Consider the following Statements regarding Consumer Price Index
It measures price changes from the perspective of a retail buyer.
It is released by the National Statistical Office
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 line with expectations, the monetary policy committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) voted unanimously to maintain status quo on interest rates in its latest meeting. The benchmark policy repo rate stands at 4 per cent.
- The threat of inflation remaining elevated, complicating policy choices for the MPC, appears to have receded for now. Retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, fell sharply to 4.59 per cent in December, after remaining above the upper band of the MPC’s inflation targeting framework for the better part of the last year.
About Consumer Price Index
- It measures price changes from the perspective of a retail buyer. It is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO). The CPI calculates the difference in the price of commodities and services such as food, medical care, education, electronics etc, which Indian consumers buy for use. Hence Statement 1 is correct and Hence Statement 2 is correct
- The CPI has several sub-groups including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.
- At present, India has five consumer price indexes (CPIs), three of which are working-class specific. These are:
- CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
- CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
- CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
- These three indexes are compiled by the Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- CPIs AL and RL are used to fix minimum wages of agricultural labourers and rural unskilled employees.
- The CPI-IW is mainly used for determining dearness allowance (DA) paid to central/state government employees and workers in the industrial sectors besides measuring inflation in retail prices, fixation and revision of minimum wages in scheduled employments.
- The Base Year for CPI-IW has recently been changed to 2016 from previous 2001.
- The Labour Bureau is also expected to bring out the new series of the CPI- AL/RL, which currently has the base year of 1986-87 by August 2021.
- The other two are CPI-Urban and CPI Rural. These two indexes are compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- The combined rise in retail prices is captured by CPI Combined.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/rbi-mpc-interest-rates-7176511/
Consider the following Statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
It is a Maternity Benefit Programme that is implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The maternity benefits are not available to those in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking
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: PMMVY beneficiaries cross 1.75 crore
- The government’s maternity benefit scheme, or Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, has crossed 1.75 crore eligible women till financial year 2020, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday.
- According to the government’s initial estimate, it aimed to reach 51.70 lakh women per year through the scheme.
- A total sum of 5,931.95 crore was paid to 1.75 crore eligible beneficiaries between financial year 2018 and 2020.
- 2,063.70 crore was disbursed in the current fiscal to 65.12 lakh women.
About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a Maternity Benefit Programme that is implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013. Hence Statement 1 is correct
Objectives
- Providing partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentive s so that the woman can take adequate res t before and after delivery of the first living child.
- The cash incentive provided would lead to improved health seeking behaviour amongst the Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW& LM).
Target beneficiaries
- All Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, excluding PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or PSUs or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force. Hence Statement 2 is correct
- All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have their pregnancy on or after 01.01.2017 for first child in family.
Criteria:
- The PMMVY is targeted only at women delivering their first child.
- The other conditions including early registration of pregnancy, having at least one ante-natal check-up and registration of child birth.
- However, to address the problem of malnutrition and morbidity among children, the Anganwadi Services Scheme, which is universal, is available to all PW&LM including the second pregnancy.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pmmvy-beneficiaries-cross-175-crore/article33750096.ece
Consider the following Statements regarding Regional Rural Banks
It was set up on the basis of the recommendations of the Narasimham Working Group
As per guidelines of Reserve Bank of India , the RRBs have to provide 25 per cent of their total credit under Priority Sector Lending
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: SBI chairman calls for deployment of technology in RRBs
- The Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) should adopt modern technology, Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank India (SBI) said. He was speaking after formally launching Digital Insta Savings Account (DISA) Mobile App of Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) and Telangana Grameena Bank
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs):
- Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were set up as a regional based rural lending institutions under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
- They were established based on the recommendations of Narsimham Committee working group. Hence Statement 1 is correct
- They were configured as hybrid micro banking institutions, combining the local orientation and small scale lending culture of the cooperatives and the business culture of commercial banks.
- The first Regional Rural Bank “Prathama Grameen Bank” was set up on 2nd October, 1975.
- As per guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the RRBs have to provide 75 per cent of their total credit under Priority Sector Lending(PSL). Hence Statement 2 is incorrect
- RRBs are primarily catering to the credit and banking requirements of agriculture sector and rural areas.
- RRBs also provide lending to micro/small enterprises and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.
- The GoI, the concerned state government and the sponsoring nationalised bank contribute the share capital of the RRBs in the proportion of 50 per cent, 15 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.
Consider the following Statements regarding Jal Jeevan Mission
It is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in India
It will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.
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: Two lakh 87 thousand crore rupees outlay proposed for Jal Jeevan Mission (URBAN) in Budget
- The Jal Jeevan Mission (URBAN) has been designed to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households through functional taps in all four thousand 378 statutory towns.
- The mission will promote circular economy of water through development of a city water balance plan for each city focusing on recycling and reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation.
- 20 per cent of water demand to be met by reused water with development of institutional mechanisms
Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban):
- Jal Jeevan Mission, is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in India. Hence Statement 1 is correct
- The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements.
- The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission. Hence Statement 2 is correct
Objectives:
- Rejuvenation of water bodies to augment sustainable fresh water supply
- Creating green spaces and sponge cities to reduce floods and enhance amenity value through an Urban Aquifer Management plan.
- Promote circular economy of water through development of city water balance plan for each city.
Consider the following Statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
It will be implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development
It was introduced with a vision of expanding irrigation coverage and using the water more efficiently
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: MIF is proposed to be doubled by augmenting it by another Rs.5,000 crores
- The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) recently decided to double the corpus of Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) by Rs.5,000 crores.
- The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component of ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY-PDMC)’ from 2015-16 in all the States of the country which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems. Besides promoting Micro Irrigation, this component also supports micro level water storage or water conservation/management activities to supplement source creation for Micro Irrigation.
About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
- The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal waste water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system. Hence Statement 2 is correct
- PMKSY has been conceived amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and the On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).
- The scheme will be implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development. Ministry of Rural Development is to mainly undertake rain water conservation, construction of farm pond, water harvesting structures, small check dams and contour bunding etc. Hence Statement 1 is correct
Consider the following Statements regarding Nirbhaya Fund
It is a non-lapsable corpus fund for safety and security of women
It is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs
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: Nirbhaya Fund Framework
Under Nirbhaya Fund, schemes/ projects worth Rs. 9288.45 Cr. have been appraised till date
About Nirbhaya Fund
- The Nirbhaya Fund Framework provides for a non-lapsable corpus fund for safety and security of women to be administered by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the Government of India. Hence Statement 1 is correct and Hence Statement 2 is incorrect
- The Rs 1,000 crore Nirbhaya Fund was announced in Union Budget 2013 by the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
- Ministry of Women and Child Development apart from several other concerned ministries were authorised to work out details of structure, scope and application of this fund.
- The Fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs of the finance ministry.
Source: https://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1695202
Consider the following Statements regarding Bombay Natural History Society
It is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.
It has been designated as a ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’ by the Department of Science and Technology.
It is the partner of BirdLife International in India
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Bihar starts tagging migratory birds for conservation
- Non-profit Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) tagged 91 migratory birds with satellite-enabled chip in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district to track their movement.
- Bird-tagging refers to the attachment of a small, individually numbered metal or plastic tag to the leg or wing of a wild bird to enable individual identification. This helps in keeping track of the movements of the bird and its life history.
- 13 flyways used by migratory species across the globe, two — Central Asian Flyways and East Asian Flyways — pass through Bihar. These are important routes for migratory birds to complete their annual cycle.
- The tagging of rings is a new beginning that will help the conservation process of migratory birds
- Bihar was the fourth state in the country after Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Orissa to initiate the process.
About BNHS:
- The Bombay Natural History Society, founded on 15 September 1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. Hence Statement 1 is correct
- It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.
- Department of Science and Technology has designated it as a ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’. Hence Statement 2 is correct
- BNHS is the partner of BirdLife International in India. Hence Statement 3 is correct
- The BNHS logo is the great hornbill.
In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3, 4 and
Answer: (b) 2,3 and 4 only
Explanation:
In News: Light rain chases away pollution, AQI moderate in Delhi
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientists said the drop was primarily due to the cold, dry winds blowing in from the snow-clad western Himalayas. The city had recorded 2.1mm rainfall on Thursday under the influence of a western disturbance, which also led to widespread snowfall in the hilly regions
- Cold, dry winds from the mountains have started blowing over the plains, resulting in a dip in the minimum temperature
- Union ministry of earth science’s air quality monitoring centre, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), said isolated rain observed under the influence of a western disturbance and high winds contributed to the improvement in AQI.
About Air Quality Index
- Air Quality is measured using a metric called Air Quality Index (AQI). AQI will display the changes in air pollution in the atmosphere.
- Launched in 2014 with outline ‘One Number – One Color -One Description’ for the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity.
- AQI has six categories of air quality. These are: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe.
- It has been developed by the CPCB in consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical and air-quality professionals.
- National Air Quality Index: There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. The AQI considers eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
Arunachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Karnataka
Maharashtra
Answer: (d) Maharashtra
Explanation:
The Blue Mormon is a large, swallowtail butterfly found primarily in Sri Lanka and India, mainly restricted to the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, South India and coastal belts. It may occasionally be spotted in the Maharashtrian mainland between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra.
Maharashtra has become the first State in the country to have a ‘State butterfly.’ Thus all statements are wrong.
Consider the following statements:
The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
- The ‘Club of Rome’ is a global think tank is a global think tank which in its 1972 book “Limits to Growth” talked about sustainability; however they didn’t propose Sustainable Development Goals. As per the resolution of UN General Assembly in September, 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been adopted by 193 member nations. Hence Statement 1 is incorrect
- These developmental schemes are mostly addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are targeted to be achieved by 2030. Hence Statement 2 is correct
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