Medium Level – GK Questions

Answer: Inkjet

Inkjet printers spray tiny ink droplets without physical contact with paper (non-impact). Laser printers use toner and electrostatic charges. Impact printers (Dot Matrix, Daisy Wheel, Line) strike ribbon against paper, producing noise but capable of multi-part forms. Inkjet/Laser dominate home/office use.

Answer: True

UPI Lite is an on-device wallet for small transactions (up to ₹500 per transaction, ₹4000 daily balance). Allows PIN-less payments for quick checkout at merchants, reducing dependency on bank server availability. Balance is loaded from linked bank account; ideal for transit, food, and micro-payments.

Answer: Collaborative

Collaborative Filtering recommends items by analyzing patterns from similar users (user-based) or similar items (item-based). Used by Amazon, Netflix, Spotify. Hybrid systems combine with content-based filtering. Privacy-preserving techniques like federated learning are emerging to protect user data while personalizing recommendations.

Answer: SDSC-SHAR

SDSC-SHAR (Satish Dhawan Space Centre - Sriharikota) is ISRO's primary launch port in Andhra Pradesh. Handles all satellite and human spaceflight launches from Indian soil. Named after former ISRO chairman. Strategic coastal location enables safe launch trajectories over Bay of Bengal.

Answer: True

Network Slicing in 5G allows operators to create multiple virtual networks on shared physical infrastructure, each optimized for specific requirements (low latency for autonomous vehicles, high bandwidth for video, massive IoT for sensors). Enables customized QoS and efficient resource utilization.

Answer: PM-WANI / BharatNet

PM-WANI enables public Wi-Fi hotspots via PDOs for affordable internet access. BharatNet provides fiber backbone to gram panchayats. Combined, they support digital education initiatives like DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and e-Pathshala, bridging the digital divide for rural students during remote learning.

Answer: True

Additive Manufacturing (AM) builds objects layer-by-layer from digital models, contrasting with subtractive methods (cutting/drilling). 3D printing is a common AM technique. Applications: prototyping, custom medical implants, aerospace parts, and on-demand manufacturing. India promotes AM under Make in India.

Answer: 2NF

Second Normal Form (2NF) requires: 1) Table is in 1NF, and 2) No partial dependency (non-key attributes must depend on entire primary key, not part of composite key). Eliminates redundancy from partial dependencies. Further normalization to 3NF removes transitive dependencies.

Answer: Dynamic

Dynamic Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP) automatically adjust paths based on network topology changes, congestion, or failures. Unlike static routing (manually configured), dynamic routing scales for large networks and provides redundancy. Essential for internet backbone and enterprise WANs.

Answer: Both A and B

Bharat QR and UPI QR are interoperable standards allowing merchants to display a single QR code accepted by all UPI apps and card networks. Eliminates need for multiple QR stickers. NPCI's standardization promotes cashless adoption at small merchants with low-cost acceptance infrastructure.

Answer: True

SSLV is ISRO's cost-effective launch vehicle for small satellites (up to 500 kg to LEO). Features: low cost, quick turnaround, minimal infrastructure. First successful mission SSLV-D3 (2024) demonstrated reliability. Caters to growing global demand for small satellite launches and technology demonstrations.

Answer: All of these

ICMP-based DoS attacks include: Ping Flood (direct echo request flood), Smurf Attack (spoofed broadcast amplification), and variants. Mitigation: rate limiting ICMP, disabling broadcast responses, ingress filtering, and DDoS protection services. Network monitoring detects abnormal traffic patterns.

Answer: Partitioning

Partitioning divides a physical disk into logical sections (partitions) that can be formatted with different file systems, used for multiple OS installations, or separate data organization. Tools: Disk Management (Windows), fdisk/gparted (Linux). Enables better organization, security, and recovery strategies.

Answer: 700 MHz

Lower frequency bands (like 700 MHz) have longer wavelengths that penetrate buildings and obstacles better, providing wider coverage with fewer towers. Higher bands (3.5 GHz, 26 GHz) offer higher capacity but shorter range, requiring denser infrastructure. 5G deployments use band combinations for coverage+capacity.

Answer: Switch

Switch operates at Data Link Layer (Layer 2), using MAC addresses to forward frames to specific ports within a LAN. More efficient than hubs (broadcast to all ports). Managed switches support VLANs, QoS, and security features. Routers operate at Layer 3 using IP addresses.

Answer: False

UPI transactions are instant and irrevocable once completed. Senders must verify recipient details before confirming. For erroneous transactions, users must contact recipient for refund or raise dispute with bank/NPCI. Always double-check VPA/amount before sending money via UPI.

Answer: Drone

Drone Logistics uses unmanned aerial vehicles for last-mile delivery, especially in remote/hilly areas with poor road connectivity. India's Drone Rules 2021 facilitate commercial drone operations. Applications: medical supplies, e-commerce, agriculture spraying. Requires airspace management and safety protocols.

Answer: COUNT

COUNT() returns the number of rows that match a specified condition. COUNT(*) counts all rows; COUNT(column) counts non-NULL values. Used with GROUP BY for segmented counts. Other aggregates: SUM (total), AVG (mean), MIN/MAX (extremes). Essential for reporting and analytics queries.

Answer: True

PSLV has launched over 300 foreign satellites for 34+ countries, establishing ISRO as a reliable, cost-effective launch service provider. Notable missions: PSLV-C37 (104 satellites in one launch), PSLV-C44 (Microsat-R). Commercial launches generate revenue and foster international cooperation.

Answer: Inherence-based

Inherence-based authentication uses biometric traits inherent to the user: fingerprint, iris, face, voice, or behavioral patterns. Part of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Advantages: hard to lose/share; challenges: privacy concerns, spoofing risks, and accessibility for disabled users.