18 June 2024

Q1. With reference to Scheduled Tribes, consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution prescribes the criteria for declaring a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe.
2. Primitive Tribal Groups were created on the recommendation of the Dhebar Commission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

1. 2 only

1. Both 1 and 2

1. Neither 1 nor 2

B – Explanation

• Article 366 (25)of the Constitution refers to Scheduled Tribes as those communities that are scheduled in accordance with Article 342 of the Constitution.Article 342 says that only those communities who have been declared as such by the President through an initial public notification or through a subsequent amending Act of Parliament will be Scheduled Tribes.The list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific, and a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in one State need not be so in another State.The Constitution is silent about the criteria for specification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, that are less developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Hence, statement 2 is correct.PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The sale of menthol cigarettes is not banned in India.
2. In 2012, Finland became the first country to ban the menthol cigarettes:

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only

1. 2 only

1. Both 1 and 2

1. Neither 1 nor 2

B – Explanation

• Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

• In 2012, Brazil became the first countryin the world to ban menthol cigarettes. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.India has not banned the sale of menthol cigarettes. Hence, statement 1 is correct.In 2019, the Centre banned electronic cigarettes and in addition, different states have their own rules in place banning hookah consumption, including flavored hookahs, in public places.Menthol, with its minty taste and aroma, “reduces the irritation and harshness of smoking. This increases appeal and makes menthol cigarettes easier to use, particularly for youth and young adults. Menthol also interacts with nicotine in the brain to enhance nicotine’s addictive effects, while making it more difficult for people to quit smoking.

Q3. Report on Currency and Finance has been recently in the news. It is released by which of the following institutions?

1. World Economic forum

1. Asia Development Bank

1. Reserve Bank of India

1. World Bank

C – Explanation

• Recently, theReserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report on Currency and Finance (RCF).

• According to the report, the Indian economy may take more than a decade to overcome the losses caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.The theme of the report is “Revive and Reconstruct”in the context of nurturing a durable recovery post-Covid-19 and rising trend growth in the medium-term. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme:

1. It is an extensive drive to enable and facilitate MSMEs adopting Zero Defect Zero Effect practices.
2. There are three levels of certifications which are Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

1. 2 only

1. Both 1 and 2

1. Neither 1 nor 2

C – Explanation

• MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme
• This Scheme is an extensive drive to enable and facilitate MSMEs adopt ZED practices and motivate and incentivize them for ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification while also encouraging them to become MSME Champions.Hence statement 1 is correct.MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification can be attained in Three Levels after registering and taking the ZED Pledge:Certification Level 1: BRONZECertification Level 2: SILVERCertification Level 3: GOLD. Hence statement 2 is correct.After taking the ZED Pledge, the MSME can apply for any Certification Level if it feels that it can fulfil the requirements mentioned in each level.The intent of taking a ZED Pledge is to take a “pre-commitment” or a solemn promise by MSMEs to uphold the values of Zero Defect Zero Effect in their practices and to urge them to move ahead on the journey of ZED.

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to GAGAN:

1. It is a Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
2. It is jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organization and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

1. 2 only

1. Both 1 and 2

1. Neither 1 nor 2

A – Explanation

• GAGAN
• GAGAN is an acronym for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. It is a Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS). Hence statement 1 is correct.It is jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organization and AAI to provide the best possible navigational services over Indian FIR (Flight Information Region) with the capability of expanding to neighboring FIRs. Hence statement 2 is not correct.GAGAN is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you better position accuracy.GPS alone does not meet the ICAOs navigational requirements for accuracy, integrity, and availability. GAGAN corrects for GPS signal errors caused by Ionospheric disturbances, timing, and satellite orbit errors and it provides vital information regarding the health of each satellite.