Medium Level – GK Questions

IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) providing approximately 3.4×10^38 unique addresses, solving IPv4 exhaustion. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) allowing ~4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 also offers improved security and auto-configuration.

HAVING clause filters results after GROUP BY aggregation, while WHERE filters rows before grouping. Example: SELECT dept, AVG(salary) FROM emp GROUP BY dept HAVING AVG(salary) > 50000. WHERE cannot be used with aggregate functions directly.

NFC (Near Field Communication) enables contactless payments by allowing two devices to communicate when placed within 4 cm. Used in Google Pay, Apple Pay, and RuPay Contactless. It operates at 13.56 MHz and supports secure element storage for payment credentials.

e-Kranti (National e-Governance Plan 2.0) is a pillar of Digital India focusing on electronic delivery of government services across sectors like education, health, agriculture, and justice. It emphasizes integrated services, cloud adoption, and mobile-first approach for citizen convenience.

Virtual Reality (VR) creates simulated 3D environments that users can interact with using headsets and controllers. Unlike AR which augments reality, VR completely replaces the physical world. Applications include gaming, training simulations, virtual tours, and therapeutic uses.

Gaganyaan is ISRO's ambitious human spaceflight program aiming to send Indian astronauts (Gagannauts) to low Earth orbit (~400 km) for 3-7 days. The mission uses GSLV Mk III rocket and includes multiple uncrewed test flights before the crewed mission, targeted for 2025-26.

CBDC design can include holding limits, tiered remuneration, and intermediation models to preserve bank deposit role. Critical for financial stability while enabling digital payment innovation.

Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) receives, analyzes, and disseminates financial intelligence including crypto transactions. VASPs must register and report suspicious activities under PMLA.

Multi-CBDC platforms (mBridge, Project Dunbar) test cross-border settlements using interoperable digital currencies. Aims to reduce cost, time, and intermediaries in international payments.

Carbon credit integrity: additionality proves reductions beyond business-as-usual; robust baselines define counterfactual; independent verification ensures accuracy. Critical for market credibility.

Smart charging: AI optimizes EV charging timing based on grid load, renewable availability, electricity prices. V2G enables bidirectional flow for grid services. Critical for sustainable mobility integration.

Carbon-aware computing: schedule batch jobs when grid renewable fraction is highest, use geographic load balancing to low-carbon regions. Critical for sustainable cloud operations.

Credible voluntary markets: independent verification of emission reductions, adherence to standards (Verra, Gold Standard), transparent registries. Critical for corporate ESG credibility and climate finance.

Urban air quality monitoring: IoT sensors for hyperlocal data, satellites for regional patterns, AI for source attribution and forecasting. Critical for public health and environmental policy.

In-situ propellant production: electrolyze lunar water ice into hydrogen/oxygen for rocket fuel. Enables lunar refueling depot for deep space missions, reducing Earth launch mass requirements.

High-Throughput Satellites (HTS) with Ka-band provide 100+ Gbps capacity for 5G backhaul in remote areas. Critical for bridging digital divide and supporting mobile network expansion.

Cubesat standardization (1U=10x10x10cm) reduces development cost/time, enables rideshare launches. India promotes Cubesats via ISRO and academic programs for capacity building and innovation.

Programmable CBDC enables subsidies usable only for specific goods/services (food, education), preventing misuse while ensuring benefits reach intended purposes. Critical for social welfare efficiency.

FATF provides global AML/CFT standards for VASPs: registration, risk assessment, Travel Rule implementation. Countries align domestic regulations for cross-border consistency.

Offline CBDC security: secure hardware (SE/TEE) prevents tampering; transaction limits minimize loss exposure; delayed synchronization enables fraud detection. Critical for inclusive yet secure design.