Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, sometimes seen in the news is related to which of the following international organisation?
- ASEAN
- World Bank
- United Nations Organisation
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Explanation
- SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Hence, option D is correct.
- It is promoting coordination and interaction between the SCO member states as per as fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism are concern.
- The main functions of SCO-RATS are information sharing.
- As a member, India has actively participated in the activities of SCO-RATS.
Consider the following statements regarding Nobel Prize in Economics:
- It is also known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences.
- It is one of the five Nobel Prizes which were established by Alfred Nobel’s will.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 Only
- 2 Only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- Statement 1 is correct. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, officially the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel is an economics award administered by the Nobel Foundation.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- It is not one of the five Nobel Prizes which were established by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895.
- The award was established in 1968 by an endowment “in perpetuity” from Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, to commemorate the bank’s 300th anniversary.
- It is administered and referred to along with the Nobel Prizes by the Nobel Foundation.
- Laureates in the Memorial Prize in Economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- It was first awarded in 1969 to Dutch economist Jan Tinbergen and Norwegian economist Ragnar Frisch “for having developed and applied dynamic models for the analysis of economic processes”.
- The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2022 was awarded to Ben S. Bernanke, Douglas W. Diamond, Philip H.
- Source: Indian Express
Consider the following statements regarding Indian Space Association (ISpA):
- It is the premier industry association of space and satellite companies.
- It has among its members leading Indian and international corporations that have advanced capabilities in the space technologies sector.
- ISRO and Bharti Airtel are among its founding members.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 Only
- 1 and 2
- 2 Only
- 2 and 3
Explanation
- All the statements are correct.
- ISpA was launched in October 2021.
- It is an industry body consisting of various stakeholders of the Indian space domain.
- The founding members of the organisation include government bodies such as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and private telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel’s One Web, Tata Group’s Nelcom, L&T, MapMyIndia, and others.
- Other core members are Godrej, Ananth Technology Limited, Hughes India, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, Centum Electronics, BEL and Maxar India.
- It is expected to help in the growth of India’s space missions and the space industry by bringing in collaborations between the public and private sectors in the space domain.
- ISpA has among its members leading Indian and international corporations that have advanced capabilities in the space technologies sector.
- The association will engage with stakeholders across the ecosystem for the formulation of an enabling policy framework that fulfils the Government’s vision.
- It will also strive towards more global collaborations which can bring in investments and technologies to help the Indian space industry and also generate high-skilled jobs.
- ISpA will strive to be the collective voice of the industry and it will engage in policy advocacy involving all stakeholders in the Indian Space domain, including the Government and its Agencies, to make India self-reliant, technologically advanced and a leading player in the space arena.
- It will work in tandem with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
Source: Indian Express
Consider the following statements regarding Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI):
- It is the systematic and periodic collection and transmission of “bulk” taxpayer information by the source country to the country of residence of the taxpayer, without the latter having to make a request for the same.
- The G20 and IMF together developed a Common Reporting Standard (CRS) on Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI).
- AEOI exists to reduce global tax evasion.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1,2 and 3
- 3 Only
- 1 and 3
- 2 and 3 only
Explanation
- Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
- Automatic Exchange of Information is the systematic and periodic collection and transmission of “bulk” taxpayer information by the source country to the country of residence of the taxpayer, without the latter having to make a request for the same.
- The exchange of information by way of AEOI is permitted under the provisions of DTAAs (unless specifically prohibited) and under the Multilateral Convention (MAAC).
- The receiving jurisdictions are expected to establish a procedure to utilize the bulk information so as to match the incomes earned or accounts held abroad, with that declared in their tax returns so as to detect instances, if any, of tax evasion.
- AEOI exists to reduce global tax evasion.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- To combat the problem of offshore tax evasion and avoidance and stashing of unaccounted money abroad requiring cooperation amongst tax authorities, the G20 and OECDcountries working together developed a Common Reporting Standard (CRS) on Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI).
- The CRS on AEOI was presented to G20 Leaders in Brisbane on 16th November, 2014.
- The CRS on AEOI requires the financial institutions of the “source” jurisdiction to collect and report information to their tax authorities about account holders “resident” in other countries, such information has to be transmitted “automatically’ on yearly basis.
- The information to be exchanged relates not only to individuals but also to shell companies and trusts having beneficial ownership or interest in the “resident” countries.
- Further, the reporting needs to be done for a wide range of financial products, by a wide variety of financial institutions including banks, depository institutions, collective investment vehicles and insurance companies.
Source: Indian Express
- Mahakaleshwar temple is situated in which of the following states?
Gujarat - Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
Explanation
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva.
- It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- The temple is situated on the side of the holy river Shipra.
- The Mahakal temple finds a mention in several ancient Indian poetic texts. In the early part of the Meghadutam (Purva Megha) composed in the 4th century, Kalidasa gives a description of the Mahakal temple. It is described as one with a stone foundation, with the ceiling on wooden pillars. There would be no shikharas or spires on the temples prior to the Gupta period.
Source: Indian Express
- Tele-MANAS initiative recently launched by the government is related to which of the following?
Telecommunication - Mental health
- Cyber security
- Wildlife Protection
Explanation
- Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative was launched by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Acknowledging the mental health crisis in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need to establish a digital mental health network that will withstand the challenges amplified by the pandemic, Government of India announced National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) in the Union Budget 2022-23.
- Tele-MANAS aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas.
- The programme includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with NIMHANS being the nodal centre and International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC) will provide the technical support.
- The Union Government aims to open at least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each State/UT.
Source: PIB
- Consider the following statements regarding National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA):
- It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Youth Affairs &. Sports.
- Its objective is to implement anti-doping rules as per WADA code.
- Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 Only
- 2 Only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- Both the statements are correct.
- The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is the national organisation responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program in sports in all its forms in India.
- It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Youth Affairs &. Sports, Government of India.
- NADA deals with adopting and implementing anti-doping rules and policies which conform with the World Anti-Doping Agency, cooperates with other anti-doping organisations and promotes anti-doping research and education.
- NADA is formed by the Union Government under the societies Registration Act. NADA includes scientists and representatives from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Source: PIB
- The Nobel prize for economics 2022 has been awarded for research in which of the following fields?
Role of banks in the economy - Mutual funds
- Calculating National Income
- Forex reserves
Explanation - For significantly improving “our understanding of the role of banks in the economy, particularly during financial crises,” the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences for 2022 was awarded to three American economists: Ben S Bernanke, Douglas W Diamond and Philip H Dybvi. Hence, option A is correct.
- The last of the Nobel Prize announcements for this year, the Economics Prize has gone to the three individuals for their role in research related to how banks function.
- Modern banking research clarifies why we have banks, how to make them less vulnerable in crises and how bank collapses exacerbate financial crises.
- The foundations of this research were laid by Ben Bernanke, Douglas Diamond and Philip Dybvig in the early 1980s.
- Consider the following statements about National Mineral Exploration Trust:
- National Mineral Exploration trust is a non-profit autonomous body
- Main Objective of the Trust is to boost mineral Exploration activities in the country
- Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 Only
- 2 Only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- The MMDR Act, 1957 was amended in March 2021 and now the amended Act mandates NMET as a nonprofit autonomous body.
- With an objective to boost the mineral exploration activities in the country, Central Government established NMET which since its inception has been funding various Notified Exploration Agencies to carry out exploration projects across the country.
- The object of the Trust is to use the funds accrued through the Trust for the purposes of regional and detailed mineral exploration. The holder of the mining lease or a prospecting-licence-cum-mining lease shall pay to the trust, a sum equivalent to 2% of the royalty paid in terms of second schedule of MMDR Act. The funds accrued in NMET shall be used for funding the project proposals of the Notified Exploration Agencies of Government of India for the purpose of Regional and Detailed Exploration to accelerate the mineral exploration activities in the country.
- Consider the following statements regarding United Nations World Geospatial International Congress:
- United Nations Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) established the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management
- First United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress will be held in Hyderabad and will be hosted by the Government of India through its Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 Only
- 2 Only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- United Nations Economic and Social Council, of which the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management is a subsidiary body, “encouraged Member States to hold regular high-level, multi-stakeholder discussions on global geospatial information, including through the convening of global forums, with a view to promoting a comprehensive dialogue with all relevant actors and bodies”
- Aim of the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) is to provide a convening, participatory and inclusive environment to enhance the communication, understanding, knowledge and application of geospatial information management.
- The inaugural United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress was held in Deqing, Zhejiang Province from 19 to 21 November 2018.
- The Second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress in Hyderabad, India will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of India through its Ministry of Science and Technology. The Committee of Experts is expected to convene the third edition of the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress in 2026.
- Recognizing the need to promote international cooperation in the field of global geospatial information, the United Nations Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) established the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) with ECOSOC resolution 2011/24 entitled “Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management”.
- ECOSOC established the Committee of Experts as the apex intergovernmental mechanism for making joint decisions and setting directionswith regard to the production, availability, and application of geospatial information within national, regional, and global policy frameworks.
