17 August 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. In 2020-21, Corporate tax was the biggest tax revenue source in India.
2. The top receipts under the non-tax revenue for the Union Government are interest and dividends and profits received from public sector companies.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

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

A  –  Explanation

• Government’s primary source of earning money is from taxes and non-tax revenues. Taxes are collected in the form of direct and indirect ways. Direct taxes include income tax, real property tax, personal property tax, or taxes on assets; while some of the indirect tax modes include GST, customs duty and tax deducted at source (TDS).On the other hand, non-tax revenue is the recurring income earned by the government from sources other than taxes. The top receipts under this are interest and dividends and profits received from public sector companies. Hence, statement 2 is correct.After the new indirect tax regime was introduced in 2017, the Centre’s major source of indirect tax collection changed to GST.In 2020-21, 28.5% of the revenue came from GST followed by corporate tax and personal income tax, 28.1% and 28.3% respectively. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. Jarawas are the tribal people dominant in all the parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

D – Explanation

• Among the 75 listed PVTG’s thehighest number are found in Odisha.The Jarawas are an indigenous people of the Andaman Islands in India. They live in parts of South Andaman and Middle Andaman Islands.Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is the ongoing process that involves:

1. Managing natural regeneration of forests.
2. Enhancing human well-being across deforested or degraded forest landscapes.
3. Planting of more trees

Select the correct answer code:

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

D – Explanation

• Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is the ongoing process of regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being across deforested or degraded forest landscapes. FLR is more than just planting trees – it is restoring a whole landscape to meet present and future needs and to offer multiple benefits and land uses over time.FLR manifests through different processes such as: new tree plantings, managed natural regeneration, agroforestry, or improved land management to accommodate a mosaic of land uses, including agriculture, protected wildlife reserves, managed plantations, riverside plantings and more. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding United Nations specialized agencies:

1. Specialized Agencies are legally independent international organizations with their own rules, membership, organs and financial resources.
2. None of these agencies existed before the First World War, but some were associated with the League of Nations.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

A – Explanation

• Specialized Agencies are legally independent international organizations with their own rules, membership, organs and financial resources, were brought into relationship with the United Nations through negotiated agreements. Hence, statement 1 is correct.Some of the agencies existed before the First World War, some were associated with the League of Nations, others were created almost simultaneously with the United Nations and yet others were created by the United Nations itself to meet emerging needs. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) is often referred to as hot money.
2. FPI does not provide the investor with direct ownership of financial assets.
3. FPI is part of a country’s capital account and is shown on its Balance of Payments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

D – Explanation

• FPI is often referred to as “hot money” because of its tendency to flee at the first signs of trouble in an economy. Hence, statement 1 is correct.  FPI is more liquid and less risky than Foreign Direct Investment.FPI consists of securities and other financial assets passively held by foreign investors. It does not provide the investor with direct ownership of financial assets and is relatively liquid depending on the volatility of the market. Hence, statement 2 is correct.FPI is part of a country’s capital account and is shown on its Balance of Payments (BOP). Hence, statement 3 is correct. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q6. The “Traffic Crash Injuries And Disabilities: The Burden on India Society” report is released by?

1. United Nations
2. World Health organisation
3. World Bank
4. World Economic Forum

C – Explanation

• Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways released theWorld Bank Report titled “Traffic Crash Injuries And Disabilities: The Burden on India Society”. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.
• The Report has been prepared in collaboration with the NGO-Save Life Foundation.The survey data was collected from four Indian states i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. The Government of India has allowed open access to geospatial data and services to all the Indian entities.
2. Indian corporations will no longer be subjected to prior approval or license to collect geo-spatial data.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

C – Explanation

• Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technologyhas released new guidelines for the Geo-Spatial Sector in India deregulating the existing protocol and liberalising the sector to a more competitive field.

The features include:

• Open access to its geospatial data and services, including maps, for all Indian entities, with the exception of sensitive defence or security-related data. Hence, statement 1 is correct.Indian corporations and innovators are no longer subject to restrictions nor do they require prior approvals before they collect, generate, prepare, disseminate, store, publish, update digital geospatial data and maps within the territory of India.There shall be no requirement for security clearance, licence or any other restrictions. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q8. Which of the following statements are correct?

1. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia is a disease caused by a contagious virus.
2. Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary has dry deciduous type of vegetation.
3. Salt Water Crocodiles are found in Bhitarkanika National Park.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

B – Explanation

• Recently, six elephants died of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) in Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary located in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
• Haemorrhagic Septicaemia is a disease which infects animals that come in contact with contaminated water or soil by a contagious bacteria (Pasteurella multocida). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary has Dry Deciduous type of vegetation.Hence, statement 2 is correct.Bhitarkanika National Park is home to the largest congregation of the endangered SaltWater Crocodile in the country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Q9. Consider the following statements with respect to Giant Leatherback turtle:

1. It is the largest of all living turtles.
2. Most of these turtles are found in the Arctic and the Antarctic.
3. They are also listed in Schedule II of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?

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

B – Explanation

• Giant Leatherback turtle is the largest of all living turtles. Hence, statement 1 is correct.They are listed in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, according it the highest legal protection. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.The most long-ranging, Leatherbacks are found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae.Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q10. Consider the following statements with respect to Bhashan Char Island:

1. Bhashan Char Island is located in the Bay of Bengal.
2. The Island was formed by Himalayan silt.
3. Myanmar has built a relocation camp for the Rohingyas at the Bhashan Char Islands.

Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?

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

A – Explanation

• Bhashan Char Island is located in the Bay of Bengal.The Island was formed by Himalayan silt.Bangladesh has built a relocation camp for the Rohingyas at the Bhashan Char Islands. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.