Which of the following are accounted for in the Current Account of ‘Balance of Payment’ in India?

Foreign Portfolio Investment 

Net earnings on overseas investments

Net transfer of payments

Exports

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 4 only
  3. 2,3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (c) 2,3 and 4 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: March trade deficit widens to $14.11 billion

Main reasons for increase

About Current Account Deficit

There are 4 components of Current Account-

Source:https://www.thehindu.com/business/march-trade-deficit-widens-to-1411-billion/article34218180.ece


Consider the following Statements regarding Agriculture Census in India

It is conducted every five years in India

It is a centrally sponsored scheme for a collection of data on structure of operational holdings by different size classes and social groups

The first Agricultural Census was conducted in 1951-52.

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

  1. 1 only
  2. 2  and 3 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. 1,2 and 3 

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: Rise in agricultural operational holdings

About Agriculture Census in India

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/as-told-to-parliament-march-23-2021-40-more-mgnregs-person-days-in-2020-21-76113


.Consider the following Statements regarding Use of chemical fertilizers in India

Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Telangana are among the top five States using pesticides.

India consumes mostly nitrogen followed by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers

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

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: Puducherry, Telangana, Punjab top in fertilizer consumption

Major Highlights:

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/puducherry-telangana-punjab-top-in-fertilizer-consumption/article34224656.ece


With respect to Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Consider the following Statements

  1. It is a detailed agreement between Iran and USA only
  2. Under this deal, Iran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water.

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

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: U.S., Iran say they’ll begin indirect talks on nuclear program

About Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA):

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-iran-say-theyll-begin-indirect-talks-on-nuclear-program/article34223604.ece


Consider the following Statements regarding World Cities Culture Forum

  1. It is a network of local governments and cultural sector leaders from 40 world cities.
  2. It allows city leaders to share ideas and knowledge about the role of culture as an organising principle for the sustainable city of the future.
  3. The event is by invitation only

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

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: CM will represent Delhi at World Cities Cultural Forum

About World Cities Culture Forum:

Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cm-will-represent-delhi-at-world-cities-cultural-forum/article34227487.ece


Consider the following Statements regarding UN Women

  1. It is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women
  2. It is headquartered in New York.
  3. It works to place gender equality as a fundamental ideal to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2  and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1,2 and 3 

Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3

Explanation:

In NEWS: India contributes $300,000 to UN body for gender equality and women empowerment

About UN Women

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-contributes-300-000-to-un-body-for-gender-equality-and-women-empowerment-101617342715688.html


Consider the following Statements regarding Butea monosperma tree

It is a small-sized dry-season deciduous tree native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia

It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye.

The leaves are usually very leathery and eaten by cattle.

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

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. 1,2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: ‘Flame of the forest’ blooms bright in Telangana’s Adilabad district this summer

About Butea monosperma tree :

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2021/mar/27/flame-of-the-forest-blooms-bright-in-telanganasadilabad-district-this-summer-2282109.html


Consider the following Statements

  1. Dust swarms from the desert when lifted by strong winds can absorb solar radiation and become hot.
  2. Dust swarms can cause heating of the atmosphere, change the air pressure, wind circulation patterns, influence moisture transport and increase precipitation and rainfall.

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

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: How Asian desert dust enhances Indian summer monsoon

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/how-asian-desert-dust-enhances-indian-summer-monsoon/article34232324.ece#:~:text=The%20researchers%20also%20explain%20how,to%20produce%20yet%20more%20dust.&text=This%20can%20cause%20heating%20of,and%20increase%20precipitation%20and%20rainfall.


Consider the following Statements regarding National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021

The policy categorizes rare diseases into three groups

The government will provide financial support of up to Rs. 20 lakh under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi for treatment of those rare diseases listed under all three groups

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

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: National Policy for Rare Diseases approved by health minister: 7 points

About National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021

Government Support:

Voluntary Crowdfunding: 

Concerns:

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/national-policy-for-rare-diseases-approved-by-health-minister-7-points-101617512536250.html


In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology. “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for 

  1. Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
  2. Genetic modification of sperm producing cells
  3. Development of stem cells into functional embryos 
  4. Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Answer: (d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Explanation:

A pronucleus (plural: pronuclei) is the nucleus of a sperm or an egg cell during the process of fertilization. Pronuclear Transfer is used in mitochondrial transfer techniques. Pronuclear transfer is the transfer of pronuclei from one zygote to another. This technique first requires fertilisation of a healthy donated egg (provided by the mitochondrial donor) with the intending male parent sperm. Simultaneously, the intending mother’s affected oocytes (an immature egg cell) are fertilised with the intending father’s sperm. Both sets of fertilised oocytes (that of the mother and the donor) are allowed to develop to the early zygote stage where the pronuclei are visible. Using micromanipulation equipment, the pronuclei of zygotes formed from donated oocytes are removed within a karyoplast (A cellular nucleus together with a plasma membrane containing a small amount of cytoplasm) and discarded. Therapeutic pronuclear transfer involves the movement of two pronuclei from the affected zygotes (also in the form of a karyoplast), into the enucleated (without a nucleus) healthy zygotes. The resulting zygotes contain nuclear DNA from each of the intending parents and a donor’s mtDNA. Hence option (d) is the correct answer