UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Celebrating 80th Foundation Day of CSIR-NPL, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates the World's second "National Environmental Standard Laboratory" and the World's fifth "National Primary Standard Facility for Sol...
Q1. With reference to the two apex metrology facilities inaugurated at CSIR-NPL on its 80th Foundation Day, consider the following statements:
1. The National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) is the world's second such facility, whereas the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (NPF-SCC) is the world's fifth.
2. NESL was realised through a grant from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, whereas NPF-SCC was funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
3. NESL calibrates reference solar cells and panels, whereas NPF-SCC tests and recalibrates air-pollution monitoring instruments.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) is the world's second such facility, whereas the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (NPF-SCC) is the world's fifth.
- NESL was realised through a grant from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, whereas NPF-SCC was funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- NESL calibrates reference solar cells and panels, whereas NPF-SCC tests and recalibrates air-pollution monitoring instruments.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. With reference to the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (NPF-SCC) and the National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) at CSIR-NPL, consider the following statements:
1. NPF-SCC measures the short-circuit current of reference solar cells with an uncertainty of about ±0.35% (k=2), among the lowest of the World Photovoltaic Scale laboratories.
2. NPF-SCC's laser-based primary reference measurement system was developed in collaboration with PTB, Germany.
3. NPF-SCC joins the World Photovoltaic Scale (WPVS) network of reference laboratories.
4. NESL is the world's first environmental standard laboratory of its kind, making India the first nation to establish such a facility.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- NPF-SCC measures the short-circuit current of reference solar cells with an uncertainty of about ±0.35% (k=2), among the lowest of the World Photovoltaic Scale laboratories.
- NPF-SCC's laser-based primary reference measurement system was developed in collaboration with PTB, Germany.
- NPF-SCC joins the World Photovoltaic Scale (WPVS) network of reference laboratories.
- NESL is the world's first environmental standard laboratory of its kind, making India the first nation to establish such a facility.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 4 only
- D. 3 and 4
Q3. With reference to CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, consider the following statements:
1. It is designated as India's National Metrology Institute.
2. It realises and maintains Indian Standard Time (IST), kept traceable to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
3. It maintains national standards for SI base units such as the kilogram, the metre and the second.
4. It is the national accreditation body that accredits India's testing and calibration laboratories.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- It is designated as India's National Metrology Institute.
- It realises and maintains Indian Standard Time (IST), kept traceable to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- It maintains national standards for SI base units such as the kilogram, the metre and the second.
- It is the national accreditation body that accredits India's testing and calibration laboratories.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q4. CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), the custodian of India's national measurement standards, functions as a constituent laboratory under which one of the following?
- A. Bureau of Indian Standards
- B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- C. Defence Research and Development Organisation
- D. National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
Q5. With reference to the maintenance of Indian Standard Time (IST) in India, consider the following statements:
1. CSIR-NPL maintains the atomic clocks that define Indian Standard Time.
2. Indian Standard Time is kept traceable to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
3. CSIR-NPL's atomic clock is among the 300-plus atomic clocks worldwide whose outputs are combined to form UTC.
4. Indian Standard Time is fixed 6.5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- CSIR-NPL maintains the atomic clocks that define Indian Standard Time.
- Indian Standard Time is kept traceable to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- CSIR-NPL's atomic clock is among the 300-plus atomic clocks worldwide whose outputs are combined to form UTC.
- Indian Standard Time is fixed 6.5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q6. The realisation and dissemination of Indian Standard Time (IST) as India's reference time is the mandate of which one of the following institutions?
- A. Survey of India
- B. CSIR–National Physical Laboratory
- C. Positional Astronomy Centre, Kolkata
- D. Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
Q7. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) carries out its research and development activities through how many national laboratories/institutes across India?
Q8. In terms of its legal constitution, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is best described as which one of the following?
- A. A statutory body established under a specific Act of Parliament
- B. An autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
- C. A constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Constitution
- D. A central public sector undertaking incorporated under the Companies Act
Q9. The Secretary of which one of the following departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology concurrently serves as the Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)?
- A. Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- B. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)
- C. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
- D. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Q10. In the context of the Union Council of Ministers, the designation 'Minister of State (Independent Charge)' held by the Union Minister who inaugurated the CSIR-NPL facilities refers to a minister who—
- A. is a full member of the Union Cabinet holding an independent portfolio
- B. heads a ministry or department directly without functioning under a Cabinet Minister, but is not a member of the Union Cabinet
- C. can be appointed only from among the members of the Rajya Sabha
- D. exercises the powers of a Cabinet Minister only during the latter's absence
Q11. The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (NPF-SCC) at CSIR-NPL was established through a financial grant from which one of the following ministries?
- A. Ministry of Power
- B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- D. Ministry of Science and Technology
Q12. With reference to the National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), consider the following statements:
1. NESL, the world's second such facility, tests and recalibrates air-pollution monitoring instruments under Indian conditions.
2. NESL was realised through a grant from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
3. The National Clean Air Programme is implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
4. NCAP was launched with the target of completely eliminating particulate pollution in 131 cities by 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- NESL, the world's second such facility, tests and recalibrates air-pollution monitoring instruments under Indian conditions.
- NESL was realised through a grant from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- The National Clean Air Programme is implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- NCAP was launched with the target of completely eliminating particulate pollution in 131 cities by 2024.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 4 only
- D. 1 and 4