1.With reference to The National Human Rights Commission,consider the following statements:
- The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members
- The Chairperson and Members are appointed by the President on the basis of recommendations of a Committee comprising the Prime Minister as the Chairperson.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
In News:NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of three workers and injuries to three others in an explosion at a propellant mixing unit of an explosives manufacturing plant in Yadadri Bhongir district of Telangana
Explanation:
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that three workers died and three others were injured in an explosion that occurred at a propellant mixing unit of an explosives manufacturing plant at Katepalli village in Yadadri Bhongir district of Telangana.
- The Chairperson and Members of the Commission are appointed by the President on the basis of recommendations of a Committee comprising the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Home Minister, the leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as Members.
- The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members. The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.Hence option(c) is correct.
Source:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127107
2.Starbase latest company town recently seen in news situated in which of the following countries?
(a) USA
(b) Russia
(c) China
(d) Germany
Answer: (a)USA
In News:
Explanation:
- Starbase is the newest ‘city’ in Texas, coming up in the area where Elon Musk-owned SpaceX operates. Essentially, it is the latest company town.Hence option(a) is correct.
- A company town is a township where a single company employs most of the residents and owns the majority of the housing and stores. Jamshedpur in Jharkhand is one example.
- In the US, company towns call back to a bygone era where industrialists held the kind of power to physically concentrate their workforce around their site of operations. Pullman in Illinois is one such example, named after industrialist and rail mogul, George Pullman.
- Located in the southern tip of Texas, the area houses the launch site for SpaceX’s Starship system. Over the past decade, SpaceX has invested in the surrounding area, building a powerful space flight system capable of taking people to Mars and conducting suborbital test flights of the Starship rocket.
- Texas, as a state, is favoured for its lack of a state tax and relatively cost of living. There are no business taxes, while personal taxes are not levied here, making it an increasingly popular site of business.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-starbase-9984289/
3. Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: Census Division assists the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, successful conduct of Census Operations under the legal authority of the Census Act, 1948
Statement -II: The Union Home secretary co-ordinate the work of census taking in the respective States/Union Territories
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
(b) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
(c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
(d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
Answer: (c)Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
In News: India’s expanding Census: What questions did officials ask during the decadal population counts in 139 years?
Explanation:
- To collect details and data on the caste of respondents as part of the upcoming Census, the government will have to expand the questionnaire from the set that was used in the previous edition of the exercise.
- Census data are self-reported, and enumerators record the information that is provided to them by respondents.
- The first Census of 1872, which was conducted non-synchronously across India, put a set of 17 questions to respondents; the questionnaire of the last Census of 2011 had 29 questions and collected more data points. These 29 questions were almost the same as those asked in the previous (2001) Census as well.
- Major changes in the list of questions to collect specific details were made in 1941 and 1951, the Census exercises that immediately preceded and followed Independence.
- Census Division assists the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India for timely and successful conduct of Census Operations once in ten years in the country under the legal authority of the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990 and amendments made thereunder.Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The Directors of Census operations co-ordinate the work of census taking in the respective States/Union Territories.Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- The last decennial population Census of India was conducted during 9th–28th February 2011 with a revisional round during 1st -5th March, 2011.
- The next Census was due in 2021 but the same has been postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
- All matters relating to Census including planning, preparations, pre-testing of questions/ schedules, conduct of Census, tabulation from Census data and its dissemination are dealt with in this Division
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-census-questions-data-139-years-9984066/
4.Consider the following :
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Venezuela
- Iran
How many of the above Countries are members of OPEC?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d) All four
Explanation:
- The Saudi Arabia-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) announced it would increase oil supply by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in June. This follows a similar announcement last month applicable to oil production from May.
- Effectively, the oil cartel would be supplying 1 million bpd between April and June.
- This has stoked fears of a glut in oil supply amid concerns of economic stress thanks to Trump’s tariffs.
- The benchmark Brent crude fell by a fifth of its value in April, the largest fall in a single month since 2021.
- The move is seen as a step by Saudi Arabia to check OPEC+ members Iraq and Kazakhstan for exceeding their agreed-upon production ceilings in recent months.
- Saudi Arabia, which cut its production by 2 million bpd over the last three years, is looking to expand its market share.
- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, also known as OPEC, was formed in 1960 by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. The organization has since expanded to 13 members.Hence option(d) is correct.
- OPEC regularly meets to set oil production targets and coordinate output to help manage global oil prices for the entire group.
Source:
5. Consider the following statements:
- ‘Total Allowable Catch (TAC)’ refers to, no fish caught in a specific area can be retained by anglers; they must be released immediately, unharmed.
- India imposes a monsoon fishing ban, equivalent to a TAC of zero for 61 days every year in its territorial waters.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Option D
- The ‘Total Allowable Catch (TAC)’ is a limit on the total quantity of fish that fishers can catch in a particular area.
- Governments and regulatory bodies impose TACs in oceans, seas, and inland water bodies to prevent overfishing and allow fish populations to maintain a minimum viable size for self-replenishment.
- Zero Catch Limit refers to “no fish caught in a specific area can be retained by anglers; they must be released immediately, unharmed”.
- India imposes a monsoon fishing ban, equivalent to a TAC of zero for 61 days every year in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), from April 15 to June 14 on the east coast and June 1 to July 31 on the west coast.Hence option(d) is correct.
6.Consider the following statements:
- It is dedicated to Goddess Lairai, believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Durga or Parvati.
- It is located in Goa and an example of Vesara style of Architecture.
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans:Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
News: stampede during Goa temple fest.
- Lairai Mandir, also known as Lairai Devi Temple, is a prominent Hindu temple located in the village of Shirgao in Goa, India.Hence option(c) is correct.
- It is dedicated to the goddess Lairai, who is revered as the Kuldevi (family deity) by many Goan communities, particularly the Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) and some other local communities.
- Jatra (festival), which takes place during the month of February or March. The Jatra attracts a large number of devotees from different parts of Goa and beyond. The festivities include vibrant processions, cultural performances, traditional music, and a variety of delicious local cuisine.
- The temple architecture follows a traditional Goan style, featuring beautiful wooden carvings, colourful paintings, and intricate designs.
- The sanctum sanctorum ( garbhagriha ) enshrines the idols of the deities, and the temple complex is surrounded by a serene ambience, making it an ideal place for spiritual contemplation.
7. With respect to fatty liver disease, consider the following statements:
- Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver.
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) is a serious form of fatty liver disease caused by alcohol.
- Semaglutide is the key component of diabetes drug Ozempic which effectively helps to fight against MASH.
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) None
Ans:(b)1 and 3 only
Explanation:
News: ‘Wonder drug’ Ozempic could reverse liver disease, finds study
- Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. There are two main types:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease, also called alcoholic steatohepatitis
- According to Yale Medicine, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) describes a spectrum of conditions marked by fat buildup in the liver not caused by alcohol use.
- It is a metabolic syndrome usually caused by overnutrition, and leads to inflammation and scarring of the liver.
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a type of steatosis that’s caused by factors other than excessive alcohol use.
- In 2022, a meta-analysis revealed that in India, among adults, the pooled prevalence of fatty liver was 38.6%, while among obese children, it was around 36%.Hence option(b) is correct.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/explained-wonder-drug-ozempic-could-reverse-liver-disease-finds-study-9984795/ https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tackling-the-fatty-liver-disease-epidemic/article68281573.ece
8. Other than Malaysia, which among the following from Asia is a member of OPEC+?
- India
- Brunei
- Sri Lanka
- Kazakhstan
Select the correct answer using code given below:
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Explanation:
Ans:(b)Only two
News: OPEC+’s ‘healthy’ crude oil market looks like it’s catching a cold: Russell
- OPEC+ is a coalition of OPEC members and non-OPEC oil-producing nations that work together to manage oil production and stabilize global oil prices.
- The alliance was formed in 2016 in response to increasing oil production in the United States, particularly from shale oil, which led to falling oil prices.
- OPEC was founded in 1960 and includes 12 member countries: Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Venezuela.
- Non-OPEC Members in OPEC+: OPEC+ includes 10 non-OPEC members: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, Sudan.
- OPEC+ countries together produce approximately 40% of the world’s crude oil and control about 80% of the world’s proven oil reserves.Hence option(b) is correct.
9. Consider the following statements:
- Mortgage-Backed Pass Through Certificates (PTCs)are financial instruments that allow investors to earn returns based on mortgage payments made by borrowers.
- PTCs are not tradable in the secondary market.
- India has not yet approved mortgage backed pass through certificates.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Ans:(a)1 only
Explanation:
News: India’s first mortgage backed Pass Through Certificates listed on the National Stock Exchange
- A pass through certificate (PTC) is a certificate that is given to an investor against certain mortgaged-backed securities that lie with the issuer.
- They are structured to provide liquidity and stability to the housing finance sector. The recent issue involved a total of ₹1,000 crores, comprising 1,00,000 PTCs with a face value of ₹1,00,000 each.
- The PTCs issued carry a coupon rate of 7.26% per annum and have a maturity period of nearly 20 years.
- They received an AAA(SO) rating from CRISIL and CARE Ratings, indicating a high level of creditworthiness.
- The PTCs are issued in dematerialised form, making them easily transferable and tradable in the secondary market.Hence option(a) is correct.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127137
10.At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?(2021)
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Rural Development
(d)Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ans: (d)Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Explanation:
- The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, also referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, recognizes the rights of the forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources.
As per the provisions of the Act and the rules framed thereunder, various schemes and projects are implemented under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.Hence option (d) is the correct answer.