Q91. In the mechanism of mRNA vaccines, what specific instruction does the injected mRNA provide to the host cells?
Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization: RAS Prelims MCQs
154 RAS Prelims MCQs on recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation cover Indian scientists and their work, recent technology and defence indigenisation. C. V. Raman, Ramanujan, Kalam, Bhabha, Khorana, mRNA vaccines, the Bhashini mission, INS Vikrant and defence exports are asked as facts, pairs and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 154 questions
Q92. Which of the following statements regarding India’s GEMCOVAC-19 is incorrect?
Explanation
A key innovation of India’s GEMCOVAC-19 is its stability at standard refrigerator temperatures. Unlike the first-generation mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which required specialized ultra-cold chains, the Indian version was designed to be thermotolerant. This was achieved through lyophilization, making it much easier to distribute and store using existing medical infrastructure in developing countries and rural areas.
Q93. Match the vaccine type in List I with its key indigenous Indian example in List II and select the correct answer.
| Vaccine Type | Key Indian Indigenous Example |
|---|---|
| A. Whole-virion Inactivated | i. Corbevax |
| B. DNA Plasmid Vaccine | ii. ZyCoV-D |
| C. mRNA Vaccine | iii. Covaxin |
| D. Protein Subunit Vaccine | iv. GEMCOVAC-19 |
Explanation
India’s COVID-19 vaccine portfolio includes diverse technological platforms. Covaxin is a whole-virion inactivated vaccine, while ZyCoV-D is a DNA plasmid vaccine. GEMCOVAC-19 represents the indigenous mRNA platform, and Corbevax is a protein subunit vaccine. This variety demonstrates the comprehensive technical capability of the Indian biotechnology sector to develop multiple types of vaccines for public health needs and global exports.
Q94. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: mRNA vaccines enter the nucleus of the host cell and integrate with the human genome to confer immunity.
Statement II: Once the viral protein is created by the host cell, the cell breaks down the mRNA instruction and removes it.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: mRNA vaccines enter the nucleus of the host cell and integrate with the human genome to confer immunity.
Statement II: Once the viral protein is created by the host cell, the cell breaks down the mRNA instruction and removes it.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus or integrate with the human genome, so Statement I is incorrect. After the viral protein is made, the cell breaks down the mRNA, so Statement II is correct.
Q95. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the primary advantage of mRNA vaccine platforms over traditional vaccine methods?
Explanation
The primary advantage of mRNA technology is its flexibility and speed. Because these vaccines are based on genetic sequences rather than growing live pathogens, scientists can quickly update the code to match new viral variants. This allows for the rapid development of updated boosters. This platform provides a powerful tool for responding to fast-evolving viruses and potential future pandemics more effectively than traditional methods.
Q96. Identify the odd one out among the components typically found in a formulated mRNA vaccine.
Explanation
A formulated mRNA vaccine consists of the messenger RNA sequence, lipid nanoparticles for delivery, and various buffers and salts to maintain stability and pH levels. It does not contain any live, weakened, or killed virus particles. This makes the platform inherently safe from the risk of causing the disease it is designed to prevent, as no actual viral components are injected.
Q97. What was the effect of using lyophilization (freeze-drying) technology in the development of India’s indigenous mRNA vaccine?
Explanation
Lyophilization, or freeze-drying, was a critical technological breakthrough for India’s indigenous mRNA vaccine. By converting the vaccine into a stable powder form that can be reconstituted at the time of use, researchers eliminated the need for extreme sub-zero storage. This innovation allows the vaccine to be stored and transported at 2-8°C, making it practical for use in tropical climates and remote regions.
Q98. The Government of India’s AIRAWAT initiative is primarily related to which of the following technological domains?
Explanation
AIRAWAT is India’s dedicated cloud computing infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence. It was established to provide a high-performance platform for researchers, startups, and government agencies to process large datasets and train complex AI models. By centralizing these resources, AIRAWAT aims to accelerate indigenous AI development and place India among the top nations in global supercomputing and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Q99. The Bhashini mission, launched by the Indian government, utilizes Artificial Intelligence conceptually to achieve which primary objective?
Explanation
The Bhashini mission uses AI to break language barriers by providing a National Public Digital Platform for languages.
Q100. In the context of AI in healthcare in India, what defines the role of AI in disease screening programs like diabetic retinopathy detection?
Explanation
In healthcare, AI is being used as a powerful screening tool to detect diseases early, especially in areas with fewer specialists. AI systems can be trained to analyze retinal scans for signs of diabetic retinopathy with high accuracy. This allows for rapid, large-scale screening in rural clinics, where the software identifies patients at risk, who can then be referred to specialists for treatment.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (b) To produce a harmless piece of the target virus’s protein (like the spike protein) to trigger an immune response |
| 92 | (a) It requires ultra-low temperature storage at -70°C, similar to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines |
| 93 | (c) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 94 | (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
| 95 | (d) They allow rapid redesign and scaling for emerging viral variants. |
| 96 | (b) Attenuated live virus |
| 97 | (c) It ensured vaccine stability at standard refrigerator temperatures. |
| 98 | (a) Artificial Intelligence Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation platform |
| 99 | (b) To break language barriers by providing a National Public Digital Platform for languages using AI models |
| 100 | (b) AI algorithms analyze retinal images to identify early signs of blindness without immediate need for a human ophthalmologist |
Key facts from Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization
- C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the scattering of light; National Science Day on 28 February marks the discovery of the Raman Effect.
- The IGMDP began in 1983; Kalam promoted PURA, the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas.
- Homi J. Bhabha is the father of the Indian nuclear programme, and his three-stage plan uses PHWRs, fast breeder reactors and thorium reactors.
- Har Gobind Khorana showed that nucleotide triplets code for specific amino acids.
- mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus or alter the genome; the cell breaks down the mRNA after making the viral protein.
- Bhashini uses AI to break language barriers; INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier; India is seeking export orders for ATAGS artillery.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization?
This page has 154 practice MCQs on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Why is National Science Day celebrated on 28 February?
To commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928 by C. V. Raman. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light.
What does PURA stand for?
Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas, a concept advocated by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It aimed to give villages the roads, connectivity and services of towns so that rural development would be balanced.
Do mRNA vaccines change human DNA?
No. mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cell or integrate with the human genome. The cell uses the instruction to make the viral protein and then breaks down the mRNA.