence of plate tectonics
Which of the above factors support the Rare Earth Hypothesis?
• 1: Supports REH → Correct.
• 2: Incorrect (early Earth had no oxygen for billions of years)
• 3: Supports → long stability
• 4: Incorrect (Earth has plate tectonics; absence would oppose REH)
MCQ 7. The Great Indian Bustard is primarily threatened in India due to:
Studies by WII show 80% of GIB deaths in the last decade were due to power line collisions, making it the single greatest threat. UPSC has asked similar threat-identification questions.
MCQ 8. Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard habitat:
1. It primarily prefers open grasslands with short vegetation.
2. Desert National Park (Rajasthan) contains the largest population.
3. It breeds in monsoon, laying multiple eggs in a season.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
• Statement 1 → Correct (open grasslands).
• Statement 2 → Correct (DNP = stronghold).
• Statement 3 → Incorrect (lays only 1 egg per year).
MCQ 9. Which of the following are features of the Great Indian Bustard Conservation Programme in India?
1. Egg collection from the wild for artificial incubation.
2. Establishment of captive breeding facilities.
3. Transboundary conservation agreement with Pakistan under CMS.
Select the correct option:
• India has NOT signed any transboundary agreement with Pakistan for GIB.
• 1 & 2 are core components of the GIB Recovery Programme under MoEFCC–WII.
MCQ 10. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), consider the following:
1. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. It is included in Appendix I of CITES.
3. It is endemic to India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
• GIB is not fully endemic to India; small populations existed in Pakistan.