Consider the following statements regarding Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
- It aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions.
- Ministry of Human Resource Development is the nodal agency of this RUSA program.
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: Interim Extension of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
The second phase of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was approved by the Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs for a period of three years i.e. 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2020.
About Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)
- Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2013 aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The central funding (in the ratio of 60:40 for general category States, 90:10 for special category states and 100% for union territories) would be norm based and outcome dependent.
- The scheme is being operated in mission mode for funding state universities and colleges to achieve the aims of equity, access and excellence.
- The Ministry of Human Resource Development is the nodal agency administering the RUSA program. Hence statement 2 is correct
Objectives of RUSA:
- Improve the overall quality of state institutions by conforming to the prescribed norms and standards.
- Adoption of accreditation (certification of competency) as a mandatory quality assurance framework.
- Promoting autonomy in state universities and improving governance in institutions.
- Ensure adequate availability of quality faculty in all higher educational institutions.
- Create an enabling atmosphere for research in the higher education system.
- Correct regional imbalances in access to higher education by setting up institutions in unserved and underserved areas.
- Improve equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities to the disadvantaged.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1657850
Consider the following statements regarding Western Tragopans
- It is a brightly plumed bird endemic to western ghats
- It is listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN List of Threatened Species.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Western tragopans soft-released into Himachal forest
Captive-bred western tragopans have been soft-released into a forest in Himachal Pradesh, in a first such effort globally to reintroduce the vulnerable pheasant species back into the wild.
About Western tragopans
- Western tragopan, or Jujurana, is a brightly plumed bird endemic to northwest Himalaya, with an estimated global population of fewer than 3,500 individuals.
- It is also the state bird of Himachal. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- According to wildlife officials, Himachal Pradesh has seven different species of pheasants (a group of large-sized, highly colourful birds which display sexual dimorphism) of which Western Tragopan is the most elusive one.
- Sarahan pheasantry, or the Western Tragopan Conservation Breeding Centre, located at Sarahan in Shimla district is the only centre in the world where conservation breeding of the bird is being carried out.
- The upper part of Greater Himalayan National Park’s forest zone holds the world’s largest known population of western tragopan, which prefers a habitat of ringal (dwarf) bamboo beneath dense forest.
- The western tragopan feeds mostly on leaves, shoots and seeds, but also consumes insects and other invertebrates.
- It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under the IUCN List of Threatened Species. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Western Tragopan is endemic to the western Himalayas, occurring from Kohistan, east through Kashmir into Himachal Pradesh and possibly Uttarakhand, north-west India.
In which one of the following States is Daranghati wildlife sanctuary located?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Himachal Pradesh
Answer: (d) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS: Western tragopans soft-released into Himachal forest
- Six birds raised in a pheasantry at Sarahan have been soft-released into the nearby Daranghati wildlife sanctuary, ie they have been shifted to the site of release and placed in temporary enclosures, or soft pens.
About Daranghati wildlife sanctuary
- The Daranghati Sanctuary is located in Shimla District Rampur Bushahr, Himachal Pradesh, India. Hence option (d) is correct
- It has undisturbed forest areas. Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and Kalij are the pheasants found here. Some of the common animals found here are Musk deer, Goral and Thar
- The sanctuary lies on the Dhauladhar Mountain, an intervening range that forms part of the Middle Himalaya.
- The sanctuary bounded by coniferous trees such as blue pine, silver fir and spruce.
- Jujurana namely ‘the king of birds’ can be sighted here easily. A vulnerable pheasant called ‘Western Tragopan’ is the main attraction of Daranghati Sanctuary.
Consider the following statements regarding Buchanania barberi
- It is a small evergreen tree and is endemic to the southern arm of the eastern Ghats
- It is categorised as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: JNTBGRI efforts to save rare tree get global attention
- The efforts of the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) to save ‘Buchanania Barberi’ from extinction have grabbed international attention.
About Buchanania Barberi
- Buchanania barberi (family Anacardiaceae) is a small evergreen tree which is endemic to the southern arm of the Western Ghats in Thiruvananthapuram district. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- It is categorised as ‘critically endangered’ in the IUCN Red List. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The British botanist C.A. Barber collected the first herbarium specimen of Buchanania barberi from Thiruvananthapuram district in 1904.
- The species is on the verge of extinction due to low seed production, no clonal propagation, low natural seed germination, lack of seedling establishment and road expansion and development activities in the area.
Consider the following statements regarding National GIS-enabled land bank system
- It was launched by Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- It aims to solicit the details of industrial land with plot level information, connectivity thereto, basic facilities, other facilities available and contact details of authorities/developer of the park.
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: National GIS-Enabled Land Bank System
- Government has integrated Industrial Information System (IIS) portal with the GIS System of six States in first phase to provide updates on land availability and plot level information to investors anywhere in the world on real time basis and help them make informed decisions.
About National GIS-enabled land bank system
- It was launched in August 2020 by Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It aims to solicit the details of industrial land with plot level information, connectivity thereto, basic facilities, other facilities available and contact details of authorities/developer of the park. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It is being supported by Invest India, National Center of Geo-Informatics (NCoG), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG).
- It is being developed by integration of Industrial Information System (IIS) with State GIS Systems.
- IIS portal is a GIS-enabled database of industrial areas/clusters across the states.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1658141
Consider the following statements regarding National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization
- It is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- It will result in ensuring increased availability of organs/tissues retrieved from deceased donors and help save lives of many persons suffering from end-stage organ failure
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:
- National Biomaterial Centre has been established at National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) in New Delhi.
- Under this programme, an apex level National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) at New Delhi and Five Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs) at Chandigarh, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati have been set up.
About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO):
- National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It will result in ensuring increased availability of organs/tissues retrieved from deceased donors and help save lives of many persons suffering from end-stage organ failure. Hence statement 2 is correct
It has following two divisions:
- “National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network”:
- It has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.
- It is the nodal networking agency for Delhi and shall network for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of Organs and Tissues in Delhi.
- It will gradually expand to include other States and Regions of the country.
- It will function as apex center for All India activities of coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of Organs and Tissues and registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in the country.
- It conducts activities to facilitate Organ Transplantation in the safest way in shortest possible time and to collect data to develop and publish National registry.
- “National Biomaterial Centre”.
- The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 has included the component of tissue donation and registration of Tissue
- It fulfills the demands of tissue transplantation including activities for procurement, storage and fulfils distribution of biomaterials.
- The main thrust & objective of establishing the center is to fill up the gap between ‘Demand’ and ‘Supply’ as well as ‘Quality Assurance’ in the availability of various tissues.
- It takes care of various tissue allografts.
Recently, the Trade and Development Report 2020 is lanuched by which of the following organisation?
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization
- UN Conference on Trade and Development
- World Trade Organization
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Answer: (b) UN Conference on Trade and Development
Explanation:
In NEWS: Indian economy to contract 5.9% in 2020 due to Covid-19 disruptions, says UN report
- Impacted by disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, India’s economy is forecast to contract by 5.9% in 2020
- The Trade and Development Report 2020 by UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that the world economy is experiencing a deep recession amid a still-unchecked pandemic. Hence option (b) is correct
- Biggest absolute falls in output will be in the developed world, with some countries set to register a double-digit decline over the year.
- World is grappling with the equivalent of a complete wipeout of the Brazilian, Indian and Mexican economies.
- The Trade and Development Report (TDR), launched in 1981, is issued every year for the annual session of the Trade and Development Board.
- The Report analyses current economic trends and major policy issues of international concern, and makes suggestions for addressing these issues at various levels.
Consider the following statements regarding Appropriation Bill
- It is not a money bill that allows the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenses during the course of a financial year
- The Rajya Sabha has the authority to recommend any amendments in this Bill
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: RS returns 2 money bills authorising payment from Consolidated Fund in FY21
- Rajya Sabha returned the Appropriation (No 3) Bill, 2020 and the Appropriation (No 4) Bill, 2020, authorising payment of certain sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the current financial year.
About Appropriation Bill
- It is a money bill that allows the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenses during a financial year. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- As per article 114 of the Constitution, the government can withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund only after receiving approval from Parliament.
- To put it simply, the Finance Bill contains provisions on financing the expenditure of the government, and the Appropriation Bill specifies the quantum and purpose for withdrawing money.
- The government introduces the Appropriation Bill in the lower house of Parliament after discussions on Budget proposals and Voting on Demand for Grants.
- The Appropriation Bill is firstly passed by the Lok Sabha and thereafter sent to the Rajya Sabha.
- The Rajya Sabha (Upper House) has the authority to recommend any amendments in this Bill. But, it is the privilege of the Lok Sabha to either accept or reject the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha of Parliament. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The exclusive feature of the Appropriation Bill is its automatic repeal clause, whereby the Act gets repealed by itself after it meets its statutory purpose.
Consider the following statements regarding Artemis program
- It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon.
- With this program, NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024.
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: NASA is planning to send humans to moon again by 2024; here’s how
NASA published the outline for its Artemis program, which plans to send the next man and first woman to the lunar surface by the year 2024. The last time NASA sent humans to the Moon was in 1972, during the Apollo lunar mission.
About Artemis Programme:
- Artemis– Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Its objective is to measure what happens when the Sun’s radiation hits our rocky moon, where there is no magnetic field to protect it.
- Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology.
- With the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024. Hence statement 2 is correct
- NASA’s powerful new rocket, the Space Launch System(SLS), will send astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft nearly a quarter million miles from Earth to lunar orbit.
- Astronauts will dock Orion at the Gateway and transfer to a human landing system for expeditions to the surface of the Moon.
- They will return to the orbital outpost to board Orion again before returning safely to Earth.
- The agency will fly two missions around the Moon to test its deep space exploration systems.
- NASA is working toward launching Artemis I, a non crewed flight to test the SLS and Orion spacecraft together, followed by the Artemis II mission, the first SLS and Orion test flight with crew. NASA will land astronauts on the Moon by 2024 on the Artemis III mission and about once a year thereafter.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nasa-is-humans-moon-artemis-6609361/
What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?
- a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto
- b) Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
- c) Foundation of Muslim League
- d) Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to the elected as the President of the Indian National Congress
Answer: (b) Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
Explanation:
- In 1907, the extremists wanted either Tilak or Lajpat Rai to be president, so when Rasbehari Ghose was announced as president, the extremist resorted to violence. Hence Surat Split happened. Hence option (b) is correct
