03 October 2022

• Consider the following about Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs):
  As per the new norms, CRAs shall verify support considerations documentation to ensure support is unconditional, irrevocable and legally enforceable.
  2. In India, the CRAs are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• About CRAs:
  The CRAs evaluate and assesses an individual’s or a company’s creditworthiness. In India, they are regulated by SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulation 1999.
  Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
  
  There are many CRAs in India viz, CRISIL, CARE, ICRA, SMREA, Brickwork Rating, etc. SEBI rolls out a framework for CRAs which will be applicable from January 1, 2023, and aims at enhancing transparency and improving the rating process for Credit Enhancement (CE) ratings.
  
  New norms:
  CRAs can assign the suffix ‘CE’ to the rating of instruments having explicit credit enhancement.
  2. SEBI has specified a list of support which includes Guaranteed bonds, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities, etc. for CE-suffix.
  3. Credit ratings, with or without CE-suffix, backed by specified support considerations shall contain disclosures.
  4. While assigning credit ratings, CRAs shall conduct independent due diligence on the nature of specified support consideration and form a definitive internal view.
  5. CRAs shall verify support considerations documentation to ensure support is unconditional, irrevocable, and legally enforceable.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

• Consider the following achievements under the National Health Mission (NHM) in 2020-21:
  Engagement of 2.71 lakh additional Human Resources which includes Specialists, Staff Nurses, etc.
  2. 30 additional Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), enhanced Cold Chain equipment, more than 1000 First Referral facilities were operationalised, etc.
  3. During FY 2020-21, PMNDP has been implemented in 35 States/UT in 505 Districts under NHM.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

• NHM, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims to facilitate universal access to public health care services. It has 2 components: National Urban Health Mission, and National Rural Health Mission.Achievements under the NHM in 2020:
  Employment creation: Engagement of 2.71 lakh additional Human Resources which includes Specialists, Staff Nurses, etc.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  Strengthening of Infrastructure: 30 additional Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), enhanced Cold Chain equipment, more than 1000 First Referral facilities were operationalised, etc.
  Hence, statement 2 is correct.

  Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), 2016: To support dialysis facilities in all district hospitals in PPP. During FY 2020-21, PMNDP has been implemented in 35 States/UT in 505 Districts.
  Hence, statement 3 is correct.

• Which of the following describes the role and power of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?
  CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs within the Ministry of Defence and acts as
  its secretary.
  2. CDS is a temporary chairman of the existing Chiefs of Staff Committee.
  3. CDS is a member of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and Defence Planning Committee (DPC).

Select the correct code from below:

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

• CDS, approved in 2019, is the head of the Army, Navy and Air Force and is a four-star military officer. The first proposal for CDS came from Kargil Review Committee (2000). Later, Naresh Chandra Committee on defence and security (2011) and Shekatkar Committee (2016) mooted the idea of CDS. Lt General Anil Chauhan will succedd Bipin Rawat as new CDS.Roles and powers of CDS
  CDS head the Department of Military Affairs within the Ministry of Defence and acts as its secretary.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  CDS is the permanent chairman of the existing Chiefs of Staff Committee.
  Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

  CDS is a member of the Defence Acquisition Council and Defence Planning Committee.
  Hence, statement 3 is correct.

  CDS acts as principal military advisor to Defence Minister on all matters related to tri-services and military advisor to Nuclear Command Authority

• Which of the following reserve is located between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh?

Kanha National Park

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Satpura National Park

Panna National Park

• About Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
  It is located between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh. Hence, Option b is correct.
  It is characterized by valleys, hills and plains, with the Bandhavgarh fort prominently seen as a major landmark.
  Habitat consists of tropical moist, deciduous forests with sal, mixed forest and grasslands. It also has several archaeological monuments.
  An archaeological site was discovered for the first time in Bandhavgarh in 1938.

• Consider the following about International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):
  Established under Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as ‘Sydney Convention’.
  2. The ICAO is Funded and directed by 193 national governments.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

• About ICAO:
  Established under Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as ‘Chicago Convention’.
  Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  
  It is Funded and directed by 193 national governments. It is committed to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
  Hence, statement 2 is correct.

• Consider the following about Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs):
  As per the new norms, CRAs shall verify support considerations documentation to ensure support is unconditional, irrevocable and legally enforceable.
  2. In India, the CRAs are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

• The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is located in France and was launched in 1985. It aims to prove the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a future source of energy and build the world’s largest tokamak through an international collaboration of 35 nations.About Tokomak:
  The tokamak is an experimental magnetic fusion device designed to harness the energy of fusion.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through fusion is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel, which will be used by a fusion power plant to produce steam and then electricity.
  Hence, statement 2 is correct.

• Which of the following provisions are mentioned under Article 76 of the Constitution for the Attorney General of India (AGI) office?
  He is the highest law officer in the country
  2. He has the right to an audience in all courts in the territory of India.
  3. He has the right to speak and to take part in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of Parliament but without a right to vote.
  Select the correct code from below:

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

• Recently, R Venkataramani has been appointed as the next AGI.
  All the statements are correct:
  Article 76 of the Constitution provides for AGI office.
  He is the highest law officer in the country.
  Appointed by President and holds office during the pleasure of President.
  He must be a person who is qualified to be appointed a judge of SC.
  He has the right to an audience in all courts in the territory of India.
  He has right to the speaker and to take part in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament or their
  joint sitting and any committee of Parliament but without a right to vote.

• Which of the following is the official mascot for the 36th National Games 2022?

1. Ammu, the Great Hornbill
2. Chhaua mascot
3. Savaj, the Asiatic lion
4. Rongmon

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi declared the 36th National Games open at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Remarking on the official mascot for the National Games 2022 is Savaj, the Asiatic lion, the Prime Minister said that the mascot reflects the mood of India’s youth, a passion for fearless entry into the sporting arena. This is also a symbol of rising India in a global scenario, he said.
  Hence, Option c is correct.
• Kushiyara river is a distributary of which of the following river?

1. Bhrhmaputra
2. Barak
3. Gomti
4. Kosi

• Consider the following about World Green Economy Summit (WGES):
  It brings together world-class experts in critical sectors from around the world to directly focus
  on advancing the global green economy and sustainability agenda.
  2. It aims to propel action to deliver a sustainable future.
  Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Led by UAE, WGES is one of the leading global forums on the green economy.It brings together world-class experts in critical sectors from around the world to directly focus on advancing the global green economy and sustainability agenda.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

  It aims to propel action to deliver a sustainable future.
  Hence, statement 2 is correct.

  Thematic pillars: Energy, finance, food security, youth.