11 November 2022

1. Take into account the following statements about the SVAMITVA Scheme:

1. The programme intends to offer rural India a comprehensive property validation solution.
2. It is a Ministry of Rural Development Central Sector Scheme.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

A – Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) project intends to give rural residents the ability to register their homes so they can use them for commercial endeavours.
• The second claim is untrue.
• SVAMITVA is a Central Sector Program of the Panchayati Raj Ministry.
• The plan calls for deploying drone technology to survey land parcels in rural areas with human habitation. Over the years 2020–2025, the survey will be carried out nationwide in phases.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments, and Survey of India have all worked together on it.

2. Take into account the 2005 Right to Information Act’s statements as follows:

1. The Constitution’s Article 21 Right to Life and Personal Liberty is safeguarded by the Act.
2. The Act stipulates that any Indian person may ask a “public authority” for information, and that entity is expected to respond promptly or within thirty days.
3. Except in situations where there is an allegation of corruption or a violation of human rights, the RTI Act would not apply to intelligence and security organisations.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

D – Explanation

• The statements are all true.
• The Indian Parliament passed the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which lays out the guidelines and processes for citizens’ access to information.
• A “public authority” (a body of government or “instrumentality of state”) is required by the Act to respond promptly or within thirty days to any information request made by a citizen of India.
• Information must be delivered within 48 hours if it pertains to the petitioner’s life or freedom.
• Although the Indian Constitution does not recognise the right to information as a fundamental right, it does protect the constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and speech under Article 19(1)(a) and to life and personal liberty under Article 21.
• The RTI Act’s provisions do not apply to intelligence and security organisations, save in circumstances of alleged human rights violations and/or corruption, according to Section 24 (1) of the Act.
• The Right to Information Act of 2005 established the Central Information Commission as a statutory entity.

3. Take into account the following statements about the “Ease of Living Index”:

1. The NITI Ayog issues the index.
2. The index includes the Citizens’ Perception Survey.
3. It is a technique for evaluation that assesses both the impact of various urban development initiatives and the quality of life.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

B – Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry publishes an index measuring how easy life is.
• Both claims (2) and (3) are true.
• The Ease of Living Index (EoLI) is a metric for measuring both the impact of different urban development projects and the overall quality of living.
• It offers a thorough overview of the participating cities in India based on their economic viability, quality of life, sustainability, and resilience.
• The Ease of Living Index’s Citizen Perception Survey (CPS) aims to accurately reflect residents’ perceptions on the standard of living in respective communities. The survey will assist in bettering service delivery and city governance by assisting government agencies in understanding the opinions of individuals.
• The “Ease of Living Index” was produced by the Indian government in May 2022. Bengaluru was rated as the most livable city out of 111 cities in this index. Bengaluru was followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Surat on the ranking. 49 cities were classified under the category of “million-plus population.” Delhi came in at number 13 and Srinagar at the bottom of the list.

4. Consider the statements about the Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA):

1. It seeks to advance cartography study throughout the nation.
2. This Association includes institutions including the National Hydrographic Office (NHO), Survey of India, ISRO, National Thematic Map Organization, and Universities.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

C – Explanation:

• With more than 3000 life and institutional members, the INCA was established in 1979 and has grown to become one of the largest organisations in the area of cartography. This association includes institutions including the National Thematic Map Organization, National Hydrographic Office (NHO), Survey of India, Indian Space Research Organization, and Universities. To harmonise various parts of cartography, the organisation has numerous branches operating at diverse locations throughout the nation.
• The National Hydrographic Office (NHO), Dehradun, is hosting the 42nd International Congress of the Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) from 09 to 11 Nov 22.

5. Which of the following ministries or organisations is responsible for organising the Kashi Tamil Sangam?

1. Ministry of Education
2. Ministry of Tourism
3. Ministry of Culture
4. Ministry of External Affairs

A – Explanation

• The “Kashi Tamil Sangamam” programme, a month-long event organised by the Ministry of Education, aims to rekindle the centuries-old intellectual ties and prehistoric civilizational connections between Varanasi and Tamilnadu.
• Over 2400 Tamils representing 12 different groups will travel to Kashi for eight days to become acquainted with the ancient wisdom that these two historic cities shared. These groups represent academia, spirituality, philosophy, trade and commerce, agriculture, entrepreneurship, the arts, and artisanship.
• The initiative will be run in accordance with “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
• The hosting partners for this major event will be IIT-Madras and Banaras Hindu University.

6. Take into account the following statements about the framework for sovereign green bonds:

1. Green bonds are financial products that produce income for programmes that promote environmental sustainability and climate adaptation.
2. The Consolidated Fund of India will receive the proceeds from the sale of the green bonds (CFI).
3. The nodal organisation is the Green Finance Working Committee (GFWC), which is led by the Finance Secretary.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

A – Explanation

• Both claims 1 and 2 are true.
• Green bonds are financial products that produce income for programmes that promote environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. Green bonds have a lower cost of capital than ordinary bonds due to their indication of environmental sustainability, but they also require greater credibility and pledges during the bond-raising process.
• The framework outlines the responsibilities of the Government of India as an issuer of green bonds.
• In accordance with standard treasury procedure, the proceeds from the sale of the green bonds will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), after which money from the CFI will be made available for the approved green projects.
• The third statement is untrue.
• A Green Finance Working Committee (GFWC) led by the Chief Economic Advisor and composed of representatives from pertinent line ministries has been established by the Ministry of Finance.
• The GFWC will hold meetings at least twice annually to assist the Ministry of Finance with project selection and evaluation as well as other Framework-related tasks. The responsible Ministry/Department will be in charge of conducting the project’s initial review after consulting with experts.

7. Take into account the following statements:

1. The delicate undercoat fibre known as pashmina is taken from the chiru, a native name for the Tibetan antelope.
2. The Changpa are a group of people that have a long history of producing pashmina wool in the Ladakh region.
3. 70% of the world’s cashmere is produced in India.

Which of the aforementioned statements is/are false?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

B – Explanation

• The first claim is untrue.
• The term “pashmina” refers to a fine variety of spun cashmere, an animal-hair fibre made from the Changthangi’s downy undercoat. It is derived from the Capra hircus mountain goat breed, which is indigenous to Tibet’s Changthang Plateau and some areas of Ladakh.
• On the other hand, shamtoosh is a fine undercoat fibre made from the Tibetan antelope, also called chiru locally, which is mostly found in Tibet’s northern Changthang Plateau.
• The second claim is true.
• Historically, the Changpa people of the Ladakh region have produced pashmina wool (nomadic people inhabit the Changthang plateau of Tibet).
• The third statement is untrue.
• China produces 70% of the world’s cashmere, followed by Mongolia (20%) and other countries including Afghanistan, Australia, India, Iran, etc. for the remaining 30%.
• Even though India only supplies 1% of the world’s pashmina, it is thought to be the best of the bunch.

9. Take into account the following information on the Sea of Azov:

1. The Strait of Kerch separates the Black Sea from the Sea of Azov.
2. In the north, west, and east, Russia and Ukraine both abut the sea.
3. The world’s shallowest sea is there.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3

D – Explanation

• The statements are all true.
• The Sea of Azov is a body of water in Eastern Europe that is connected to the Black Sea by the constricting Strait of Kerch. It is occasionally thought of as the Black Sea’s northern extension.
• Ukraine to the northwest, Crimea to the southwest, and Russia to the east all abut the sea.
• The Azov Sea is renowned for being the world’s shallowest sea. Its maximum depth is 46 feet, and its average water depth is 23 feet, or 7 metres.

10. Take into account the following statements regarding NIA:

1. It is the Indian government’s central counterterrorism law enforcement agency.
2. It operates under the direction of PMO.
3. It has the authority to look into and prosecute crimes committed both inside and outside of India.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 3

C – Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• The NIA is India’s Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency, tasked with looking into every offence that compromises India’s integrity, security, or sovereignty.
• The second claim is untrue.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is in charge of the NIA, a central organisation.
• The third statement is true.
• The NIA is authorised by the NIA Act of 2008 to look into and punish offences committed within of India, and the NIA (Amendment) Act of 2019 gave the agency the authority to look into offences committed outside of India, subject to international treaties and other nations’ domestic laws.