Answer: A
Explanation
● The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● It aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● Towards this end, AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure creation of a problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in universities, research institutions, private and MSME sector. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

4. With reference to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), consider the following statements.
1) It contributes to boosting the private space sector economy in India.
2) It functions as a single window agency for all space sector activities of private entities.
3) It is also responsible for building launch vehicles and satellites.

Answer: D
Explanation
● To facilitate private sector participation, the government has created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in 2020 that functions as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS).
● Established as a single window agency for all space sector activities of private entities, IN-SPACe plays an important role in boosting the private space sector economy in India. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
● IN-SPACe, is responsible to promote, enable, authorize and supervise various space activities of the NGEs that include, among others,
○ The building of launch vehicles & satellites and providing space-based services; Hence, statement 3 is correct.
○ Sharing of space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO; and
○ Establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities.

5.With reference to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), consider the following statements.
1) NPPA is an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
2) NPPA can fix prices of drugs in the National List of Essential Medicines.
3) Prices of Non-scheduled drugs can never be fixed by NPPA.

Answer: C
Explanation
About NPPA
● The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority was established in 1997 as an independent body of experts to regulate the pricing of drugs.
● It has been constituted as an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● The Authority has been entrusted with the task of
○ Fixation/revision of prices of pharmaceutical products (bulk drugs and formulations);
○ Enforcement of provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO);
○ Monitoring of the prices of controlled and decontrolled drugs in the country.
● The NPPA currently fixes prices of drugs placed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) under Schedule-I of the DPCO. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Non-scheduled drugs are allowed an increase of up to 10 per cent in prices every year, which is monitored by the NPPA.
● NPPA can also fix the price for non-scheduled drugs by invoking extraordinary powers in public interest, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

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1. The Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) Report is published by

Answer: A
Explanation
● The Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) Report is the flagship publication of the United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and summarises progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Convention, such as the Aichi Targets and identifies key actions to achieve these. Hence, answer is option A.
Convention on Biological Diversity
● The Convention on Biological Diversity is a multilateral treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
● The Convention is legally binding; countries that join it (‘Parties’) are obliged to implement its provisions. The convention called upon all nations to take appropriate measures for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilization of its benefits.
● The Convention has been ratified by 196 parties, making it one of the most widely supported treaties in the world.
● India is a party to CBD and enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to meet the obligations under Convention on Biological Diversity.
● The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada and it operates under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
○ The UNEP is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. It was founded as a result of the UN Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference) in 1972.
● The Parties (Countries) under CBD meet at regular intervals and these meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP).

2. Consider the following statements.
1) Char Dham Yatra includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Pindari.
2) Do Dham Yatra includes Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● There are four Abodes in Himalayas collectively referred as "Char Dham Yatra" which includes four holy shrines of Hindus: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● Pindari Glacier, located in the Kumaon Himalayas, is the source of the Pindar River, which confluences with the Alakananda River at Karnaprayag.
● All of these temples are situated within the Garwhal region of Uttarakhand.
● Among four sacred sites Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva while Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On the other hand, Yamunotri and Gangotri are dedicated to Goddess Ganga and Yamuna rivers respectively.
● The high-altitude shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in summers (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November).
● It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath.
● Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines - Kedarnath and Badrinath. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

3. With reference to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, consider the following statements.
1) Additional days of employment can be provided in drought/natural calamity notified areas.
2) Applicants can be from rural or urban households.
3) There is a provision for unemployment allowance if employment is not provided within the stipulated time after registration.

Answer: B
Explanation
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, guarantees 100 days of work each financial year to any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● In addition to this, there is a provision for upto additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year in drought/natural calamity notified rural areas. The State Governments may make provision for providing additional days beyond the period guaranteed under the Act from their own funds. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The act makes it obligatory for the State to give rural households work on demand. In case such employment is not provided within 15 days of registration, the applicant becomes eligible for an unemployment allowance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was initiated as directed in MGNREGA to implement the mandate of the Act.
● The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of the MGNREGS in association with state governments.

4. Consider the following factors.
1) Subsidized power supply
2) Usage of combine harvesters
3) Narrow gap between rice-harvesting season and wheat-sowing season

As we celebrate the festival of lights, we're taking a short break! Our general quiz will be postponed to next week.

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