01.Consider the following statements with respect to the Archaeological Survey of India:
1)It was established by Alexander Cunningham.
2)It regulates all archaeological activities as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
3)It functions under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Home
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)1 and 2 only
d)2 and 3 only
Answer: c)1 and 2 only
In News:Eight inscriptions were identified at thalishwarar temple in kovilpalayam.
Explanation:
Archaeological Survey of India:
- The ASI is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the country.
- The prime objection of ASI is to maintain the archaeological sites, ancient monuments, and remains of national importance.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- It was established by Alexander Cunningham in 1861. Hence statements 1 is correct.
- It regulates all archaeological activities as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Hence statements 2 is correct.
- It functions under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture. Hence statements 3 is incorrect.
02. Consider the following statements with respect to Indian GAUR:
1)These are the largest and tallest in the family of wild cattle.
2)These are primarily the denizens of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
3)These are Vulnerable as per IUCN Red List.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)Only One
(b)Only two
(c)All three
(d)None
Answer: (c) All three
In News: Gaur that was found with a twig lodged in its eye.
Explanation:
About Indian GAUR:
- Indian GAURs are one of the largest extant bovines. It is one of the largest species among the wild cattle, reaching a shoulder height of up to 220 cm. Hence statements 1 is correct.
- The Indian gaur, a reclusive beast that lives in the wild, is the largest wild bovine that is a protected species and included in Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and listed as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Hence statements 3 is correct.
- They are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of south to southeast Asia.
- There are about 13,000 to 30,000 gaurs in the world with approximately 85% of the population present in India. It is also found in Burma and Thailand.
- The Western Ghats in southern India constitute one of the most extensive extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Wayanad – Nagarhole – Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.
- The gaur is the State Animal of Goa and Bihar.
- It is listed in CITES Appendix I.
- Gaurs are primarily the denizens of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.Hence statements 2 is correct
- They prefer hilly-terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
03. Consider the following statements with respect to strengthen the federal structure:
1)Foster open and transparent communication between the Centre and states.
2)Devolve more decision-making powers and resources to states while ensuring accountability.
3)Encourage cooperative policies where the Centre and states work together to formulate and implement initiatives
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
In News: Law Ministry report flags infrastructure challenges in country’s district courts
Explanation:
- The increasingly fractious Centre-State ties have chipped away at the edifice of Cooperative Federalism.
Legislative Relations:
- Articles 245 to 255 in Part XI of the Constitution deal with the legislative relations between the Centre and the states.
- Distribution of Legislative Subjects (Article 246): Indian Constitution provides for a division of the subjects between the Centre and the states through three lists – List-I (Union), List-II (State) and List-III (Concurrent) in the Seventh Schedule.
- Parliament Legislation in State Field (Article 249): In abnormal times, the scheme of distribution is either modified or suspended.
Administrative Relations (Article 256-263):
- Articles spanning from 256 to 263 in Part XI of the Constitution deal with the administrative relations between the Centre and the states.
Financial Relations (Article 256-291):
- Articles spanning from 268 to 293 in Part XII of the Constitution deal with Centre – state financial relations.
- Schedule VII describes the ability of the Centre and states to levy taxes
How can Federalism be Strengthened in India?
Collaborative Dialogue:
- Foster open and transparent communication between the Centre and states. Hence statements 1 is correct.
Empower States:
- Devolve more decision-making powers and resources to states while ensuring accountability. This can empower states to take charge of their development agenda without solely relying on the Centre.Hence statements 2is correct.
Cooperative Policies:
- Encourage cooperative policies where the Centre and states work together to formulate and implement initiatives.Hence statements 3is correct.
- Define clear roles and responsibilities for both levels of government to reduce overlapping jurisdictions and conflicts.
- Foster a culture of trust and cooperation through mutual respect and understanding. Establishing trust can facilitate smoother implementation of policies and reforms.
04.Which one of the following is a part of the Godavari Basin?
(a) Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka
(b) Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh,Jharkhand
(c) Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh,Jharkhand,Maharashtra
(d) Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh,Uttar pradesh,Bihar
Answer: (a) Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka
In NEWS:Godavari River Management Board to meet on August 13
EXPLANATION:
- The Godavari basin extends over states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in addition to smaller parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Union territory of Puducherry having a total area of 3,12,812 Sq.km with a maximum length and width of about 995 km and 583 km.
About Godavari River:
- It is India’s second-longest river after the Ganga and the third-largest in India, drains about 10% of India’s total geographical area.
- It is also called `Dakshina Ganga`, which translates into South Ganges River.
Course:
- The origin of the Godavari River is in Brahmagiri Mountain at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district of Maharashtra.
- It runs for a length of about 1,465 kilometers.
- It finally empties itself into the Bay of Bengal at Narsapur in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.It has a drainage basin of some 121,000 square miles (313,000 square km)
- The basin is bounded by the Satmala hills, the Ajanta range, and the Mahadeo hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and the east and by the Western Ghats on the west.
- The Godavari basin receives its maximum rainfall during the Southwest monsoon.
- Tributaries: The principal tributaries of the river are the Pravara, the Purna, the Manjra, the Penganga, the Wardha, the Wainganga, the Pranhita (combined flow of Wainganga, Penganga, Wardha), the Indravati, the Maner, and the Sabri.
05.With reference to some places cape verde,sao tome,principe were well known as
(a) Capital cities
(b) Ports
(c) Mangroves
(d) Islands
Answer: (d)Islands
In News: Lisbon to give freedom to its colonies
Explanation:
About Cape Verde
- Cape Verde officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelago and island country of West Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometers (1,557 sq mi).
- The Cape Verde islands form part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, along with the Azores, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Savage Isles..
- Cape Verde is a stable semi-presidential representative democratic republic.
- Cape Verde follows a policy of nonalignment and seeks cooperative relations with all friendly states
About Sao Tome and Principe:
- Sao Tome and Principe, island country of Central Africa, located on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea
- Sao Tome and Principe was the world’s largest exporter of cocoa and popularly known as the “Chocolate Islands”.
06.Consider the following statements with respect to Competition Commission of India:
1)Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a non-statutory body .
2) Chairperson and six Members who shall be appointed by the president.
3)The Chairperson and other Members shall be part-time Members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)1 and 2 only
c)1, 2 and 3 only
d)None of the above
Answer:d)None of the above
In News:Balancing competition and sustainability for India
Explanation:
About
Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- It is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002, it was duly constituted in March 2009.Hence statements 1 is incorrect.
- The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on the recommendations of the Raghavan committee.
Composition:
- The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six Members who shall be appointed by the Central Government.Hence statements 2is incorrect.
- The commission is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions to statutory authorities and also deals with other cases. The Chairperson and other Members shall be whole-time Members.Hence statements 3 is incorrect.
Eligibility criteria of members of CCI:
- The Chairperson and every other Member shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing and who, has been, or is qualified to be a judge of a High Court, or, has special knowledge of, and professional experience of not less than fifteen years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs, administration or in any other matter which, in the opinion of the Central Government, may be useful to the Commission.
07. Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’?
(a) The International Monetary Fund
(b) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(c) The World Economic Forum
(d) The World Bank
Answer:(b) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
In News:Stalked by polio, Gaza faces another siege
Explanation:
About
State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World
- State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ (SOFI) 2023, a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
- It highlights the growing disparity between the cost of a nutritious meal and the economic realities faced by a significant portion of the Indian population.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/stalked-by-polio-gaza-faces-another-siege/article68485568.ece
08.Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) :
1) It is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world.
2) It guarantees adult members of any rural household.
3) At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be women.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
In News: Number of MGNREGA job cards deleted in last five years
Explanation:
About MGNREGA
- MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural development.Hence statements 1 is correct.
- The primary objective of the scheme is to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work. As of 2022-23, there are 15.4 crore active workers under the MGNREGA.Hence statements 2 is correct.
- Unlike earlier employment guarantee schemes, the act aims at addressing the causes of chronic poverty through a rights-based framework.
- At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be women.Hence statements 3 is correct.
09.”Bailey bridge” is sometimes seen in the news is
(a) studying the evolutionary relationships among mountains
(b) sending drones to inaccessible areas
(c) understanding the genetic makeup of ocean habitat
(d) type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge to carry tanks.
Answer: (d) type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge to carry tanks.
In News: What is a Bailey bridge, constructed in Wayanad after landslides?
Explanation:
About Bailey Bridge :
- A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge. It was developed in 1940–1941 by the British for military use during the Second World War.
- A Bailey bridge has the advantage of requiring no special tools or heavy equipment to assemble. The wood and steel bridge elements were small and light enough to be carried in trucks and lifted into place by hand, without the use of a crane.
- The bridges are strong enough to carry tanks.
10.In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (a) Coal production (b) Electricity generation (c) Fertilizer production (d) Steel production
Answer: b) Electricity generation
In News: inflation remains a concern as price pressures broaden beyond food
Explanation:
About Index of Eight Core Industries:
- It is a production volume index.
- It measures the collective and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.
- It is compiled and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The Index of Industrial Production
- It is an index that shows the growth rates in different industry groups of the economy over a fixed period.
- This is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- It is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under Broad sectors, namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.
- Use-based sectors, namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.
- The eight core sector industries represent about 40% of the weight of items that are included in the IIP.
- The eight core industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
- The base year for IIP calculation is 2011-2012.
- Electricity was having the highest weightage. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
Source:https://eaindustry.nic.in/eight_core_infra/eight_infra.pdf