Q1
Assertion (A): Lithium-ion batteries are considered fire-prone. Reason (R): They contain a flammable organic electrolyte, which can lead to thermal runaway if mishandled.
Assertion (A):
Lithium-ion batteries are considered fire-prone.
Reason (R):
They contain a flammable organic electrolyte, which can lead to thermal runaway if mishandled.
Explanation
Lithium-ion batteries have higher fire risk than many other rechargeable chemistries → Assertion is true.
The risk arises because they use a flammable, organic solvent-based electrolyte. If mishandled, this can trigger thermal runaway, leading to fire/explosion → Reason is also true and correctly explains the Assertion.
Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q2
With reference to Majorana particles, consider the following statements:
1. They are hypothetical fermions that act as their own antiparticles.
2. They are neutral in charge and do not annihilate when interacting with themselves.
3. In condensed matter systems, they may appear as quasiparticles inside superconductors at extremely low temperatures.
2. They are neutral in charge and do not annihilate when interacting with themselves.
3. In condensed matter systems, they may appear as quasiparticles inside superconductors at extremely low temperatures.
Explanation
Statement 1: Correct – Majorana particles were first proposed in 1937 by Ettore Majorana. Their defining feature is that they are their own antiparticles.
Statement 2: Correct – Unlike electrons and positrons, two Majoranas do not annihilate; they are charge-neutral, which makes them hard to detect.
Statement 3: Correct – While not yet observed as free particles in nature, they are suggested to emerge as quasiparticles in superconductors and nanowires at very low temperatures.
Hence, all three statements are correct.
Correct Answer: (c) All three
Correct Answer: (c) All three
Majorana Particles: A Clearer Perspective
What They Are
- A Majorana particle (or Majorana fermion) is a fermion that is its own antiparticle—a concept first proposed by Ettore Majorana in 1937.
Origin & Theoretical Context
- Ettore Majorana introduced an equation describing neutral particles whose wave function is real, enabling them to coincide with their antiparticle.
- In modern particle physics, neutrinos are the only known candidates that could be Majorana fermions; however, it remains unconfirmed.
Experimental Search & Significance
- The key experimental goal in particle physics is to detect neutrinoless double beta decay—a process that would only occur if neutrinos are Majorana particles.
- No definitive evidence for this decay has been found yet.
Emergence in Condensed Matter
- In superconducting systems, Majorana bound states (also known as Majorana zero modes) can form as quasiparticles, not fundamental particles.
- These bound states occur at zero energy and display non-Abelian anyon statistics, meaning that exchanging (or “braiding”) them alters the system’s quantum state in a stable and predictable way.
Why They’re Exciting for Quantum Computing
- Topological qubits, which use Majorana zero modes, are inherently more resistant to errors, thanks to their non-local encoding of quantum information.
- In early 2025, Microsoft unveiled its Majorana 1 chip utilizing a new class of materials called topoconductors, specifically designed to host Majorana zero modes.
Ongoing Challenges
- Many experimental signatures (e.g., zero-bias peaks in nanowires) could be imitated by other phenomena, making it difficult to confirm the existence of Majorana bound states unequivocally.
Simplified Summary Table
| Aspect | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Definition | A fermion that is its own antiparticle (suggested by Majorana in 1937) |
| Particle Physics | Neutrinos might be Majorana; unconfirmed. Neutrinoless double beta decay tests this |
| Condensed Matter | Appear as quasiparticles in superconductors—Majorana zero modes (non-fundamental) |
| Quantum Computing Use | Enable stable topological qubits via braiding, with early efforts like Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip |
| Experimental Limitations | Signals are often ambiguous; firm proof still lacking |
Q3
With reference to wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Odisha, consider the following statements:
1. Debrigarh has recently been approved as the State’s third tiger reserve.
2. Similipal is both a tiger reserve and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
3. Satkosia Gorge is noted for gharial conservation along the Brahmani River.
4. Bhitarkanika is primarily known for saltwater crocodiles, not tigers.
5. Chandaka-Dampara is famous for elephants and lies within the Eastern Ghats.
2. Similipal is both a tiger reserve and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
3. Satkosia Gorge is noted for gharial conservation along the Brahmani River.
4. Bhitarkanika is primarily known for saltwater crocodiles, not tigers.
5. Chandaka-Dampara is famous for elephants and lies within the Eastern Ghats.
Explanation
1 → Correct: Debrigarh = 3rd tiger reserve.
2 → Correct: Similipal = tiger reserve + UNESCO biosphere reserve.
3 → Incorrect: Satkosia Gorge is on the Mahanadi River, not the Brahmani.
4 → Correct: Bhitarkanika = saltwater crocodiles, Ramsar site, no tigers.
5 → Correct: Chandaka = elephant reserve, linked to Eastern Ghats.
✅ Correct Answer: (c) Four only
Q4
Consider the following pairs of Odisha’s protected areas and their distinct features:
1. Debrigarh — Known for estuarine crocodiles and designated as a Ramsar site
2. Similipal — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and tiger reserve
3. Satkosia Gorge — Habitat for gharials along the Mahanadi River
4. Bhitarkanika — Recognised as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger
5. Chandaka-Dampara — Elephant reserve near Bhubaneswar
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
2. Similipal — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and tiger reserve
3. Satkosia Gorge — Habitat for gharials along the Mahanadi River
4. Bhitarkanika — Recognised as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger
5. Chandaka-Dampara — Elephant reserve near Bhubaneswar
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
Pair 1: Incorrect – The claim that Debrigarh is known for estuarine crocodiles and is a Ramsar site is incorrect. It is Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary that is famous for estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles and was designated a Ramsar site in 2002.
Pair 2: Correct – Similipal is both a Tiger Reserve and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Pair 3: Correct – Satkosia Gorge does host gharials, but its population collapsed; it is no longer a strong gharial site.
Pair 4: Incorrect – Bhitarkanika is famous for saltwater crocodiles and is a Ramsar site, but it is not a tiger reserve.
Pair 5: Correct – Chandaka-Dampara is indeed an Elephant Reserve near Bhubaneswar.
✅ Correct Answer: (a) 2, 3 and 5 only
Q5
Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite, sometimes seen in the news, is best described as:
Explanation
Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite is not a naturally occurring hormone or plant compound.
It is a synthetic anabolic steroid metabolite, misuse of which is linked to muscle growth and performance enhancement.
India, through NDTL (National Dope Testing Laboratory) in collaboration with NIPER-Guwahati, has developed this Reference Material (RM).
Reference Materials are highly purified, scientifically characterized drug substances or their metabolites, essential for analytical accuracy in laboratories.
These are crucial for the detection of over 450 substances prohibited by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and enhance India’s global standing in anti-doping science.
✅ Correct Answer: (b) A reference material developed for enhanced anti-doping testing in sports
Q6
With reference to India’s weather forecasting system, consider the following statements:
1. The Bharat Forecast System (BFS) launched in 2025 operates at a 12 km resolution, identical to the IMD-GFS.
2. The Arunika supercomputer at IITM, Pune, powers the Bharat Forecast System with a computing capacity of 11.77 petaflops.
3. The INSAT-3DR satellite, launched in 2024, provides six-channel imaging and nineteen-channel atmospheric sounding.
4. The IMD’s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) runs with 21 ensemble members at 12 km resolution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. The Arunika supercomputer at IITM, Pune, powers the Bharat Forecast System with a computing capacity of 11.77 petaflops.
3. The INSAT-3DR satellite, launched in 2024, provides six-channel imaging and nineteen-channel atmospheric sounding.
4. The IMD’s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) runs with 21 ensemble members at 12 km resolution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1: Incorrect – BFS operates at 6 km resolution, not 12 km. The IMD-GFS runs at ~12 km.
Statement 2: Incorrect – BFS is powered by the Arka supercomputer (11.77 petaflops) at IITM Pune, not Arunika. Arunika is at NCMRWF, Noida.
Statement 3: Incorrect – The INSAT-3DS (not 3DR) launched in 2024 has six-channel imaging and nineteen-channel sounding. INSAT-3DR was launched earlier in 2016.
Statement 4: Correct – The IMD-GEFS indeed operates with 21 ensemble members at 12 km resolution.
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 4 only