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Ques 1: With reference to The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, consider the following statements:

1. It seeks to redress against unfair or restrictive trade practices.

2. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be set up at national level only.

3. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will issue safety notices to consumers against unsafe goods and services.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d

Exp: Statement 1 is correct. Six consumer rights have been defined in the Act, including the right to: (i) be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property; (ii) be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services; (iii) be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices; and (iv) seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices.

Statement 2 is correct. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be set up at the district, state, and national levels.

Statement 3 is correct. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will carry out the following functions, including: (i) inquiring into violations of consumer rights, investigating and launching prosecution at the appropriate forum; (ii) passing orders to recall goods or withdraw services that are hazardous, reimbursement of the price paid, and discontinuation of the unfair trade practices, as defined in the Act; (iii) issuing directions to the concerned trader/ manufacturer/ endorser/ advertiser/ publisher to either discontinue a false or misleading advertisement, or modify it; (iv) imposing penalties, and; (v) issuing safety notices to consumers against unsafe goods and services.

Central Consumer Protection Authority: The central government will set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.  It will regulate matters related to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements.  The CCPA will have an investigation wing, headed by a Director-General, which may conduct inquiry or investigation into such violations.

Ques 2: The Digital India Report is launched by:

a) The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)

b) NITI Aayog

c) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

d) The University Grants Commission (UGC)

Ans: a

Exp:  Highlighting the digital education roadmap adopted by the central and various state governments for imparting education in 2020, Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has virtually launched ‘India Report on Digital Education 2020’.

The comprehensive report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD, Education Departments of states and union territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to students at home, and facilitating remote learning and education for all digitally.

The report, prepared by Digital Education Division of MHRD in collaboration with Education Departments of states and union territories, also highlights the critical task of providing digital education at the doorstep of the students. Some of the major mediums to connect to the students were using social media tools like WhatsApp Group for all the classes, online classes through YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype, etc, e-learning portal, TV (Doordarshan & regional channels), Radio (AIR), use of Diksha was the most prominent choice of all the stakeholders.

Ques 3: Which of the following statement is incorrect?

a) DIKSHA platform offers teachers, students and parents engaging learning material relevant to the prescribed school curriculum.

b) Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) provides study material for the differently abled student.

c) e-PATHSHALA is a joint initiative of Ministry of HRD and NCERT

d) Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school first class to Postgraduate Level.

Ans: d

Exp: SWAYAM: Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9th to 12th) to Postgraduate Level.

Ques 4: With reference to New National Education Policy (NEP), consider the following statements:

1. It aims to pave way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country.

2. It will replace 10+2 structure of school curriculum.

3. It will provide new National Assessment Centre.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d

Exp: Statement 1 is correct. The new policy aims to pave way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country.  This policy will replace the 34 your old National Policy on Education (NPE),1986.

Statement 2 is correct. New National Education Policy released new curriculum, the 10+2 structure of school curriculum is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 which includes 5 years of foundational education, 3 years of Preparatory, 3 of middle and 4 years of Secondary Schooling. Medium of Instruction: Mother Tongue as medium of instruction till Class 5 wherever possible. Coding and Vocational Integration in new Curriculum will include coding and Vocational Integration from Class 6 

Statement 3 is correct. A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) will be set up as a standard-setting body.

Ques 5: With regard to PM SVANidhi scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It targets over 50 lakh street vendors.

2. It was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Exp: Statement 1 is correct. PM SVANidhi scheme targets over 50 lakh street vendors who would be eligible to avail a working capital loan of up to ₹10,000. The street vendors will be allowed to repay the loan in monthly installments in one year. If someone can pay earlier than the tenure, an interest subsidy of 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries every quarter.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The PM SVANidhi scheme was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It aims to provide affordable working capital loans to street vendors.

Ques 6: Financial Stability Report released by

a) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

b) The Finance Ministry

c) NITI Aayog

d) Chief Economic Advisor

Ans: a

Exp: The Financial Stability Reports, published by Reserve Bank of India, after approved by FSDC Sub-Committee since its inception, taking inputs from financial sector regulators i.e. RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDAI including Ministry of Finance, are periodic exercise for reviewing the nature, magnitude and implications of risks that may have a bearing on the macroeconomic environment, financial institutions, markets and infrastructure.

Ques 7: Recently, India have issued a joint statement on Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) with:

a) UK

b) USA

c) Israel

d) Russia

Ans: b

Exp: The United States and India share an all-of-the-above approach to energy security and energy access.

The Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) organizes inter-agency engagement on both sides across four primary pillars of cooperation: (1) Power and Energy Efficiency; (2) Oil and Gas; (3) Renewable Energy; and (4) Sustainable Growth. Through these pillars, the United States and India are working to strengthen and modernize the power grid and distribution utilities for clean, affordable, and reliable energy access; improve efficiency, flexibility, and environmental performance in the power sector; promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through long-term energy development; enhance energy security through oil and gas trade, and infrastructure investment; advance the development, deployment, and integration of renewable energy and expand access to finance for renewable energy projects; and reduce market barriers to energy trade and investment. The SEP also supports USG efforts under the AsiaEDGE initiative, which establishes India as a strong energy partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ques 8: With reference to the Code on Wages, 2019, consider the following statements:

1. Code replaces the four laws which related to wages and bonus.

2. Central government is wage-related decisions authority for employment of oil fields and railways.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: c

Exp: Statement 1 is correct.   The Code replaces the following four laws: (i) the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, (ii) the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, (iii) the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and (iv) the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.

Statement 2 is correct. The Code will apply to all employees.  The central government will make wage-related decisions for employments such as railways, mines, and oil fields, among others.  State governments will make decisions for all other employments.

Ques 9: Which one of the following statements is not correct the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards [CA|TS]?

a) CA/TS which are a set of minimum standards setting the benchmark for managing conservation sites.

b) India is the first among the 13 tiger range countries to nationally adopt CA|TS.

c) Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards [CA|TS] is implementation by individually.

d) Tigers are the first species selected for the CA/TS.

Ans: c

Exp: World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) is helping tiger range countries to implement CA|TS and is joined by other key global organizations.

India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), of the Ministry of Environment announced the adoption of the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards [CA|TS] across all of the country’s 50 Tiger Reserves.

This announcement means India is the first among the 13 tiger range countries to nationally adopt CA|TS, which are a set of minimum standards setting the benchmark for managing conservation sites. This brings India’s total number of registered sites to 94 (which include sites not in tiger reserves). Once these reserves are registered, there will close to 125 tiger conservation areas taking part in CA|TS worldwide

Ques 10: With regard to Wildlife Sanctuary, consider the following statements:

1. Its boundaries are well defined.

2. It can be upgraded as a National Park.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: b

Exp: Statement 1 is incorrect. Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area constitued for the protection and conservation of wildlife or its environment. They are declared in areas that are considered to be of adequate ecological, geomorphologic and natural significance. Boundaries of sanctuaries are not well defined. Some restricted human activities are allowed inside the Sanctuary area.

Statement 2 is correct. Wildlife Sanctuary can be upgraded as a National Park.

Ques 11: With regard to Solar Orbiter Mission, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to perform close-up, high-resolution studies of the Sun and inner heliosphere.

2. It is a space mission between ESA (European Space Agency) and ISRO.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 not 2

Ans: a

Exp: Statement 1 is correct. A collaborative mission between NASA and the European Space Agency has captured the closest photos ever taken of the sun and revealed new solar phenomena in the process. . Solar Orbiter Mission aims to perform close-up, high-resolution studies of the Sun and inner heliosphere.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Solar Orbiter Mission is a space mission between ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA.

Ques 12: The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index released by

a) The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP)

b) The World Economic Forum

c) The World Bank

d) The World Health Organization

Ans: a

Exp: The 2020 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) data and publication "Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs" released on 16 July 2020 by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford and the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme.

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures the complexities of poor people’s lives, individually and collectively, each year. This report focuses on how multidimensional poverty has declined. It provides a comprehensive picture of global trends in multidimensional poverty, covering 5 billion people. It probes patterns between and within countries and by indicator, showcasing different ways of making progress. Together with data on the $1.90 a day poverty rate, the trends monitor global poverty in different forms.

Ques 13: With reference to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 consider the following statements:

1. The act aims to ensure Social, economic and educational empowerment of transgender persons.

2. The act prohibits the discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service.

3. The act provides right to resident to every transgender person.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d

Exp: The act defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth.  It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra.  Intersex variations is defined to mean a person who at birth shows variation in his or her primary sexual characteristics, external genitalia, chromosomes, or hormones from the normative standard of male or female body.

Statement 1 is correct. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act,2019 aims to ensure Social, economic and educational empowerment of transgender persons.

Statement 2 is correct. The act prohibits the discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment in relation to: (i) education; (ii) employment; (iii) healthcare; (iv) access to, or enjoyment of goods, facilities, opportunities available to the public; (v) right to movement; (vi) right to reside, rent, or otherwise occupy property; (vii) opportunity to hold public or private office; and (viii) access to a government or private establishment in whose care or custody a transgender person is.

Statement 3 is correct. Every transgender person shall have a right to reside and be included in his household.  If the immediate family is unable to care for the transgender person, the person may be placed in a rehabilitation centre, on the orders of a competent court.

Ques 14: The State of World Population Report 2020 released by

a) World Bank

b) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

c) European Union

d) World Health organization 

Ans: b

Exp: The State of World Population 2020 report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the world organization’s sexual and reproductive health agency, said that the number of “missing women” has more than doubled over the past 50 years - from 61 million in 1970 to a cumulative 142.6 million in 2020.

India accounts for 45.8 million of the world's 142.6 million "missing females" over the past 50 years, a report by the United Nations, the country along with China form the majority of such women globally.

Ques 15: With regard to Dhruvastra, consider the following statements:

1. It is a helicopter variant of the HELINA.

2. Its indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: c

Exp: Statement 1 is correct. Dhruvastra is a helicopter variant of the HELINA (Helicopter based NAG) Weapon System being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). HELINA is a third-generation fire and forget class anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

Statement 2 is correct. India has successfully conducted three flight tests of its indigenously developed anti-tank guided missile 'Dhruvastra' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.

All the three developmental trials of the state-of-the-art anti-tank guided missile, carried out in a direct and top attack mode, were successful and the data was being analysed, they said. It was ground tested from a launcher to evaluate some of its major parameters, the sources said. Dhruvastra is the helicopter version of 'Nag Helina' with several new features and meant to be fired from air to destroy enemy bunkers, armoured vehicles and main battle tanks.