1.Consider the following statements with reference to PM FME scheme
The Scheme adopts One District One Product (ODODP) approach
The Scheme also places focus on waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts.
It is a Central Sector Scheme
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- In NEWS: Convergence between Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Rural Development for the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme
- With a view to provide financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched an all India “Centrally Sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme” to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crores.
- MoFPI and DeendayalAntyodayaYojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) agreed to work together on implementation of PM-FME to support Self Help Group (SHG) entrepreneurs in food processing.
- About Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises
- Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has launched the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector.
- The Scheme adopts One District One Product (ODODP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products.Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Scheme also places focus on waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts.Hence statement 2 is correct
- It will be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore.Hence statement 3 is incorrect
- The expenditure under the scheme would be shared in 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with UTs with legislature and 100% by Centre for other UTs.
Objectives
- Increase in access to finance by micro food processing units.
- Increase in revenues of target enterprises.
- Enhanced compliance with food quality and safety standards.
- Strengthening capacities of support systems.
- Transition from the unorganized sector to the formal sector.
- Special focus on women entrepreneurs and Aspirational districts.
- Focus on minor forest produce in Tribal Districts.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1710361
2.Consider the following Statements with respect to Anamaya
- It is launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The main objective of this initiative is to enhance health and nutrition eco-system of tribal communities in India
- It will begin its operations to all the Tribal districts of India
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Tribal Health Collaborative ‘Anamaya’: A Multi Stakeholder Initiative to enhance Tribal Health and Nutrition launched
- Anamaya, the Tribal Health Collaborative was launched by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs . Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder initiative of the Tribal Affairs Ministry supported by Piramal Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
- It will converge efforts of various Government agencies and organisations to enhance the health and nutrition status of the tribal communities of India.
- It aims to build a sustainable, high-performing health ecosystem to address the key health challenges faced by the tribal population of India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The collaborative will set up the National Council on Tribal Health and a Tribal Health Cell to monitor the health care needs in tribal areas.
- It will converge efforts of government agencies and organizations to enhance the health and nutrition status of tribal communities in the country.
- It will begin its operations with 50 tribal, Aspirational Districts (with more than 20% Scheduled Tribe population) across 6 high tribal population states.Hence statement 3 is incorrect
- Over a 10-year period, the work of the THC will be extended to 177 tribal Districts as recognised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
3.Consider the following Statements with respect to Madhukranti Portal
It is an initiative of the National Bee Board under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.
It has been developed to achieve the traceability source of honey and bee hive products on the digital platform.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches Madhukranti portal and Honey Corners of NAFED in New Delhi
- Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today launched Madhu Kranti portal and Honey Corners of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation, NAFED in New Delhi.
- About Madhu Kranti portal
- The Madhukranti portal is an initiative of the National Bee Board.
- It is operated under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The main objectives of the Madhukranti portal are as follows:
- The portal has been developed to achieve the traceability source of honey and beehive products on the digital platform. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The platform will help in checking the quality and source of adulteration of honey.
- The portal will help in increasing income of the farmers, boost exports and increase employment generation.
- The portal will hold the database of all the stakeholders involved in honey production, marketing chains, hive production and sales. This will increase the reach of honey to international markets.
4.Consider the following Statements regarding A-WEB
- It is the largest association of Election Management Bodies worldwide.
- It provides training programs for election officials of member nations and undertakes country programs at the request of member organization, providing support during the election cycle to boost election management capacity.
- Currently, it is chaired by India
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Assembly Election 2021: EC to host IEVP for foreign poll bodies
- Election Commission of India will organize International Virtual Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) 2021 for foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and Organisations from today during the ongoing Assembly Elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Over 106 delegates from more than 26 countries across the world are participating in the two-day programme.
- The programme aims to provide the participants with an overview of:
- The large canvas of the Indian electoral process.
- New initiatives taken by ECI on voter facilitation, transparency and accessibility of the electoral system.
- ECI’s response to the changing needs of training and capacity building and New formats necessitated by COVID-19
- insights into the elections underway in different states.
About A-WEB
- A-WEB is the first global organization of election management bodies, and the membership currently consists of 115EMBs as members and 20 Regional associations as associate members. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Under the slogan of ‘Democracy to Grow for All Worldwide,’ the A-WEB Secretariat provides training programs for election officials of member nations and undertakes country programs at the request of member organization, providing support during the election cycle to boost election management capacity. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The current chairman is Sunil Arora from Republic of India. Hence statement 3 is correct
- At present A-WEB has 115 EMBs as Members & 16 Regional Associations/Organisations as Associate Members.
- A-WEB undertakes Election Visitor and Observation Programmes in various countries. These programs aim to study various election management practices and share knowledge with other members of EMBs.
Source: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=413558
5.Consider the following Statements regarding PS Zoroaster
- It will be the fourth Fast Patrol Vessel gifted by India to Seychelles
- It is useful for multi-purpose operations such as patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and search and rescue
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: India hands over ₹100 cr patrol boat to boost Seychelles’ maritime security
- India has been working closely with countries in the Indian Ocean, especially the Maldives and Seychelles, to bolster maritime security through the supply of aircraft and patrol vessels.
- The PS Zoroaster is the fourth made-in-India patrol boat to be gifted to Seychelles since 2005. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The 48.9-metre patrol boat was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineering at a cost of ₹100 crore and has a top speed of 35 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles.
- The vessel will be used for multi-purpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, and search and rescue. Hence statement 2 is correct
- India has been working closely with countries in the Indian Ocean, especially the Maldives and Seychelles, to bolster maritime security through the supply of aircraft and patrol vessels.
6.Consider the following Statements regarding Opium Poppy
- It is a medicinal herb that produces a variety of alkaloids
- It is one of the narcotic drugs not under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act).
- The extraction process is carried out at facilities controlled by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Govt. to reboot dated Opium strategy
- The Central government has decided to rope in the private sector to commence production of concentrated poppy straw from India’s opium crop.
- Two cultivation trials were conducted by two private firms in the crop years of 2017-18 and 2018-19.
- One of the firms purchased poppy straw of locally cultivated crops to analyse the yield from the same crop with the concentrated poppy straw (CPS). They also cultivated CPS with hydroponic, aeroponic methods under a greenhouse environment.
- The final reports were received in February 2020 and June 2020, respectively and showed higher extraction of alkaloids using the CPS.
- The Finance Ministry has decided to switch to new technologies of poppy cultivation and alkaloids extraction.
- It will also produce CPS with the participation of the private sector.
- However, to materialise these changes, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 needs to be amended.
- The Department of Revenue has decided to appoint a consultant to help frame the bidding parameters and concession agreements
- The move will boost the yield of alkaloids in the country.
About Opium Poppy
- It is a medicinal herb that produces a variety of alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, etc. and is best known as a pain reliever in modern medicine. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is used for a range of treatments, from post operative pain management and palliative care for terminal cancer patients to treating accident-related trauma and chronic pain syndromes.
- Under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), India is among the 12 countries in the world allowed to grow opium poppy for medicinal use.
- It is one of the narcotic drugs not under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act). Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- However, India is the only nation allowed to extract gum opium, in which skilled workers manually extract the latex that contains 70% of the morphine synthesized by the plant by lancing its flower-bearing pod.
- Countries such as Australia, France, China and Turkey, which grow legal opium, use a CPS method.
- The extraction process is carried out at facilities controlled by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are the three traditionally opium growing States, where poppy crop cultivation is allowed based on licences issued annually by the Central Bureau of Narcotics.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-to-reboot-dated-opium-strategy/article34265392.ece
7.Consider the following Statements regarding Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
- It is a platform for early diagnosis of dengue and also gives dengue test results within one hour
- It is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces or by nanostructures
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: IIT-D researchers develop device to diagnose dengue within an hour
- Dengue is a serious global health concern with a large population around the world facing the risk of getting infected. Early diagnosis of dengue is the key to prevent deterioration of a patient’s health.
- IIT Delhi’s Physics Department has developed a handheld Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) based platform for early diagnosis of dengue virus. It also gives dengue test results within one hour (rapid diagnosis). Hence statement 1 is correct
- However, conventional diagnostic tools like nucleic acid detection using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is a time-taking process and it also requires expensive equipment and reagents for the diagnosis of dengue.
- This technique was employed to fabricate silver nanorods array based SERS active biosensors in order to detect pathogens. Only 2 microlitres of a diluted serum was dropcasted on the SERS substrates and Raman spectra were collected by flashing a 785 nm laser beam through the device.
- The SERS platform was capable of distinguishing different tropic strains of HIV-1 suggesting tropism-based detection. The SERS based platform gives HIV-1 test results within an hour.
- The research work was funded by the IMPRINT India programme of the Ministry of Education with New Age Instruments and Materials Pvt Ltd as the industry partner.
About SERS
- It is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces or by nanostructures such as plasmonic-magnetic silica nanotubes. Hence statement 2 is correct
- About IMPRINT India programme
- It is the first of its kind MHRD supported Pan-IIT + IISc joint initiative to address the major science and engineering challenges.
- IMPRINT provides the overarching vision that guides research into areas that are predominantly socially relevant.
8.Consider the following Statements regarding Classical Swine Fever
- The humans are not affected by this virus
- It is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild swine.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: ICAR-IVRI transfers Technology – CSF & Sheep Pox Vaccine through Agrinnovate
- The ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh transferred the Technology – CSF & Sheep Pox Vaccines to M/s Hester Biosciences through Agrinnovate India Limited in a ceremony held
- He emphasized that due to the cheaper prices of the Vaccines, a greater return can be achieved with lesser investment which will enable production enhancement in animals. He also urged for looking out for ways for supplying the indigenous vaccines to other countries as well.
- In India, the disease is controlled by a lapinized CSF vaccine (Weybridge Strain, U.K.) produced by killing large numbers of rabbits.
- The ICAR-IVRI has developed a Cell Culture CSF Vaccine using the Lapinized Vaccine Virus from foreign strain in order to avoid killing rabbits.
- The Indigenous CSF Cell Culture Vaccine (IVRI-CSF-BS) developed by using an Indian field isolates has a huge export potential.
- The Vaccine can produce a large number of doses (60 Lakhs approx.) easily from only one 75 cm² Tissue Culture Flask due to its very high titre.
About Classical Swine Fever
- Classical Swine Fever is also known as hog cholera and is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild swine. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is caused by a virus of the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae, which is closely related to the viruses that cause bovine viral diarrhoea in cattle and border disease in sheep.
- The humans are not affected by this virus and swines are the only species known to be susceptible. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The most common method of transmission is through direct contact between healthy swine and those infected with CSF virus.
- The virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, and feces.
- CSF virus can survive in pork and processed pork products for months when meat is refrigerated and for years when it is frozen.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1710230
9.Consider the following Statements regarding Government Securities Acquisition Programme
- It is a structured purchase program which will definitely calm investors’ nerves and help market participants to bid better in scheduled auctions and reduce volatility in bond prices.
- Under G-SAP, the RBI will purchase government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY22.
- The market participants know the RBI’s Open Market Operations (OMO) purchase calendar.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: G-SAP: Securities acquisition plan for market boost
- Reiterating the RBI’s commitment to maintaining the current accommodative policy stance until the economy is back on track, the Governor enthused the markets with a new programme — Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP) — through which it will purchase government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY22.
- The RBI also announced that it will continue with a variable rate reverse repo to suck excess liquidity.
What is Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP)?
- Under G-SAP, the RBI will purchase government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY22. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is a structured purchase program which will definitely calm investors’ nerves and help market participants to bid better in scheduled auctions and reduce volatility in bond prices. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The G-SAP aims to provide more comfort to the bond market in the backdrop of the government’s elevated borrowing for this year, which the RBI has to ensure goes through without causing disruption.
- It will provide certainty to the bond market participants with regard to RBI’s commitment of support to the bond market in FY22.
- The market participants have always wanted to know the RBI’s Open Market Operations (OMO) purchase calendar, and the RBI has now provided that to the market through G-SAP.Hence statement 3 is correct
- It will help reduce the spread between the repo rate and the 10-year government bond yield which will help to reduce the aggregate cost of borrowing for the Centre and states in FY22.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/g-sap-rbi-market-7263221/
10.Which one of the following protected areas is well known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
- Kanha National Park
- Manas National Park
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: (a) Kanha National Park
Explanation:
- Barasingha also known as swamp deer is one of the largest species of deer found in India, known for its distinctive character of twelve tined stags. Today, Swamp deer or Barasingha are only found in the Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh, Kaziranga and Manas National Parks of Assam and large populations in Dudhwa National Park of Uttar Pradesh.
- Kanha Tiger Reserve has a significant population of Bengal tiger, Indian wild dog and barasingha deer in India. The park is the reintroduction site of barasingha and first tiger reserve in India to introduce Barasingha as an official mascot. Hence option (a) is correct
