Q1. Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (c)

Explanation: Pairs 1, 2 and 3 are correct. LPG pipelines improve transport and deliverability but do not themselves create strategic inventory.

Q2. Consider the following countries:

1. Kazakhstan
2. Uzbekistan
3. Turkmenistan
4. Tajikistan
5. Kyrgyzstan

How many of the above are Central Asian republics that were part of the Soviet Union?

(a) Only three
(b) Only four
(c) All five
(d) Only two

Answer: (c)

Explanation: All five—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—are the five sovereign Central Asian republics that emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Q3. With reference to fire safety in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), consider the following statements:

1. The presence of oxygen-enriched surroundings can increase the intensity of combustion.
2. Horizontal evacuation can be particularly useful in healthcare facilities because critically ill patients may not be capable of independent movement.
3. Electrical harmonics refer to distortions in electrical current that may contribute to overheating without necessarily causing conventional circuit breakers to trip.
4. The RACE protocol is primarily a method for detecting electrical harmonics in critical-care facilities.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Explanation: RACE refers to Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate, an emergency fire-response sequence. Electrical harmonics are distortions in electrical waveforms that can contribute to overheating and equipment/wiring stress.

Q4. With reference to high-altitude floods in the Himalayas, consider the following statements:

1. A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) necessarily originates from the failure of a moraine-dammed glacial lake.
2. An ice-rock avalanche can temporarily block a river and subsequently cause a sudden flood when the blockage is breached.
3. Satellite-based monitoring can provide large-scale information on glaciers and glacial lakes, but ground verification remains important for assessing site-specific conditions.
4. Western Disturbances are extratropical weather systems that can interact with Himalayan terrain and influence precipitation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Explanation: GLOFs can result from several triggers, including glacier collapse, landslides and moraine/dam failure; hence statement 1 is too absolute. Ice-rock avalanches can cause temporary river blockage and subsequent outburst flooding.

Q5. With reference to India’s emerging subsea digital infrastructure, consider the following statements:

1. A submarine cable landing station connects an undersea fibre-optic cable to terrestrial communication networks.
2. Diversifying submarine cable landing points can improve the resilience of a country’s international digital connectivity.
3. The establishment of a submarine cable landing station at a coastal location by itself eliminates the need for inland fibre connectivity.
4. Visakhapatnam is emerging as an eastern alternative to India’s established subsea connectivity hubs such as Mumbai and Chennai.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Landing stations must be integrated with terrestrial fibre networks to distribute international traffic inland. Hence, a coastal landing point alone cannot ensure effective connectivity.

Q. Himalayan disasters are increasingly shaped by the interaction of climatic, cryospheric and geomorphological processes rather than by a single hazard. Discuss the challenges of managing Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and other cascading hazards in the Himalayas. (15 marks, 250 words)

Approach

Introduction:

• Define GLOFs/cascading Himalayan hazards and note the increasing vulnerability of the region.

Body:

• Causes: Glacier retreat, glacial-lake expansion, ice-rock avalanches, landslides, extreme rainfall, river blockages.
• Challenges: Difficult terrain; limited ground verification; uncertain prediction; weak last-mile warning; vulnerable settlements and infrastructure.
• Measures: Satellite + ground monitoring, robust early-warning systems, community-based evacuation, hazard-zone mapping, climate-resilient infrastructure and strict land-use/construction regulations.

Conclusion:

• Shift from post-disaster relief to anticipatory, risk-informed Himalayan development through science, community participation and regional cooperation.