With respect to Quarterly Employment Survey, consider the following statements
- It is part of the All-India Quarterly Establishment-based Employment Survey (AQEES).
- It is released by the Labor Bureau.
- It assesses the employment situation in the India’s non-farm economy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Quarterly Employment Survey | 9 non-farm sectors employing 3.18 cr: Jan-Mar survey
- About four lakh jobs were added in January-March 2022, compared with the preceding quarter of October-December, the fourth round of the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) released
- Female workers’ share stood at 31.8 per cent in January-March, marginally higher than the 31.6 per cent during the previous round of the QES.
- Of the nine sectors, manufacturing accounted for 38.5 per cent of total workers (1.23 crore), followed by education with 21.7 per cent (69.04 lakh), IT/BPOs sector with 12 per cent (38.31 lakh) and health sector accounting for 10.6 per cent (33.79 lakh) of the workers.
- These four sectors accounted for 83 per cent of the total workers. Trade and transport sectors employed 5.3 per cent (16.98 lakh) and 4.2 per cent (13.26 lakh) of the total estimated workers, respectively.
About Quarterly Employment Survey
- The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) is part of the All-India Quarterly Establishment-based Employment Survey (AQEES). Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is released by the Labour Bureau. Hence statement 2 is correct
- QES captures employment data in respect of establishments employing 10 or more workers, mostly constituting the organized segment, in the nine selected sectors. Hence statement 3 is correct
- These sectors are Manufacturing, Construction, Trade, Transport, Education, Health, Accommodation & Restaurants, IT/ BPOs and Financial Services.
- The report of “Quarterly Employment Survey” is an important publication meant to give insights into the change of employment over the previous quarters and many other related parameters.
- This will serve as useful data for policymakers, Central/ State Governments officials, researchers and other stakeholders.
2. Operation Southern Readiness is a capacity building exercises conducted by the
- Combined Maritime Forces
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- International Maritime Organization
- World Meteorological Organization
Answer: (a) Combined Maritime Forces
Explanation:
In NEWS: INS Sunayna enters Port Victoria Seychelles to participate in annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces
- The INS Sunayna entered Port Victoria Seychelles on the 24th of this month to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces. Hence option (a) is correct
- This marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in Combined Maritime Forces exercise.
- The joint training exercise is being attended by representative delegations from India, the US, Italy, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and ship participation from the UK and Spain.
About Combined Maritime Forces
- It is a capacity building exercises conducted by Combined Maritime Forces.
- It aims to promote security, and prosperity across international waters.
- India is not a member of CMF.
- CMF has 34 member nations
3. In India, which of the following act(s) are governed regarding entry into Indian forests?
- The Indian Forest Act, 1927
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- The Forest Act, 1865
- The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
Select the correct options from the given below codes
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1,2,3 and 4 only
- 1 and 2 only
Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Was it illegal for Himanta and Sadhguru to enter Kaziranga at night?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev visited Kaziranga National Park after sunset
Forest Entry
- In India, entry into forests is governed by two laws — The Indian Forest Act, 1927, and The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Hence option (d) is correct
- The first applies to all reserve forests and bars trespassing.
- Everyone other than people who live in villages inside reserve forests, needs permission from the divisional forest officer concerned for entering these forests for any purpose.
- The Wildlife Protection Act empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden of a state to frame laws for tourists entering Protected Areas — sanctuaries and national parks.
- Under the same Act, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has the powers to set rules for tiger reserves
- A chief wildlife warden must act “with the previous approval of the State Government” concerned. No rule once set by the warden can be violated by anyone, including superior officers or executives, such as the chief minister.
- A chief minister can direct the chief wildlife warden of the state to modify or make certain rules. Any violation of a standing rule will be a violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and invite penalty.
4. With respect to Fund of Funds for Startup Scheme, consider the following statements
- It is a multi-manager investment fund that helps the startups by reducing the risk of investing in bonds, stocks and other types of securities.
- It is managed by the state controlled SIDBI.
Which of the statements 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: Govt commits Rs. 7,385 crore under Fund of Funds for Startup India Investment for 88 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
Fund of Funds for Startup Scheme
- It was launched under the Start-up India initiative in 2016.
- It was announced with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crores.
- Fund of Funds is a multi-manager investment fund that helps the startups by reducing the risk of investing in bonds, stocks and other types of securities. Hence statement 1 is correct
- DPIIT has targeted to release Rs.10,000 crore for Startups through SEBI registered.
- Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) for the scheme, fund of funds for startups.
- Startups that are approved by the Implementing Agencies will receive the funds from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Hence statement 2 is correct
Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme
- The start-up should be less than five years old, and the income tax must be incorporated on or after 1st of April 2016
- The start-up should be registered as a Private Limited Company, LLP or partnership firm
- The turnover of the start-up should be less than Rs.25 crore
- The start-up should focus on development and innovation in manufacturing products or services driven by technology or intellectual property
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1862374
5. Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
- It is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and poor.
- It is aimed at providing each person will receive 5kg of foodgrains and 1 kg Gram per month.
Which of the statements 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: Centre extends Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for another three months
- An additional food security under PMGKAY, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY-Phase VII) for a further period of 3 months
- Financial implication for the Government of India has been about Rs. 3.45 Lakh Crore up to Phase-VI of PMGKAY.
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and poor. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Under this welfare scheme, 5 kg of food grain per person per month is provided free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) [Antodaya Anna Yojana & Priority Households] including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) along with 1 kg free whole chana to each family per month. Hence statement 2 is correct
Eligibility
- Families belonging to the Below Poverty Line – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories will be eligible for the scheme.
- PHH are to be identified by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them. AAY families are to be identified by States/UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government:
- Households headed by widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support.
- Widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more or single women or single men with no family or societal support or assured means of subsistence.
- All primitive tribal households.
- Landless agriculture laborer’s marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, slum dwellers, and persons earning their livelihood on daily basis in the informal sector like porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, snake charmers, rag pickers, cobblers, destitute and other similar categories in both rural and urban areas.
- All eligible Below Poverty Line families of HIV positive persons.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1862944
6. Consider the following statements regarding National Green Tribunal
- It is a specialized body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
- It aims for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
- It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Dibang hydel project: Arunachal says no land for national park, NGT drops its own case
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed the case it took up suo motu on the grant of forest clearance for the 3000-MW Dibang hydel project without meeting the precondition of declaring a national park.
About National Green Tribunal
- The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is correct
- It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
- The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
- The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same. Hence statement 3 is correct
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.
7. Consider the following statements regarding Neelakurinji Flower
- It is endemic to Western Ghats
- It is found in shola forests
- Kurinjimala Sanctuary of Kerala protects the kurinji habitat
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Neelakurinji blooms cover Chikkamagaluru hill stations in hues of purple and blue
- The Neelakurinji flowers that blossom once in many years have turned the green patches of hill stations in Chikkamagaluru into purple-blue, thus attracting hundreds of visitors.
About Neelakurinji Flower
- Neelakurinji, a shrub, is found in shola forests of the Western Ghats. Hence statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is correct
- Locally known as Kurinji, the flowers grow at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,400 metres.
- Nilgiri Hills, which literally means the blue mountains, got their name from the purplish-blue flowers of Neelakurinji that bloom only once in 12 years.
- Kurinjimala Sanctuary of Kerala protects the kurinji in approximately 32 km2 core habitat in Kottakamboor and Vattavada villages in Idukki district. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Kurinji Andavar temple located in Kodaikanal of Tamil Nadu dedicated to Tamil God Murugan also preserves these plants.
- The Paliyan tribal people living in Tamil Nadu used it as a reference to calculate their age.
8. Consider the following statements regarding Chaityas
- It is most commonly used in Buddhism to describe a space with a stupa
- It was a rectangular prayer hall with a stupa in the center.
Which of the statements 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: ASI finds Buddhist caves, temples in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in M.P.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) earlier this year discovered Buddhist caves and stupas, and Brahmi inscriptions, dating back to the 2nd century, and Hindu temples from the 9th-11th centuries, and possibly the world’s largest Varaha sculpture also dating to the same period, at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
About Chaityas
- In Indian religions, a chaitya, chaitya hall, or chaitya-griha is a shrine, sanctuary, temple, or prayer hall.
- The term is most commonly used in Buddhism to describe a space with a stupa and a rounded apse at the entrance, as well as a high roof with a rounded profile. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Chaitya refers to a temple, sanctuary, or any sacred monument in Jainism and Hinduism’s ancient scriptures, especially those dealing with buildings.
- The eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh are home to the ruins of a considerable number of structural Buddhist Chaityas.
- It was a rectangular prayer hall with a stupa in the center. The Chaitya was divided into three sections and featured an apsidal (semi-circular) back end. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Two rows of pillars separated the central part of the hall (also known as the nave) from the two aisles.
- The chaityas also had polished inside walls, semi-circular roofs, and Chaitya windows, which were horse-shoe-shaped windows.
- The eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh are home to the ruins of a considerable number of structural Buddhist Chaityas.
9. Consider the following statements regarding Black Sea Grain Initiative
- It is brokered by the United Nations
- It was set up to reintroduce vital food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine to the rest of the world.
Which of the statements 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: ‘We could not agree more’: Blinken on PM Modi’s message to Putin
- The U.S. was quick to back India’s recent and more explicit expression of disdain for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine
- Mr. Jaishankar indicated during the press conference that there were several ways in which India was involved in trying to help the conflict situation.
- The Minister said he was in touch with his G20 and Security Council counterparts. He indicated India had been approached to “weigh in with Russia” at a “particularly delicate moment” about the Black Sea grain initiative
About Black Sea grain initiative
- The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was set up to reintroduce vital food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine to the rest of the world. Hence statement 2 is correct
10. Which of the following brings out the ‘Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers’?
- The Reserve Bank of India
- The Department of Economic Affairs
- The Labour Bureau
- The Department of Personnel and Training
Answer: (c)
