Consider the following statements regarding the report titled ‘Stacked Odds’

  1. It is conducted by Walk Free, International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration
  2. According to the report, one in every 130 females globally is living in modern slavery

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: One in every 130 females globally is living in modern slavery: UN report

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Consider the following statements

1.Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.

2.Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.

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: Blood test that detects genetic abnormalities may help predict pregnancy complications before symptoms: Study

Epigenetics researchers have found that a blood test commonly used to detect foetal genetic abnormalities may help predict complications associated with pregnancy even before the symptoms develop.

What is epigenetics?

Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Hence statement 1 is correct

Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence. Hence statement 2 is correct

While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, epigenetic changes affect gene expression to turn genes “on” and “off.”

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/blood-test-that-detects-genetic-abnormalities-may-help-predict-pregnancy-complications-before-symptoms-study/articleshow/78640013.cms

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Consider the following statements regarding Public debt

1.It is the total liabilities of the Union government that have to be paid from the Consolidated Fund of India.

2.It includes small saving and provident funds accounts

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: India’s public debt ratio to jump to 90 per cent because of COVID-19: IMF

India’s public debt ratio, which remarkably remained stable at around 70 per cent of the GDP since 1991, is projected to jump by 17 percentage points to nearly 90 per cent because of increase in public spending due to COVID-19

In our projections, the increase in public spending, in response to COVID-19, and the fall in tax revenues and economic activity, will make public debt jump up by 17 percentage points to almost 90 per cent of GDP

Public Debt

In the Indian context, public debt includes the total liabilities of the Union government that have to be paid from the Consolidated Fund of India. Hence statement 1 is correct

Public debt is the total amount borrowed by the government of a country.

Public debt, sometimes also referred to as government debt, represents the total outstanding debt (bonds and other securities) of a country’s central government.

Public debt as a percentage of GDP is usually used as an indicator of the ability of a government to meet its future obligations.

It is an important source of resources for a government to finance public spending and fill holes in the budget.

Public debt can be split into internal (money borrowed within the country) and external (funds borrowed from non-Indian sources).

However, it does not include small savings, provident funds and other accounts, reserve funds and deposits. Hence statement 2 is incorrect

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/indias-public-debt-ratio-to-jump-to-90-per-cent-because-of-covid-19-imf/articleshow/78661641.cms

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Consider the following options

1.G-secs

2.T-bills

3.External Assistance

4.Short term borrowings

Which of the above following options are Sources of Public Debt in India?

3 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 4 only

1,2,3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4

Explanation:

In NEWS: India’s public debt ratio to jump to 90 per cent because of COVID-19: IMF

According to Gaspar, India’s public debt ratio has been remarkably stable since 1991. It is interesting to note that the debt ratio has been stable at around 70 per cent of GDP over the past decade

Going forward it is projected to stabilise in 2021, before slowly declining up to the end of the projection period, in 2025. Broadly speaking the pattern of public debt in India is close to the norm around the world

Types of Public Debt

The Union government broadly classifies its liabilities into two broad categories.

The debt contracted against the Consolidated Fundof India is defined as public debt and includes all other funds received outside Consolidated Fund of India under Article 266 (2) of the Constitution, where the government merely acts as a banker or custodian.

The second type of liabilities is called public account.

Sources of Public Debt

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/indias-public-debt-ratio-to-jump-to-90-per-cent-because-of-covid-19-imf/articleshow/78661641.cms


Consider the following statements regarding UN Human Rights Council

  1. It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States and no member may occupy a seat for more than three consecutive terms.
  2. It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: Pakistan re-elected to United Nations Human Rights Council

About UN Human Rights Council

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-re-elected-to-united-nations-human-rights-council/article32851107.ece


Consider the following statements regarding Sheath blight disease

  1. It is a fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani
  2. It is a big threat to rice crops and occurs only in summer season

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: Modulating pathogen functions control sheath blight disease: study

About Sheath blight

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-technology/modulating-pathogen-functions-control-sheath-blight-disease-study-73829


Consider the following statements regarding Saviour Sibling

  1. It refers to babies that are created to serve an older sibling as a donor of organs, bone marrow or cells.
  2. They are created with In vitro fertilisation

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: A sister born to save ailing brother

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/a-sister-born-to-save-ailing-brother/article32856312.ece


Consider the following statements regarding Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

  1. It is primarily meant to provide protection to the wife or female live-in partner from domestic violence at the hands of the husband or male live-in partner or his relatives
  2. The Act provides for breach of protection order as a cognizable and non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Supreme Court: Woman has right of residence in ‘shared household’ of in-laws

About Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-woman-has-right-of-residence-in-shared-household-of-in-laws-6747697/


Which of the following are the benefits of using fly ash?

  1. Reduces soil erosion by replacing topsoil
  2. Production of crude oil from polyethylene.
  3. Sewage treatment
  4. Reduces the amount of greenhouse gases

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 ,3 and 4 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1,2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2,3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4

Explanation:

In NEWS: Fly ash goes long distance as NTPC begins to transport

Benefits:

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664263#:~:text=The%20power%20producer%20is%20leveraging,fly%20ash%20to%20cement%20manufacturers.


With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

  1. The Revolt of 1857
  2. The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
  3. The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60
  4. Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 -1900

Answer: (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 -1900

Explanation:

Munda Rebellion is one of the prominent 19th century tribal rebellions in the subcontinent. Birsa Munda led this movement in the region south of Ranchi in 1899 -1900. the ulgulan, meaning ‘Great Tumult’, sought to establish Munda Raj and independence. Hence option (d) is correct