1..Consider the following statements regarding CycloneNisarga
- It could be the first tropical cyclone in 129 years to hit Maharashtra in the month of June.
- Nisarga is a name given by Bangladesh
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:Nisarga likely to turn into ‘severe cyclonic storm’ in next 24 hours: IMD
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the tropical storm Nisarga, which is heading towards Gujarat and Maharashtra, is likely to intensify into a “severe cyclonic storm” in the next 24 hours and is expected to make landfall close to Mumbai.
About Cyclonic Storm Nisarga
- It could be the first tropical cyclone in 129 years to hit Maharashtra in the month of June.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Nisarga is a name given by Bangladesh, one of the 13 countries that will take turns in naming future cyclones that form over the North Indian Ocean.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Nisarga means ‘nature’ in Bengali language.
- Nisarga is the first moniker on a list of new cyclone names that take effect this year.
- Nisarga will be the second cyclonic storm of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season after Cyclone Amphan.
2.Consider the following statements regarding Kisan Credit Card(KCC) scheme
- It is being implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks and Cooperatives.
- Small farmers, marginal farmers and Self Help Groups are eligible for availing benefits under the scheme.
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:Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) campaign launched for 1.5 crore dairy farmers
The Government will provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 crore dairy farmers belonging to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies within the next two months (1st June-31st July 2020) under a special drive.
Under the dairy cooperative movement, approximately 1.7 crore farmers are associated with 230 Milk Unions in the country.
About Kisan Credit Cards (KCC):
- The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was announced in the year 1998-99 by Indian Banks with the aim of providing short-term formal credit to farmers.
- This model scheme was prepared by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
- Under the scheme, all farmers who are eligible for the Kisan Credit Card are issued a smart card cum debit card in addition to the Kisan Credit Card, valid for 5 years.Hence statement 2 is correct
- The KCC scheme is being implemented by all the Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks in collaboration with the State Governments.Hence statement 1 is correct
Objectives:
- To provide adequate and timely credit support from the banking system to the farmers at the cheap rate of interest.
- To support post-harvest expenses.
- To fulfil Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1628393
3.Consider the following statements regarding 7.75 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018
- The minimum investment in this bond starts at Rs 1,000 with no maximum limit.
- Resident citizens/Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) are eligible to invest in this taxable bond
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:Scrapping of 7.75% savings bonds to hit savers, pensioners
- The government’s decision to discontinue the 7.75 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 has come as a big blow to savers and pensioners at a time when their returns from bank deposits have fallen steeply following a series of cut in deposit rates by the banks and reduction in small savings rate by the government over the last couple of months.
- According to fund managers and analysts, the 7.75 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 was the favourite investment option for savers and pensioners who considered these bonds as safe and generating adequate returns.
About the 7.75% bonds:
- These bonds were issued with effect from January 2018 and were available to citizens for subscription, to invest in a taxable bond.
- The bonds had an annual interest rate of 7.75%, with a seven-year tenor.
- The minimum investment in this bond starts at Rs 1,000 with no maximum limit. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The bonds were available for subscription to resident citizens/Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) to invest in a taxable bond.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Interest on these bonds was taxable under the Income-tax Act,1961
4.Consider the following statements regardingPAiSA portal
- It is a centralized electronic platform for processing interest subvention on bank loans to beneficiaries under DeendayalAntyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission
- Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs is an implementing agency for this portal
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:Centre launches micro-credit scheme to provide loans to street Vendors
- The Centre has launched a special micro-credit scheme to provide affordable loan of up to Rs 10,000 to street vendors, a move aimed at restarting their livelihoodsaffected due to coronavirus-triggered lockdown.
- The IT platform will also help in integrating the vendors into the formal financial system.
- This platform will integrate the web portal/ mobile app with Udyami Mitra portal of SIDBI for credit management and PAiSA portal of MoHUA to administer interest subsidy automatically.
About PAiSA Portal of MoHUA
- PAiSA stands for Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access. It was launched in November 2018.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. Hence statement 2 is correct
- PAiSAis a centralized IT platform which simplifies and streamlines release of interest subvention under the DAY-NULM.Hence statement 1 is correct
- It has been designed and developed through the Allahabad Bank.
- It offers end to end online solution for processing, payment, monitoring and tracking of interest subvention claims from banks on a monthly basis.
- Claims for subvention are uploaded by banks through their CBS (Core Banking Solution) in respect of the beneficiaries of the Self Employment Programme, which are verified and approved by the ULB and State concerned.
- The approved claim amount gets credited directly to the beneficiary’s loan account through DBT mode.
- SMS is also sent to the beneficiary’s mobile number intimating the credit of subvention amount.
5.Udyami Mitra portal, sometimes seen in news, has been launched by
Small industrial Development Bank
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
National Housing Bank
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Answer: (a) Small industrial Development Bank
Explanation:
A digital platform with web portal/mobile app is being developed to execute this urban livelihood programme. This will also be a means of bringing the vendors and hawkers into a formal financial digital system. Digital transactions will happen as the web portal or mobile app integrates with the UdyamiMitra portal of SIDBI for credit management and PAiSA portal of MoHUA.
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched the ‘Udyami Mitra’ Portal (www.udyamimitra.in) to improve the accessibility of credit and handholding services to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Hence option (a) is correct
- Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) have been advised to ensure a target of 7.5% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) for Micro Enterprises
- Collateral security is not required for loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to MSE sector, which has simplified working capital requirement for MSEs
6.Bimal Julka committee , recently seen in news, is related to
1.Film sector
2.Coal Sector
3.Fishing Industry
4.Textile Sector
Answer: (a) Film Sector
Explanation:
In NEWS:Report on restructuring of the film sector submitted to I&B minister
- The Bimal JulkaCommitteereport was submitted to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.
- An Expert Committees on Rationalisation, Closure or Merger of Film Media Units and Review of Autonomous Bodies under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has found overlapping activities being undertaken by multiple institutes.Hence option (a) is correct
- It has suggested an umbrella configuration with 4 broad verticals under which institutes should work. They are – Production, Festival, Heritage and Knowledge.
- The committee has recommended that these verticals be headed by professionals. The report also recommends creation of Film Promotion Fund for independent filmmakers for making commercial films.
Source: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=390293
7.Consider the following statements regardingPashmina goat
- It is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high altitude regions of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
- These goats are generally domesticated and reared by Changpanomadic communities
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:Uneasy frontier robs Ladakh’s herders of pastures
- The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok since January has leftLadakh’s nomadic herdingChangpa community cut offfrom large parts of summerpastures.
- Over 16 kanals of cultivatable land in Chumur’sChabiji pasture has been inaccessible since January this yeardue to the aggression and incursions of Chinese Armythere, destablising the annual seasonal migration ofour livestocks, includingyaks and Pashmina goats (also known as Cashmere).Timely migration is essentialfor their survival
About Pashmina goats
- The Changthangi or Pashmina goat is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high altitude regions of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.Hence statement 1 is correct
- They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, known as Pashmina once woven. The Textiles are handspun and were first woven in Kashmir.
- The Changthangi goat grows a thick warn undercoat which is the source of Kashmir Pashmina wool – the world’s finest cashmere measuring between 12-15 microns in fiber thickness.
- These goats are generally domesticated and reared by nomadic communities called the Changpa in the Changthang region of Greater Ladakh.Hence statement 2 is correct
8.Consider the following statements regardingCOVID-19 Detection Tool
1.It has been developed by Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT).
2.It is an Artificial Intelligence enabled detection tool using the Chest digital X-ray image of the patient.
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:DEVELOPMENT OF AI ENABLED COVID-19 DETECTION TOOL USING THE CHEST DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGE BY DIAT, PUNE
- Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (Deemed to be University), Pune has developed an Artificial Intelligence enabled COVID-19 detection tool using the Chest digital X-ray image of the patient.Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is correct
- The Chest X-ray of a suspected patient is uploaded in this AI tool which then immediately confirms whether the patient has developed any kind of abnormality in X-ray image due to COVID or any other kind of respiratory symptoms.
- This will be a very useful tool for Radiologists and also for use in telemedicine.
9.Consider the following statements regardingCentral Employment Guarantee Council
- It is constituted under Section 10 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), 2005
- It is responsible for a central monitoring and evaluation system in MGNREGA.
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 of Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chairs the 21st meeting of Central Employment Guarantee Council
- The 21st Meeting of the Central Employment Guarantee Council, constituted under Section 10 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), 2005 was held on 02.06.2020 under the Chairmanship of Union Minister of Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar through Video-Conferencing. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Addressing the participants, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar stated that Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is one of the largest employment generating schemes which provides alternative employment to the people in rural areas.Hence statement 2 is correct
- Addressing the participants, rural development minister said that for the Financial Year 2020-21, Rs.61,500 crore has been allocated for this programme which is an all-time high.
- Additional provision of Rs.40,000 crore has been made for this programme under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to provide employment to the needy workers during this difficult period arising of COVID-19.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1628782
10.Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the “Rule of Law”?
- Limitation of powers
- Equality before law
- People’s responsibility to the Government
- Liberty and civil rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
The concept of rule of law is a very dynamic concept, capable of interpretations to enable the successful working of a democracy. It is the restriction on the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
Features of the Modern Meaning of Rule of Law: Hence option (c) is correct
- Certainty of the law
- Supremacy of the law
- Equality before the law
- Right to personal freedom
- Laws must not take retrospective effect
- Independent judiciary
- Protection of human right
