15 November 2022

1. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is composed of which of the following nations?

1. Bhutan
2. Bangladesh
3. Nepal
4. Maldives
5. Cambodia
6. India

Select the appropriate choices:

1. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6
2. 1, 2, 3 and 5
3. 2, 3, 5 and 6
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

D – Explanation

• A regional multilateral organisation is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• Members of this regional unity are located along the littoral and in nearby areas of the Bay of Bengal.
• Bangladesh represents South Asia with five members.
• Bhutan
• India
• Nepal
• South Asia
• Myanmar is one of the two from Southeast Asia.
• Thailand
• Initially known as “BIST-EC,” the economic bloc was composed of four nations (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). When Myanmar joined the group in 1997, the organization’s name was changed to “BIMST-EC” (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
• Finally, the group was given the name Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation with the inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan during the 6th Ministerial Meeting in 2004. (BIMSTEC).
• With the exception of the Maldives, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, it comprises all of South Asia’s main nations. Due to its makeup, BIMSTEC has established itself as a suitable venue for evaluating regional cooperation in the South Asian region.
• The main goal of BIMSTEC is to promote economic and technical co-operation between South Asian and South East Asian nations. There are now 14 sectors that can improve regional cooperation amongst the member nations. There is a lead nation in charge of each area.

2. Take into account the following statements regarding the Kisan Rail Scheme:

1. It aids in quickly bringing perishable agricultural items to markets, such as fruits and vegetables.
2. It was first made available by Indian Railways.
3. They are dedicated trains for a single commodity.

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

• The first and second claims are true.
• The Kisan Rail train services are operated by Indian Railways.
• These trains with refrigerated coaches will aid in quickly transporting perishable agricultural items, such as fruits and vegetables, to markets.
• These will guarantee that agricultural products are distributed throughout the entire nation.
• In 2020, the first Kisan Rail train between Devlali (Maharashtra) and Danapur was flagged off (Bihar).
• The third statement is untrue.
• The first ever multi-commodity trains are called Kisan Rails.
• Banana Specials and other single-commodity special trains were once operated by Indian Railways.
• Kisan Rail is an initiative to make it possible for farmers to access distant, larger, and more lucrative markets by utilising the extensive railway network.
• Farmers will be able to sell their goods at a higher price thanks to access to these markets, helping to significantly advance the government’s goal of “doubling farmers’ income.”
• Kisan Rail is an element that makes it possible for farmers to trade better and get real returns for their produce.

3. Take into account the following statements against the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence:

1. The premier anti-smuggling organisation in India is the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
2. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs oversees its operations.

Which of the aforementioned sentences is/are false?

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

D – Explanation

• Both of the claims are true.
• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, which reports to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, is the country’s top anti-smuggling organisation.
• Its duties include locating and stopping the smuggling of illegal goods, such as drugs and things that are environmentally or biologically sensitive, as well as countering international trade-related commercial fraud and tax evasion.

4. Take into account the following statements about Himalayan Gray Langurs:

1. A colobine, the Himalayan Gray Langur is often referred to as the Chamba Sacred Langur.
2. According to the IUCN Red List, it is an endangered species.
3. It belongs to the Hanuman Langur subspecies.

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

• The first and second claims are true.
• Colobines, or leaf-eating monkeys, include the Himalayan Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax), also known as the Chamba Sacred Langur.
• According to the IUCN Red List, there are less than 1,500 mature individuals in 15-20 groups, making it a globally endangered species.
• In subtropical, tropical moist temperate, alpine, coniferous, and broadleaved forests and scrublands, between 2,200 and 4,000 metres above mean sea level, they can be found.
• It is native to the western Himalayan regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal, where the ecosystem is weak and susceptible to the effects of anthropogenic pressures.
• Additionally, Pakistan and Nepal have reported it.
• The third statement is untrue.
• Semnopithecus entellus, sometimes known as the Bengal Sacred Langur or Hanuman Langur, was once thought to include the Himalayan Gray Langur as a subspecies, but in 2005 it was recognised as a distinct species.

5. Take into account the following statements about hypersonic missiles:

1. At least ten times faster than the speed of sound, hypersonic missiles can travel.
2. Ballistic trajectory is used by hypersonic missiles to reach their objective.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

D – Explanation

• Both claims 1 and 2 are untrue.
• A hypersonic missile is a weapon system that can manoeuvre and travels at least at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.
• The capacity to manoeuvre is what distinguishes a hypersonic missile from a ballistic missile, which has a fixed track or ballistic trajectory.
• Therefore, unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles can be manoeuvred to the intended target and do not follow a ballistic trajectory.
• Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles are the two categories of hypersonic weaponry.
• While the hypersonic cruise missile is powered by air breathing high speed engines or “scramjets” after gaining its target, the HGV are launched from a rocket before gliding to the targeted target.
• India, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia are all working on building hypersonic weapons, while the US, Russia, and China are all well along with their hypersonic missile programmes.
• India has successfully tested a Mach 6 scramjet in June 2019 and September 2020 and is now building an indigenous, dual-capable (conventional and nuclear) hypersonic cruise missile as part of its Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle programme.

6. Take into account the statements made about Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI):

1. It is a Central PSU under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s administrative oversight (MNRE).
2. It is a Central PSU that is focused on the solar energy industry.
3. Through the effective use of copious solar radiation, it seeks to create a “Green India” and provide the nation with energy security.

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

C – Explanation

• The first statement is true.
• India’s Solar Energy Corporation Ltd “(SECI) was established on September 20, 2011, and is a CPSU that reports to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The second claim is untrue.
• It is the only CPSU with a focus on solar energy.
• The third statement is true.
• Through the effective use of copious solar radiation, it seeks to create a “Green India” and provide the nation with energy security.
• It was established to make it easier to carry out the National Solar Mission (NSM) and hit the goals it set. It is the only CPSU with a focus on solar energy.
• It promotes and develops various renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, engages in power trading, research and development, and other activities.
• Under the Companies Act of 1956, it was first incorporated as a section-25 (not for profit) business. However, the business has lately been transformed into a Section-3 company under the 2013 Companies Act according to a Government of India judgement. The company’s mandate has also been expanded to include the full field of renewable energy.

7. Take into account the following statements about the “Indian Biological Data Center:

1. It is the first national repository for data in the biological sciences in India.
2. It functions with the Department of Biotechnology’s aid (DBT).
3. All life science data produced by nationally supported publically financed research will be stored 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 first national repository for life science data in India is the Indian Biological Data Center.
• All life science data produced by nationally supported publically financed research will be stored there.
• It functions with the Department of Biotechnology’s aid (DBT).
• IBDC long-term goals include developing into a significant data repository for all Indian-origin life science data.
• In Faridabad, Haryana, at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology (RCB), it was founded. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Bhubaneshwar houses a data “disaster recovery” location for it.
• It can store approximately 4 petabytes of data.
• The “Brahm” High Performance Computing (HPC) facility is located there.

8. Take into account the following statements about the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM):

1. It is a government-funded initiative run by the Ministry of Rural Development.
2. By giving low-income households access to chances for profitable self-employment and skilled wage jobs, it seeks to combat poverty.

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

• The first statement is true.
• As a revamped version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna, the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was introduced by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, in June 2011. (SGSY).
• The Ministry of Rural Development’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a centrally supported programme.
• The second claim is true.
• With the help of strong grassroots institutions for the poor, it seeks to “reduce poverty by providing poor households with access to lucrative self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in noticeable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis.”

9. Which of the following ministries oversees the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)?

1. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ministry
2. Food Processing Industries Ministry
3. Ministry of Commerce & Industry
4. None of the above

C – Explanation

• The Indian government’s Apex-Export Trade Promotion Active body is the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
• In accordance with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, which was approved by the Parliament in December 1985, the Government of India formed the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
• Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it is an apex body.

10. Take into account the following statements about Veerangana Sewa Kendra (VSK):

1. The For Welfare and Grievances Redressal of Women Army Personnel is a single-window facility.
2. The Ministry of Defense started it.

Which of the aforementioned statements is true?

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

D – Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are both untrue.
• The Indian Army’s guiding principle is “”Taking Care of Our Own, No Matter What” established the “Veerangana Sewa Kendra” (VSK) as a single point of contact for veer nari welfare and grievance redress.
• The term “Veer Nari” refers to the widow of a member of the armed forces who gave his life in battle or in the course of a military operation in order to defend the nation.
• In order to preserve a natural connection and empathy with the recipients, Veer naris are employed as VSK workers. The Indian Army’s VSK programme is a first-of-its-kind effort to provide widows, veer naris, and NoKs with genuine care and assistance.