27 January 2023

Q1. Which of the following states/Union Territories has the highest percentage of forest area to the total geographical area?

1. Mizoram
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Lakshadweep
4. Madhya Pradesh

C – Explanation

• The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has the highest forest cover of 90.33% . Among states, Mizoram has the highest forest cover of 85.41%. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q2. Which of the following terms were used in Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period to denote a peasant?

1. Raiyat
2. Muzarian
3. Asami

Select the correct answer code:

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

D – Explanation

• The term which Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period most frequently used to denote a peasant was raiyat(plural, riaya) or muzarian. In addition, we also encounter the terms kisan or  Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Phillips Curve is an economic concept stating that inflation and unemployment have a stable and inverse relationship.
2. Stagflation is an economic scenario where an economy faces high inflation and low growth and high unemployment at the same time.

Which of the above statements is/are not correct?

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

D – Explanation

• Stagflation is an economic scenario where an economy faces both high inflation and low growth (and high unemployment) at the same time. Hence statement 2 is correct.The Phillips curve states that inflation and unemployment have an inverse relationship. Higher inflation is associated with lower unemployment and vice versa. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Q4. Consider the following pairs of vaccine and category:

1. Covishield : mRNA Vaccine
2. Covaxin : Inactivated Vaccine
3. Sputnik V : Viral vector based vaccine

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

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

C – Explanation

• Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine. This destroys the pathogen’s ability to replicate, but keeps it intact so that the immune system can still recognise it and produce an immune response. Hence pair 2 is correctly matched.Covishield is based on the viral-vectored platform. Hence pair 1 is not correctly matched.Sputnik V is also based on the viral-vectored platform. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.

Q5. Jaapi, Xorai and Gamosa are primarily associated with which state?

1. Manipur
2. Nagaland
3. Assam
4. Mizoram

C – Explanation

• Decorative jaapis (field hats), hand-woven gamosas and bell-metal xorais – important symbols of Assamese identityand culture are abundantly seen in political campaigns across the state.The jaapi is a conical hat made of bamboo and covered with dried tokou leaves.The Gamosa, which literally translates to a cloth to wipe one’s body. Used at home as a towel or in public functions to felicitate dignitaries or celebrities.Xorai: Made of bell-metal, the xorai essentially a tray with a stand at the bottom, with or without a cover can be found in every Assamese household. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. India’s first e-waste clinic was set up in Bhopal.
2. Maharashtra is the largest producer of e-waste in India.
3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 according to which producers were made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

A – Explanation

• Statement 1 is correct :India’s first e-waste clinic was established in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh).  It is set up jointly by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC).Statement 2 is correct : Maharashtra is the largest producer of e-waste in India. Maharashtra is followed by Tamil Nadu (2nd), Andhra Pradesh (3rd), Uttar Pradesh (4th), Delhi (5th), Gujarat (6th), Karnataka (7th) and West Bengal (8th).Statement 3 is not correct : the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the E-Waste Management Rules 2016.

Q7. Giddha, Sammi, and Kikli are folk dances from which state of India?

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Punjab
4. Sikkim

C – Explanation

• Giddha, Sammi, and Kikli are folk dances ofGiddha is a popular folk dance performed only by women, performed during festive seasons, especially during the sowing and reaping of the harvest. Sammi dance is performed by the women of Punjab’s tribal communities.Kikli is a folk dance of Punjab, where two girls hold hands and twirl each other in a circle and balance their positions in circular motions. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q8. Which of the following statements about Poet Jayadeva is/are correct?

1. Hymns of Jayadeva have been incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib.
2. He is known for his epic poem Gitanjali.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

A – Explanation

• Statement 1 is correct :Two hymns of Jayadeva have been incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib which is the holy book of the Sikh religion. Statement 2 is not correct : Jayadeva is most known for his epic poem Gita Govinda. Gitanjali is a collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore.

Q9. With respect to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other Members whose service conditions and tenure of office are determined by the Parliament.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

D – Explanation

• Statement 1 is not correct : the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is a constitutional bodyunder the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. NCBC was set up under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 and was given a constitutional status through the 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018. Statement 2 is not correct : The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members are determined by the President.

Q10. Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?

1. Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing
2. Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewellery, gold, etc
3. Large donations of political parties and growth of regionalism
4. Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion

D – Explanation

• Black money includes all funds earned through illegal activity and otherwise legal income that is not recorded for tax purposes. The increase and spread of black money have a serious impact on the economy as it results in the reduction of government revenues.  Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.