Answer: D
Explanation
● Sangeet Natak Akademi is the apex body in the field of performing arts in India. It is an
autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture.
● The Akademi was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast
intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and
drama.
● The management of the Akademi vests in its General Council.
● The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five
years.
● Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards
● The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on
practising artists.
● Akademi Awards may be conferred on eminent practitioners, gurus and scholars of
music, dance and theatre for sustained individual achievement of high professional order.
○ The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952.
● The Akademi also confers Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) on eminent artists and scholars
of music, dance and drama. It is considered as the highest honour given to an eminent
artist in the field of performing arts for his/her exceptional contribution to his/her
performing art form.
○ The Fellowship of the Akademi is a most prestigious and rare honour, which is
restricted to 40 at any given time.
○ The first Fellow of the Akademi was elected in 1954.
● The award of Akademi Fellow carries a prize money of Rs 3 lakh, while the Akademi award
carries a prize money of Rs 1 lakh, besides a 'tamrapatra' (inscriptions on copper plates)
and 'angavastram' (a traditional shoulder cloth).

5. The purpose of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is to

Answer: B
Explanation
● The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) was constituted in 2018 under the
Companies Act, 2013 to continuously improve the quality of all corporate financial
reporting in India.
● Functions and Duties:
○ Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by
companies for approval by the Central Government;
○ Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing
standards;
○ Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring
compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the
quality of service;
○ Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary or incidental to the
aforesaid functions and duties.

● The Authority consists of a chairperson and three full time members appointed by the
Central Government.

1. The main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is to

Answer: C
Explanation
● The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched “Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva
Abhiyan” (PMSMA) with an aim to provide fixed-day, free of cost, assured,
comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all pregnant women in their
2nd / 3rd trimesters of pregnancy at designated government health facilities.
● Launched in 2016, PMSMA envisages to improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care
(ANC) including diagnostics and counseling services as part of the Reproductive Maternal
Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy.
● One of the key focus areas of PMSMA is to generate demand through Information Education
& Communication (IEC), Interpersonal Communication (IPC) and Behavior Change
Communication (BCC) activities.
● Extensive use of audio-visual and print media in raising mass awareness is an integral part
of the IEC/BCC campaign.
● Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi
Worker (AWW) play a pivotal role in mobilization of the community and potential
beneficiaries in both rural and urban areas for availing of services during the PMSMA.

2. Consider the following statements about the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN scheme.
1. It aims at providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
2. The scheme offers viability gap funding to companies in addition to waiver of certain
statutory charges and taxes on jet fuel.
3. The Airports Authority of India is designated as the Implementing Agency under this Scheme.

Answer: D
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: In 2017, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Regional
Connectivity Scheme (RCS) “UDAN” (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) which aims at providing
connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of
existing air-strips and airports to make flying affordable to the common man who want to
travel to and fro the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of the country.
● UDAN has a unique market-based model. Airline routes are allocated to operators selected
through a competitive bidding mechanism.

● Statement 2 is correct: UDAN scheme offers viability gap funding to companies in
addition to waiver of certain statutory charges and taxes on jet fuel in order to offer
affordable connectivity.
● Airlines have to set aside 50% of the total aircraft capacity for cheaper fares to be offered
at the rate of Rs 2,500 per hour of flight, in return for which airlines are given a subsidy
by the Centre and the State government concerned.
● The airport that will be renovated under this scheme will be chosen after referring to the
respective State government. Together with the State government the Central government will revive the dysfunctional and unserved airports of the country.
● Statement 3 is correct: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is designated as the Implementing Agency under this Scheme.
● The scheme is now in its fourth phase with focus on bringing connectivity to priority areas like North East India, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, hilly states in other parts of the country,
and islands.

3. The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is situated in

Answer: D
Explanation:
● Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve is located in the eastern Satpura hill range of Madhya Pradesh.
● With one of the highest densities of tigers, it is an extremely popular tiger reserve in the
country.
● It was declared a national park in 1968 and a tiger reserve in 1993 under the Project
Tiger.
● This area is unique from the point of biodiversity, as it comprises hills, valleys, rivers, marshes and meadows to give rise to diverse vegetation.
● Apart from the tiger population, the area is also rich in biodiversity. More than 30 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 70 species of butterflies, reptiles and insects are found in the region.
● Bandhavgarh has the status of sheltering the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers in the
world.

4. With reference to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, consider the following statements.
1. It aims at development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
2. Under the mission, Integrated cattle development centers known as ‘Gokul Grams’ are established.

Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is being implemented for
development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since 2014.

● The scheme is important in enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines to
meet growing demand of milk and making dairying more remunerative to the rural farmers
of the country.
● The RGM will result in enhanced productivity and benefit of the programme, percolating to
all cattle and buffaloes of India especially with small and marginal farmers.
● This programme will also benefit women in particular since over 70% of the work
involved in livestock farming is undertaken by women.
● Statement 2 is correct: Under RGM, Integrated cattle development centers, known as
‘Gokul Grams’ are established with the aim of conservation and development of
indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic manner.
● It is implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Objectives
● To enhance productivity of bovines and increase milk production in a sustainable
manner using advanced technologies.
● To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
● To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network
and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
● To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and
holistic manner.

5. Which of the following statements about Fly ash is incorrect?

Answer: C
Explanation
● Fly ash is a fine gray powder consisting mostly of spherical, glassy particles that are
produced as a byproduct in coal-fired power stations.
● Fly ash has pozzolanic properties, meaning that it forms cement in the presence of water.
Issues with Fly ash
● Statement C is incorrect: Fly ash is a highly toxic substance known for causing health
and environmental problems. It can contain lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and
uranium.
● When fly ash is deposited in water bodies they contaminate aquaculture and may leach
into landmasses, leading to toxicity of agricultural land and drinking water.
● Fly ash cannot be disposed-off in the open field because it pollutes the air, soil and
groundwater.
● Long inhalation of fly ash causes serious respiratory problems.
● Fly ash also causes siltation problems.
Uses of Fly ash
● Fly ash composition, rich in silicon dioxide (SiO2), calcium oxide (CaO), and aluminum
oxide (Al2O3), makes it valuable for various applications, transforming potential waste
into useful material.
● Fly ash can be used as prime material in many cement-based products, such as poured
concrete, concrete block, and brick. 
● Statement A is correct: One of the most common uses of fly ash is in Portland Cement
Concrete pavement or PCC pavement. 

● Road construction projects using PCC can use a great deal of concrete, and substituting fly
ash provides significant economic benefits. 
● Statement B is correct: Fly ash can be used in reclamation of wastelands and
wastewater treatment.
● Fly ash has also been used as an embankment and mine fill.
Regulations in India
● Prohibiting dumping and disposal of fly ash discharged from coal or lignite based
thermal power plants on land or into water bodies, the Centre has made it mandatory for
such plants to ensure 100% utilization of ash in an eco-friendly manner.
● The centre has also introduced a penalty regime for non-compliance based on the polluter pays' principle.
● The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has made it mandatory for all
agencies (government, semi-government and private), engaged in construction activities
within 300 kms from the lignite or coal based thermal power plants, to utilize ash in these activities.

1. Consider the following statements about the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
1. It is the successor to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
2. India is a member of this partnership.