CIVIL SERVICES
PRELIMS, 2024
Model Questions (for
GS Paper )
Set No. 16
{Prepared on 22 .5.2024 }
Also useful for
TSPSC GROUP I Prelims 2024
For
Study purpose
Prepared by :Praturi
Potayya Sarma,MA(OU),LLB(OU),PGDIRPM
CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS
1)Consider the following
about education infrastructure :
1)The education infrastructure in the form of
schools, amenities, and digitalisation has been steadily promoted along with a
focus on pedagogy. The dividends of the structural reforms in the education
sector will enrich the nation’s growth and development prospects in decades to
come.
2)The basic infrastructure facilities in schools – both
in terms of the number of recognised schools and teachers’ availability
reflected in the Pupil-Teacher Ratio, showed an improvement in FY22. The trend
in number of recognised schools for various levels show a steady progress.
3)Basic facilities in schools continued to improve in
FY22 over earlier years except for medical check-ups in schools as the schools
remained closed physically in the wake of Covid-19 curbs.
4)Toilets (girls or boys), drinking water, and
hand-washing facilities are now available in most Government schools. Priority
to drinking water and sanitation in schools under Samagra Shiksha Scheme as
well as Swachh Bharat Mission have been instrumental in providing required
resources and creating these assets in schools.
5)Under the Information & Communication Technology
(ICT) component of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, Government supports the
establishment of smart classrooms, and ICT labs in schools, including support
for hardware, educational software, and e-content for teaching
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
2)Consider the following about NCF:
1)NCF for Foundational Stage has been launched as the new
5+3+3+4 curricular structure which integrates early childhood care and
education for all children of ages 3 to 8.
2)As articulated in NEP 2020, the NCF uses ‘play,’ at the
core of the conceptual, operational, and transactional approaches to curriculum
organisation, pedagogy, time and content organisation, and the overall
experience of the child.
3)It will deal with the role of teachers as well as
parents and communities in enabling and enhancing the developmental outcomes
that are sought during this stage.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
3)Consider the following NEP:
1)Taking the vision of the new NEP, the NCrF is an
umbrella framework for skilling, re-skilling, up-skilling, accreditation and
evaluation, seamlessly integrating the credits earned through school education,
higher education, and vocational and skill education by encompassing the
National Higher Education
Qualification Framework (NHEQF), National Skills
Qualification Framework (NSQF) and National School Education Qualification
Framework (NSEQF).
2)This would be a game changer by opening numerous
options for further progression of students and inter-mingling of school and
higher education with vocational education and experiential learning, thus
mainstreaming skilling and vocational education.
3)The Framework has been released for public
consultations on 19 October 2022
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
4)Consider the following UGC guidelines:
1)The UGC, in April 2022, issued Guidelines to allow the
students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously keeping in view the
objectives envisaged in NEP 2020, viz. providing flexible curricular structures
to enable creative combinations of disciplines for study, that would offer
multiple entry and exit points, thus, removing currently prevalent rigid
boundaries and creat new possibilities for life-long learning through critical
and interdisciplinary thinking.
2)The Guidelines provide that a student can pursue two
full-time academic programmes in physical mode or pursue two academic
programmes, one in full-time physical mode and another in Open and Distance
Learning (ODL)/Online mode; or up to two ODL/Online programmes simultaneously.
3) These will be governed by Regulations notified by the
UGC.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
5)Consider the following Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam :
1)A three-day Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam was
organised at Varanasi on 7-9 July 2022 by the Ministry of Education in
association with the UGC and Banaras Hindu University.
2)The event brought together over 300 Vice Chancellors
and Directors from public and private universities, educationists,
policymakers, as also industry representatives to deliberate on how the
implementation of NEP 2020 can be taken further across the country after
successful implementation of several initiatives in the last two years.
3)The Summit provided a platform for thought-provoking
discussions that helped articulate the roadmap and implementation strategies,
foster knowledge exchange, build networks through interdisciplinary
deliberations, and discuss challenges being faced by educational institutions
and articulate solutions.
4)The Samagam was witness to India’s extended vision and
a renewed commitment to help achieve the goals of the higher education system
with education leaders resolving to work collectively for transforming India
into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
6)Consider the following about Skill Indian Mission :
1)The Skill Indian Mission focuses on skilling,
re-skilling and up-skilling through short term and long term training
programmes. Under the Mission, the government, through more than 20 Central
Ministries/Departments, is implementing various skill development schemes
across the country.
2) These include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya
Yojna (DDUGKY), Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI), Deen Dayal
Antyodaya YojanaNational Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM). MSDE is
implementing Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan
Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
3)The advocacy of the programmes is being done through
print media, electronic media, and State Governments’ campaigns . More and more
areas are being aligned with the common framework spanning the skills ecosystem
so that the outcomes of the Government skilling programmes are uniform across
the skilling ecosystem
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
7)Consider the following about RMNCAH+N :
1)With concerted efforts made under the Reproductive,
Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N)
strategy, India has made considerable progress in improving the health status
of both mothers and children.
2)As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) data, India
has successfully achieved the major milestone to bring the Maternal Mortality
Ratio (MMR) to below 100 per lakh live births by 2020 (laid down in National
Health Policy 2017) by bringing it down to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20
from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16.
3) Eight states have already achieved the SDG target to
reduce MMR to less than 70 per lakh live births by 2030. These include Kerala
(19), Maharashtra (33), Telangana (43) Andhra Pradesh (45), Tamil Nadu (54),
Jharkhand (56), Gujarat (57), and Karnataka (69).
4)Following a steady downward trend, Infant Mortality
Rate (IMR), Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)
have further declined as a result of countrywide efforts towards increasing
health service coverage through strengthening of service delivery; quality
assurance; RMNCAH+N; human resources, community processes; information and
knowledge; drugs and diagnostics, and supply chain management, etc.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
8)Consider the following NHA:
1)National Health Account (NHA) for the year FY19 (which
is the latest available account) highlights the rising importance of public
healthcare and social security in ensuring universal health coverage.
2)The NHA estimates for FY19 show that there has been an
increase in the share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in the total GDP from 1.2 per cent in FY14 to
1.3 per cent in FY19.
3)Additionally, the share of GHE in Total Health
Expenditure (THE) has also increased over time, standing at 40.6 per cent in
FY19, substantially higher than 28.6 per cent in FY14.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
9)Consider the following about UIP :
1)Under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP),
immunisation is being provided free of cost against 12 vaccine-preventable
diseases: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, a severe
form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus diarrhoea, Hepatitis B, etc.
2)To reinforce universal immunisation, Mission
Indradhanush (MI) was launched in December 2014 with the aim to rapidly
increase full immunisation coverage of children to 90 per cent and sustain it
thereafter.
3)The drive focuses on unvaccinated and partially
vaccinated children. Intensified MI was then launched in October 2017 in
identified 190 districts/urban areas.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
10)Consider the following about eSanjeevani :
1)eSanjeevani is an innovative, indigenous,
cost-effective, and integrated cloud-based telemedicine system application to
enable patient-to-doctor teleconsultation to ensure a continuum of care and
facilitate health services to all citizens in the confines of their homes, free
of cost.
2)At present, eSanjeevani is operational in all states
and UTs across India. As of 17January 2923, 1,12,553 HWCs in rural areas and
15,465 Hubs at tertiary level hospitals, and medical colleges in the states
have been enabled in the eSanjeevani.
3)This innovative solution has served over 9.3 crore
patients across the country and is currently serving around 4 lakh patients daily.
4)eSanjeevani – National Telemedicine Service of India
has evolved into the world’s largest outpatient services system.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
11)Consider the following about AB PM-JAY:
1)AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance
scheme that intends to minimise the OOPE of the target beneficiaries arising
due to expenditure on healthcare.
2)The scheme provides health cover of `5 lakh per family
per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to over 10.7 crore
poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) that form
the bottom 40 per cent of the Indian population identified based on the
deprivation and occupational criteria of the SocioEconomic Caste Census 2011
(SECC 2011) and other State schemes.
3)As of 4 January 2023, approximately 21.9 crore
beneficiaries have been verified under the Scheme including 3 crore
beneficiaries verified using State IT systems. Approximately 4.3 crore hospital
admissions, amounting to `50,409 crore, have also been authorised under the
Scheme through a network of over 26,055 hospitals
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
12)Consider the following about AB-HWC :
1)Under the scheme, 1.5 lakh AB-HWCs were envisaged to be
established by upgrading the SHCs and PHCs in rural and urban areas which will
ensure comprehensive primary health care closer to the community.
2)These AB-HWCs provide Comprehensive Primary Health
Care, by expanding and strengthening the existing Reproductive & Child
Health services and Communicable Diseases services and by including services
related to Non- Communicable Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and 3
common cancers, viz. Oral, Breast and Cervix
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
13)Consider the following about ABDM :
1)Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): The Mission
aims at creating a secure online platform based on open, interoperable digital
standards.
2)This will enable access and exchange of health records
of citizens with their consent through Services such as the issuance of Health
ID, Healthcare Professionals Registry, Health Facility Registry and Health
Records.
3)This will boost the adoption of digital technologies in
healthcare, thereby making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
14)Consider the following NDD :
1)National Deworming Day (NDD), launched in 2015 in 11
states and expanded to the whole country in 2016, is a fixed-day approach to
treating intestinal worm infections in children aged 1-19 years with
Albendazole tablets.
2)The programme is held every year on 10 February and 10
August through schools and Anganwadis, followed by mop-up days to cover those
left out due to absenteeism or sickness.
3)Besides Government and Government-aided schools and
Anganwadis, special efforts are made to reach out-of-school children, and
private schools have also enthusiastically joined the programme. During
Covid-19, the continuity of deworming efforts were maintained while minimising
risks. Frontline health workers were trained to follow appropriate safety
guidelines during home visits or through staggered “Village Health Sanitation
and Nutrition Day” based model
4)Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH), also known as
parasitic intestinal worm infection, is a public health concern adversely
affecting children’s physical and cognitive growth. Intestinal worm infection
is known to cause, aggravate, and intensify nutritional losses, particularly of
Vitamin A and Iron.
5)Micronutrient deficits and worm infestation together
culminate into stunted growth and development in children
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
15)Consider the following Covid-19 Vaccination
Programme :
1)India’s National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, which
is the world’s largest vaccination programme, began on 16 January 2021,
initially with the aim of covering the adult population of the country in the
shortest possible time.
2)The programme was expanded to include all persons aged
12 years and above and for the precautionary dose for all persons aged 18 years
and above. Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to Covid appropriate
behaviour continue to remain the tested strategy for Covid management.
3)The introduction of Covid-19 vaccines entailed many
challenges such as research and development for new Covid vaccines, training of
more than 2.6 lakh vaccinators and 4.8 lakh other vaccination team members,
optimum utilisation of available vaccine, difficult-toreach population, and the
need to ensure all essential health services along with scaling up of
vaccination programme. In addition, logistical challenges such as storage and
decentralised distribution of vaccines across 29,000 cold chain points,
augmenting cold chain capacity, and developing IT platform for registering the
beneficiaries and vaccine service delivery, were also noticed.
4)The programme was able to overcome these challenges and
meet its goals within a short time frame.
5)As on 6 January 2023, India has been able to administer
more than 220 crore Covid vaccine doses across the country. 97 per cent of
eligible beneficiaries have already received at least one dose of Covid-19
vaccine and around 90 per cent of eligible beneficiaries have received both the
doses. Vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March 2022,
followed by the precautionary dose for the age group 18-59 years starting from
10 April 2022. So far, more than4.2 crore adolescents have been administered
the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 22.4 crore precautionary doses have
been administered.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
16)Consider the following
PSA :
1)Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Generation
Plants: PSA plants are being established in hospitals, especially in far-flung
areas enabling the hospitals to become self-sufficient in the generation of
oxygen for their needs and, thereby, reducing the burden on the medical oxygen
supply grid across the country.
2)It was emphasised that each district of the country
should have at least 1 PSA plant from PM-CARES support at the public health
facilities. Accordingly, 4,135 PSA plants are being established in the country,
which enhances the oxygen generation capacity by 4,852 MT, as per details
below. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has developed and shared
the guidelines on indicative norms for setting up oxygen plants in all health
facilities on 6 July 2021 with the states.
3)Oxygen Concentrators: A total of 1,13,186 oxygen
concentrators have been procured by the Government for Covid management, i.e.,
99,186 under PM-CARES through ONGC for use in rural areas; and 14,000 under
Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP) support. All these domestically
procured concentrators have already been allocated to states/UTs. Moreover,
states have been advised to promptly issue oxygen concentrators to districts
with details of consignee points and promptly enter data pertaining to the
receipt of oxygen concentrators at the district level on the OC-MIS portal
(OxyCare MIS Portal)
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
17)Consider the following about Co-WIN :
1)The history of vaccines and vaccinations in India takes
us back to 1802 when the first dose of vaccine was registered for smallpox.
2) Tracing the medical history of the vaccines during
those times was a rigorous task. However, in the contemporary scenario, we have
substantially progressed in the digital journey, and most medical science
searches are a ‘click’ away.
3)Also, even before Covid arrived, India had laid down
the strategy for mass vaccination as year-long programs were running for
several other diseases.
4)Over the years, the government focused on digital
health service delivery by imbibing the basic philosophy of “Antyodaya”.
However, the need for end-to-end digitisation in the vaccination process was
felt as this was the only way to achieve herd immunity during the pandemic.
While many economies had to develop a model from scratch, India was in a
comfortable position. Thanks to the Government’s vision of the JAM trinity, the
critical challenge was addressed in a time-bound manner through Co-WIN (Covid
Vaccine Intelligence Network) in implementing the National Covid-19 Vaccination
Programme
4)Co-WIN has been developed as an extension of the eVIN
(electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) platform. A comprehensive cloud-based
IT solution for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating Covid-19
vaccination in India, the Co-WIN system provided an end-to-end solution with
utilities for the entire public health system. The dual interface of the open
platform made it scalable across citizen and administrator-centric services. To
ensure accountability and transparency in supply chains for vaccination, the
platform provided real-time stock tracking at the national, state, and district
levels (Government and Private). This further plugged the wastage of Covid-19
vaccines, which otherwise occurred pre-Co-WIN.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
18)Consider the following about PMMY :
1)Further, to provide loans on easier terms for income
generating activities, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was launched in
April 2015 to grant loans of up to Rs.10 lakh for income-generating
manufacturing, trading, and service sectors, including activities allied to
agriculture such as poultry, dairy, beekeeping, etc. Under PMMY, both term loan
and working capital requirements can be met. Loans are extended through Member
Lending Institutions (MLIs) viz; Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).
2)Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has created three
products namely ‘Shishu’ (loans up to Rs.50,000/-), ‘Kishore’ (loans above
Rs.50,000/ and up to Rs.5 lakh) and ‘Tarun’ (loans above Rs.5 lakh and up to
Rs.10 lakh) signify the stage of growth / development and funding needs of the
beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur and also provide a reference point for
the next phase of graduation / growth
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
19)Consider the following about GeoMGNREGA :
1) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act 2005 (MGNREGA) aims at enhancing the livelihood security of households in
rural areas of the country by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage
employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer
to do unskilled manual work. In case employment is not provided within 15 days
from the date of registration of the demand for work or the date from which
work has been demanded in case of advance applications, whichever is later, the
worker is entitled to a daily unemployment allowance.
2)Geo MGNREGA Phase-I was rolled out on 1 September 2016
for geotagging of all completed works which started before 1 November 2017,
under the scheme. GeoMGNREGA Phase-II was rolled out on 1 November 2017 and
under this phase, the geo-tagging of assets is carried out in three stages viz:
before initiation of work, during the work, and after completion of work.
3)More than 5.2 crore assets have been geo-tagged (as of
6 January 2023) and made available in the public domain.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
20)Consider the following :
1) The Government has accorded the highest priority to
improve the quality of life and enhance the ‘ease of living’ of people,
especially those living in rural areas.
2)On the 73rd Independence Day, 15 August 2019, the Jal
Jeevan Mission (JJM) was announced, to be implemented in partnership with
States, to provide tap water connection to every rural household and public
institutions in villages like schools, Anganwadi centres, ashram shalas (tribal
residential schools), health centres, Gram Panchayat building, etc., by 2024.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
21)Consider the following about Mission Amrit Sarovar
:
1)Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on National Panchayati
Raj Day on 24 April 2022 with the objective to conserve water for the future.
2)The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75
water bodies in each district of the country during this Amrit Varsh, 75th
Years of Independence.
3)So far, against the initial target of 50,000 Amrit
Sarovar, a total of more than 93,291 Amrit Sarovar sites have been identified
and works have commenced on more than 54,047 sites. Out of these commenced
works, a total of more than 27,071 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed so far
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
22)Consider the following about SVAMIVA :
1)SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with
Improvised Technology in Village Areas) is a Central Sector Scheme launched on
24April 2020, the National Panchayati Raj Day.
2)The scheme aims to provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to
village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas.
3) The scheme covers multifarious aspects viz.
facilitating monetization of properties and enabling bank loans; reducing
property-related disputes; comprehensive villagelevel planning, which would be
the stepping-stone towards achieving Gram Swaraj in the true sense and making
rural India Atmanirbhar
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
23)Consider the following about Andman and Nicobar Islands and connection with Netaji
Bose
:
1)In December, 1943 at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands,
Netaji Bose unfurled the Tricolour flag
2)Azad Hind Fauj Bridge is 1.45 KM long and run over
Humphrey Strait Creek in the Andman and Nicobar islands. It connects North,
Middle, and South Andman
3)In 2018 PM Modi renamed Ross Island in the Union
Territory of Andman and Nicobar as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep .
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
24)Consider the following Fiscal federalism :
1)Fiscal federalism refers to fiscal relations between
vrious government units, which in the Indian context means the Union Government
and the State Governments.
2)Article 246 , Article 246A and the VII Schedule of the
Indian Constitution delineate taxation powers between the Centre and States.
3) But the distribution of fiscal power has a centripetal
bias with more buoyant tax areas assigned to the Union. The State Governments,
on the other hand, have more expenditure responsibilities for providing core
public services.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
25)Consider the following about 5G communications
:
1)5G is expected to bring an average data rate of 100 megabits
per second and promises to go up to 20 gigabits per second.
2) 5th Generation of the mobile network, or 5G
is the latest global standard for wireless communications.
3) Every few years, a new generation of mobile
communications takes shape and is described as 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G networks, and so
on.
4)Each of these networks, brings higher data transfer
speeds and lower latency rates - the
time it takes for data to transfer or download.
5) 5G network will
bring about a wider proliferation of IoT-enabled devices.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
26)Consider the following about MPI
:
1)Multidimensional poverty measures are hence used to
create a more comprehensive picture. It reveals who is poor and how they are
poor and the range of different deprivations experienced by them.
2)One such measure is the United Nations Development
Programme’s (UNDP) global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) which measures
acute multidimensional poverty across more than 100 developing countries. The
methodology involves measuring each person’s overlapping deprivations across 10
indicators in three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and
standard of living.
3)The health and education dimensions are based on two
indicators each, while the standard of living is based on six indicators. All
the indicators needed to construct the MPI for a country are taken from the
same household survey.
4)Each indicator is equally weighted within its
dimension, so the health and education indicators are weighted 1/6 each, and
the standard of living indicators are weighted 1/18 each.
5)The MPI ranges from 0 to 1, and higher values imply
higher multidimensional poverty.
6)The MPI complements
the international US$ 1.90-a-day poverty line by identifying who is multidimensionally poor and shows the
composition of multidimensional poverty.
7)The 2022 report of the UNDP on MPI was released in
October 2022 and covers 111 developing countries.
8)As regards India, the survey data for 2019-21 has been
used. Based on these estimates, 16.4 per cent of the population in India
(228.9 million people in 2020) is multidimensionally poor while an additional
18.7per cent is classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty (260.9
million people in 2020).
9)The intensity of deprivation in India, which is the
average deprivation score among people living in multidimensional poverty, is 42
per cent. The MPI value, which is the share of the population that is
multidimensionally poor adjusted by the intensity of the deprivations, is
0.069.
10)The report also compares multidimensional poverty with
monetary poverty measured by the percentage of the population living below the
2011 PPP of US$1.90 per day. It shows that monetary poverty does not present
the complete picture. The headcount or incidence of multidimensional
poverty is 6.1 percentage points lower than the incidence of monetary poverty.
This implies that individuals living below the monetary poverty line may have
access to non-income resources.
The findings of the report suggest that in India, 41.5
crore people exited poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21, demonstrating that the
SDG target 1.2 of reducing at least by half the proportion of men, women, and
children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to
national definitions by 2030 is possible to achieve
11)The poorest states and groups (children, lower castes
and those living in rural areas) reduced poverty the fastest in absolute terms,
although the data do not reflect post-Covid-19 pandemic changes. Among the
multidimensionally poor, deprivation prevalence declined across deprivation
categories
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
27)Consider the following about Aspirational Districts
Programme (ADP):
1)The Government of India launched the ‘Transformation of
Aspirational Districts’ (Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)) initiative in
January 2018 with a vision of a New India by 2022 wherein the focus is to raise
living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth of all in the
burgeoning economy.
2)The districts are prodded and encouraged first to catch
up with the best district of their state, and subsequently aspire to become one
of the best in the country, by competing with and learning from others in the
spirit of competitive and cooperative federalism.
3) 117 Aspirational Districts (ADs) across 28
States/UTs have been identified by NITI Aayog based upon composite
indicators ranging from health and nutrition, education, agriculture, and water
resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure
which have an impact on HDI. The broad contours of the programme are Convergence
(of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal
Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts through
monthly delta ranking; all driven by a mass movement
4)With States as the main drivers, this programme focuses
on the strength of each district, identifying low-hanging fruits for immediate
improvement and measuring progress by ranking districts every month. The
ranking is based on the incremental progress made across 49 Key Performance
Indicators (KPI) under five broad socio-economic themes mentioned above.
5)NITI Aayog has developed a broad template for the
formulation of district plans. Since different districts have different
opportunities and challenges, they have been advised to customise the template.
6)A primer comprising steps to be taken to improve each of the indicators,
compiled from the inputs received from respective Ministries, has also been
developed with the help of Central Ministries and the States and shared with
district administration
7)The programme monitors progress across five focus
sectors. All districts have made significant improvements across different
indicators for instance, under Health and Nutrition, 46 districts have improved
by up to 45 per cent, and 23 districts have improved by up to 69 per cent in
critical indicators related to pregnant women’s health which have a bearing on
the Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates such as frequency and coverage of
antenatal care check-ups; regularity of supplementary nutrition intake by pregnant
women, and timely Anaemia detection and treatment rate. Under education, 46
districts have improved by up to 34 per cent, and 29 districts have improved by
up to 49 per cent in critical indicators which affect learning outcomes
attained by students such as the percentage of elementary schools complying
with Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE) specified Pupil-Teacher Ratio;
percentage of schools with functional drinking water facility and percentage of
schools with functional girls’ toilets
8)While monitoring the outcome of financial inclusion, it
was seen that ADs have performed better than non-aspirational districts. This
means more people have access to bank accounts, more have been covered under
the fold of government insurance schemes and more can secure MUDRA loans in
ADs.
9)Several ADs have reported saturation in the basic
infrastructure indicators like the percentage of households with electricity
connection; percentage of habitations withaccess to all-weather roads under
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY); cumulative number of kilometres of
all-weather road work completed as a percentage of total sanctioned kilometres
in the district under PMGSY; and percentage of households with individual
household washrooms, etc.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
28)Consider the following about Mission Utkarsh :
1)The ADP has emerged as a template for good governance,
especially in remote and difficult areas.
2)At present, two programmes have been conceptualised
along the lines of ADP design, one is ‘Mission
Utkarsh’ and the other is ‘Aspirational Blocks Programme’ (ABP).
3)On 22 January 2022, ‘Mission Utkarsh’ was launched,
under which 15 Central Ministries, having an interface with the public, have
identified their low performing 10-15 districts. Following the ADP template,
the Ministries have launched actions to bring these districts at par with an
average district in the state in one year and close to the all-India average in
another.
4)The Central Government and States have come together to
use the ADP template to identify backward blocks and use similar data
monitoring and competition-based programme to improve the most under-developed
blocks in the country. In order to further strengthen this initiative, 500 most
backward blocks across States and UTs have been identified for rapid
development.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
29)Consider the following
about Central Labout Laws - 4 Labour Codes:
1)In 2019 and 2020, 29 Central Labour Laws were
amalgamated, rationalised, and simplified into four Labour Codes, viz., the
Code on Wages, 2019 (August 2019), the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the
Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health &
Working Conditions Code, 2020 (September 2020).
2)The new laws are in tune with the changing labour
market trends and, at the same time, accommodate the minimum wage requirement
and welfare needs of the unorganised sector workers, including the
self-employed and migrant workers, within the legislation framework.
3)The Labour Codes have been aligned with the present
economic scenario and technological advancements along with reduction in
multiplicity of definitions and authorities.
4)The Codes also ease compliance mechanism aiming to
promote ease of doing business/setting up of enterprises and catalyse creation
of employment opportunities while ensuring safety, health and social security
of every worker.
5)Use of technology, such as, web-based Inspection has
been introduced in order to ensure transparency and accountability in
enforcement. Decriminalisation of minor offences has also been provided in the
Labour Codes
6)Rules made under the Codes have been entrusted to
Central Government, State Government and at appropriate level. There is a
requirement for pre-publication of Rules in their official Gazettes for public
consultation.
7)As of 13 December 2022, 31 States also have
prepublished the draft rules under the Code on Wages, 28 States under
Industrial Relations Code, 28 States under Code on Social Security, and 26
States under Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
30)Consider the following about labour codes :
1)The Code on Wages, 2019
2) The Industrial Relations Code, 2020
3) The Code on Social Security, 2020
4) The Occupational Safety Health and working Conditions
Code, 2020
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
31)Consider the following about e-Shram portal :
1)The Central
Government has been working on improving life and dignity of labour
force of country by protecting and safeguarding the interest of workers,
promoting their welfare and providing social security both in organised and
unorganised sectors.
2)Accordingly, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE)
has developed eShram portal for creating a National database of unorganised
workers, which is verified with Aadhaar. It captures details of workers like
name, occupation, address, occupation type, educational qualification, and
skill types etc., for the optimum realisation of their employability and extend
the benefits of the social security schemes to them. It is the first-ever
national database of unorganised workers, including migrant workers,
construction workers, gig and platform workers, etc.
3)Currently, e-Shram portal has been linked to NCS portal
and ASEEM portal for seamless facilitation of services.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
32)Consider the following about eShram portal
registrations :
1)As on 31 December 2022, total over 28.5 crore
unorganised workers have been registered on eShram portal.
2)Female registrations stood at 52.8 per cent of the
total and 61.7 per cent oftotal registrations belonged to the age group 18-40
years.
3)State-wise, Uttar Pradesh (29.1 per cent), Bihar (10.0
per cent), and West Bengal (9.0 per cent) accounted for nearly half of total
registrations.
4)Agriculture sector workers contributed to 52.4 per cent
of the total registrations, followed by domestic and household workers (9.8 per
cent), and construction workers (9.1 per cent).
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
33)Consider the following about Aadhaar:
1)Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number
provides a digital identity to the residents of India and ensures
authentication.
2)It connects the Government and the individual,
replacing the disentangled web of multiple IDs for multiple purposes, and
secures the social contract between the State and the Citizen. It is because of
the initiative taken in 2010 that today, the nation is consistently building
and strengthening a digital economy which will ultimately give a global
competitive advantage in how money and goods move around the country over its
competitors.
3)Paul Romer, a Nobel laureate and former World Bank
Chief Economist, has described what 135 crore citizens of India, which is 94
per cent of the population and 100 per cent of the adult (>18 years), have
as “the most sophisticated ID programme in the world.” Aadhaar provides a
conclusive connection
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
34)Consider the following about Aadhaar :
1)Aadhaar is an essential tool for social delivery by the
State. 318 Central schemes and over 720 state DBT schemes are notified under
section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and all these schemes use Aadhaar for
targeted delivery of financial services, subsidies, and benefits.
2)Aadhaar is the foundation of India’s digital
integration, as shown by the following statistics (as of November 2022):
3)Aadhaar Generated- 135.2 crore registrations
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
35)Consider the following
about DBT :
1)Aadhaar – Usage in DBT: When linked with a bank
account, an Aadhaar becomes the ‘Financial Address’ of an individual, which
helps to accomplish the country’s goal of financial inclusion.
2)The Aadhaar number is sufficient to transfer any
payment to an individual’s bank account through Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB),
thus eliminating the need to give other details, viz. the bank account, IFSC
Code, and bank branch details to the Government/ Institutions
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
36)Consider the following about AEPS :
1)Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems (AEPS): AEPS helps an
individual to do basic banking transactions, viz. withdrawal, cash deposit,
transfer of funds from his bank account, etc., by simply using his Aadhaar. 2)This
has immensely facilitated providing door-step banking services and helped
mitigate the hardships of the people due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
37)Consider the following JAM :
1)JAM (Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) trinity, combined
with the power of DBT, has brought the marginalised sections of society into
the formal financial system, revolutionising the path of transparent and
accountable governance by empowering the people.
2) Till November 2022, multiple large central schemes,
including PAHAL, MGNREGS, etc., have paid over Rs.7,66,055.9 crore through over
1,010 crore successful transactions
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
38)Consider the following about ONORC:
1)One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme: Aadhaar has
played a key role in the implementation of the ONORC Scheme.
2)While Aadhaar seeding of the PDS database has resulted
in significant savings due to eliminating ghost and duplicate beneficiaries.
Grain disbursal through Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication has brought
meaningful transparency and back-office improvement of the logistic network of
PDS.
3)Free distribution of food grains under ‘Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Yojana’ (PMGKY) has greatly mitigated the Covid pandemic’s impact,
especially for the weakest and most vulnerable sections of society.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
39)Consider the following about PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
:
1)PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: Aadhaar platform forms the
backbone for the implementation of this scheme.
2) Aadhaar is used
right from registration through Aadhaar eKYC to DBT through the APB.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
40)Consider the following about Co-WIN :
1)Co-WIN: Successful management of the Covid pandemic
without the Co-WIN platform would not have been possible.
2) Aadhaar played a vital role in developing the Co-WIN
platform and in the transparent administration of over 2 billion vaccine doses.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
41)Consider the following about Jeevan Praman:
1)Face Authentication: The use of face as an additional
modality of authentication is increasing.
2)This has helped, especially the elderly, to get ‘Jeevan
Praman’ through their smartphones to avail of pension.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
42)Consider the following UIDAI:
1)The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is
mandated to develop the policy, procedure, and system for issuing an Aadhaar
number to each resident individual and performing authentication.
2)It also has the responsibility to take necessary
measures to ensure that the information stored in the Central Identities Data
Repository (CIDR) is secured and protected against unauthorised access or
misuse
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
43)Consider the following about Labour market :
1)Employment trends can be studied from the supply side
of labour through household surveys such as the PLFS conducted by the Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), and the demand side of
labour through enterprise or establishment surveys such as the Annual Survey of
Industries (ASI) by MoSPI, Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) by Labour Bureau,
etc. These enable a complete view of the labour market and the trends therein.
2)The broad-based improvement in employment indicators
can be observed in data covering both the supply side and demand side of the
labour market.
3)Labour markets have recovered beyond pre-Covid levels,
in both urban and rural areas, with unemployment rates falling from 5.8 per
cent in 2018-19 to 4.2 per cent in 2020-21, and a noticeable rise in rural
FLFPR from 19.7 per cent in 2018-19 to 27.7 per cent in 2020-21.
4)More recent urban employment data shows progress beyond
pre-pandemic levels as the unemployment rate declined from 8.3 per cent in
July-September 2019 to 7.2 per cent in July-September 2022.
5)The net addition to EPFO payroll is steadily moving
upward, with the majority share coming from the youth. Employment in nine major
sectors has increased by 10 lakh over the year 2021-22 as per the QES.
6)Employment in the organised manufacturing sector has
also been rising over the years, as per the ASI 2019-20 data. The steady
increase in employment levels can be attributed to multiple measures taken to
cushion the impact of Covid-19 on MSMEs street vendors, and manufacturing units
and provide job opportunities through various targeted schemes and measures as
detailed in later in the chapter. The trends in employment on the supply and
demand side, as available from various data sources, are presented
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
44)Consider the following about LFPR:
1)As per usual status, the labour force participation
rate (LFPR), worker population ratio (WPR) and unemployment rate (UR) in PLFS
2020-21(July-June) have improved for both males and females in both rural and
urban areas compared to PLFS 2019-20 and 2018-19.
2)According to the PLFS, LFPR is the percentage of
working-age population engaged in work or making tangible efforts to seek
‘work’ or being available for ‘work’ if it is available.
3) ‘Work’ includes self-employment (subsistence
agriculture and collection of firewood, poultry farming, etc, for
self-consumption), regular wage/salaried employment, and casual labour.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
45)Consider the following about LFPR :
1)The common narrative of Indian women’s low LFPR misses
the reality of working females integral to the economy of the household and the
country.
2) Measurement of employment through the survey design
and content can make a significant difference to final LFPR estimates, and this
matters more for measuring female LFPR than male LFPR. 3)Here, three main
measurement issues have been highlighted: overly broad categories, reliance on
a single question to categorize labour force status, and the narrow approach of
limiting productive work to labour force participation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
46)Consider the following about Self-Help Groups
(SHGs):
1)The Self-Help Groups (SHGs) movement, based on the
principles of group solidarity and microfinance, has existed in India for 50
years in one form or another, with its roots tracing back to the formation of
the Self-Employed Women’s Association in 1972.
2)The transformative potential of SHGs, exemplified
through their key role in the on-ground response to Covid-19, has served as the
fulcrum of rural development through women empowerment.
3)India has around 1.2 crore SHGs, 88 per cent being
all-women SHGs. Success stories include Kudumbashree in Kerala, Jeevika in
Bihar, Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahila Mandal in Maharashtra, and recently, Looms of
Ladakh.
4)The SHG Bank Linkage Project (SHG-BLP), launched in
1992, has blossomed into the world’s largest microfinance project. The SHG
movement, now in its 30th year, has emerged as a powerful intervention to cover
the small and marginalised sections.
5)Currently, bank-linked SHGs are promoted through
Central Government, State Governments, NGOs, etc.
6)They must practice the ‘Panchasutra’ of regular
meetings, regular savings, regular inter-loaning, timely repayment and
up-to-date books of accounts to avail of loans from banks. With the active
collaboration of stakeholders, the SHG-BLP covers 14.2 crore families through 119
lakh SHGs with savings deposits of Rs.47,240.5 crore and 67 lakh groups with
collateral-free loans outstanding of Rs.1,51,051.3 crore, as on 31 March 2022.
7)The number of SHGs credit linked has grown at a CAGR of
10.8 per cent during the last ten years (FY13 to FY22), while credit
disbursement per SHG has grown at a CAGR of 5.7 per cent during the same
period. Notably, SHGs’ bank repayment is more than 96 per cent, underscoring
their credit discipline and reliability
8)A SHG is a socially and economically homogenous group
of up to 20 persons, formed voluntarily for the collective purpose of savings
and credit, with no insistence on collateral for loans and end usage of credit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
47)Consider the following about ABRY :
1)The swift rebound of formal sector payroll addition can
be attributed to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), launched in
October 2020 to boost the economy, increase the employment generation in post
Covid-19 recovery phase, and to incentivise creation of new employment along
with social security benefits and restoration of employment lost during the
pandemic.
2)As on 7 January 2023, total registration under the
scheme is 75.1 lakh, and total benefits of Rs.8,210 crore have been given to
60.2 lakh beneficiaries through 1.5 lakh establishments.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. a
48)Consider the following about MGNREGS:
1)The number of works done under MGNREGS has steadily
increased over the years, with 85 lakh completed works in FY22 and 70.6 lakh
completed works so far in FY23 (as on 9 January 2023).
2)Regarding the composition of works, the share of “works
done on individual’s land” (included in the permissible work list in 2009 and
expanded since then) has increased from 16 per cent of the total completed
works in FY15 to 73 per cent in FY22.
3)These works include creating household assets such as
animal sheds, farm ponds, dug wells, horticulture plantations, vermicomposting
pits etc., in which the beneficiary gets both labour and material costs as per
standard rates.
4)Empirically, within a short span of 2-3 years, these
assets have been observed to have a significant positive impact on agricultural
productivity, production-related expenditure, and income per household, along
with a negative association with migration and fall in indebtedness, especially
from non-institutional sources. This has long-term implications for aiding
income diversification and infusing resilience into rural livelihoods.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
49)Consider the following
about NCS:
1)The ‘National Career Service (NCS’)project was launched
in July 2015, as a one-stop solution providing an array of employment and
career-related services.
2)It works towards bridging the gap between candidates
and employers; candidates seeking training and career guidance and agencies
providing training and career counselling.
3)NCS portal has a job fair module to streamline the
process of job fair activity on a single online platform by engaging all
stakeholders i.e. model career centres, nodal officers, job seekers and
employers.
4) It is also supported by a dedicated helpline
(multi-lingual) for assisting users. As on 5 January 2023, 2.8 crore jobseekers
and 6.8 lakh employers have registered in NCS portal, 2.5 lakh active vacancies
and 1.2 crore total vacancies have been mobilised, and more than 9,100 job
fairs have been organised as part of the Project
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
50)Consider the following about UN SDG (SDG4):
1)Education, apart from enhancing the employability of
the working-age population, also has an equalising impact in breaking the
cycles of poverty and social marginalisation.
2)“QualityEducation” which is enlisted as Goal 4 under UN
SDGs (SDG4), aims to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.
3)This goal is of critical importance because of the
transformative effects that it can have on most other SDGs, such as “no
poverty”, “zero hunger”, “gender equality” etc.
4)Sustainable development, in fact, hinges on every child
receiving quality education, offering them the tools to develop to their full
potential and become productive citizens aiding their own socioeconomic
progress and that of their nation.
5)It is in this context that the NEP 2020 was laid down
as the first education policy of the 21st century, aiming to address the many growing
developmental imperatives of the country.
6)Recognising that education is the lifeblood of human
capital formation for a young country like India, this policy provided for the
revision and revamping of all aspects of the education structure. This includes
its regulation and governance, creation of a new system that is aligned with
the aspirational goals of 21st century-education, including SDG4, while
building upon India’s traditions and value systems.
7)The NEP provides for nurturing all-around development
and skill acquisition by youth in an inclusive, accessible, and multilingual
set-up.
8)As part of the whole-of-ecosystem approach, the Union
Government launched Samagra Shiksha in 2018 as an overarching programme for the
school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII with an aim to
ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school
education
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer. a
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