Answer: B
Explanation
MY Bharat
● Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is an autonomous body set up by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to provide an overarching institutional mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led development. Hence, answer is option B.
● Launched in 2023, the initiative aims to empower Indian youth through social mobility, educational equity, and practical skills.
● It is a 'Phygital Platform' (physical + digital) comprising physical activity along with an opportunity to connect digitally.
● Youth across the country can register on the MY Bharat portal (https://www.mybharat.gov.in/) and sign up for various opportunities and events available on the portal.
Explanation
MY Bharat
● Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is an autonomous body set up by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to provide an overarching institutional mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led development. Hence, answer is option B.
● Launched in 2023, the initiative aims to empower Indian youth through social mobility, educational equity, and practical skills.
● It is a 'Phygital Platform' (physical + digital) comprising physical activity along with an opportunity to connect digitally.
● Youth across the country can register on the MY Bharat portal (https://www.mybharat.gov.in/) and sign up for various opportunities and events available on the portal.
2. With reference to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), consider the following statements.
1) SDRF is a statutory fund.
2) SDRF is entirely contributed from the states’ exchequer.
3) It shall be used for providing immediate relief to the victims as well as for disaster mitigation measures.
1) SDRF is a statutory fund.
2) SDRF is entirely contributed from the states’ exchequer.
3) It shall be used for providing immediate relief to the victims as well as for disaster mitigation measures.
How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
22%
A. Only one
60%
B. Only two
18%
C. All three
0%
D. None
Answer: A
Explanation:
● State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is a statutory fund constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005 is the primary fund available with the State Government for responses to notified disasters. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% in North-East and Himalayan States. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission.
● SDRF shall be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The accounts of the SDRF shall be audited annually by Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG).
● Disasters covered under SDRF: Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake, Floods, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloud burst, Pest attack, Frost and Cold wave.
Local Disaster
● State Government may use up to 10% of the funds available under SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of the natural disaster considered to be “Disaster” within the local context in the State and which is not included in the notified list of disaster of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Explanation:
● State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is a statutory fund constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005 is the primary fund available with the State Government for responses to notified disasters. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% in North-East and Himalayan States. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission.
● SDRF shall be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The accounts of the SDRF shall be audited annually by Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG).
● Disasters covered under SDRF: Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake, Floods, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloud burst, Pest attack, Frost and Cold wave.
Local Disaster
● State Government may use up to 10% of the funds available under SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of the natural disaster considered to be “Disaster” within the local context in the State and which is not included in the notified list of disaster of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. With reference to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), consider the following statements.
1) PGNRB is an executive body.
2) The primary objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities.
3) The appeals against the decisions of the Board go before the National Company Law Tribunal.
1) PGNRB is an executive body.
2) The primary objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities.
3) The appeals against the decisions of the Board go before the National Company Law Tribunal.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
Anonymous Quiz
14%
A. 1 and 2 only
43%
B. 1 and 3 only
24%
C. 2 and 3 only
19%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation
● Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is a statutory body for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector constituted under the PNGRB Act, 2006. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● The objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas and to promote competitive markets. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The board has also been mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas excluding production of crude oil and natural gas so as to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas in all parts of the country.
● The appeals against the decisions of the Board go before the Appellate Tribunal established under the Electricity Act, 2003. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Explanation
● Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is a statutory body for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector constituted under the PNGRB Act, 2006. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● The objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas and to promote competitive markets. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The board has also been mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas excluding production of crude oil and natural gas so as to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas in all parts of the country.
● The appeals against the decisions of the Board go before the Appellate Tribunal established under the Electricity Act, 2003. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
4. Consider the following factors.
Statement -I:
Pseudo melanistic tigers are found in Simlipal Tiger Reserve.
Statement -II:
Geographical isolation has led to constant inbreeding among tigers.
Statement -I:
Pseudo melanistic tigers are found in Simlipal Tiger Reserve.
Statement -II:
Geographical isolation has led to constant inbreeding among tigers.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Anonymous Quiz
59%
A. Both Statements are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
28%
B. Both Statements are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
8%
C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
5%
D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-I is correct
Answer: A
Explanation
Melanism in Royal Bengal tigers
● Melanism is a genetic condition that causes animals to have black or nearly black skin, hair, or feathers due to increased melanin production.
● In Bengal tigers, the presence of higher levels of melanin, gives tigers black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats which are much thicker than the stripes found in normal tigers.
● Since these tigers are not entirely black, they are often described as being pseudo-melanistic (false coloured).
● Factors such as geographical isolation have led to constant inbreeding amongst genetically related tigers for over generations leading to such melanistic tendencies. Hence, statement -II is correct and correctly explains statement -I.
○ Inbreeding refers to the mating of individuals or organisms that are closely related through common ancestry.
○ Constant inbreeding amongst species leads to poorer reproductive efficiency, lower growth rates, and higher mortality rates thereby threatening the survival of species.
● Simlipal Tiger Reserve is Odisha is the world’s only tiger habitat for pseudo melanistic tigers. Hence, statement -I is correct.
Explanation
Melanism in Royal Bengal tigers
● Melanism is a genetic condition that causes animals to have black or nearly black skin, hair, or feathers due to increased melanin production.
● In Bengal tigers, the presence of higher levels of melanin, gives tigers black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats which are much thicker than the stripes found in normal tigers.
● Since these tigers are not entirely black, they are often described as being pseudo-melanistic (false coloured).
● Factors such as geographical isolation have led to constant inbreeding amongst genetically related tigers for over generations leading to such melanistic tendencies. Hence, statement -II is correct and correctly explains statement -I.
○ Inbreeding refers to the mating of individuals or organisms that are closely related through common ancestry.
○ Constant inbreeding amongst species leads to poorer reproductive efficiency, lower growth rates, and higher mortality rates thereby threatening the survival of species.
● Simlipal Tiger Reserve is Odisha is the world’s only tiger habitat for pseudo melanistic tigers. Hence, statement -I is correct.
5. With reference to the Bengal Tiger, consider the following statements.
1) The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent.
2) They typically hunt in groups.
3) Generally, females are larger than males.
1) The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent.
2) They typically hunt in groups.
3) Generally, females are larger than males.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
37%
A. 1 only
38%
B. 1 and 3 only
5%
C. 2 only
20%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation
● The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a subspecies of tiger native to the Indian subcontinent. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It inhabits hot and humid forests, and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
● The Bengal tiger’s coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging from dark brown to black.
● Males are larger in size than females. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● They are solitary hunters. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● They are carnivorous in their diet, preying on ungulates such as deer and antelope, gaurs, and wild boars.
Explanation
● The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a subspecies of tiger native to the Indian subcontinent. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It inhabits hot and humid forests, and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
● The Bengal tiger’s coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging from dark brown to black.
● Males are larger in size than females. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● They are solitary hunters. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● They are carnivorous in their diet, preying on ungulates such as deer and antelope, gaurs, and wild boars.
1. ‘Credit Reserve Arrangement’ is related to the provisions of lending by which of the following organisations?
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This is it! The LAST batch of the year at Officers IAS Academy starts on November 15, 2024! Don’t wait, your dream career awaits:
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Online & Offline Learning Options
Weekly Tests to keep you sharp
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Answer: B
Explanation
● The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework of BRICS for the provision of support through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to actual or potential short-term balance of payments pressures. Hence, answer is option B.
About BRICS
● BRICS brings together five major emerging economies- China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.
● The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC (Brazil, Russia,China and India) Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UNGA in New York in 2006.
● The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia, in 2009.
● South Africa was added to the grouping in 2011 creating “BRICS”.
● BRICS cooperation is aimed at complementing and strengthening existing bilateral and multilateral relations among member countries.
● The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
● Cooperation among members is predicated on three levels or “tracks” of interaction, namely:
○ Track I: Formal diplomatic engagement between national governments
○ Track II: Engagement through government-affiliated institutions, such as state-owned enterprises and business councils
○ Track III: Civil society and people-to-people engagement
BRICS Expansion
● After the summit in South Africa in 2023 6 countries were invited to join BRICS. They were Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
● Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined the grouping in January 2024.
● Saudi Arabia has accepted the invitation but delayed formal joining.
● Argentina has declined the invitation.
● The organisation now represents almost half the world’s population and almost one quarter of the world’s economy.
Explanation
● The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework of BRICS for the provision of support through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to actual or potential short-term balance of payments pressures. Hence, answer is option B.
About BRICS
● BRICS brings together five major emerging economies- China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.
● The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC (Brazil, Russia,China and India) Foreign Ministers on the margins of the UNGA in New York in 2006.
● The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia, in 2009.
● South Africa was added to the grouping in 2011 creating “BRICS”.
● BRICS cooperation is aimed at complementing and strengthening existing bilateral and multilateral relations among member countries.
● The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
● Cooperation among members is predicated on three levels or “tracks” of interaction, namely:
○ Track I: Formal diplomatic engagement between national governments
○ Track II: Engagement through government-affiliated institutions, such as state-owned enterprises and business councils
○ Track III: Civil society and people-to-people engagement
BRICS Expansion
● After the summit in South Africa in 2023 6 countries were invited to join BRICS. They were Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
● Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined the grouping in January 2024.
● Saudi Arabia has accepted the invitation but delayed formal joining.
● Argentina has declined the invitation.
● The organisation now represents almost half the world’s population and almost one quarter of the world’s economy.