1.Consider the following statements regarding India Digitization Fund
It has launched by the Google
It aims to help accelerate the adoption of digital services in India.
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: What the $10 billion investment means for Google, and India
- Tech-giant Googleannounced plans to invest $10 billion in India over the next 5-7 years by way of equity investments, partnerships and other arrangements to “accelerate digitisation” in the country. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Objective :To help accelerate the adoption of digital services in India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- These investments will be made through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, operations, infrastructure and ecosystem investments
The Investment will focus on four areas important to India’s digitization:
- Enabling affordable access and information to every Indian in their own language
- Building new services and products that are deeply relevant to India’s unique needs
- Empowering businesses as they continue on digital transformation.
- Leveraging technology in AI- Artificial Intelligence for social good in areas like education, health, and agriculture.
- $10 billion as part of the ‘Google for India Digitization Fund’ will boost Indian companies in Google’s portfolio.
2.Consider the following statements regardingSatellite Town Ring Road
This project is part of Bharatmala Pariyojna
It is an economic corridor that encompasses two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
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: Satellite town ring road between T.N., Karnataka gets expert committee nod
- The Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Ministry has recommended the grant of Environmental Clearance for the development of Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR).
- It is an economic corridor that encompasses two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The greenfield highway is part of Bharatmala Pariyojnaand will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The project will start in Dabaspet in Karnataka and end near Devarapalli village in Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, and encompasses two States — 134.94 km in Karnataka and 45.02 km in Tamil Nadu
- Bharatmala Pariyojna: It is an umbrella initiative under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It aims to subsume unfinished projects of National Highways Development Project(NHDP) launched in 1998 and also focus on new initiatives like development of roads for better connectivity.
3.PRAGYATA Guidelines is related to which of the following option?
Promotes innovation to adopt renewable energy sources
Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
Educate scientists and technologists in defence public sector undertakings
Focus on digital education for students who are presently at home due to lockdown.
Answer: (d) Focus on digital education for students who are presently at home due to lockdown.
Explanation:
In NEWS: Union HRD Minister virtually releases PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education
The Union Human Resource Development Minister released PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education recently.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to closure of schools and has impacted over 240 million children of the country who are enrolled in schools.
About PRAGYATA guidelines:
- Developed from the perspective of learners, with a focus on online/blended/digital education for students who are presently at home due to lockdown. Hence option (d) is correct
- These guidelines on Digital/ Online Education provide a roadmap or pointers for carrying forward online education to enhance the quality of education.
- The guidelines will be relevant and useful for a diverse set of stakeholders including school heads, teachers, parents, teacher educators and students.
- The guidelines stress upon the use of an alternative academic calendar of NCERT, for both, learners having access to digital devices and learners having limited or no access.
- The PRAGYATA guidelines include eight steps of online/ digital learning that is, Plan- Review- Arrange- Guide- Yak(talk)- Assign- Track- Appreciate.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1638541
4.Consider the following statements regarding Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)
It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Science & Technology
It is a technology think tank specializing in Technology Information services, Foresight exercises, Innovation support and Technology demonstration programmes.
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: Govt tech think tank says import substitution through indigenisation could cushion GDP blow
- India’s GDP is expected to get impacted by Rs 14.88 lakh crore in the current financial year
- Union Health Minister released a White Paper on “Focused Intervention for Make in India Post COVID-19”.
- The paper has been prepared by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC).
- It analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on Textiles, Auto, Aviation and Tourism sectors while taking into account factors like labour availability, working capital availability, logistics and distribution efficiency.
- Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)
- It is a technology think tankspecializing in Technology Information services, Foresight exercises, Innovation support and Technology demonstration Hence statement 2 is correct
- TIFAC was formed as a registered Societyin 1988 under the Department of Science and Technology as an autonomous body. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is mandated to assess the state-of-art of technology and set directions for future technological development in India in important socio-economic sectors.
- Important programmes of TIFAC: Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN-IPR) scheme, SRIJANand Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP)
5.Consider the following statements regarding Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)
It is a measure of change in retail prices of food products consumed by a defined population group in a given area with reference to a base year of 2012
It is launched by the Central Statistics 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 NEWS: Retail inflation growth at 6.09% in June: Government data
- India’s retail inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew 6.09 per cent in the month of June, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- The retail inflation has grown beyond the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper margin of 6 per cent. The government has mandated the Indian central bank to keep inflation within the range of 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.
- The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) or the inflation in the food basket eased to 7.87 per cent in the month of June as the supply related issues because of the nationwide lockdown eased. The CFPI for May was revised to 9.20 per cent, the data showed.
About Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)
- It is a measure of change in retail prices of food items consumed by the population. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was launched by CSO in 2014. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The index gives food price level changes for rural, urban and all India bases.
- The base year used in CFPI is 2012 as in the case of CPI.
- CFPI is based on retail price quotations as in the case of CPI.
6.Consider the following statements regarding Padmanabhaswamy Temple
It is built in the 18th century by the then Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma.
It is built in the unique nagara style of architecture
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: Padmanabha Swamy Temple to be managed by ex-royal family, rules Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court Monday ended a nearly decade-old legal dispute, by upholdingthe rights of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore to manage the affairs of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
About Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Historians say the temple dates back to the 8th century but the present structure was built in the 18th century by the then Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The temple is built in the unique Chera style of architecture, and its main deity is Lord Vishnu who is found in the Anantha Shayana posture (reclined posture of eternal yoga) on Adishesha or king of all serpents. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- It is known to be one of the 108 holy temples associated with Vaishnavism in India.
- The deity at the temple represents the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
- The temple was first made of wood but later constructed with granite that is seen today. It has 365 pillars, one for each day of the year.
7.Consider the following statements regarding Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968
It is an order to provide for specification, reservation, choice and allotment of symbols for the recognition of political parties.
It gives power to the Election Commission to suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party.
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: Delhi HC issues notices to EC, Jagan’s party on use of name
- The notice was directed towards ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party which was alleged to violate the EC’s directives by using the abbreviation of YSR Congress Party in place of its full name.
- The abbreviation gives an impression of reference to the old Anna YSR Congress Party.
- The petitioner has called for De-recognising the ruling party under Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968.
About Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968:
- It is an order to provide for specification, reservation, choice and allotment of symbols for the recognition of political parties. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is applicable to both parliamentary and assembly elections.
- As per the order a symbol shall be allotted to a contesting candidate in accordance with the provisions of this Order and different symbols shall be allotted to different contesting candidates at an election in the same constituency.
- Classification of Symbols: There are two types of symbols i.e reserved and free.
- A reserved symbol is a symbol which is reserved for a recognised political party for exclusive allotment to contesting candidates set up by that party. A free symbol is a symbol other than a reserved symbol.
- Classification of Political Parties: These are either recognised political parties or unrecognised political parties. A recognised political party shall either be a National party or a State party, rest all are unrecognised parties.
- It gives power to the Election Commission to suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party. Hence statement 2 is correct
8.Consider the following statements regarding Hope Mission
It is the first interplanetary mission for the Arab countries
It is designed to study the thin atmosphere of Mars and help explain how the planet loses hydrogen and oxygen from its atmosphere into space.
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: Uae’s Hope Probe To Mars Launch Delayed Due To Bad Weather; Revised Attempt On 17 July
- The launch of UAE’s Hope Mars mission has been delayed due to poor weather conditions at the launch site in Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
- The Hope missionis a Mars orbiter spacecraft, designed to study the thin atmosphere of Mars and help explain how the planet loses hydrogen and oxygen from its atmosphere into space. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is the first interplanetary mission for the Arab World. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is one of three missions launching to Mars this month. The USA and China, both have surface rovers in the late stages of preparation.
- The ‘Hope Orbiter’ will be lifted on an H-IIA rocket from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a machinery maker in Japan. It will be launched from Tanegashima Island in Japan.
- The country’s primary aim is to inspire school children and spur its science and technology industries, which, in turn, will enable the Emirates to tackle critical issues like food, water, energy and a post-petroleum economy.
9.The Service Area Approach was implemented under the purview of
Integrated Rural Development Programme
Lead Bank Scheme
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
National Skill Development Mission
Answer: (b) Lead Bank Scheme
Explanation:
- The Service Area Approach (SAA) introduced in April 1989, in order to bring about an orderly and planned development of rural andsemi – urban areas of the country, was extended to all Indian scheduled commercial banks including Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). Hence option (b) is correct
- Service area approach is an alternative and improved method of Lead Bank Scheme for deployment of bank credit for rural development. Under SAA, each bank branch in rural and semi -urban area was designated to serve an area of 15 to 25 villages and the branch was responsible for meeting the needs of bank credit of its service area.
- The primary objective of SAA was to increase productive lending and forge effective linkages between bank credit, production, productivity and increase in income levels
10.Which of the following is not included in the assets of a commercial bank in India?
Advances
Deposits
Investments
Money at call and short notice
Answer: (b) Deposits
Explanation:
A bank places its funds in assets to earn profits. The assets include investments, loans and advances, money at call and short notice, bills discounted and purchased. It also includes the cash in hand with the banks and also the cash held with the RBI. The liabilities include deposits (both time and demand) and borrowings. Hence option (b) is correct.
