Prelims- MCQs

Production Possibility Frontier / Curve- Represents a situation where only two goods can be produced with given resources and technology.

Lorenz curve- Measures the relationship between the Percentage of income and Percentage of employed people.

Kuznets curve - Shows the relationship between economic growth and per capita income

Fourth five-year plan-  Garibi Hatao and growth with stability

SFURTI scheme refers to: A scheme launched by the Indian government’s Ministry of MSME to promote the development of local working class and businesses that work in traditional industries

With reference to Index of Industrial Production (IIP), consider the following statements:

  • In IIP, industries are classified into 3 categories: 1) Mining 2) Manufacturing 3) Electricity sector
  • The base year is 2011- 2012
  • It is released by NSO on a monthly basis.

Neobanks: These are Fintech firms having solely digital presence. These are financial institutions that give customers a cheaper alternative to traditional banks. They provide banking services like savings account by forming partnerships with banks that are licensed by the RBI

Consider the following statements about Non-Banking Financial Companies(NBFCs) :

  • NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits from the public
  •  All NBFCs are not regulated by the RBI. Eg: Insurance Companies are regulated by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
  • Government of India allowed 100 percent FDI in NBFCs in 2016

With respect to Priority Sector Lending (PSL), consider the following statements:

  • Foreign banks with less than 20 branches in India have been brought under the ambit of targets under Priority Sector lending (PSL).
  • It is one of the qualitative tools of monetary policy of Reserve Bank Of India.
  • It is not the tool for resolving the issue of non-performing assets of the banking sector. It is used for financial inclusion and increasing banking penetration in rural areas.

'Land Titling' refers to: Land titling is a form of land reform in which private individuals and families are given formal property rights for land which they have previously occupied informally or used on the basis of customary land tenure.

With reference to the digital platform ‘Public Credit Registry’, consider the following statements

  • A digital platform created by RBI to capture and store financial borrowers in India
  • Information on both existing and new borrowers will be stored
  • It is a part of National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, announced by RBI.
Which one of the following is also called Broad Money? M3
  • It consists of Currency with public + Net demand deposits held by Commercial Banks +Net time deposits with the banking system.
Which of the following is/are part of the Fiscal Policy of the Government?
  • Government’s Receipts 
  • Government’s Expenditure
  • Public Debt
With reference to GST Council, consider the following statements:
  • A Constitutional body
  • Quorum is 50% of the total members
  • A resolution requires 75% majority of members present and voting
  • The voting weightage of Union Government stands at 1/3rd of total votes and of Statesis2/3rd of total votes 
Consider the following Capital Receipts: Which of the above correspond to ‘Non-Debt Creating Capital Receipts’?
  • Recovery of loans
  • Disinvestment
Debt creating:
  • Loan taken by the Central Government
  • Borrowings from the market through the sale of G-Securities
  • Money raised under National Small Savings Fund like Kisan Vikas Patra
The term Fiscal drag refers to: Fiscal drag is an economic phenomenon where an increase in income or inflation pushes taxpayers into higher tax brackets, effectively boosting government tax revenue without a hike in tax rates

Consider the following statements about India’s first Water Metro project: 
Statement A-The project is implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRL) 
Statement B-It aims to connect 10 islands around Kochi.

How will the PM PRANAM scheme be funded? By increasing the taxes on chemical fertilizers

Worldcoin:
  • Recently, a project called Worldcoin has been launched by OpenAI, an Artificial intelligence company. The project claims to be building the world’s largest identity and financial public network.
  • The initiative uses a device called “Orb” to collect biometric (iris) data and help participants get a World ID through the World app.
  • With the app, participants can collect a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD].
  • Those who have their irises scanned and collect a World ID can use this to claim the WLD crypto
  • This process is called “proof of personhood” and makes sure that people do not sign themselves up multiple times in exchange for crypto.
Consider the following statements with reference to ignition temperature:
  • A. The lowest temperature at which the substance catches fire is called as ignition temperature. 
  • B. The substances which have low ignition temperature and catch fire easily are called as inflammable substances
Consider the following statements with reference to chromosomes in humans:
  • A. Every human being has 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nuclei of every cell. 
  • B. Females have two X chromosomes only, but a male has combination of one X and one Y chromosome.
Osmosis:
  • The movement of substance from a region of lower concentration to region of higher concentration is known as? Osmosis
  • The movement of substance from a region of higher concentration to region of lower concentration is known as Diffusion.
  • Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses pressure to remove impurities through a semi-permeable membrane
The small pores in the outermost layer of the plant (Epidermis) are called as?  Stomata
  • Small pores present on the epidermis of the leaf are called stomata.    
  • Stomata are opened and closed by two kidney-shaped cells called guard cells.
  • Guard cells are present in the epidermis of plant leaves, stems, and other plant parts
The term “Hidden Hunger” is generally referred to? Micronutrient deficiency
  • Micronutrients refer to iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, iodine, zinc, folicacid, calcium, and riboflavin. 
“The process of precisely cutting out a specific portion of DNA (a gene) from a larger DNA sequence.” Is called as? Gene Slicing
  • Once the gene is sliced out, it can be isolated, studied, modified, or inserted into another DNA molecule for other purposes.

Biogas Plant:
  • The Gobar gas plants (biogas) produce methane gas which can be used for heating and lighting.
  • Bacteria produce large amount of methane along with CO2-Corbondiaxide and H2-Hydrogen in biogas plant.
  • The bacteria that produce methane are called methanogens, and one such common bacterium is Methanobacterium.
  • The technology of biogas production was developed in India mainly due to the efforts of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Launch Vehicles:
  • Small satellite launch vehicle is a 3 stage launch vehicle
  • Geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle is 3 stages launch vehicle (solid, liquid, cryogenic upper stage)
  • Polar satellite launch vehicle is 4 stages launch vehicle (solid,liquid,solid,liquid )
Dark Energy & Dark Matter:
  • Dark energy is that energy which is considered to be the reason for accelerated expansion of the universe
  • Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not interact with electromagnetic radiation
In which of the following mission NASA collected sample from near earth asteroid "Bennu"? Osiris Rex mission

With reference to ancient India, Bhrigukachcha and Suparaka were well known as: Ports
  • Bhrigukachcha is also known as Bharuch.
Consider the following successors of the Mauryan Empire and their coinage:
Which of the above dynasties issued coins featuring bilingual inscriptions?
As per the existing findings, coins featuring bilingual inscriptions are issued by Satavahanas and Indo-Greeks

Which of the following architectural structures is associated with Jainism and known for its intricate marble carvings?
A. Gomateshwara Jain Statue 
B. Dilwara Jain Temples. 
C. Ranakpur Temple -a Śvētāmbara Jain temple at Ranakpur dedicated to Tirthankara Rishabhanatha(Rajastan)
D. Palitana Temples

Consider the following statements: 
A. Menander was converted to Buddhism by Nagarjuna. 
B. The book Milinda Panho talks about the discussion between Milinda and Nagarjuna. 
C. Indo-Greek rule introduced features of Hellenistic art in the north-west frontier of India
D. Gandhara school of architecture developed

Harsha:
  • Harshacharitha is the first formal biography of a king in ancient India
  • Harshacharitha was written by Banabhatta. He also wrote Kadambari
  • Priyadarshika, Ratnavali and Nagananda are the literary works of Harsha
Charter act, 1833:
This act made a provision that No Indian citizen was to be denied employment under the Company on the basis of religion, color, birth, descent. Although the reality was different.
The East India Company’s monopoly over trade with China and in tea was ended
The governor general was given the power to control the civil and military affairs of the company

Self-Goverment:
  • Mayo’s Resolution highlighted "Local interest, supervision, and care" for effective fund management.
  • Ripon's Government encouraged extending Lord Mayo's financial decentralization to local bodies also
  • Mayo’s Resolution says that “Local interest, supervision and care are necessary for success in the management of the funds devoted to education, sanitation, medical relief and local public works.”
  • Ripon’s Resolution of 1882 - The Government of Ripon wanted the provincial governments to apply the same decentralization policy even to local bodies also which Lord Mayo’s Government had started.
  • For his contributions, Lord Ripon is called father of local self-government in India
Moderate National Leaders:
  • Most of the meetings organized by moderate leaders were attended by landlord families
  • Their personal interests prevented congress in its initial years from taking pro-peasant campaigns.
  • Moderate leaders suffered the support of Indian masses, one of the reasons behind this was because of their social background, because many of the moderate leaders belonged to educated and landlord families.
The term Daroga during British rule in India is related to? Police Officer
  • Governor General Cornwallis brought many reforms in Police Department
  • He took measures to separate the law-and-order duties from Zamindars and established regular Police force.
  • Cornwallis modernized the traditional Thana system; he established the system of circles or Thanas headed by Daroga who was an Indian
Khond Uprising (1837-56): From 1837 to 1856, the Khonds of the hilly tracts spreading from Odisha to the Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts of A.P revolted against the British Company rule.
  • Chakra Bisoi, a young raja was the leader of the revolt
  • They revolted to oppose the suppression of human sacrifice, new taxes, and the entry of zamindars into their tribal areas
  • Khonds were joined by the Ghumsar, Kalahandi, and other tribals
Delhi Manifesto:
  • In November 1929, the National leaders issued Delhi manifesto to put forward certain conditions for attending 'Round table' conferences.
  • Delhi manifesto is not called as Delhi pact. 
  • Delhi Manifesto was also called as Delhi Declaration. 
  • In fact, Poona pact is called as Delhi pact.
  • Viceroy Irwin rejected the demands put forward in Delhi manifesto
Khudai Khidmatgars:
  • On 23 April 1930, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan also known as Frontier Gandhi was arrested in the Northwest Frontier Province
  • His arrest erupted the masses in Peshawar to come out of houses in huge numbers
  • Badsha Khan, it was more because of his mass work that led to the formation of the non- violent revolutionaries' group popularly known as the Red Shirts
  • Khudai Khidmatgars played an active role in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Which of the following terms refers to an increase in the concentration of a substanceas youmove up the food chain? Biomagnification

The location Point Nemo is famous for? Being the most remote location on Earth, farthest from any land.
  • It is also famously known as Satellite graveyard.
  • Even in this farthest location, marine plastic pollution could be observed.
Mangroves:
  • Mangroves are shrubs or small trees that grow in coastal saline or brackish water and are adapted to harsh conditions. 
  • Mangroves have special roots such as prop roots, pneumatophores and stilt roots to cope with water immersion and low oxygen. 
  • Mangroves exhibit viviparity mode of reproduction.













The GOI has incorporated Article 48A & Article 51A(g) after which Protocol/Declaration given below:

Stockholm declaration [42nd amendment]

The Post of the 'Chief Secretary' of a State in order of precedence is equivalent to the ______ (Vice Chief of the Army staff)

The terms "Sora", "lumiere", and Gen-2 is often seen in the news. It was related to__? Artificial Intelligence

Choose the incorrect region regarding the Hill stations of India?

The 'Rocket' Works on the Principle of Conservation of ___(Momentum)

Arrange the following 'Delhi sultanate' dynasty chronologically?

Slave-Khilji-Tughlaq-Sayyad-Lodhi

Tandur dal from Telangana received the Geographical indication (GI) tag. Consider the incorrect statement regarding GI tags?

In India, Handicrafts and Agriculture products constitutes the majority of GI registered tags

UP, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka are top 3 states

Matabari Peda, recently received a GI tag is in the state of Tripura

The 'BLDC' fans are considered as an alternative to the normal Induction motor fans. Which company is distributing these fans? Energy Efficient Services Limited (EESL)

The speed of the sound is ‘Minimum’ in which medium? Vacuum. Maximum in Solids

With reference to Telangana history the term "rayasams" were the? Scribes or Private secretaries to Kings

Soil Health Card will be given to all farmers to provide each of them with information on soil nutrient status

The Soil Health Card is made available to a farmer once in a cycle of 3 years

Implemented by the State governments since agriculture being a State subject.

Balance of Trade(BoT) includes only goods (Services are not included)

Balance of Payments is an accounting statement that records monetary transactions between ?Residents of a nation and the rest of the world

The balance of payment is a statement of all the transactions that are made between entities in one nation and the rest of the world over a particular time frame, such as a quarter or a year. 

The ‘resident’, whose monetary transactions get recorded under the Balance of Payments system, includes? Government agencies, Individuals and Firms

The components of a Balance of Payment account are ____________.

  1. Capital Account
  2. Current Account
Balance of trade is the __________Difference between export and import of goods

Which of the following is not a component of the Balance of Payments?
  1. Real account
  2. Current account
  3. Capital account

Import and export of "goods" are known as ____Visible trade

Import and export of "services" are known as _______Invisible trade

The Current account of the Balance of Payments includes transactions like?

  1. Imports and exports of goods and services
  2. Transfers to and from abroad
  3. Income to and from abroad
The Capital account of the Balance of Payments includes transactions like?

  1. Changes in foreign exchange reserves
  2. Investments to and from abroad
  3. Borrowings and landings to and from abroad
Balance of payments is a ___________ concept as compared to balance of trade (Balance of trade)

Trade Deficit occurs when _____Export of goods is less than imports of goods

The measures taken to improve the negative Balance of Payments include

  1. Exchange control
  2. Currency devaluation
  3. Import substitution
Which of the following are a part of the Capital account of the Balance of Payments?

  1. Foreign loans
  2. Monetary movements
  3. Foreign investments

If the value of visible exports is more than the value of invisible imports, the balance relates to ____________It cannot be determined

If the value of visible imports is more than the value of invisible exports, the balance relates to ____________. It cannot be determined







అక్బర్ హయాంలో నిర్మించినవి:

సలీం చిస్తీ సమాధి

బులంద్ దర్వాజా

హుమాయున్ సమాధి

ఆగ్రా కోట

ఫతేపూర్ సిక్రి


Hussain Ali Khan- One of the Saiyid brothers

Murshid Quli Khan- Bengal ruler

Chin Qilich Khan- Hyderabad Nizam

Safdar Jung- Awad Nawab


Chronology of later Mughals: 

Bahadur Shah-Jahandar Shah-Fauk Siyar - Muhammad Shah- Shah Alam II

In Shivaji's administration, Dabir was? The master of ceremonies, and helped the king in foreign affairs

Chronology of establishments of French settlements

Surat- Pondicherry-Yanam= Mahe-Karaikal

 రుద్రదేవుడు - వేయి స్తంభాల గుడి నిర్మాణం

గణపతిదేవుడు- రాజధాని అనుమకొండ నుండి ఓరుగల్లుకి మార్పు

రుద్రమదేవి- మార్క్-ఓ-పోలో పర్యటన

ప్రతాపరుద్రుడు- మాలిక్ కాపూర్ దండయాత్ర


Indian states annexed by the British due to the Doctrine of Lapse

Jhansp

Satara

Nagpur

Sindh





Sheikh Hasina, who recently secured a record fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, belongs to the Awami League. Under her leadership, the Awami League won 200 seats in the 300-seat parliament in the Bangladesh general elections. 

Who recently became the first Indian woman to receive the Arjuna Award for Equestrian Sports? Divyakriti Singh

 Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission by the Government of India? Dr. Arvind Panagariya

Arvind Panagariya, a former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog and Professor at Columbia University has been appointed as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission. The commission's responsibilities include the distribution of tax proceeds, principles governing grants-in-aid to States, and recommendations for improving disaster management financing arrangements under the Disaster Management Act, of 2005

In which state is the Paradip fishing harbour situated?Odisha

Which athlete received the Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2023 for their achievements in Wushu? Naorem Roshibina Devi

Who has become India's number one chess player, leaving behind Vishwanathan Anand? Rameshbabu Praggnanand

Who has officially assumed the role of Secretary General of BIMSTEC, succeeding Tenzin Lekphell? Indra Mani Pandey

What is the name of the first chemo drug available as syrup form in India?  Doctors at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Centre have indigenously developed Prevall, the first chemotherapy drug in India to be available as a syrup formulation.


March 2024

Super Emitter Events

Scientists have revealed that a drilling incident took place in Kazakhstan in 2023 was possibly the 2nd biggest man-made methane leak ever in history

Incident - The drilling incident took place at an exploration well in the Mangistau region of southwestern Kazakhstan in 2023.

It caused a fire that raged and released 127,000 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere.

Methane is the 2nd most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, after carbon dioxide (CO2).

Potential - It is a potent Green House Gas (GHG) which traps heat in the atmosphere and adds to global warming

 Gir National Park, Gujarat is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently recategorized the Asiatic lion status as vulnerable from endangered indicating a positive shift in its conservation status.

Lokpal

Former Supreme Court Judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was administered the oath of office as the Lokpal chairperson by the President recently.

The Lokpal is an independent statutory body, or body of ombudsman, that has jurisdiction over the central government to investigate allegations of corruption against public officials including the Prime Minister.

Ombudsman is a swedish term which means a person who is authorised to act for someone else.

The Lokpal was recommended by the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India, established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.

LokPal: It has jurisdiction to investigate public officials in Union level

Lokayukta: It has jurisdiction to investigate public officials in state level

Appointment - Lokpal would be appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker of Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Members - The Lokpal to consist of a Chairperson with a maximum of 8 members of which 50% shall be judicial members

Power - The Lokpal will have the power of superintendence and direction over any investigating agency, including the CBI, for cases referred to them by the Lokpal.

Report - The Lokpal is required to present annually to the President a report on the work done by it, which is caused to be laid in both the Houses of the Parliament.

Sela Tunnel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel ‘Sela Tunnel’ in Arunachal Pradesh.

It connects Guwahati to the strategic Tawang sector bordering china across Sela Pass.

It aids faster military movement to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Bengaluru, India’s 3rd most populous city is facing the worst potable water crisis in its nearly 500-year history.

What led to severe shortage of water in Bengaluru?

Lack of rainfall - There hasn't been enough rain thereby causing the water levels in the Cauvery River to drop.

As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, the water levels in Cauvery Basin reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, KRS, and Kabini are at 39% of their total capacity.

Geography – Bengaluru is part of the semi-arid zone and falls in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, without a perennial source of water.

Tributaries of the Cauvery, such as the Arkavathy and Vrishabhavathi that flowed through parts of the city were seasonal.

Changing climatic conditions - The plunging groundwater levels, with more than 3,000 borewells drying up, have caused the current water crisis is also adding to the issue of water shortage.

Urbanisation and industrialization - Population explosion, Encroachment, unplanned urbanisation, unfriendly industrial policies have also resulted in this problem.

Bengaluru, up until 1961, had 262 lakes which has now come down to 81.

Pollution - In Bengaluru (once known as the city of 1,000 lakes), many lakes are polluted and marked as Category D or E lakes.

Other issues - Poor Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in the city has also added to the problem.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is primarily responsible for supplying the city with water has acknowledged the city’s excessive reliance on the Cauvery and the lack of coordinated water management.

Bengaluru requires 2,100 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water, of which 1,450 MLD comes from the Cauvery River.

Why in news?

Bengaluru, India’s 3rd most populous city is facing the worst potable water crisis in its nearly 500-year history.


What is the issue?

Bengaluru was once known as the “the necklace of lakes”.

Important lakes of Bengaluru - Dharmambudhi Lake, Shoolay Lake, Akkithimanhalli Lake, Sampangi Lake, Bellandur Lake, Hebbal Lake, Madiwala lake, Ulsoor lake, Lalbagh Lake, Agara Lake, etc.

Important rivers of Bengaluru - Vrishabhavathi, Arkavathi, Dakshina Pinakini, Chinnar, Suvarnamukhi, Cauvery and Netravathi rivers.

At present, the city is facing a severe water shortage.

bengaluru-lakes


What led to severe shortage of water in Bengaluru?

Lack of rainfall - There hasn't been enough rain thereby causing the water levels in the Cauvery River to drop.

As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, the water levels in Cauvery Basin reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, KRS, and Kabini are at 39% of their total capacity.

Geography – Bengaluru is part of the semi-arid zone and falls in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, without a perennial source of water.

Tributaries of the Cauvery, such as the Arkavathy and Vrishabhavathi that flowed through parts of the city were seasonal.

Changing climatic conditions - The plunging groundwater levels, with more than 3,000 borewells drying up, have caused the current water crisis is also adding to the issue of water shortage.

Urbanisation and industrialization - Population explosion, Encroachment, unplanned urbanisation, unfriendly industrial policies have also resulted in this problem.

Bengaluru, up until 1961, had 262 lakes which has now come down to 81.

Pollution - In Bengaluru (once known as the city of 1,000 lakes), many lakes are polluted and marked as Category D or E lakes.

Other issues - Poor Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in the city has also added to the problem.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is primarily responsible for supplying the city with water has acknowledged the city’s excessive reliance on the Cauvery and the lack of co-ordinated water management.

Bengaluru requires 2,100 million liters per day (MLD) of potable water, of which 1,450 MLD comes from the Cauvery River.

What efforts have been taken in this regard?

The Karnataka government has banned the use of drinking water for gardening and other purposes.

It has ordered supply of water in huge tankers to Bengaluru from adjoining towns.

A substantial budget of Rs 131 crore is allotted by civil bodies for drilling borewells in priority zones.

To control water prices, all private water tankers and borewells are instructed to register with the BWSSB.

In the 2024-2025 budget speech, CM Siddaramaiah announced that the BWSSB would start Phase-5 of the Cauvery project, aiming to provide 110 liters of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people.

The project is expected to be completed by May 2024.

Karnataka Water Policy 2022 had suggested strategies like re-cycling, re-use of treated waste water and rain water harvesting, industrial water use planning and other such measures.

Shahpurkandi barrage on the river Ravi in the Indian state of Punjab nears completion, there are fears in downstream Pakistan regarding the restriction of water flow.

Location - Ravi is a trans-border river that flows through India and Pakistan.

It is one of the 5 tributaries of the Indus River that gives the Punjab region its name and identity.

Other names - Iravati, Hydraotes, Parushani, The river of Lahore (since Lahore is situated on its eastern bank).

Historical significance - The Battle of the Ten Kings was fought on the banks of the Ravi River, which was then called Parushani

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) administers how river Indus and its tributaries that flow in India and Pakistan will be utilized.

Mission Gaganyaan

Aim- To send a team of astronauts into space on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km for 3 days and safely return them by landing in the Indian Ocean.

Objective- To demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to LEO.

Origin- In 2006, India started work on an orbital vehicle mission that was later named Gaganyaan.

Mission program- As a part of this program two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by Government of India.

Unmanned mission- It will demonstrate the levels of technology preparedness before manned mission.

Demonstrator missions- It includes Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights.

LVM-3 was earlier called as GSLV Mk-III

Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR)

The Supreme Court condemned the illegal felling of over 6,000 trees for eco-tourism at the Jim Corbett National Park.

Establishment - Originally established as Hailey National Park in 1936, which was renamed in honor of Jim Corbett in 1956.

Location - In the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

Biodiversity - CTR is not only the 1st national park in India, but also the 1st to come under the Project Tiger initiative.

It is part of the World Wide Fund for Nature's Terai Arc Landscape Program, aimed at protecting flagship species like the tiger, the Asian elephant, and the great one-horned rhinoceros.

Gramdan is a social movement in India began in 1952 that involves the voluntary donation of land to a cooperative system.

The movement is an expansion of the Bhoodan movement, which was started by Gandhian Vinoba Bhave in 1951.

The first village to come under gramdan was Mangroth in Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

In the Gramdan movement, donors and their descendants can work on the land and reap the benefits but they cannot sell it outside the village or to someone in the village who has not joined Gramdan.

Zero food children:

In the Gramdan movement, donors and their descendants can work on the land and reap the benefits but they cannot sell it outside the village or to someone in the village who has not joined Gramdan.

Recent Findings - India ranked 3rd with 19.3% ‘zero-food’ children after west African countries Guinea (21.8%) and Mali (20.5%).

The figures are much lower in Bangladesh (5.6%), Pakistan (9.2%), DR Congo (7.4%), Nigeria (8.8%) and Ethiopia (14.8%).

Ms. Sudha Murty was recently nominated as the member of Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu.

The President of India nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for a 6-year term.

The nominees must have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science, and social service.

The purpose of this nomination is to give eminent people a place in the Rajya Sabha without having to go through the election process.

Nominated members of Rajya Sabha have a right to vote in the election of the Vice-President of India, they are not entitled to vote in the election of the President of India.









MCQs: [Topic: India's first indigenously developed Hydrogen boat]

1. The ‘Harit Nauka’(green boat) is an initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways that envisages a green transition of inland vessels
2. In January 2024, the ministry unveiled the Harit Nauka guidelines for inland vessels. As per the guidelines, all states have to make efforts to use green fuels for 50 per cent of inland waterways-based passenger fleets in the next one decade, and 100 per cent by 2045. This is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
3. Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as the byproducts.
4. The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) used as the electrolyte in the cell allows the transport of protons (H+) through the membrane while blocking the passage of electrons. The electrolyte plays a crucial role in separating the anode and cathode reactions
5. PEM fuel cells operate at relatively low temperatures (between 60-80 degrees Celsius), allowing for quick start-up times (less warm up time).
6. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.

'Harit Nauka' initiative- The ferry is a part of this initiative which was launched in 2024 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Manufactured- By Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Deployed in service- At Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh

Fuel cell- It utilises utilizes a 50-kW Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell which is a type of hydrogen fuel cell with Lithium-Ion Phosphate batteries

Full Story:

World Malaria Report 2023 [Jan 2024]

According to World Malaria Report 2023, malaria cases continue to dip in India while it is increasing globally.
Published by – World Health Organization (WHO)
2023 report – For the 1st time, it includes a dedicated chapter focused on the intersection between climate change and malaria
This year alone, 3 more countries were certified by WHO as malaria-free (Azerbaijan, Belize, and Tajikistan).
India – There were around 33 lakh malaria cases and 5,000 deaths in India last year, a decrease of 30% and 34 % respectively compared with 2021.
Changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall can influence the behaviour and survival of the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito.
Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and flooding, can also directly impact transmission and disease burden.
For example, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan in 2022 led to a 5-fold increase in malaria cases in the country.


Elephant Death Audit Framework (EDAF) [Jan 2024]
According to the recent Elephant Death Audit Framework, electrocution major cause of elephant deaths in Tamil Nadu
Initiative by – State of Tamil Nadu
This is the 1st of its kind initiative in the country.
Objectives – Prescribe a Systematic Standard Protocol (SSP) for conducting post-mortem to determine cause of death and understand the cases of preventable and unnatural deaths.

Mortality – 1,505 elephant deaths have been recorded since 2010, and 159 of them, or 10.5% of all mortalities, were caused by humans or human-related activities
Electrocution – It is an unnatural causes that were behind more than one in every 10 elephant deaths.
Other unnatural causes – Poaching, poisoning, gunshots as well as train and road accidents. Poaching= the catching and killing of animals without permission on someone else's land

Provisional State of the Global Climate report 2023 [Jan 24]
According to the recent United Nations (UN) report, 2023 is set to be the hottest year ever recorded.
Published by – World Meteorological Organization
Climate chaos – In 2023, Green House Gas (GHG) levels, global temperatures, sea level rise reached record high, while Antarctic sea ice reached record low.
Higher GHGs – Concentrations of the 3 main heat-trapping gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) reached record high.

Iyothee Thass Pandithar, anti-caste activist [Jan 24]

The Tamil Nadu government has installed a statue of Dalit rights and anti-caste activist Iyothee Thass Pandithar in Chennai.
He was a prominent Tamil anti-caste activist and practitioner of Siddha medicine

Maski Rock edict: 
The Maski rock edict is a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka.
It was discovered in 1915 by C. Beadon at the archaeological site of Maski in the Raichur district of Karnataka, India.
The Maski rock edict is important because it was the 1st edict of Emperor Ashoka to include his name. Earlier edicts referred to him as Devanampiye Piyadasi.

Paris Club
Sri Lanka has recently reached an “agreement in principle” with India and the Paris Club group of creditors including Japan, on a debt treatment plan.
The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations that work to find sustainable solutions for debtor countries that are unable to repay their bilateral loans.
The Paris Club has 22 permanent members which have originated from a 1956 meeting in which Argentina agreed to meet its public creditors in Paris.
India is not a member to this club. The Paris Club usually coincides with the IMF program period.

World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st each year, is an opportunity to highlight the work of eliminating HIV/AIDS.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2023 is "Let Communities Lead".
Nagaland tops the list of States India with the highest prevalence (1.61%) of AIDS. National average = 0.22%.

Namo Drone Didi [Drone Didi Yojana]

It is a Central Sector scheme to provide drones to 15,000 women's Self Help Groups (SHGs), which will be trained to give it on rent for spraying pesticides and fertilisers.
Duration - 2024-25 to 2025-2026. Recently PM has renamed it as ‘Namo Drone Didi'.

New GI Tagged Products
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai have given GI tag for Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi, Banglar muslin, Narasapur crochet lace products among others.

GI tag – A form of certification that recognizes unique products based on their origin.
Characteristics – Products can be natural or man-made.
India being a member of WTO, enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 that came into force from 2003.
The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling Tea in the year 2004-05. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of GI tags in India.

Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi - Jewellery, Odisha.
It is a silver filigree, a form of metalwork in jewellery.
The Banglar muslin – Handloom Craft, Bengal.
Narasapur crochet lace products, Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad Lac Bangles and Kutch Rogan craft are the other products that got GI tag recently.

The lac bangles of Hyderabad, known for their unique craftsmanship and historical significance, have received the prestigious GI tag. They have a rich history dating back to the Qutub Shahi period and are sold in Laad Bazar, making them an integral part of Hyderabadi culture

The lac bangles of Hyderabad have finally made it to the geographical indication (GI) tag. This is the second Hyderabadi product to get the prestigious GI tag after the mouthwatering Haleem.


Tripura’s traditional tribal attire ‘risa’ gets Geographical Indication tag.
Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a form of certification that recognises unique products based on their origin which can be natural or man-made. India has enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 for this purpose.
Risa – A handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment, and also as headgear and a stole.
Significance of GI Tag – It would increase its international popularity and marketing potential

Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), a minimum income scheme, by the Indian National Congress party in preparation for the 2024 general elections. NYAY promises annual cash transfers of Rs 60,000-70,000 to women. The scheme was initially a part of the Congress’s 2019 manifesto, targeting the poorest 20% of Indian families.

In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?  Arunachal Pradesh

Recently International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of India’s debts. It cautioned that general government debt is likely to exceed 100 percent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the near future. In this context let us discuss the need for managing public debt in India and how far India’s debt levels are sustainable

Central government’s debt stood at 57% of GDP at the end of March 2023(General government debt is around 85% of GDP) and the ratio of public debt to GDP is expected to increase over the next financial year.

Consider the following statements with reference to regulation of Antibiotics in India:

1. Antibiotics are required to be sold by retail only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.

2. National Centre for Disease Control is the nodal agency for India’s national program on antimicrobial resistance containment.


MCQs on Capital Flight:

1. Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of capital flight?

 a) Reduced investment in domestic businesses
 b) Increased foreign investment
 c) Depreciation of domestic currency
 d) Higher interest rates

2. Which of the following factors might contribute to capital flight from a country?

 a) Political instability
 b) High taxes
 c) Weak economic performance
 d) All of the above

3. Which of the following statements about capital flight is TRUE?

 a) It always leads to economic growth in the recipient country.
 b) It is always illegal.
 c) It can have both positive and negative consequences for the sending country.
 d) It only affects developed countries.

4. What is the term used to describe the movement of financial resources out of a country with the intention of not being repatriated[means to send or bring someone or something back to the country they came from] in the short term?

 a) Capital influx
 b) Foreign direct investment
 c) Capital flight
 d) Portfolio investment

5. Which of the following is the MOST likely consequence of capital flight for a developing country?

 a) Increased access to foreign capital
 b) Lower interest rates
 c) Slower economic growth
 d) Higher inflation

Advanced MCQs on Capital Flight:

1. A developing country experiencing capital flight is considering implementing capital controls to restrict the movement of capital out of the country. Which of the following is the MOST likely unintended consequence of such a policy?

 a) Increased foreign direct investment
 b) Appreciation of the domestic currency
 c) Increased domestic corruption
 d) Lower interest rates

2. Which of the following factors can be used to differentiate between "healthy" and "harmful" capital flight?

 a) The size of the capital flight relative to the country's GDP
 b) The motivations behind the capital flight
 c) The destination of the capital flight
 d) All of the above

3. A multinational corporation operating in a developing country is considering relocating its headquarters to a developed country with a more stable political environment. This scenario is most likely an example of:

 a) Portfolio investment
 b) Foreign direct investment
 c) Capital flight
 d) Currency speculation

4. Which of the following policy measures can be MOST effective in mitigating capital flight in the long run?

 a) Implementing temporary capital controls
 b) Offering tax breaks to wealthy individuals
 c) Establishing a strong and transparent legal system
 d) Increasing government spending on infrastructure

5. Recent economic data indicates an increase in capital flight from emerging markets to developed economies. What could be a potential explanation for this trend?

 a) Rising interest rates in developed economies
 b) Political instability in emerging markets
 c) Global economic slowdown
 d) All of the above

Answers:

  1. c) Increased domestic corruption: Capital controls can create an underground market for transferring capital, potentially leading to increased corruption.
  2. d) All of the above: The size, motivations, and destination of capital flight can all contribute to understanding its overall impact.
  3. c) Capital flight: The relocation of the headquarters signifies the movement of financial resources out of the developing country.
  4. c) Establishing a strong and transparent legal system: Long-term solutions focus on addressing the root causes of capital flight, such as weak institutions and lack of investor confidence.
  5. d) All of the above: A combination of factors, including rising interest rates in developed economies, political instability in emerging markets, and a global economic slowdown, can contribute to increased capital flight.

Even More Advanced MCQs on Capital Flight:

1. Which of the following statements about the relationship between capital flight and economic growth is MOST accurate?

 a) Capital flight always leads to slower economic growth in the sending country.
 b) Capital flight can have both positive and negative effects on economic growth, depending on the specific circumstances.
 c) Capital flight is only beneficial for developed countries.
 d) Capital flight has no impact on economic growth.

2. A recent study finds a correlation between capital flight and income inequality in developing countries. What is the MOST plausible explanation for this finding?

 a) Wealthier individuals are more likely to engage in capital flight, further widening the income gap.
 b) Capital flight reduces government revenue from taxes, limiting resources for social programs that address inequality.
 c) Both options a) and b) are plausible explanations.
 d) The correlation is purely coincidental and has no causal relationship.

3. Imagine two neighboring developing countries, A and B. Country A has a history of political stability, strong rule of law, and a well-developed financial system. Country B experiences frequent political turmoil, weak institutions, and limited access to financial services. Based on these characteristics, which country is likely to experience a higher level of capital flight?

 a) Country A
 b) Country B
 c) It is impossible to determine without additional information.
 d) Both countries are equally likely to experience capital flight.

4. What are some potential challenges associated with using capital controls as a policy tool to address capital flight?

 a) They can be difficult to implement effectively and enforce.
 b) They can discourage foreign investment and hinder economic growth.
 c) They can create distortions in the currency market and lead to black markets.
 d) All of the above

5. How can policymakers leverage international cooperation to address the issue of capital flight?

 a) By establishing international agreements to share information on financial transactions.
 b) By developing common regulatory frameworks to deter cross-border tax evasion.
 c) By promoting transparency and good governance practices across different countries.
 d) All of the above

Answers:

  1. b) Capital flight can have both positive and negative effects on economic growth, depending on the specific circumstances. If capital flight deprives a country of essential resources for investment and innovation, it can hinder growth. However, if the capital is used productively in the recipient country and generates returns that flow back to the sending country, it can potentially contribute to long-term growth prospects.
  2. c) Both options a) and b) are plausible explanations. Wealthy individuals may have more disposable income to invest abroad, and capital flight can limit government resources for social programs that aim to address inequality.
  3. b) Country B. The characteristics of Country B, such as political instability and weak institutions, create an environment that is less attractive to investors and more susceptible to capital flight.
  4. d) All of the above. Implementing capital controls can be complex, potentially discourage foreign investment, and create distortions in the market.
  5. d) All of the above. International cooperation through information sharing, common regulatory frameworks, and promoting good governance can create a more stable and transparent global financial system, potentially reducing incentives for capital flight.


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