Which of the following Union ministry has launched the ‘Chhavni COVID: Yodha Sanrakshan Yojana’?
a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
b) Ministry of AYUSH
c) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
d) Ministry of Defence
Answer: (d) Ministry of Defence
Explanation:
In NEWS:Defence Minister calls for seamless implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Cantonment areas
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for seamless implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Cantonment areaswhile addressing a webinar to improve implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in 62 cantonments around the country.
- The Defence Minister also launched the ‘Chhavni COVID: YodhaSanrakshan Yojana’ — a group life insurance scheme through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), which will provide a `5-lakh cover to each of the 10,000 employees in all the 62 Cantonment Boards in the event of a calamity.Hence, Statement (d) is correct.
- The Scheme will benefit permanent and contractual employees including doctors, paramedics and sanitation staff.
Consider the following countries:
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA
Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
Answer: (c) 1,3,4 and 5
Explanation:
In NEWS:India should leave a window open for RCEP: Ram Madhav
- Referring to the Indo-Pacific region as the “centre of geopolitics” in the future, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav suggested that the government could show some flexibility on the issue of joining the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement.
- The RCEP grouping’s ministerial meetings last week also announced they would leave the path “open for India” to rejoin the agreement, if India were to reconsider its position before the agreement is signed.
About Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP):
- RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) or comprehensive regional economic integration agreement between the 10-ASEAN countries and its six FTA partners.
- It was launched in November 2012.
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Japan, India as well as Australia and New Zealand.Hence option (c) is correct
- The 16 RCEP participating countries account for almost half of the world’s population; contribute about 30 percent of global GDP and over a quarter of world exports.
- RCEP will provide a framework aimed at lowering trade barriers and securing improved market access for goods and services for businesses in the region.
the following statements regarding East Asia Summit
1. It is a forum of 18 countries.
2. India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit.
3. It is a forum of strategic dialogue and cooperation on the key political, security, and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 and 3 only
- b) 2 and 3 only
- c) 1 and 2 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS:East Asia summit: India, China, US to bolster supply chain to deal with challenges posed by Covid
- Economic ministers from the 10 Asean members and eight other nations, including India, the US and China, have highlighted the importance of strengthening regional supply chains to make them resilient in times of heightened challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to spur economic growth.
About East Asia Summit
- The East Asia Summit is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity. Hence statement 1 is correct and Hence statement 3 is correct
- It has evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture.
- Established in 2005
- It comprises the ten member states of the ASEAN countries along with 8 members Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
- India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit.Hence statement 2 is correct
- There are six priority areas of regional cooperation within the framework of the EAS. These are – Environment and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases, Natural Disaster Management, and ASEAN Connectivity.
- India endorses regional collaboration in all six priority areas.
Recently, a rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed in which of the following state in India?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Kerala
c) Tamilnadu
d) Karnataka
Answer: (a) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS:Rare inscription unearthed in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district
- A rare inscription dating back to the RenatiChola era has been unearthed in a remote village of Kadapa district. Hence option (a) is correct
- Found engraved on a dolomite slab and shale.
- The inscription was written in archaic Telugu which was readable in 25 lines
- It was assigned to the 8th Century A.D., when the region was under the rule of Chola Maharaja of Renadu.
- The inscription seems to throw light on the record of a gift of six Marttus (a measuring unit) of land gifted to a person Sidyamayu, one of the Brahmins serving the temple at Pidukula village
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/rare-inscription-unearthed/article32490807.ece
Consider the following statements regarding Pinaka
- 1. It is primarily a multi-barrel rocket system
- 2. It has been indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation
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:Explained: The Pinaka missile system that will be deployed along India’s borders with Pakistan, China
- The Ministry of Defence announced that it’s acquisition wing had signed contracts with three Indian companies for supply of six regiments of the Pinaka Rocket System to be deployed along borders with Pakistan and China.
- The development of the Pinaka was started by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the late 1980s, as an alternative to the multi-barrel rocket launching systems of Russian make, called like the ‘Grad’, which are still in use.
About Pinaka
- The Pinaka, which is primarily a multi-barrel rocket system (MBRL) system, can fire a salvo of 12 rockets over a period of 44 seconds.Hence statement 1 is correct
- One battery of Pinaka system consists of six launch vehicles, accompanied by the loader systems, radar and links with network based systems and a command post. One battery can neutralise an area one kilometre by one kilometre.
- It has been indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and productionised by the defense industries.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Each Pinaka rocket is capable of carrying a 100kg payload for a range of 40km. A single Pinaka battery can neutralize a surface area of 700m x 500m.
- The system can engage targets with a circular error probability (CEP) of one to two percent of the range.
Consider the following statements regarding Vikas Battalion
1. It was raised in the immediate aftermath of the 1962 Sino-India war.
2. It is a part of the Indian Army
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Explained: What is the Special Frontier Force or Vikas Battalion?
- There have been reports that a Special Frontier Force (SFF) unit, referred to as Vikas Battalion, has been instrumental in occupying some key heights on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh to thwart any occupation by the Chinese troops.
What is the Special Frontier Force (SFF)?
- SFF was raised in the immediate aftermath of the 1962 Sino-India war. It was a covert outfit which recruited Tibetans (now it has a mixture of Tibetans and Gorkhas) and initially went by the name of Establishment 22.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It falls under the purview of the Cabinet Secretariat where it is headed by an Inspector General who is an Army officer of the rank of Major General.
- SFF units are not part of the Army but they function under operational control of the Army. The units have their own rank structures which have equivalent status with Army ranks.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- women soldiers too form a part of SFF units and perform specialised tasks.
- They took part in operations in the 1971 war, Operation Blue Star in Golden Temple Amritsar, Kargil conflict and in counter-insurgency operations in the country.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-special-frontier-force-vikas-battalion-6578568/
Consider the following statements regarding Pangong Tso Lake
1. It is an endorheic lake that is partly in India’s Ladakh region and partly in Tibet
2. It is a part of the Indus river basin.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS:Explained: What is the importance of Ladakh’s Pangong Tso’s south bank?
- Indian Army thwarted an attempt by China to change the status quo near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by deploying its troops to a previously un-deployed area on the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh
- Nearly two-thirds of the lake is controlled by China, with just about 45 km under Indian control.
- Until this weekend, the south bank had been quiet during the standoff. Army sources said India has traditionally had a stronger presence in the southern bank compared to the north bank, because of its proximity to areas like Chushul and Rezang La.
- The region south of the lake is also strategically important for both countries.
- Chushul approach, is one of the few sectors that can be used as launchpads for an offensive, because of the plains. During the 1962 conflict, both banks witnessed a Chinese offensive, and India lost territory on both — first Sirijiap, then the entire north bank by October 22; on the south bank India had to abandon its complex of posts in Yula, and move to a high area north of Gurung Hill
About Pangong Tso Lake
- Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake (landlocked) that is partly in India’s Ladakh region and partly in Tibet. The name reflects the mixed heritage of the lake: Pangong in Ladakhi means extensive concavity, the word Tso is Tibetan for lake.Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Pangong Tso Lake is a long deep narrow lake that is situated at a height of 4,350 metres in the Ladakh region.
- Its southern bank too has high broken mountains sloping towards Spangur Lake in the south.
- The Karakoram Mountain range, which crosses Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and India, with heights of over 6,000 metres including K2, the world’s second highest peak, ends at the north bank of Pangong Tso
- It is not a part of the Indus river basin.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-importance-of-pangongs-south-bank-6578044/
Consider the following statements regarding National Crime Records Bureau
1. It is nodal agency under Home Ministry for authentic source of data on crimes,
2. accidents, suicides and prisons for policy matters and research.
It was setup under the recommendations of the Tandon Committee
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:Number of accidental deaths, suicides grew in 2019: NCRB
- The number of suicide cases and accidental deaths registered an increase across the country last year from the 2018 figures, according to the annual National Crime Records Bureau report.
- The most cases of mass/family suicides were reported from Tamil Nadu (16), followed by Andhra Pradesh (14), Kerala (11) and Punjab (9) and Rajasthan (7).
- Accidental deaths in the country increased by 2.3%. Compared with 4,11,824 in 2018, the figure stood at 4,21,104 last year.
About National Crime Records Bureau
- NCRB is nodal agency under Home Ministry for authentic source of data on crimes, accidents, suicides and prisons for policy matters and research.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was established in 1986 as the central police organisation based on the recommendations of the Tandon Committee to the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task force (1985).Hence statement 2 is correct
- NCRB is headquartered in New Delhi
Objectives:
- Create and maintain secure sharable National Databases on crimes and criminals for law enforcement agencies and promote their use for public service delivery.
- Collect and process crime statistics at the national level and clearing house of information on crime and criminals both at National and International levels.
- Lead and coordinate development of IT applications and create an enabling IT environment for Police organizations.
- National repository of fingerprints of all criminals.
- To evaluate, modernize and promote automation in State Crime Records Bureau and State Finger Print Bureau.
- Training and capacity building in Police Forces in Information Technology and Finger Print Science.
Source: TH
Consider the following statements regarding Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
1. It is an autonomous institution set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India.
2. It aims to be a centre of excellence within the university sector for teaching, research and development in astronomy and astrophysics.
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:Indian Astronomers discover one of the farthest Star galaxies in the universe.
- As a landmark achievement in Space missions, Indian Astronomers have discovered one of the farthest Star galaxies in the universe.
- It is a matter of pride that India’s first Multi-Wavelength Space Observatory “AstroSat” has detected extreme-UV light from a galaxy located 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth. The galaxy called AUDFs01 was discovered by a team of Astronomers led by Dr Kanak Saha from the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics(IUCAA) Pune.
- India’s AstroSat/UVIT was able to achieve this unique feat because the background noise in the UVIT detector is much less than one on the Hubble Space Telescope of US based NASA.
About Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
- It is an autonomous institution set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Its aim is promote the nucleation and growth of active groups in astronomy and astrophysics at Indian universities.
- It aims to be a centre of excellence within the university sector for teaching, research and development in astronomy and astrophysics.Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1650396
Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct?
- A bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.
- A Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India.
- A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of moneys out of the Contingency Fund of India.
- A Money Bill deals with the regulation of borrowing of money or giving of any guarantee by the Government of India.
Answer: (c) A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of moneys out of the Contingency Fund of India
Explanation:
Article 110 of the Constitution deals with the definition of money bills. It states that a bill is deemed to be a money bill if it contains ‘only’ provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters:
- The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax ;
- The regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India ;
- The custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the contingency fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of money from any such fund ;
- The appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India; Hence option (c) is correct
- Declaration of any expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or increasing the amount of any such expenditure
- The receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money, or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a state;
- Any matter incidental to any of the matters specified above.
