Consider the following statements regarding DakPay

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

Answer: (c) Both1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS:India Post Payments Bank launches digital payment app ‘DakPay’

DakPay is not simply a digital payment app but is a collection of digital financial and assisted banking services bundled together for its users. These services are provided by India Post & IPPB through its postal network spread across the nation
Department of Posts (DoP) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on Tuesday unveiled a new digital payment app called ‘DaKPay’ at a virtual event. The app is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to provide expand digital financial inclusion to all corners of the country.
The app ‘DakPay’ will facilitate the customers of the DoP and IPPB in easy digital transactions and other banking and postal services.
This innovative App will help people transfer and receive money with ease and those who do not have smartphones can also do money transaction on this App with the assistance of postmen.
DakPay brings simplified payment solutions to all by offering all customers access to the banking and payments products and services either through an App or in assisted mode with the help of the trusted Postman.
Source: https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-payments/india-post-payments-bank-launches-digital-payment-app-dakpay/79752855


Consider the following statements regarding Human Development Reports 2020

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

Answer: (c) 1 only

Explanation:

In NEWS:India drops two ranks in Human Development Index

In 2020, human development report was generated under the Theme: Human Development and Anthropocene
Human Development Index is the measure of a nation’s health, education, and standards of living.
UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda said the drop in India’s ranking doesn’t mean “India didn’t do well but other countries did better”.Hence statement 1 is correct.
India dropped two ranks in the United Nations’ Human Development Index this year, standing at 131 out of 189 countries. However, if the Index were adjusted to assess the planetary pressures caused by each nation’s development, India would move up eight places in the ranking, according to the report.Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
For the first time, the United Nations Development Programme introduced a new metric to reflect the impact caused by each country’s per-capita carbon emissions and its material footprint, which measures the amount of fossil fuels, metals and other resources used to make the goods and services it consumes.
India’s gross national income per capita fell to $6,681 in 2019 from $6,829 in 2018 on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis
Life expectancy of Indians at birth in 2019 was 69.7 years while Bangladesh has a life expectancy of 72.6 years and Pakistan 67.3 years, the 2020 Human Development Report said.India, Bhutan (129), Bangladesh (133), Nepal (142), and Pakistan (154) were ranked among countries with medium human development
Norway topped the index, followed by Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Iceland, the report showed.
The report said that under the Paris Agreement, India pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP from the 2005 level by 33-35 percent by 2030 and to obtain 40 percent of electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.


Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-131-in-2020-un-human-development-index/article33348091.ece


Consider the following statements regarding Collegium System in India

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

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS:Amid row over CM Jagan’s charges, SC moots transfer of AP Chief Justice

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended transfer of judges of several high courts, including the transfer of Justice J.K. Maheshwari of the Andhra Pradesh to the Sikkim High Court, weeks after Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy had complained to the Chief Justice of India aboutthe state’s top judiciary.
About Collegium System in India

The Collegium System is a system under which appointments/elevation of judges/lawyers to Supreme Court and transfers of judges of High Courts and Apex Court are decided by a forum of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.Hence statement 1 is correct.
There is no mention of the Collegium in the Constitution of India.Hence statement 1 is correct.
The recommendations of the Collegium are binding on the Central Government. if the Collegium sends the names of the judges/lawyers to the government for the second time.Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
The Collegiums System of appointment of judges was born through “three judge’s case”, 1998 which interpreted constitutional Articles 124 and Article 217.
How Collegium System Works?

The Collegium sends the recommendations of the names of lawyers or judges to the Central Government. Similarly, the Central Government also sends some of its proposed names to the Collegium. The Central Government does the fact checking and investigate the names and resends the file to the Collegium.
Collegium considers the names or suggestions made by the Central Government and resends the file to the government for final approval. If the Collegium resends the same name again then the government has to give its assent to the names. But time limit is not fixed to reply.This is the reason that appointment of judges takes a long time.


Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amid-row-over-cm-jagans-charges-sc-moots-transfer-of-ap-chief-justice/article33339784.ece


Consider the following statements regarding Hygiene Rating Scheme

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


Answer: (c) Both1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS:Quality Council launches scheme for hygiene-rating audit agencies

In a bid to increase the number of recognized hygiene-rating audit agencies in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday said that the Quality Council of India (QCI), at its behest, has come out with a scheme for the approval of hygiene-rating audit agencies.Hence statement 1 is correct.
This is being done after the FSSAI launched a certification system for restaurants, hotels and cafeterias among others under its ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’. Under this initiative, these food establishments will be rated based on food hygiene and safety parameters by recognized hygiene-rating audit agencies.
It is applicable to food businesses supplying food directly to consumers either on or off the premise. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Food businesses are rated on the basis of food hygiene and safety conditions found at the time of inspection and are given a score between (five to one) as per their hygiene and food safety compliance.
Currently, the scheme is applicable for food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, dhabhas, sweet shops, bakeries and meat retail stores.


Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/quality-council-launches-scheme-for-hygiene-rating-audit-agencies/article33336477.ece


Consider the following statements

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In News: India drops two ranks in Human Development Index

India ranked 131 among 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) for 2019, slipping two places from the previous year, according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2020 released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Norway topped the index, followed by Ireland and Switzerland. Hong Kong and Iceland complete the top five.
India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Kenya, and Pakistan were ranked under countries with medium human development with a rank in between 120 and 156 among the 189-counties.
In the BRICS grouping, Russia was 52 in the human development index, Brazil 84, and China 85. Hence statement 1 is correct.
India’s gross national income (GNI) per capita on the basis of purchasing power parity (PPP), too, fell from $6,829 in 2018 to $6,681 in 2019, it said. Hence statement 2 is correct.


Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-ranks-131-in-2020-un-human-development-index/article33348091.ece


With reference to the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), which of the following statement is not correct?


Answer: d) It aims for enhancing employment opportunities among youths of J&K and Ladakh and formulate job opportunities only in public sectors.

Explanation:

In NEWS: Maintenance allowance of Rs 20,000 to be released under Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) by AICTE

An Expert Group was constituted by the Prime Minister for enhancing employment opportunities among youths of J&K and Ladakh and formulate job opportunities in public and private sectors. Hence option (d) is not the correct answer.
Subsequently, Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) is being implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE), New Delhi.
The Scheme aims to build the capacities of the youths of J&K and Ladakh by Educating, Enabling and Empowering them to compete in the normal course.
Under the Scheme, the youths of J&K and Ladakh are supported by way of scholarship in two parts namely the academic fee and maintenance allowance.
Extending support to J&K and Ladakh students, AICTE has decided to release the instalment of Rs. 20,000/- as maintenance allowance under Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS).


Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1681180


Consider the following statements regarding National Hydrology Project (NHP)
NHP was started in the year 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to Implementing agencies on pan India basis

Select the correct answer using the code given below

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

In NEWS: Jal Shakti Minister G S Shekhawat reviews progress made under NHP in its mid-term

Review of the National Hydrology Project (World Bank supported initiative of Ministry of Jal Shakti) was carried out by Minister of Jal Shakti. Hence statement 3 is correct.
National Hydrology Project (NHP) was started in the year 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to Implementing agencies on pan India basis with a budget outlay of Rs 3680 Crore to be spent over a period of 8 years. Hence statement 1 is correct.
The project aims at improving the extent, reliability and accessibility of water resources information and to strengthen the capacity of targeted water resource management institutions in India. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Under the NHP, a nationwide repository of water resources data – NWIC has been established.


Source: http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=406222


Recently the government of India and which of the following organization signed a $400 million project to support India’s efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer: c) World Bank

Explanation:

In NEWS: India and World Bank sign $400 mn project to protect poor from Covid impact

The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $400 million project to support India’s efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
The programme will strengthen the capability of state and national governments in India to provide coordinated and adequate social protection to the poor and vulnerable from the shocks triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This programme will help further expand and deepen the coverage of India’s social protection systems by helping these vulnerable groups in urban and peri-urban areas across the country.
Source https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-and-world-bank-sign-400-mn-project-to-protect-poor-from-covid-impact-120121700051_1.html


Consider the following statements

Select the correct answer using the code given below

Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

In News: IFSCA issues consultation paper on proposed Aircraft Leasing Regulations

India is poised to become the 3rd largest aviation market in the world by 2022. Hence statement 2 is correct.
In January 2019, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation published a report, ‘Project Rupee Raftar’, that provided roadmap to developing an aircraft financing and leasing industry in India. Hence statement 3 is correct.
The report identified International Financial Services Centre (GIFT city) for developing aircraft leasing and financing eco-system in the country.
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has issued consultation paper on proposed Aircraft Leasing Regulations. Hence statement 1 is correct.


Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1681254


Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the postHarsha period?

Answer: (c) A bill of exchange

Explanation:

In India, instruments of credit have been in use since time immemorial and are popularly known as Hundis. The movement of goods during medieval period was facilitated by the growth of a financial system which permitted easy transfer of money from one part of the country to another.
This was done through the use of Hundis. The Hundis was a letter of credit payable after a period of time at a discount.Hence option (c) is correct
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