1. With respect to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, Consider the following statements:
1) It is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
2) The FCRA registration is renewed every ten years.
3) Under the act, Registered NGOs can receive foreign contributions for political activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Audit irregularities’ at Missionaries of Charity led to FCRA denial, says official
● The FCRA registration of Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic religious congregation set up by Nobel laureate Mother Teresa was not renewed due to audit irregularities
● The comment comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs had said it refused to renew the Foreigners Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of Missionaries of Charity (MoC) as some adverse inputs were noticed.
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act:
● FCRA stands for foreign contribution regulation Act. This is an act of Parliament that was enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010.
● The main purpose of this act is to regulate foreign donations and ensure that it has nothing to do with threats to internal security.
● Under the Act, organisations are required to register/renew themselves every five years. Hence statement (2) is incorrect.
● Registered NGOs can receive foreign contributions for five purposes — social, educational, religious, economic and cultural. Hence statement (3) is incorrect.
● The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations. Hence statement (1) is correct.
FCRA Renewal Amendment 2020
● The foreign contribution (regulation) amendment, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha.
● The bill amended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The bill was supposed to amend the associated Act.
● The act is related to the acceptance of foreign contributions by individuals, organizations, and associations.
● The Act bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions.
● The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign contributions to any other person not registered to accept foreign contributions.
● The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contribution, as an identification document.
● Foreign contributions must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
● Not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be defrayed for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010 the limit was 50%.
● The Act allows the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.
2. TEJAS Programme is launched by which of the following ministries?
a) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
b) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
c) Ministry of Women and Child Development
d) Ministry of Defence
Answer: (a) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Explanation:
In NEWS: Eye on Gulf job market, Govt to launch upskill project for overseas workers
The national skill development corporation launched a new programme TEJAS to train, certify and place 10,000 Indian workers in the United Arab Emirates in one year in partnership with some of the leading employers in the region. Hence option (a) is correct.
TEJAS Programme:
● It aims to train, certify and place 10,000 Indian workers in the United Arab Emirates in one year in partnership with some of the leading employers in the region.
● It prepares a trained workforce in both the blue-collar and the white-collar job sectors, through skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling initiatives under TEJAS.
Key features:
● The programme will converge with the existing skill development programmes and leverage training infrastructure of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
● Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra and Skill training institutes under the Central and state governments will ensure sourcing and supply of potential candidates.
● Work opportunities have been identified in sectors such as construction and facility management which includes electricians, plumbers and welders etc.
3. Consider the following statements regarding Home Energy Audit (HEA):
1) It enables appropriate accounting, monitoring and analysis of energy use of various energy-consuming equipment and appliances in a house.
2) It would ultimately lead to a reduction in energy bills and the carbon footprint of the consumer.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: BEE Launches ‘Certification Course on Home Energy Audit’ Initiative
● The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) virtually launched “Certification Course on Home Energy Audit (HEA).
● A Home Energy Audit (HEA) enables appropriate accounting, quantification, verification, monitoring, and analysis of energy use of various energy-consuming equipment and appliances in a house and the submission of a technical report with feasible solutions and recommendations for improving energy efficiency, with a cost-benefit analysis and action plan to reduce energy consumption. This would ultimately lead to a reduction in energy bills and the carbon footprint of the consumer. Hence statement (1) is correct and statement (2) is correct.
● The certification program will create awareness on the importance and benefits of energy audit and energy efficiency and conservation among students from engineering/diploma colleges.
● This will increase employability of youth in the domain of energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and sustainability.
The Certification Course would enable:
● Creation of a pool of professionals to perform home energy audits based on the needs of the consumer (s);
● Domestic consumers to get Home Energy Audit carried out through respective SDA Certified Home Energy Auditor(s);
● Dissemination of information and raising awareness among engineering/diploma/ITI students, energy professionals, and industry partners about the importance and benefits of energy auditing, energy efficiency, and conservation.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1779616
4. Consider the following statements:
1) Kaavi is a form of wall art done in bright red and white shades.
2) Kaavi is found in the Konkan region of the country.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: PM Modi talks about ‘Kaavi’ on Mann Ki Baat, stresses ancient art’s preservation
● During the 84th edition of the Mann Ki Baat radio programme, the Prime Minister spoke about Sagar Mule from Goa, who he said, was involved in preserving the centuries-old Kaavi form.
Kaavi art:
● It is a form of murals found in Konkan region especially in temples of Goa, parts of coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka. Hence statement (1) is correct and statement (2) is correct.
● It is a form of etching on the walls of temples and homes that depicts the ancient history of India.
● Only Indian red pigment color is used in this painting.
● Kavi artist selects sequences from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata Purana.
● Kaavi is a form of wall art done in bright red and white shades and found in the Konkan region of the country, especially in temples of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching system:
1) It is a screen-based electronic order matching system for trading in government securities in the secondary market.
2) It is an electronic trading platform operated by the Reserve Bank of India.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Log on to g-secs with RBI’s Retail Direct
● For a long time, Indian retail investors seeking regular income haven’t had access to the safest and most reliable option in the market — the government security.
● This platform allows individuals to open and maintain a Retail Direct Gilt (RDG) account directly with the RBI.
● RBI’s Retail Direct platform gives you access to primary auctions first. To get access to secondary market trades which happen on the NDS-OM (Negotiated Dealing System – Order Matching), you need to apply separately on Retail Direct to get a user login and password.
● Though g-secs are re-listed on the NDS-OM platform, where you can sell or buy them in theory, a majority of them (except for recent 10-year g-secs) are thinly traded and you may not be able to sell at a time of your choice. When you buy g-secs therefore, do match their maturity to your financial goal and do not budget for liquidity before maturity.
Negotiated Dealing System – Order Matching:
● NDS-OM is a screen based electronic anonymous order matching system for secondary market trading in Government securities owned by RBI. Hence statement (1) is correct and Hence statement (2) is correct.
● Presently the membership of the system is open to entities like Banks, Primary Dealers, Insurance Companies, Mutual Funds etc. i.e entities who maintain SGL accounts with RBI. These are Primary Members (PM) of NDS and are permitted by RBI to become members of NDS-OM.
● Gilt Account Holders which have a gilt account with the PMs are permitted to have indirect access to the NDS-OM system i.e they can request their Primary Members to place orders on their behalf on the NDS-OM system.
● To further enhance the access of such Gilt Account Holders (hereinafter referred to as GAHs) to NDS-OM, an internet based web application is provided to such clients who can now have direct access to NDS –OM, the system owned by RBI.
● The internet based utility permits GAH to directly trade (buying and selling) in Government Securities (G-Sec) in the secondary market. The access is however, subject to controls by respective Primary Member (PM) with whom GAHs have gilt account and current account.
6. Apatani textile products belong to which of the following states in India?
a) Rajasthan
b) Goa
c) Assam
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS: Plea seeks GI tag for Arunachal Apatani textile product
● An application seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Arunachal Pradesh Apatani textile product has been filed by a firm, Zeet Zeero Producer Company Limited.
Apatani textile:
● The Apatani weave comes from the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh living at Ziro, the headquarters of lower Subansiri district. Hence option (d) is correct.
● The woven fabric of this tribe is known for its geometric and zigzag patterns and also for its angular designs.
● Eponymous(as named after the Apatani tribe) cotton weave has nature-inspired geometric designs, with blue, red and yellow-ish orange being the predominant colours.
● The fabric is generally used to weave shawls known as jig-jiro and jilan or jackets called supun tarii.
● Aaptani are a tribal group of people living in the Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
● They speak a local language called Tani and worship the sun and the moon.
7. Consider the following statements regarding Counter-Terrorism Committee:
1) It was established by United Nation Security Council which was adopted in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States.
2) It comprises all 15 Security Council members.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: India to chair Counter Terrorism Committee of UNSC in January 2022 after ten yrs
● India will chair the Counter-Terrorism Committee of UNSC in January 2022 after 10 years. The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established by Security Council resolution 1373 adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.
● The Committee was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 which requested countries to implement a number of measures aimed at enhancing their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home and around the world.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC):
● The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), which was adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States. Hence statement (1) is correct.
● The Committee, comprising all 15 Security Council members, was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), which requested countries to implement a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world. Hence statement (2) is correct.
Steps:
● Criminalize the financing of terrorism
● Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism
● Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups
● Suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists
● Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts
● Cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts; and
● Criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law and bring violators to justice.
The resolution also calls on States to become parties, as soon as possible, to the relevant international counter-terrorism legal instruments.
8. With reference to the history of ancient India, Kautilya, Katyayana, Brihaspati and Narada were famous
a) Jain monks
b) playwrights
c) temple architects
d) law givers
Answer: (d) law givers
Explanation:
In NEWS: ‘Indianising’ the legal system and SC’s views
● In September, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana called for the “Indianisation” of the legal system to provide greater access to justice to the poor as the “need of the hour”.
● On December 26, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer went a step further to underscore the need to embrace the “great legal traditions as per Manu, Kautilya, Katyayana, Brihaspati, Narada, Parashara, Yajnavalkya and other legal giants of ancient India”.
● Great lawyers and judges are not born but are made by proper education and great legal traditions as were Manu, Kautilya, Katyayana, Brihaspati, Narada, Parashara, Yajnavalkya and other legal giants of ancient India. Hence option (d) is correct.
● Continued neglect of their great knowledge and adherence to alien colonial legal system is detrimental to the goals of our Constitution and against our national interests
● Again, the highest judiciary has far from indulged in a “continued neglect” of the legal greats of ancient India. Several judgments since the 1980s refer to the works of Manu and Kautilya.
● In the privacy judgment, Justice S.A. Bobde (retired), referred to how “even in the ancient and religious texts of India, a well-developed sense of privacy is evident”. He mentions that Kautilya’s “Arthashastra prohibits entry into another’s house, without the owner’s consent”. But the court has also differed from the views of these ancient texts.
● In its Joseph Shine judgment decriminalising adultery, the court refers to how “the Manusmriti, Chapters 4.1346 and 8.3527 prescribes punishment for those who are addicted to intercourse with wives of other men by punishments which cause terror, followed by banishment”.
9. Consider the following statements regarding National Waterway III:
1) It is the first National Waterway in the country with 24-hour navigation facilities along the entire stretch.
2) It runs from Kollam to Kottapuram.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: National Waterway III cries for attention 14 years after its inauguration
Faced with little patronage for the 205-km-long Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway III, which was inaugurated in 2007
● It is the ambitious plans drawn up by successive governments to shift movement of hazardous and bulk cargo through inland waterways falling flat, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is finally gearing up to invigorate NW III.
● The IWAI, which attracted considerable flak for the next to nil patronage for national waterways in the State (barring select corridors in Ernakulam), despite investing over ₹300 crore, is readying to set in motion a project to transport hydrochloric acid from Kochi to Chavara through NW III.
● The waterway corridor is navigable, including at night. The reconstruction of the navigation lock at Thrikkunnapuzha is under way. In addition, tenders have been invited for dredging the waterway south of Chavara up to Kollam
About National Waterway III
● The West Coast Canal or National Waterway No 3 is a 205-km stretch of this inland navigational route located in Kerala, India and runs from Kollam to Kottapuram and was declared a National Waterway in 1993. Hence statement (1) is correct.
● NW 3 is the first National Waterway in the country with 24-hour navigation facilities along the entire stretch. Hence statement (2) is correct.
● It has been extended to Kozhikode as per National Waterways Act, 2016.
10. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
a) Annie Besant
b) Debendranath Tagore
c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
d) Sarojini Naidu
Answer: (c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Explanation:
● With encouragement from and participation of like-minded social reformers like Ramgopal Ghosh, Raja Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee and Pandit Madan Mohan Tarkalankar, Bethune established Kolkata’s first school for girls in 1849 called the Hindu Female School.
● Bethune passed away in 1851. In 1856, the Government took charge of the Hindu Female School, later renamed as Bethune School.
● The Managing Committee of the school was then formed and Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, the celebrated social reformer responsible for the eradication of the custom of Sati and a relentless supporter of women’s emancipation was made the Secretary. Hence option (c) is correct.
