01 December 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list:

1. Intangible cultural heritage ascribes importance to the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next.
2. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO for preserving intangible heritage from across the globe.
3. The list officially recognizes the standard of excellence or exclusivity.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• UNESCO defines “intangible” as “expressions that have been passed from one generation to another, have evolved in response to their environments and contribute to giving us a sense of identity and continuity…”
• It ascribes importance to “the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next,” which necessitates their preservation. The document states that the safeguarding of an ICH means ensuring that it “remains an active part of life for today’s generations that they can hand on to tomorrow.”
• The adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 was a crucial step towards preserving intangible heritage from across the globe. UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established in the year 2008.
• The list does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. India has more than 40 UNESCO World heritage sites.
2. Majority of the UNESCO World heritage sites in India are cultural heritage sites.
3. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 is the sole act that provides for the protection of India’s heritage sites.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• India has 40 World heritage sites—seven natural world heritage sites, 32 cultural world heritage sites, and one mixed world heritage site. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, provide for the protection of the country’s heritage.

Q3. Which one of the following declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance in India?

(a) Survey of India

(b) Archaeological Survey of India

(c) Geological Survey of India

(d) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Geological Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance. The State-wise details are given in Annexure. GSI or the respective State governments take necessary measures to protect these sites.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding cess and surcharge:

1. A cess imposed by the central government is a tax on tax, levied by the government for a specific purpose.
2. Surcharge is charged on the tax already paid.
3. The Centre need not share both Cess and Surcharges with states.
4. The proceeds collected from a surcharge and cess form part of the Public Account of India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c) 

Explanation:

• A cess imposed by the central government is a tax on tax, levied by the government for a specific purpose. Generally, cess is expected to be levied till the time the government gets enough money for that purpose.
• Surcharge is a charge on any tax, charged on the tax already paid. As the name suggests, surcharge is an additional charge or tax. The main surcharges are on personal income tax (on high income slabs and on super rich) and on corporate income tax.
• Another major feature of cess like surcharges is that the Centre need not share it with states.
• The proceeds collected from a surcharge and a cess levied by the union form part of the Consolidated Fund of India.

Q5. Consider the following statements about ‘Global Fund’:

1. The Global Fund was established in 2002 to raise and disburse funding for programs that reduce the impact of Diabetes in low- and middle-income countries.
2. Its secretariat is in Geneva, Switzerland.

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

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Global Fund was established in 2002 to raise and disburse funding for programs that reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Fund raises and invests $4 billion a year to fight these diseases. The majority of the Global Fund’s financial support comes from public resources. More than 80 countries have made or pledged contributions to the Global Fund.