1.Consider the following statements regarding the National Bee Board
- It is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
- It aims at promoting scientific beekeeping in India to increase the productivity of crops through pollination.
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: World Class State of the Art Honey Testing Lab inaugurated at Anand, Gujarat
- Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare inaugurated the World Class State of Art Honey Testing Laboratory in Anand, Gujarat with support of National Bee Board.
- The Lab was established by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand with support of National Bee Board.
- It has all the facilities based on the parameters notified by FSSAI and the test methods/protocols developed, have been accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
About National Bee Board
- The Department facilitated efforts by providing seed money through Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) for enabling the private sector to join hands in forming the National Bee Board as a Registered Society under Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 on 19th July, 2000 & promoted by the Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC).Hence statement 1 is correct
- Accordingly, the National Bee Board (NBB) wasreconstituted in June, 2006. The main objective of the National Bee Board (NBB) is overall development of Beekeeping by promoting Scientific Beekeeping in India to increase the productivity of crops through pollination and increase the Honeyproduction for increasing the income of the Beekeepers/ Farmers.Hence statement 2 is correct
2.Consider the following statements regarding the India Post Payments Bank
1.It will be able to accept deposits of up to Rs. 10 lakhs from customers.
2.It will be governed by Reserve Bank of India
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: Postal dept extends all small savings schemes to branch post office level
- The new order has allowed Branch Post Offices to offer facilities of Public Provident Fund, Monthly Income Scheme, National Savings Certificate, Kisan Vikas Patra and Senior Citizen Savings Schemes also.
- People living in villages will now be able to get the same Post Office Savings Bank facilities which people in urban areas have been availing.
- They will be able to deposit their savings into these popular schemes through the post office in their village itself.
About India Post Payments Bank
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is a financial service provider that will operate under the country’s postal department.
- It will be governed by Reserve Bank of India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The IPPB will encourage anyone above 18 years of age to open digital savings accounts, using their Aadhar and PAN cards.
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) offers three types of savings accounts—regular, digital and basic.
- The primary rationale is to help in the goal of achieving financial inclusion.
- India’s age-old postal department has a wide network of branches across India, IPPB can thus offer savings, remittance, and payments services to the rural and unorganised sectors.
- No fee for withdrawals made from IPPB ATM or PNB ATM since it has a tie-up with Punjab National Bank.
- The bank will offer a 4% interest rate in all the savings accounts.
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) was setup under the Department of Post, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India
- The maximum limit on deposits is Rs 1 lakh, beyond which the account will be automatically converted into post office savings account.Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- The products and services of the bank will be made available through various mediums such as counter services, micro ATMs, mobile banking app, messages and interactive voice response.
- The IPPB will use Aadhaar to open accounts and a QR card and biometrics will be used for authentication, transactions, and payments.
3.Consider the following statements regarding the state legislative council
- Its establishment is defined in Article 169 of the Constitution of India.
- The creation of Legislative councils requires special majority in the Parliament
- At present, 6 states have a State Legislative Council
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 2 and 3only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Vishwanath’s nomination to Council violates SC ruling, contends S.R. Mahesh
Former Minister and JD(S) MLA representing K.R. Nagar Assembly segment in Mysuru S.R. Mahesh contended that the nomination of former Minister A.H. Vishwanath to the Legislative Council was ‘illegal’ and ‘violative’ of the Supreme Court order.
About state legislative council
- The LC or Vidhan Parishad is the upper house in those states that have a bicameral legislature; the lower house being the State Legislative Assembly.
- Its establishment is defined in Article 169 of the Constitution of India.Hence statement 1 is correct
- Each Member of the State LC serves for a six-year term, with terms staggered so that the terms of one third of a State Legislative Council’s membership expire every two years.
- The Parliament can abolish a legislative council (where it already exists) or create it (where it does not exist), if the legislative assembly of the concerned state passes a resolution to that effect.Hence statement 2 is incorrect
- Such a specific resolution must be passed by the state assembly by a special majority, that is, a majority of the total membership of the assembly and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.
- As of November 2019, after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, 6 out of 28 states have a State Legislative Council. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Under Article 171, a Council cannot have more than a third of the number of MLAs in the state, and not less than 40 members.
4.Siddi Tribe are belonging to which of the following state in india?
1.Uttar Pradesh
2.Punjab
3.Gujarat
4.Karnataka
Answer: (d) Karnataka
Explanation:
In NEWS: Meet Shantharam, India’s first legislator from African-origin Siddi community
ShantharamBudnaSiddi, along with four others, was nominated to the Karnataka Legislative Council by Governor Vajubhai Vala
About Siddi Tribe
- The first Siddis are thought to have arrived in India in 628 AD at the Bharuch port. Several others followed with the first Arab conquest of the subcontinent in 712 AD.
- Records show that Africans came to India as soldiers and as slaves.
- Siddi Tribe in Karnataka mainly lives in Dharwad, Belagavi and Uttar Kannada districts.Hence option (d) is correct.
- The economically and socially backwards community is included in Centre’s list of Particularly Vulnerable Trial Groups(PVTGs).
- In India, the Union government in 2003, classified Siddis under the list of Scheduled Tribes.
- Previously they depended on hunting and gathering but at present, their main source of livelihood is labour and agriculture.
- Believed to be of African origin as they clearly show the Negroid racial strain in their physical features.
5.Consider the following statements regarding Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program
- It is an initiative of the National Small Industries Corporation Limited
- It aims to empowerment of potters community in the remotest of locations in the country.
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: Home minister Amit Shah distributes 100 electric potter wheels to artisans in Gujarat Seeking to empower and associate the marginalized potters community with India’s quest to become Aatmanirbhar.
About Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program
- Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of potters community in the remotest of locations in the country. Hence statement 1 is incorrect and Hence statement 2 is correct
- The program reaches out to the potters in : U.P., M.P., Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.
- This program provides the following support to potters.
- Training for advanced pottery products
- Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric Chaak
- Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions
- Due to the supply of electric chaaks, the potters have reaped the following benefits.
- More production with less hours of work.
- Less noise and better health benefits
- Less power consumption with smooth transition to higher speeds
6.Consider the following statements regarding Financial Stability Report
- It is an annual report published by the Reserve Bank of India.
- It is the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council on risks to financial stability
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: Gross NPA of banks may rise to 12.5 per cent by March 2021: RBI Financial Stability Report
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Financial Stability Report on Friday where the central bank warned that the gross nonperforming assets (GNPA) ratio of all scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) may increase from 8.5 per cent in March 2020 to 12.5 per cent by March 2021.
- The RBI in its semiannual report further said that if the macroeconomic environment worsens further, the GNPA ratio may escalate to 7 per centunder very severe stress.
- The financial system in India remains sound; nonetheless, in the current environment, the need for financial intermediaries to proactively augment capital and improve their resilience has acquired top priority – Report says
- The pandemic hit India in a period of growth moderation. The ensuing disruptions in demand conditions and supply chains have been aggravated by global spillovers
About the Financial Stability Report
- It is a bi-annual report published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- Objectives: To review the nature, magnitude and implications of risks that may have a bearing on the macroeconomic environment, financial institutions, markets and infrastructure.
- The report is also the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on risks to financial stability. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Report also discusses issues relating to development and regulation of the financial sector
About GNPA:
- Gross NPA is the total amount of outstanding NPAs in the borrowal account, excluding the interest receivable.
7.Consider the following statements regarding Kashmir saffron
- It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa highlands of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is the only saffron grown at an altitude of 1600m to 1800m above the mean sea level in the world
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:Kashmir saffron now has GI certificate
- The J&K administration on Saturday issued the certificate of geographical indication (GI) registration for saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley, even as the crop sees a decline in its production and shrinking of land under cultivation.
- The GI tag would also stop adulteration prevalent in its trade
About Kashmir saffron:
- The cultivation of saffron was introduced by Central Asian immigrants around the first century BC.
- Kashmir saffron is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir.Hence statement 1 is correct
- The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).
- Besides having high medicinal value, Kashmir saffron has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir.
- It is the only saffron grown at an altitude of 1600m to 1800m above the mean sea level in the world, which adds to its uniqueness.Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: TH
8.The word ‘Kongonaphonkely’ is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to
- fossils of a kind of dinosaurs
- an early human species
- a cave system found in North -East India
- a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent
Answer: (a) fossils of a kind of dinosaurs
Explanation:
In NEWS: Meet the ‘tiny bug slayer’, ancient relative of dinosaurs and pterosaurs
- A newly described species from Madagascar suggests that dinosaurs and pterosaurs (extinct flying reptiles) had extremely small ancestors — just 10 centimetres It was named Kongonaphonkely which roughly translates from the Malagasy language as ‘tiny bug slayer’ — a reference to its insect diet.Hence option (a) is correct.
- The fossils were discovered in 1998 as part of an expedition by an American–Malagasy crew.
- Kongonaphon was alive (around 237 million years ago), Madagascar was directly attached to India as part of the supercontinent Gondwana.
- Triassic vertebrate fossils of similar age have been found in a band of rocks extending across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, but thus far nothing like Kongonaphon has been found there.
- Analysis of body size throughout the history of dinosaurs and relatives shows that ancestrally medium-sized animals evolved into very small animals, such as Kongonaphon, which would have been around 10 cm tall and about 30 cm long. This then evolved into dinosaurs and pterosaurs which could reach enormous sizes.
9.Consider the following statements regarding Serological Survey
- It is a blood test that seeks to assess the prevalence of disease in a population by detecting the presence of specific antibodies against the virus
- The survey was conducted using IgG Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test which has been approved by ICMR.
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:Sero-survey in Delhi
- To estimate the extent of infection in the community, scientists at the National Centre for Disease Control (formerly National Institute for Communicable Diseases), a Health Ministry body tasked with monitoring epidemics, conducted a district wise serological survey across Delhi from June 27 to July 10. Preliminary findings showed that 23.48% of Delhi’s population had been exposed to the virus and that a large number of those infected were asymptomatic.
- The Delhi government cautioned that the survey showed 77% of the population is stillvulnerable to the infection. It hasurged citizens to wear masks andstrictly maintain social distancing
About Serological Survey
- It is a blood test that seeks to assess the prevalence of disease in a population by detecting the presence of specific antibodies against theHence statement 1 is correct
- The test only indicates past infections (which triggered an immune response) and is not used to detect active infections.
- The survey was conducted using IgG Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) test which has been approved by ICMR. Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: TH
10.With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
- It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
- It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
- The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
- The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
Answer: (a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
Explanation:
- Vishti was considered as a source of income for the state, a sort of tax by the people. Hence option (a) is correct.
