Recently, the Panjshir Valley was seen in the news, it is located in which one of the following countries?

a) Afghanistan

b) China

c)  India

d) Nepal

Answer: (a) Afghanistan

Explanation:

In NEWS: ‘Hundreds of fighters’ heading to resistance stronghold Panjshir Valley: Taliban

The Taliban has sent hundreds of its fighters to the Panjshir Valley, one of the few parts of Afghanistan not yet controlled by the group.

Panjshir Valley

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/hundreds-of-fighters-heading-to-resistance-stronghold-panjshir-valley-taliban-101629677321862.html

Consider the following statements with respect to the MALABAR Exercise:

1) It is a trilateral naval exercise involving the United States, Australia and India as permanent partners.

2) The 2021 edition of the Malabar naval exercise will be conducted on the coast of Guam.

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:

In NEWS: Two Indian naval ships arrive in Guam to take part in Malabar exercise

Malabar exercise:

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/two-indian-naval-ships-arrive-in-guam-to-take-part-in-malabar-exercise/article36044432.ece

Consider the following statements with respect to the Kartarpur Corridor:

1) It connects the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab province.

2) The corridor was built to commemorate 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Guru Nanak death anniv: Pak allows fully vaccinated pilgrims to visit Kartarpur

Kartarpur Corridor:

Sourcehttps://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/guru-nanak-death-anniv-pak-allows-fully-vaccinated-pilgrims-to-visit-kartarpur-101629657259113.html

Consider the following statements with respect to the Jan Shikshan Sansthan:

1) It provides vocational skills to non-literate, neo-literates as well as school drop-outs by identifying skills that have a market in the region of their establishment.

2) The priority groups are women, SC, ST, minorities and other backward sections of the society.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: High-speed Net comes to a deep jungle

The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), a Union government initiative for skill development in rural areas, has brought high-speed internet to some of the remotest tribal hamlets deep inside the Nilambur jungle

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS):

Sourcehttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/high-speed-net-comes-to-a-deep-jungle/article36046892.ece

Consider the following statements with respect to the NDPS Act, 1985:

1) The Narcotics Control Bureau was constituted in 1986 under the provisions of this Act.

2) All the offences under this act are non-bailable.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Drug abuse on the rise with wide-ranging consequences, says Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court observed that the menace of drug abuse was on the rise in the country and its consequences “can be experienced across the board from causing economic issues to societal disintegration”.

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act:

The following conventions various forms of control to limit the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

o    The UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961

o    The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971

o    The Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988

India is a signatory to all these three.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/drug-abuse-on-the-rise-with-wide-ranging-consequences-says-delhi-hc/article36047995.ece

Consider the following statements regarding Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS):

1) Under this, all resident individuals are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year for any permissible current account transaction.

2) The Scheme is not available to corporations, partnership firms, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and Trusts.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Unlocks loosen purse strings: Outward forex remittances bounce back in Q1

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS):

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/business/unlocks-loosen-purse-strings-outward-forex-remittances-bounce-back-in-q1-7465963/

Consider the following statements regarding Istanbul Canal:

1) It aims to minimize shipping traffic in the Bosporus.

2) It is a project for the artificial sea-level waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Explained: What is Kanal Istanbul, and why is Erdogan keen on seeing the project through?

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-kanal-istanbul-and-why-is-erdogan-so-keen-on-seeing-the-project-through-7465902/

Consider the following statements regarding Ubharte Sitaare Alternative Investment Fund:

1) It has been set up jointly by Exim Bank and SIDBI.

2) It was launched by the Ministry of Finance to facilitate debt and equity funding to export-oriented MSMEs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS:

Consider the following statements regarding Saltwater Crocodile:

1) They are believed to be the largest crocodile species living on Earth.

2) They inhabit coastal brackish mangrove swamps and river deltas.

3) It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

In NEWS: Around 2,500 crocodiles born in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park

Saltwater Crocodile:

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/around-2-500-crocodiles-born-in-odisha-s-bhitarkanika-national-park-78598

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?

1) Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference.

2) Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement.

3) Acceptance of Gandhi’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses.

4) Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1, 2 and 4 only

c) 3 only

d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation: