Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form originating from the state
of Kerala.
● It is traditionally a solo dance performed by women after extensive training.
● The dance gets its name from Mohini – the female enchantress avatar of the Hindu deity
Vishnu.
● The roots of Mohiniyattam are in the Natya Shastra (the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on
performance arts)
● Statement 2 is correct: It follows the Lasya style described in Natya Shastra, ie, a dance
which is delicate and feminine.
● It comprises delicate footsteps, undulating body movements, and subtle yet poignant
facial expressions.
● Mohiniyattam emotes a play through dancing and singing, where the language of the song
texts is Manipravala, a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit.
● The musical instruments usually used in Mohiniyattam are Mridangam or Madhalam (barrel drum), Idakka (hourglass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form originating from the state
of Kerala.
● It is traditionally a solo dance performed by women after extensive training.
● The dance gets its name from Mohini – the female enchantress avatar of the Hindu deity
Vishnu.
● The roots of Mohiniyattam are in the Natya Shastra (the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on
performance arts)
● Statement 2 is correct: It follows the Lasya style described in Natya Shastra, ie, a dance
which is delicate and feminine.
● It comprises delicate footsteps, undulating body movements, and subtle yet poignant
facial expressions.
● Mohiniyattam emotes a play through dancing and singing, where the language of the song
texts is Manipravala, a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit.
● The musical instruments usually used in Mohiniyattam are Mridangam or Madhalam (barrel drum), Idakka (hourglass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).
5. Consider the following statements in relation to PM-KUSUM Scheme
1. It;s aimed at promoting the use of solar energy among farmers and reducing their dependence on diesel-powered agricultural pumps.
2. It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers; Welfare.
1. It;s aimed at promoting the use of solar energy among farmers and reducing their dependence on diesel-powered agricultural pumps.
2. It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers; Welfare.
Answer: A
Explanation
● The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM)
Scheme was launched in 2019 for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and
other renewable power plants in the country. Thus it's aimed at promoting the use of
solar energy among farmers and reducing their dependence on diesel-powered
agricultural pumps. Hence statement 1 is correct.
● It was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Hence statement 2 is
incorrect.
● Under the Kusum scheme farmers, panchayats, co-operative societies can apply to plant a
solar pump. The total cost involved in this scheme is divided into three categories in which
the Government will help farmers.
● Government will provide a subsidy of 60% to farmers and 30% of the cost will be given by
the Government in the form of loans. Farmers will only have to give 10% of the total cost of
the project. The electricity generated from the solar panel can be sold by the farmers.
● The scheme consists of three components:
○ Component-A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected
Renewable Power Plants.
○ Component-B: Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture
Pumps.
○ Component-C: Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Solar Powered Agriculture
Pumps.
Benefits of the Scheme:
● The Scheme will have substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2
emissions. All three components of the Scheme combined together are likely to result in
saving about 27 million tonnes of CO2 emission per annum.
● Further, Component-B of the Scheme on standalone solar pumps may result in saving of 1.2
billion liters of diesel per annum and associated savings in the foreign exchange due to
reduction of import of crude oil.
● The scheme has direct employment potential. Besides increasing self-employment the
proposal is likely to generate employment opportunities equivalent to 6.31 lakh job years
for skilled and unskilled workers.
Explanation
● The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM)
Scheme was launched in 2019 for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and
other renewable power plants in the country. Thus it's aimed at promoting the use of
solar energy among farmers and reducing their dependence on diesel-powered
agricultural pumps. Hence statement 1 is correct.
● It was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Hence statement 2 is
incorrect.
● Under the Kusum scheme farmers, panchayats, co-operative societies can apply to plant a
solar pump. The total cost involved in this scheme is divided into three categories in which
the Government will help farmers.
● Government will provide a subsidy of 60% to farmers and 30% of the cost will be given by
the Government in the form of loans. Farmers will only have to give 10% of the total cost of
the project. The electricity generated from the solar panel can be sold by the farmers.
● The scheme consists of three components:
○ Component-A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected
Renewable Power Plants.
○ Component-B: Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture
Pumps.
○ Component-C: Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Solar Powered Agriculture
Pumps.
Benefits of the Scheme:
● The Scheme will have substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2
emissions. All three components of the Scheme combined together are likely to result in
saving about 27 million tonnes of CO2 emission per annum.
● Further, Component-B of the Scheme on standalone solar pumps may result in saving of 1.2
billion liters of diesel per annum and associated savings in the foreign exchange due to
reduction of import of crude oil.
● The scheme has direct employment potential. Besides increasing self-employment the
proposal is likely to generate employment opportunities equivalent to 6.31 lakh job years
for skilled and unskilled workers.
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1. Consider the following with respect to the National Food Security Act, 2013.
1. The Act legally entitled the population to receive subsidized food grains under the Universal
Public Distribution System.
2. According to the Act, Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to meals and
maternity benefits of not less than Rs 6000.
3. The implementation of the scheme comes under the ambit of the Ministry of Agriculture and farmer’s welfare.
1. The Act legally entitled the population to receive subsidized food grains under the Universal
Public Distribution System.
2. According to the Act, Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to meals and
maternity benefits of not less than Rs 6000.
3. The implementation of the scheme comes under the ambit of the Ministry of Agriculture and farmer’s welfare.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
38%
A. Only one
44%
B. Only two
15%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Explanation:
● The National Food Security Act, 2013 was notified on 10th September, 2013 with the
objective to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by
ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a
life with dignity.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural
population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the
population.
● The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per
month at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. The
existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor
will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
● Statement 2 is correct: The Act also has a special focus on the nutritional support to
women and children. Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to meals and
maternity benefits of not less than Rs 6000. It is however restricted to two children only.
● Children upto 14 years of age will be entitled to nutritious meals as per the prescribed
nutritional standards. In case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals, the
beneficiaries will receive food security allowance. The Act also contains provisions for
setting up of grievance redressal mechanism at the District and State levels
● The eldest women of the household of age 18 years or above will be the head of the
household for the purpose of issuing ration cards
● Statement 3 is incorrect: The implementation of the scheme comes under the ambit of the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (not under the Ministry of
Agriculture and farmer’s welfare).
Explanation:
● The National Food Security Act, 2013 was notified on 10th September, 2013 with the
objective to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by
ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a
life with dignity.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural
population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the
population.
● The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per
month at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. The
existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor
will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
● Statement 2 is correct: The Act also has a special focus on the nutritional support to
women and children. Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to meals and
maternity benefits of not less than Rs 6000. It is however restricted to two children only.
● Children upto 14 years of age will be entitled to nutritious meals as per the prescribed
nutritional standards. In case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals, the
beneficiaries will receive food security allowance. The Act also contains provisions for
setting up of grievance redressal mechanism at the District and State levels
● The eldest women of the household of age 18 years or above will be the head of the
household for the purpose of issuing ration cards
● Statement 3 is incorrect: The implementation of the scheme comes under the ambit of the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (not under the Ministry of
Agriculture and farmer’s welfare).
2. The terms ‘neutral’, ‘calibrated tightening’, 'accommodative' sometimes seen in the news are related to
choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
17%
A. Fiscal policy
66%
B. Monetary policy
10%
C. External trade
6%
D. Inflation
3. With reference to Ashtamudi Lake, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) It is located in the state of Kerala.
2) The Kallada river is a major river which drains into the Ashtamudi lake.
1) It is located in the state of Kerala.
2) The Kallada river is a major river which drains into the Ashtamudi lake.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Anonymous Quiz
14%
A. 1 only
21%
B. 2 only
63%
C. Both 1 and 2
2%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
● These terms indicate the central bank’s monetary policy stance on deciding policy rates like
repo rate.
● “Accommodative” indicates that the central bank is telling the market to expect a rate cut
anytime, “neutral” means that RBI could either increase or reduce repo rates as per liquidity
conditions, “calibrated tightening” means that a cut in the repo rate is unlikely in the current
rate cycle.
Explanation:
● These terms indicate the central bank’s monetary policy stance on deciding policy rates like
repo rate.
● “Accommodative” indicates that the central bank is telling the market to expect a rate cut
anytime, “neutral” means that RBI could either increase or reduce repo rates as per liquidity
conditions, “calibrated tightening” means that a cut in the repo rate is unlikely in the current
rate cycle.
Answer: C
Explanation
● Both the statements are correct.
● Ashtamudi lake is located in Kollam District of Kerala.
● It is a gateway to several backwaters in Kerala.
● The Kallada river is a major river which drains into the Ashtamudi lake.
● The lake is surrounded by vegetation such as mangrove forests, coconut groves, and palm trees.
● Munroe Island, a cluster of eight tiny islands, lies in the Ashtamudi Lake.
Explanation
● Both the statements are correct.
● Ashtamudi lake is located in Kollam District of Kerala.
● It is a gateway to several backwaters in Kerala.
● The Kallada river is a major river which drains into the Ashtamudi lake.
● The lake is surrounded by vegetation such as mangrove forests, coconut groves, and palm trees.
● Munroe Island, a cluster of eight tiny islands, lies in the Ashtamudi Lake.
4. Consider the following statements.
1. A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
2. In the year 2023-24, India recorded a trade deficit with its largest trading partner.
3. The US is India’s largest trading partner in 2023-24.
1. A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
2. In the year 2023-24, India recorded a trade deficit with its largest trading partner.
3. The US is India’s largest trading partner in 2023-24.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
10%
A. Only one
66%
B. Only two
23%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
choose the best answer
Anonymous Quiz
3%
A. Russia-Georgia War
22%
B. Crimea Annexation
68%
C. Russia-Ukraine War
7%
D. Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
5. Kursk Oblast became a strategic location in global news due to its involvement in which of
the following conflicts?
the following conflicts?
Answer: B
Soln:
● India has recorded a trade deficit with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China,
Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24.
● A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● China has emerged as India's largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way
commerce in 2023-24, edging past the US.
● The data also showed that the deficit with China ($85 billion), Russia ($57.2 billion), Korea
($14.71 billion), and Hong Kong ($12.2 billion) increased in the last fiscal compared to 2022-
23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq narrowed.
Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the US in 2023-24.
● America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also
there with the UK, Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh.
● India's total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9 billion
in the previous fiscal.
Soln:
● India has recorded a trade deficit with nine of its top 10 trading partners, including China,
Russia, Singapore, and Korea, in 2023-24.
● A country has a trade deficit when the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● China has emerged as India's largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of two-way
commerce in 2023-24, edging past the US.
● The data also showed that the deficit with China ($85 billion), Russia ($57.2 billion), Korea
($14.71 billion), and Hong Kong ($12.2 billion) increased in the last fiscal compared to 2022-
23, while the trade gap with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq narrowed.
Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● India has a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the US in 2023-24.
● America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. The surplus is also
there with the UK, Belgium, Italy, France and Bangladesh.
● India's total trade deficit in the last fiscal narrowed to $238.3 billion as against $264.9 billion
in the previous fiscal.
Answer: C
Explanation
● Kursk Oblast has been in the news due to its strategic location near the Russia-Ukraine border.
● Kursk Oblast is a region in Russia that shares its western border with Ukraine.
● It lies in the southwestern part of Russia, with the city of Kursk as its administrative center.
Explanation
● Kursk Oblast has been in the news due to its strategic location near the Russia-Ukraine border.
● Kursk Oblast is a region in Russia that shares its western border with Ukraine.
● It lies in the southwestern part of Russia, with the city of Kursk as its administrative center.
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Which of the following statements is correct regarding windfall taxes?