Consider the following statements regarding Chandrayaan-3
- It is the third lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation
- It consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover.
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: Chandrayaan-3 launch likely in early 2021, says Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh
- Chandrayaan-3 is a planned third lunar exploration mission by Indian Space Research Organisation. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 and will include a Lander and Rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2, but will not have an orbiter. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- According to ISRO, the Chandrayaan-3 mission is going to launch in 2021 and it will have an estimated cost of Rs 600 Crore.
- Although scores of landers sent by Russia, the U.S. and the Chinese have explored the moon’s surface, so far, no other agency has landed in the southern hemisphere of the moon. ISRO hopes to be still the first to do so.
- It will be almost a repetition of the July 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission in the configuration of spacecraft, the landing spot on the moon and the experiments to be conducted on the lunar surface.
Consider the following statements regarding Land Ports Authority of India
- It is a statutory body established under the Land Ports Authority of India Act,2010.
- It functions under the administrative control of the Department of Border Management, 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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS:First trial run on newly opened inland waterways from Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Sonamura in India completes successfully
- The trial run of the newly opened inland river route from Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Sonamura in Tripura was successfully completed
- The newly opened 93 kilometers long route on the river Gumti marks another major step in enhancing connectivity between India and Bangladesh.
- The operationalization of the Sonamura-Daudkandi route on river Gumti would reduce the cost of trade between the two countries.
About Land Ports Authority of India
- LPAI is a statutory body established under the Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010. Section 11 of the Act gives powers to LPAI to develop, sanitize and manage the facilities for cross-border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
- LPAI functions under the administrative control of the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs. Hence statement 2 is correct
- LPAI was set up to provide safe, secure and systematic facilities for movement of cargo as well as passengers at its Integrated Check Posts(ICPs) along the international borders of the country
- The Authority may seek the assistance of armed forces, central para military force or state police to ensure peace and security at an integrated check post.
- The customs, immigration, quarantine and other officials shall co-ordinate with the Authority to discharge their duties effectively.
The Authority may
- maintain or construct roads, terminals and ancillary buildings other than national or state highways and railways, at an integrated check post (as notified by the central government)
- procure and maintain communication, security and goods handling equipment
- provide appropriate space for various services such as immigration, customs, security, and taxation authorities
- construct residential buildings for its employees; and (e) establish and maintain hotels, restrooms, warehouses, and container deports.
Consider the following statements
- Forex reserves are external assets in the form of gold, SDRs and foreign currency assets accumulated by India and controlled by the RBI
- Rise in investment in foreign portfolio investors in Indian stocks and fall in crude oil prices are the major reason for the rise in forex reserves
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: Forex reserves at all-time high — why did this happen, and what does it mean for India’s economy?
- India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves surged by $3.883 billion to touch a lifetime high of $541.431 billion in the week ended August 28, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed on Friday (September 4). India’s forex reserves had crossed $500 billion for the first time ever in the week ended June 5, 2020, hitting what was then the all-time high of $501.7 billion.
What are forex reserves?
- Forex reserves are external assets in the form of gold, SDRs (special drawing rights of the IMF) and foreign currency assets (capital inflows to the capital markets, FDI and external commercial borrowings) accumulated by India and controlled by the RBI. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The International Monetary Fund says official foreign exchange reserves are held in support of a range of objectives like supporting and maintaining confidence in the policies for monetary and exchange rate management including the capacity to intervene in support of the national or union currency.
Why are forex reserves rising despite the slowdown in the economy?
- The rise in investment in foreign portfolio investors in Indian stocks and foreign direct investments (FDIs)
- The fall in crude oil prices has brought down the oil import bill, saving precious foreign exchange. Similarly, overseas remittances and foreign travels have fallen steeply. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The sharp jump in reserves started with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on September 20, 2019, cutting corporate tax rates.
What’s the significance of rising forex reserves?
- The rising forex reserves give comfort to the government and the RBI in managing India’s external and internal financial issues at a time of major contraction in economic growth
- The rising reserves have also helped the rupee to strengthen against the dollar
Consider the following statements regarding Assam Rifles
- It is one of the six central armed police forces
- It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure
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: Who controls Assam Rifles, and what is the tussle between MoD and MHA?
- The Delhi High Court has granted 12 weeks to the Union government to decide on whether to scrap or retain the dual control structure for Assam Rifles, which comes under both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence
What is Assam Rifles?
- Assam Rifles is one of the six central armed police forces (CAPFs) under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The other forces being the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is tasked with the maintenance of law and order in the North East along with the Indian Army and also guards the Indo-Myanmar border in the region.
- It was formed as Cachar Levy in 1835 to assist the British rulers in maintaining peace in the Northeast.
- It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure. While the administrative control of the force is with the MHA, its operational control is with the Indian Army, which is under the MoD. Hence statement 2 is correct
- This means that salaries and infrastructure for the force is provided by the MHA, but the deployment, posting, transfer and deputation of the personnel is decided by the Army.
Why do both MHA and MoD want full control?
- MHA has argued that all the border guarding forces are under the operational control of the ministry and so Assam Rifles coming under MHA will give border guarding a comprehensive and integrated approach
- Army is of the opinion that the Assam Rifles has worked well in coordination with the Army and frees up the armed forces from many of its responsibilities to focus on its core strengths. It has also argued that Assam Rifles was always a military force and not a police force and has been built like that.
Consider the following statements regarding State Business Reform Action Plan 2019
- Andhra Pradesh has bagged the first rank among all the states in the country
- It is prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
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:Ranking of states based on implementation of Business Reform Action Plan for the year 2019 declared
- Andhra Pradesh has retained the top position in the ranking of states and union territories (UTs) based on the implementation of the business reform action plan. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Uttar Pradesh and Telangana were placed at the second and third place, respectively in the ease of doing business for 2019, prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Business Reform Action Plan 2018-19 includes 180 reform points covering 12 business regulatory areas such as Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour, Environment, etc.
- The larger objective of attracting investments and increasing Ease of Doing Business in each State was sought to be achieved by introducing an element of healthy competition through a system of ranking states based on their performance in the implementation of Business Reform Action Plan.
- The DPIIT, in collaboration with the World Bank, conducts this annual reform exercise for all States/UTs under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP).
- In the World Bank’s latest ‘Doing Business’ report, India has jumped 14 places to the 63rd position.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1651598
Consider the following statements regarding SFURTI Scheme
- Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided for development of Khadi, coir and village Industries clusters.
- It is an initiative by Ministry of MSME
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:10 clusters under SFURTI to be set up at a cost of about Rs 50 crore to benefit 5000 Artisans
- Taking a holistic approach and looking to the enhanced interest of the stakeholders, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), further expanded the reach and support to Artisans, involved in Agarbatti making, and to the Agarbatti Industry
- Setting up 10 clusters with proper marketing linkages under SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) scheme of the Ministry of MSME at a total cost of about Rs. 50 Crs, to benefit about 5000 artisans for their sustainable employment and enhanced earnings.
About SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) scheme:
- It is an initiative by Ministry of MSME to promote Cluster development. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)\ is the nodal Agency for promotion of Cluster development for Khadi. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided for development of Khadi, coir and village Industries clusters. Hence statement 1 is correct
- As per the revised guidelines, the following schemes are being merged into SFURTI:
- The Scheme for Enhancing Productivity and Competitiveness of Khadi Industry and Artisans
- The Scheme for Product Development, Design Intervention and Packaging (PRODIP)
- The Scheme for Rural Industries Service Centre (RISC) and
- Other small interventions like Ready Warp Units, Ready to Wear Mission, etc.
OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME
- To organize the traditional industries and artisans into clusters to make them competitive and provide support for their long term sustainability
- To provide sustained employment for traditional Industry artisans and rural entrepreneurs
- To enhance marketability of products of clusters by providing support for new products, design intervention and improved packaging, and also the improvement of marketing Infrastructure
- To equip traditional artisans of the associated clusters with improved skills and capabilities through training and exposure visits
- To make provision for common facilities and improved tools and equipment for artisans
- To strengthen the cluster governance systems with the active participation of the stakeholders, so that they are able to gauge the emerging challenges and opportunities and respond to them in a coherent manner
- To build innovative and traditional skills, improved technologies, advanced processes, market intelligence and new models of public-private partnerships, so as to gradually replicate similar models of cluster- based regenerated traditional Industries
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1651736
Consider the following statements regarding Ground Level-Ozone
- It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds
- It usually increases when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries and chemical plants
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:Air pollution: Low ozone layer found over Brahmaputra river valley
- Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Government of India have evaluated the near-surface ozone in the Brahmaputra River Valley (BRV) and found a relatively low concentration of Ozone over Guwahati compared to the other urban locations in India.
- Tropospheric, or ground-level ozone, is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Hence statement 1 is correct
- It usually increases when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight, impacting human health. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is a short-lived climate pollutant with an atmospheric lifetime of hours to weeks.
- The examination of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone concentrations in this study suggested that this site is well influenced by local sources such as adjacent major national highway.
- During the daylight hours, the site is in or nearly in a photo-stationary state, indicating a low impact of organic species on the ozone concentrations.
Consider the following statements regarding Moplah Rebellion
- The wagon tragedy incident is related to this rebellion
- Agrarian distress and landlord system are the major cause of this rebellion.
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:‘Moplah rioters’ not freedom fighters: report
- A report submitted to the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) in 2016 had recommended the removal of the Wagon Tragedy victims and Malabar Rebellion leaders Ali Musliyar and Variamkunnath Ahmad Haji, and Haji’s two brothers from a book on martyrs of India’s freedom struggle.
- The report sought the removal ofnames of 387 ‘Moplah rioters’ from the list of martyrs
About the Moplah Rebellion
- The Moplah Rebellion, also known as the Moplah Riots of 1921 was the culmination of a series of riots by Mappila Muslims of Kerala in the 19th and early 20th centuries against the British and the Hindu landlords in Malabar (Northern Kerala).
- It was an armed revolt. It was led by VariyamkunnathKunjahammed Haji.
The immediate trigger for the rebellion was Khalifat and Non-Cooperation movement, but the agrarian distress and landlord system are deep roots of the uprising..Hence statement 2 is correct - The wagon tragedy incident is related to the Malabar/ Moplah rebellion of 1921..Hence statement 1 is correct
- Between 1836 and 1896, they killed many government officers and Hindu landlords.
Source: TH
Consider the following statements regarding Indian Council of Historical Research
- It is an autonomous body of the HRD Ministry
- It has provided financial assistance to the historians and direction to the research scholars in their multifarious topics of historical research through established historians and scholars of the country
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:Moplah rioters’ not freedom fighters: report
- The report, accessed by The Hindu, describes Haji as the “notorious Moplah Riot leader” and a “hardcore criminal,” who “killed innumerable innocent Hindu men, women, and children during the 1921 Moplah Riot, and deposited their bodies in a well, locally known as Thoovoor Kinar”.
- The ICHR recently constituted a threemember committee, including Mr. Issac, to review the entries in the dictionary, including those of Haji and Ali Musliyar.
About Indian Council of Historical Research
- The ICHR is an autonomous body of the HRD Ministry, which had been established by an Administrative Order of the then Ministry of Education. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The body has provided financial assistance to the historians and direction to the research scholars in their multifarious topics of historical research through established historians and scholars of the country. Hence statement 2 is correct
- ICHR disburses funds for carrying out research to Indian as well as foreign scholars on their applications for fellowships, grants, and symposia.
- The objectives of the ICHR, as enunciated in the initial pamphlet published by the Department of Education, Government of India in 1972 are as under:
- to bring historians together and provide a forum for exchange of views between them;
- to give a national direction to an objective and scientific writing of history and to have rational presentation and interpretation of history;
- to promote, accelerate and coordinate research in history with special emphasis on areas which have not received adequate attention so far;
- to promote and coordinated a balanced distribution of research effort over different areas; and
- to elicit support and recognition for historical research from all concerned and ensure the necessary dissemination and use of results
Source: TH
If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- Chambal River
- Pulicat Lake
- DeeporBeel
Answer: (b) Chambal River
Explanation:
- National Chambal Sanctuary, alsocalled the National ChambalGharial Wildlife Sanctuary is a tristate protected area in northernIndia for the critically endangeredgharial (small crocodiles), the redcrowned roof turtle and theendangered Ganges river dolphin.Hence option (c) is correct
