1. With respect to Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, consider the following statements
- The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the provisions of this act.
- It provides for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for protection of sculptures, carvings
- It does not permit construction works in ‘prohibited areas’ for public purposes.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In News: Tunnel vision that is endangering India’s history
- The planned revision to Section 20 of the ‘Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains’ Act is ruinous
- Section 20 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958, last amended in 2010, prohibits construction within a 100 metre radius of all Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments and regulates activities within another 300 metre radius.
About Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act
- The AMASR Act provides for preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
- It provides for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.
- The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the provisions of this act.
- The Act prohibits construction in ‘prohibited area’, an area of 100 meters around protected monument.
- No Construction was permitted in an area around 100 meters of national monuments. 200 m beyond that is declared as a “regulated area”.
- The 2017 amends this provision to permit construction works in ‘prohibited areas’ for public purposes.
- If there is any question related to a construction project that qualifies as ‘public works, it will be referred to the National Monuments Authority. It will recommend to the Union government. The decision of the Union government will be final.
Source: TH
2. Consider the following statements regarding Lion Capital of Ashoka
- It is built in 250 BC to commemorate the first sermon of Gautama Buddha
- It was part of Asoka’s plan to spread Buddha’s teachings.
- On January 26, 1950, the Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath officially became the national emblem of India.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: The outrage over the new ‘National Emblem’
Four Asiatic lions are part of the national emblem with three lions being visible to the naked eye and the fourth one always hidden from general view. They are taken from the Sarnath Lion Capital of the Mauryan emperor Asoka.
What is the history behind the national emblem?
- Four Asiatic lions are part of the national emblem with three lions being visible to the naked eye and the fourth one always hidden from general view.
- They are taken from the Sarnath Lion Capital of the Mauryan emperor Asoka.
- The seven feet tall sculpture made of polished sandstone represented courage, power and pride.
- Built in 250 BC to commemorate the first sermon of Gautama Buddha, where he is said to have shared the Four Noble Truths of life
- The four animals are said to be guardians of the four directions — north, south, east and west.
- They are separated by a wheel, representing the Dharmachakra of Buddhism, on all four sides.
- Each chakra or wheel has 24 spokes. The chakra was later adopted as part of the national flag.
- This abacus was mounted on an inverted lotus which is a symbol of Buddhism. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang has left a detailed account of Asoka’s lion pillar in his writings.
- The pillar was part of Asoka’s plan to spread Buddha’s teachings.
- On January 26, 1950, the Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath officially became the national emblem of India. The emblem represents the seal of the Republic of India.
Source: TH
3. Consider the following statements regarding wormhole
- It can act as a bridge or a shortcut between two points in curved spacetime which are well separated in practical terms to the inhabitants of the universe.
- The existence of wormholes has been predicted by Ludwig Flamm, in 1916
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:
- A wormhole can act as a bridge or a shortcut between two points in curved spacetime which are well separated in practical terms to the inhabitants of the universe.
- The existence of wormholes has been predicted by Ludwig Flamm, in 1916, soon after Einstein proposed his General Theory of Relativity. However, the presence of wormholes has not yet been established through observation or inference by astronomers.
- Interstellar travel
- To understand how a wormhole can help in rapid interstellar travel, let us first imagine that we humans, sitting in a four-dimensional world, are observing a two-dimensional sub-universe embedded in our universe.
- This sub-universe is like a sheet of paper or a ribbon on which tiny bugs, live, crawling on the ribbon. When the ribbon is flat, there is only one way to get from one point to another.
- But if the ribbon is bent like a U, the observer can see that some parts of the folded ribbon may appear to be close to other parts.
- According to her, to get from one of these points to the other it would be quicker if the bug could jump across the intervening space.
- According to her, to get from one of these points to the other it would be quicker if the bug could jump across the intervening space. However, the bug being a two-dimensional creature cannot even see this closeness.
- Now, imagine if a bridge was built connecting the two points on the ribbon. The bugs could then crawl over the bridge to the target point instead of crawling down the entire length of the ribbon.
- This is exactly what a wormhole can do.
Source: TH
4. Consider the following statements regarding GST Council
- It was set up by the President as per Article 279A (1) of the Constitution of India
- The members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister and the Union Minister of State (Finance)
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: All States agreed to GST changes on food items: Finance Minister
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the decision to levy the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on unbranded, pre-packed and pre-labelled food products was critical to curb tax leakage and was not taken by “one member” of the GST Council alone as all States had agreed to the move.
What is the GST Council?
- The Goods and Services Tax regime came into force after the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2016.
- More than 15 Indian states then ratified it in their state Assemblies, after which the President gave his assent.
- The GST Council – a joint forum of the Centre and the states — was set up by the President as per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution.
- The members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister (chairperson), the Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre.
- Each state can nominate a minister in-charge of finance or taxation or any other minister as a member.
Why was the GST Council set up?
- The Council, according to Article 279, is meant to “make recommendations to the Union and the states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws”.
- It also decides on various rate slabs of GST.
Source: TH
5. Consider the following statements regarding Digital Communications Commission
- It is the apex body for telecom policy formulation.
- It consists of a Chairman, four full time members and four part time members
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: CAG flags lack of spectrum price review for captive users
- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pulled up the Telecom Department for not finalising policy on spectrum assignment for captive uses and flagged the absence of spectrum price review for captive users administratively.
- DoT had not finalised the policy for allotment and assignment of spectrum for captive uses/other commercial services with the approval of the Digital Communications Commission (DCC).
About Digital Communications Commission
- The DCC is the apex body for telecom policy formulation.
- The DCC consists of a Chairman, four full time members and four part time members.
- The Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications is the ex-officio Chairman of the DCC.
The DCC is responsible for:
- Formulating the policy of Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government;
- Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government; &
- Implementation of Government’s policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.
Source: TH
6. Consider the following statements regarding Participatory notes (P-notes)
- They are issued by registered Foreign Portfolio Investors
- They are issued for the overseas investors who want to invest in the stock markets in India, without being registered under SEBI
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: Investment via P-notes drops to ₹80,092 cr.
Investment in the Indian capital markets through participatory notes (P-notes) slid to ₹80,092 crore till June end, the lowest level in 20 months, on aggressive rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
About participatory notes
- P-notes are issued by registered Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to be a part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly.
- According to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) data, the value of P-note investments in Indian markets.
- P-Notes also helps in keeping the investor’s name anonymous along with reducing the transaction costs
- Participatory notes are transferable through endorsement and delivery making trading easy in the country.
Who is a Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI)?
- Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) are those foreign investors making an investment in Indian financial assets, including shares, bonds, debentures etc.
- FPIs includes investment groups of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs) and subaccounts etc.
Source: TH
7)A constitutional form of government is a.
a.Government of legislature
b.Popular government
c.Multi party government
d.Limited government
Answer: D
Explanation:
In the news:Chile marks a notch in global constitutionalism
The power of government are limited by the fundamental right in the Constitution,hence constitutional form of government is known as limited government.Hence option 4 is correct
8)Considered the following statement regarding Minimum support price
1. The government does not procure all farm produce at MSPs. Actual procurement (at MSP) varies with crop and geography
2.the government largely bases its decision on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for MSP.
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
Explanation: In the news : SKM fumes over MSP panel, not to send its representatives
The MSPs are announced by the Union government and as such, it is the government’s decision. But the government largely bases its decision on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).Hence option 2 is correct
The government does not procure all farm produce at MSPs. Actual procurement (at MSP) varies with crop and geography. Also, MSPs have no statutory backing — a farmer cannot demand MSP as a matter of right.Hence Option 1 is correct.
9) Nagorno-karabakh is recently seen in news, situated between
A.Russia and Ukraine
B.Russia and Georgia
C. Armenia and Azerbaijan
D. Armenia and Turkey
Answer: C
Explanation:
In the news :Putin says progress in Ukraine grain talks
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has recently spiked into a major issue in the Caucasus region, with possible ramifications for the larger international community .Hence Option C is the correct answer.
10. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
- Katha Upanishad
- Chandogya Upanishad
- Aitareya Upanishad
- Mundaka Upanishad
Answer: (c) Mundaka Upanishad
Explanation:
- Upanishads are the concluding part of the Vedas. There are 108 recognised Upanishads of which 12 are considered principle Upanishads.
- The verse Satyameva Jayate has been taken from Mundaka Upanishad. The verse from Mundaka III, Khanda I is “Satyameva jayate nānrtam satyena panthā vitato devayānah yenākramantyrsayo hyāptakāmā yatra tat satyasya paramam nidhānam”
