08 December 2023

Q1. Which of the following statements about desalination is true?

(a) Desalination is a process that primarily removes impurities from water.

(b) Reverse osmosis is the only method used for desalination.

(c) Desalination is an environmentally friendly way to produce freshwater.

(d) Desalination is commonly used in regions with abundant freshwater sources.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The answer is A. Desalination is a process that primarily removes impurities from water.
• Reverse osmosis is a common method of desalination, but not the only one. Other methods include distillation, electrodialysis, and solar desalination.
• Desalination is not an environmentally friendly way to produce freshwater. It requires a lot of energy and can produce brine that is harmful to marine life.
• Desalination is not commonly used in regions with abundant freshwater sources. It is most commonly used in regions with limited freshwater resources, such as the Middle East and North Africa.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Arya Samaj:

1. Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that was founded by Dayanand Saraswati.
2. Arya Samaj does not believe in the authority of the Vedas.
3. The central objectives of Arya Samaj is to eradicate Ignorance, Poverty and Injustice from this earth.

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

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that was founded by Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 in Bombay. The movement believes in the infallible authority of the Vedas.
• According to the website of Arya Samaj Houston, the central objectives of Arya Samaj is to, “eradicate Ignorance (Agyan), Indigence or Poverty (Abhav) and Injustice (Anayay) from this earth. This mission is enshrined in the ten Niyams or Principles.”
• The website says that contrary to the misconception, Arya Samaj is not a religion or a new sect in the Hindu religion.
• Members of the Arya Samaj believe in one God and reject the worship of idols.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj.

1. Raja Rammohan Roy, the founder of Brahmo Samaj was called the father of Indian Renaissance.
2. Rammohan Roy translated into Bengali the Vedas and the five Upanishads.
3. Brahmo Samaj aimed to purify Hinduism, preach monotheism and establish a new religion.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833), often called the father of Indian Renaissance and the maker of Modern India. Rammohan Roy believed in the modern scientific approach and principles of human dignity and social equality.
• He put his faith in monotheism. He wrote Gift to Monotheists (1809) and translated into Bengali the Vedas and the five Upanishads to prove his conviction that ancient Hindu texts support monotheism.
• Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828; it was later renamed Brahmo Samaj. Rammohan Roy did not want to establish a new religion. He only wanted to purify Hinduism of the evil practices which had crept into it.

Q4. ‘Adopt a Heritage’ program is an initiative of the:

(a) Indian Council of Historical Research

(b) TATA Trust

(c) Archaeological Survey of India

(d) NITI Aayog

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has launched a revamped version of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ program, along with an Indian Heritage app and an e-permission portal.
• This updated program encourages corporate stakeholders to utilize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to enhance facilities at historically important monuments.
• It also provides a comprehensive guide through the Indian Heritage app, offering information on ASI’s monuments, including historical structures, pictures, public facilities, and geo-tagged locations.

Q5. Consider the following statements about PM-DAKSH:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
2. It is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation.

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: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21 with the goal of enhancing the competency levels of specific target groups to make them employable, whether for self-employment or wage-employment, thereby contributing to their socio-economic development.
• The scheme is primarily aimed at Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers), and others.
• It is implemented by the three Corporations under the Ministry:
• National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC),
• National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC),
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).