4. Almatti dam, recently seen in news, is present across which of the following rivers?

Answer: A
Soln:
● The Almatti Dam is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna River in North

5. Consider the following statements about Regional Rural Banks (RRB).
1. These banks were set up based on the recommendations of Narasimham committee on
rural credit.
2. Reducing regional imbalances in development is one of the objectives of RRBs.
3. RRBs are wholly owned by the State Governments.

Answer: B
Soln:
Regional Rural Banks:
● Based on the recommendations of the Narasimham committee on rural credit, Regional
Rural Banks (RRBs) were established in 1975 under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 to
provide financial assistance to different segments of the rural population. Hence,
statement 1 is correct.

● The main objectives of setting up the RRB is to provide credit and other facilities,
especially to the small and marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, artisans and
small entrepreneurs in rural areas.
● Each RRB is sponsored by a public sector bank, which provides assistance in several
ways.
● RRBs are jointly owned by the Government of India, the concerned State Government
and Sponsor Banks with the issued capital shared in the proportion of 50%, 15% and
35% respectively. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● NABARD is entrusted with the responsibility for conduct of statutory inspections of
Regional Rural Banks. The regulatory powers continue to be vested with the Reserve
Bank of India.
Objectives:
● RRBs established with the explicit objective of
○ Bridging the credit gap in rural areas
○ Check the outflow of rural deposits to urban areas
○ Reduce regional imbalances and increase rural employment generation
Hence, statement 2 is correct.

● Each RRB will operate within the local limits specified by notification. If necessary, a RRB
will also establish branches or agencies at places notified by the Government.
● The RRBs are required to provide 75% of their outstanding advances as priority sector
lending with primary focus on agricultural credit, including small and marginal farmers, as
well as micro entrepreneurs and rural artisans.

1. The Government of India has constituted the Financial Services Institutions Bureau(FSIB) in
2022. Which body did it replace?

2. Consider the following statements about the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces.
1. The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces are employed by the UN to maintain or re-
establish peace in an area of armed conflict.
2. The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to
impart niche training in peacekeeping operations.
3. The UN Peacekeeping Forces can be employed even when both parties to a conflict do not
accept their presence.

Answer: A
Soln:
FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS BUREAU:
● The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) was constituted in 2022, as an
autonomous body of Government of India.
● It replaced the Banks Board Bureau (BBB). Hence, option A is correct.
● FSIB’s mandate is recommending persons for appointment as whole-time directors
and non-executive chairpersons on the Board of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public
Sector Financial Institutions (FIs) and Public Sector Insurance Companies (PSIs) and
recommend measures to improve Corporate Governance in these Institutions.
● FSIB is headed by a chairman, a central government nominee.
● Other functions of the Bureau are :-
○ To advise the Government on matters relating to appointments, transfer or
extension of term of office and termination of services of the said directors;
○ To advise the Government on the desired management structure at the Board level
for PSBs, FIs and PSIs;
○ To build a data bank containing data related to the performance of PSBs, FIs and
PSIs;
○ To advise the Government on formulation and enforcement of a code of conduct and
ethics for whole-time directors in PSBs, FIs and PSIs;
○ To advise the Government on evolving suitable training and development
programmes for management personnel in PSBs, FIs and PSIs.

Answer: B
Soln:

UN Peacekeeping Forces:
● The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces are employed by the UN to maintain or re-
establish peace in an area of armed conflict. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The UN may engage in conflicts between states as well as in struggles within states. The UN
acts as an impartial third party in order to prepare the ground for a settlement of the
issues that have provoked armed conflict.
● The three basic principles that guide U.N.’s Peacekeeping missions are:
○ Consent of the parties
○ Impartiality
○ Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
● The UN Peacekeeping Forces may only be employed when both parties to a conflict
accept their presence. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The Peacekeeping Forces are subordinate to the leadership of the United Nations. They are
normally deployed as a consequence of a UN Security Council decision. However, on
occasion, the initiative has been taken by the General Assembly. Operational control belongs
to the Secretary-General and his secretariat.
● The first UN peacekeeping mission was a team of observers deployed to the Middle East in
1948, during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
● The Indian Army commemorated the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
● India has a rich legacy of contribution to UN Peacekeepers operations and is one of the
largest contributors of troops.
● India has contributed services of approximately 2,87,000 troops to peacekeeping missions.
● The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi
to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. This Centre trains more than
12,000 troops every year. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

3. Chenab bridge, Anji bridge, recently seen in news, are found in which of the following regions of
India?

Answer: D
Soln:
● Kashmir valley of Jammu and Kashmir union territory is set to finally have a rail link
with the rest of the country by The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
project, which will now be fully operational and ensures all-weather connectivity.
● The rail line spans over 272 kms with 36 tunnels and 943 bridges.
● This includes the Tunnel T-50, the longest operating tunnel in the country.
● The project also includes the Chenab bridge over Chenab river, which is the world’s
highest rail arch bridge and the Anji bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
Hence, option D is correct.

5. Consider the following statements about Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
1. These schools aim to provide quality primary education for Scheduled Tribe students in
remote areas.

2. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)
establishes, endows, maintains, controls and manages these schools.
3. Only Scheduled Tribe students can be enrolled into these schools.

Answer: D
Soln:
Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS):
● The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya
Model Residential School (EMRS) to provide quality middle and high-level education to
Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● Introduced in 1997-98, the schools are aimed to enable ST students to access the best
opportunities in education and to bring them at par with the general population.
● The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of
the students.
● Each school has a capacity of 480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII. Non-
ST students can be admitted in EMRSs up to 10% of the total seats. Hence, statement 3
is incorrect.
● The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous
organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, establishes, endows, maintains, controls
and manages these schools. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The government aims to establish EMRS in every block with more than 50% ST
population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
● EMRS are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of
India. 
○ Article 275(1) guarantees grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India
each year for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
○ Infrastructure development schemes like protected drinking water, road
connectivity, electricity and housing are provided under this scheme.