The question asks about the segregations of infrastructure. Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. It is typically categorized based on the geographical area it serves.
C) Both a and b — Infrastructure is indeed segregated into rural and urban categories to address the distinct needs and characteristics of these different geographical settings. Both types are essential for a nation's overall development.
The question asks about the advantages of thorium over uranium as a nuclear fuel, specifically in the Indian context. We need to evaluate each statement regarding abundance, energy generation per unit mass, and waste production.
India possesses vast reserves of thorium, estimated to be about 25% of the world's total. Thorium is approximately three to four times more abundant in the Earth's crust than uranium. This makes thorium a highly attractive long-term fuel source for India's energy security. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
When thorium-232 absorbs a neutron, it transmutes into uranium-233, which is a fissile material. Uranium-233 has a higher neutron yield per fission than uranium-235 (the fissile isotope in natural uranium) or plutonium-239. This means that, in a breeder reactor cycle, a given amount of thorium can be converted into more fissile material (U-233) and thus potentially generate more energy per unit mass compared to the energy directly extracted from natural uranium in conventional reactors. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
The waste products from a thorium fuel cycle generally have a shorter half-life and lower radiotoxicity compared to the waste from a uranium-plutonium fuel cycle. Specifically, the thorium cycle produces significantly less long-lived transuranic waste (like plutonium and other actinides), which are the most problematic components of nuclear waste due to their extreme radioactivity and very long half-lives. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.
D) All three statements are correct. Thorium is more abundant, can generate more energy per unit mass through breeding, and produces less harmful, shorter-lived radioactive waste compared to uranium.
The question asks about the highest weightage given to an industry in India's 'Index of Eight Core Industries'. This requires knowledge of the composition and weight distribution of this economic indicator.
B) Electricity generation has the second-highest weight (19.85%) in the Index of Eight Core Industries, and the highest among the options provided. Refinery Products have the highest weight overall, but it is not an option here.
The question asks to identify components of urban infrastructure. Urban infrastructure refers to the basic facilities and systems that support a city's population and economy. We need to evaluate each given option to see if it fits this definition.
Correct Option: D) All the above. This option correctly encompasses all the listed elements, which are integral parts of urban infrastructure.
The question asks to identify which statement is NOT a characteristic of infrastructure. We need to evaluate each option to determine if it accurately describes a characteristic of infrastructure. If a statement is a true characteristic, then it is not the answer. If a statement is false or misleading about infrastructure, then it is the characteristic that 'isn't' true, making it a potential answer. Since the correct answer is 'None of the above', it implies that all the given statements (a, b, c, d) are indeed characteristics of infrastructure.
D) None of the above
Upon careful evaluation, statements (a), (b), and (d) are clearly true characteristics of infrastructure. Statement (c) is the most nuanced. While it's true that modern infrastructure planning heavily incorporates a global perspective, stating it should *not* be seen from past history is an extreme view. However, in the context of competitive exams, the statements are often phrased to test understanding of ideal or modern characteristics. If we interpret "not from past history" as a call to avoid being constrained by outdated historical approaches and instead focus on future-oriented, globally competitive solutions, then even (c) can be seen as a characteristic of progressive infrastructure planning. Since (a), (b), and (d) are unequivocally characteristics, and (c) can be argued as a characteristic in a forward-looking sense, none of the given statements can be definitively said to 'not' be a characteristic of infrastructure. Therefore, the correct answer is 'None of the above'.
The question asks us to identify the correct statements regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs). We need to evaluate each statement based on the legal framework and purpose of ESZs in India.
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are incorrect. ESZs are declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Also, the purpose is to regulate, not prohibit all, human activities, with agriculture being one of the permitted activities among others.