08 July 2023

Q. With reference to the Indian Bison, consider the following statements:

1. They are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of south to southeast Asia.
2. The Indian gaur is a protected species and is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
3. The Indian government is considering to export a number of Indian bison to Indonesia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 and 2 Only
• 2 Only
• 2 and 3 Only
• 3 Only

A – Explanation

• Indian government is considering a proposal from Colombo to export anumber of gaurs, or Indian bisons, to Sri Lanka to revive the population of gavaras that have been extinct in the island since the end of the 17th century. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• They are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of south to southeast Asia. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• There are about 13,000 to 30,000 gaurs in the world with approximately 85% of the population present in India. It is also found in Burma and Thailand.
• It is a protected species and included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q. Which of the following best describes the terms Strobilanthes anamallaica, Strobilanthes heyneanus, Strobilanthes pulnyensis, and Strobilanthes neoasper sometimes seen in the news?

• Name of the galaxies
• Varieties of Neelakurinji
• Varieties of Butterfly found in the Western Ghats
• Names of drugs to treat Anemia

B – Explanation

• An expert team has identified six varieties of Neelakurinji across the region Kallippara hills at Santhanpara in Idukki, Kerala,
• The team, comprising Jomy Augustine, an expert on neelakurinji, and E. Kunjikrishnan, an expert on the Western Ghats, recently identified the plant varieties.
• According to them, the flowers that are on bloom now belong to the Strobilanthes kunthiana variety.
• Alongside Strobilanthes kunthiana, the types of neelakurinji flowers that have been identified from the hill ranges include Strobilanthes anamallaica, Strobilanthes heyneanus, Strobilanthes pulnyensis, and Strobilanthes neoasper. Hence, option B is correct.

Q. Which of the following cells are critical to create lab-grown meat which if being promoted to ensure that a rising world population gets better, cheaper protein from fewer animals and diminishing cultivable land?

1. Fibroblasts
2. Myoblasts
3. Adipocytes
4. Chloroplasts

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2, and 3 only

2, 3, and 4 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 onlyA – Explanation

• Three kinds of cell-lines are critical to recreate meat:
  • Fibroblasts — the cells that form connective tissue and collagen
  • Myoblasts, which form muscles and
  • Adipocytes, which make up fat tissue.

Hence, option A is correct.

Q. The Constitution ensures independence of judiciary through which of the following provisions?

1. The appointment of judges is done through the collegium system.
2. Providing fixed tenure to the Judges.
3. The constitutional jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme court cannot be curtailed by Parliament.
4. Generally, the conduct of judges in the discharge of their duties cannot be discussed in both the houses of parliament.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3 only

1, 3 and 4 only

3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

C – Explanation

• Though at present the judges are appointed through the collegium system but the collegium system finds no mention in the constitution. It is through the second and third judges’ case that the collegium system came into existence. It has helped in maintaining the independence of the judiciary. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Constitution has not fixed the tenure of a judge of the Supreme Court. However, he holds office until he attains the age of 65 years. Any question regarding his age is to be determined by such authority and in such manner as provided by Parliament. He can resign his office by writing to the President. He can be removed from his office by the President on the recommendation of the Parliament. Though the judges have not been provided with fixed tenure, they enjoy Security of Tenure by way of the above-mentioned provisions. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The jurisdiction and powers of both the Supreme court and High court cannot be curtailed by Parliament and State legislature as being specified in the constitution. But in other aspects, the jurisdiction and powers can be changed by parliament and legislature in the case of the High court and by parliament in the case of the Supreme court. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The Constitution prohibits any discussion in Parliament or in a state legislature with respect to the conduct of the judges of both Supreme Court and High court in the discharge of their duties, except when an impeachment motion is under consideration of the Parliament. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC):

1. It is the decision-making body of the IMF.
2. It usually meets twice a year
3. The size and the composition of the IMFC mirrors that of the Executive Board of IMF

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only

1 and 3 Only

2 and 3 Only

1, 2 and 3 Only

C – Explanation

• Statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The IMFC advises and reports to the IMF Board of Governors on the supervision and management of the international monetary and financial system, including on responses to unfolding events that may disrupt the system. It has no decision-making power.
  • It also considers proposals by the Executive Board to amend the Articles of Agreement and advises on any other matters that may be referred to it by the Board of Governors.
  • Although the IMFC has no formal decision-making powers,in practice, it has become a key instrument for providing strategic direction to the work and policies of the Fund.
• Statement 2 and 3 are correct.
  • The IMFC usually meets twice a year, at the Bank-Fund Annual and Spring Meetings . For each meeting, the Managing Director prepares a draft agenda that is discussed by the Executive Board, approved by the IMFC Chair, and formally adopted by the IMFC at the meeting.
  • The size and the composition of the IMFC mirrors that of the Executive Board.
• The IMFC has 24 members who are central bank governors, ministers, or others of comparable rank and who are usually drawn from the governors of the Fund’s now 190 member countries, with the newest member, Andorra joining the IMF in October 2020.
• Each member country and each group of member countries that elects an Executive Director appoints a member of the IMFC.
• The group is currently chaired by Nadia Calviño, Spain’s First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. She was selected to head the Committee for a term of two years effective January 3, 2022.

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the Digital Banking Units is/are correct?

1. It is a specialised fixed point business unit housing certain minimum digital infrastructure for delivering digital banking products and services.
2. It also services existing financial products and services digitally in self-service mode at any time.
3. All Commercial banks with past digital banking experience are permitted to open DBUs in tier 1 to tier 6 centres.

Choose the correct code from the options given below:

• 1 and 2 Only
• 2 and 3 Only
• 1 and 3 Only
• 1,2 and 3

Explanation

• Statements are 1 and 2 are correct.
  • A DBU is a specialised fixed point business unit or hub housing certain minimum digital infrastructure for delivering digital banking products and services as well as servicing existing financial products and services digitally in self-service mode at any time.
• Statement 3 is incorrect.
  • Commercial banks(other than regional rural banks, payment banks and local area banks) with past digital banking experience are permitted to open DBUs in tier 1 to tier 6 centres.
  • Unless otherwise specifically restricted, they are not required to take permission from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in each case.
• Services provided by DBU
  • Helping in opening saving accountsto receive money under government schemes.
  • Helping the customers in making Fixed deposits (FDs) and Recurring Deposits (RDs) along with internet banking.
  • Providing digital kits for merchants as well as customers.
  • Providing UPI QR Codeand Point of Sale (PoS) mechanism.
  • Supply of Debit and credit cards, allowing ATM transactions.
  • Helping customers with the application for MSME loans.
• In India, digital banking started taking shape in the late 1990s with ICICI Bank being the first one to bring the service to their retail clients.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI):

1. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
2. It was set up under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997
3. It is also empowered to adjudicate upon disputes among Service Providers or between the Service Providers and a group of Consumers.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 and 3 Only
• 1 and 2 Only
• 2 and 3 Only
• 1,2 and 3

B – Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
  • The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
  • It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
• Statement 3 is incorrect.
  • The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)

• An Appellate Tribunal, known as Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), was established by the Central Government in May, 2000 to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee; between two or more service providers; between a service provider and a group of consumers; and to hear and dispose of appeal against any direction, decision or order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
• The Tribunal, therefore, exercise both original and appellate jurisdiction.
• An appeal has been provided against the final order of the Appellate Tribunal to the Supreme Court under Section 18 of the Act. However, there is no appeal against the interlocutory orders of the Appellate Tribunal to the Supreme Court.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Committee on Official Language:

1. It is responsible to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union.
2. The Committee is chaired by the union Home minister,
3. It has 30 members — 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya Sabha.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 Only
• 1 and 2 Only
• 1 and 3 Only
• 1,2 and 3

D – Explanation

• All the statements are correct.
• The Committee of Parliament on Official Language was set up in 1976 under Section 4 of The Official Languages Act, 1963.
• Section 4 of the Act says “there shall be constituted a Committee on Official language, on a resolution to that effect being moved in either House of Parliament with the previous sanction of the President and passed by both Houses”.
• The Committee is chaired by the Union Home Minister, and has, in accordance with the provisions of the 1963 Act, 30 members — 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya Sabha.
• The job of the Committee is to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes, and to make recommendations to increase the use of Hindi in official communications.

Q. Wolf Warrior diplomacy, recently seen in news is associated with which of the following nations?

• Russia
• China
• USA
• UK

B – Explanation

• A term that gained popularity, especially after Xi became President, “wolf warrior diplomacy” is a tactic for the Chinese government to extend its ideology beyond China and counter the West and defend itself.
• It is an unofficial term for the more aggressive and confrontational style of communication that Chinese diplomats have taken to in the last decade.
• A 2015 Chinese action film, titled ‘Wolf Warrior’, and its sequel have served as the inspiration for the term. The films, with their nationalist themes and dialogues, focus on Chinese fighters who frequently face off against Western mercenaries.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):

1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
2. The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing individuals who have increased the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world, given by FAO.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 Only
• 2 Only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

A – Explanation

• Statement 1 is correct.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
  • It was founded on 16 October 1945. The FAO is composed of 195 members.
  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Statement 2 is incorrect.
  • The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world.
  • Conceived by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug and established in 1986 through the support of General Foods, the prize is envisioned and promoted as the Nobel or the highest honors in the field of food and agriculture.
  • It is now administered by the World Food Prize Foundationwith support from numerous sponsors.