December 10-11 2023 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Questions

• The questions below are based on PMF IAS Daily Current Affairs – December 2023.

Q1. {MEITY – Initiatives} Consider the following statements:

1. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence is built around a shared commitment to the United Nations recent Recommendations on AI.
2. India is a Founding Member of Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
3. Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI (YUVAi), is a collaborative initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Intel India.
4. YUVAi aims to equip Undergraduate Students nationwide with AI skills and empower them as human-centric designers and users of AI.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Q2. {IE – Industry} Consider the following statements:

1. Ola/Uber Riders, Swiggy/Zomato Delivery Agents are examples of Gig Workers.
2. A part-time professor in an institution can be classified as a Platform Worker.
3. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, the state governments have power to frame welfare schemes for the workers in the unorganised sector for Social Security Benefits. Recently passed Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023, is an example of this.
4. Platform workers can claim the benefits provided under the Social Security Code as well as labour rights.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. All

Q3. {Vulnerable Sections – Tribes} Consider the following Statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups:

1. Economic Backwardness is one of the criteria that’s considered for identifying PVTGs.
2. Dhebar Commission was the First to coin the term Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
3. According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
4. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) is a Central Sector Scheme to Uplift Socio-Economic Conditions of PVTGs.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only Three
4. All

Q4. {Agri – Schemes} Consider the following statements:

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is The Largest crop insurance scheme in terms of farmer participation and the premium.
2. The PMFBY scheme is mandatory for all farmers.
3. GoI’s share in premium subsidy is 50% for all the Indian States.
4. As a feature of its Holistic Coverage, it covers weather-based risks as well as Price risks.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Q5. {Envi – UNFCCC} The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

1. Pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East.
2. Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change.
3. Capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
4. Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals.

Q6. {IE – Banking} Consider the following statements:

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct ?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

Questions with their Answers and Explanation.

Q1. {MEITY – Initiatives} Consider the following statements:

1. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence is built around a shared commitment to the United Nations recent Recommendations on AI.
2. India is a Founding Member of Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
3. Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI (YUVAi), is a collaborative initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Intel India.
4. YUVAi aims to equip Undergraduate Students nationwide with AI skills and empower them as human-centric designers and users of AI.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence is a multi–stakeholder initiative bridging the gap between AI theory and practice through research and applied activities on AI priorities.
• It will bring experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to promote the responsible evolution of AI.
• It is built around a shared commitment to the OECD Recommendation on AI.
• Initially, it will work on Four Themes:
  • Responsible AI
  • Data Governance
  • Future of Work
  • Innovation and Commercialisation

Statement 2 is correct

• GPAIs founding members are Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, the UK and the US.
• Launched in 2020 with 15 members, GPAI’s membership now includes 28 countries and the EU.
• India became the Council Chair of the GPAI in November 2022 after France.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• YUVAi is a collaborative initiative of the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Intel India.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• YUVAi is designed to equip the youth with essential AI skills to enable a future-ready workforce.
• It aims to equip students (class 8-12) nationwide with AI skills and empower them as human-centric designers and users of AI.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q2. {IE – Industry} Consider the following statements:

1. Ola/Uber Riders, Swiggy/Zomato Delivery Agents are examples of Gig Workers.
2. A part-time professor in an institution can be classified as a Platform Worker.
3. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, the state governments have power to frame welfare schemes for the workers in the unorganised sector for Social Security Benefits. Recently passed Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023, is an example of this.
4. Platform workers can claim the benefits provided under the Social Security Code as well as labour rights.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only three
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Social Security Code,2020, defines a Platform Worker as “a person engaged in or undertaking platform work”.
• Section 2(55) of the Code defines platform work as “A form of employment in which organisations or individuals use an online platform to access other organisations or individuals to solve specific problems or to provide specific services in exchange for payment”.
• Examples of platform workers include Ola or Uber drivers, Swiggy or Zomato delivery agents, etc.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Code on Social Security, 2020 [Section 2(35)] defines a Gig Worker as ‘a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationships.’
• Freelancers, contingent workers, independent contractors, etc. can come under the umbrella of gig workers.
• Even a part-time professor teaching in an Institution can be classified as a gig worker.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The code provides for social security benefits to unorganized workers including gig and platform workers. Under the code, the Central Government has the power to frame welfare schemes for the workers in the unorganised sector for:
  • Accidental insurance
  • Life and disability cover
  • Old age protection
  • Health and maternity benefits
  • Creche
  • Any other benefit the Central Government may decide.

• The Code states the provision of basic welfare measures as a joint responsibility of the Central government, platform aggregators, and workers. However, it does not state which stakeholder is responsible for delivering what quantum of welfare.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Platform workers can claim the benefits provided under the Social Security Code but cannot claim labour rights.

Answer: (d) All | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q3. {Vulnerable Sections – Tribes} Consider the following Statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups:

1. Economic Backwardness is one of the criteria that’s considered for identifying PVTGs.
2. Dhebar Commission was the First to coin the term Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
3. According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
4. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) is a Central Sector Scheme to Uplift Socio-Economic Conditions of PVTGs.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. Only Three
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Criteria followed for identification of PVTGs are:
  • Pre-agricultural level of technology
  • Low level of literacy
  • Economic backwardness
  • A declining or stagnant population

Statement 2 is incorrect

• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission set up a separate category for Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
• In 1975, the Centre identified 52 tribal groups as PTGs. In 1993, 23 more groups were added to the list.
• In 2006, these groups were named Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Statement 3 is correct

• Currently, 2.8 million PVTGs belong to 75 tribes across 18 states and UTs in India.
• According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana).
• The largest PVTG is Odisha’s Saura community, numbering 535,000.

  

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
  • To uplift the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • It’s a Centrally sponsored scheme where funding will be shared between Centre and States in the ratio of 64:36.
  • The scheme is in line with PM-PVTG Development Mission to improve the socio-economic conditions of the PVTGs.
• The scheme focuses on 11 Critical Interventions through 9 Ministries:
  • Housing
  • Drinking water and sanitation: Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G)
  • Education
  • Health and nutrition
  • Road connectivity
  • Telecom connectivity
  • Livelihood opportunities
  • Land rights
  • Social security
  • Cultural preservation
  • Institutional support

Answer: (b) Only Two | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q4. {Agri – Schemes} Consider the following statements:

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is The Largest crop insurance scheme in terms of farmer participation and the premium.
2. The PMFBY scheme is mandatory for all farmers.
3. GoI’s share in premium subsidy is 50% for all the Indian States.
4. As a feature of its Holistic Coverage, it covers weather-based risks as well as Price risks.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• PMFBY is in line with One Nation – One Scheme theme; incorporates the best features of all previous schemes & removes their shortcomings.
• It was formulated in line with the One Nation-One Scheme theme by replacing:
  • National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and
  • Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS).
• Expansive coverage: Largest crop insurance scheme in terms of farmer participation and the third largest in terms of the premium.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The scheme is optional for all farmers. (Before 2020, it was mandatory for farmers who have taken institutional loans).

Statement 3 is incorrect

• If the premium rate quoted by the Insurance Company is higher than the above rates, the difference will be paid by the State and GoI at 50% each in the form of premium subsidy.
• GoI’s share in premium subsidy is 90% for the North Eastern States.
• GoI’s premium subsidy is limited up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops (Before 2020, there was no upper limit for central subsidy).

Statement 4 is incorrect

• One of it’s major drawback is that it covers only weather–based risks and not Price risks (Market shocks).

Answer: (b) All | Difficulty Level: Medium

Q5. {Envi – UNFCCC} The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

1. Pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East.
2. Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change.
3. Capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
4. Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals.

Explanation

• Intended Nationally Determined Contributions is the term used under the UNFCCC for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in all countries that signed the Paris Agreement.
• At COP 21 countries across the globe publicly outlined the actions they intended to take under the international agreement. The contributions are in the direction to achieve the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement; “to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, and to achieve net zero emissions in the second half of this century.”

Answer: (b) Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change | Difficulty Level: Easy (Conceptual)

Q6. {IE – Banking} Consider the following statements:

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct ?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Schedule Commercial Bank contributes to about 70-80% share in agricultural and allied credit. Though co-operative institutions also play a significant role in providing finance to the agriculture sector which stands at 15-16%, hence not as much as Scheduled banks.

Statement 2 is correct

• In the three-tier structure, the lower level tiers, i.e. DCCB and PACS extend credit to individual borrowers using their own funds/deposits and claim to refinance from the upper tier, i.e. PACS from DCCB/State Cooperative Banks and DCCB from Commercial Banks.
• In the two-tier structure, PACS provides credit to individual borrowers and claim to refinance from State Cooperative Banks. In some cases, the State Cooperative Banks also extend credit to the individuals through its branches across the state.
• Additional Information about DCCBs:
  • The Board of the DCCB comprises elected Chairmen of PACS, representative of the State Government and the State Cooperative Bank apart from the CEO of the DCCB who would be the member secretary.
  • DCCBs provide funds directly either to PACs or to the farmers for excavation of wells, purchase of pump sets to horticulture, animal husbandry, and even rural transport like tractors and other farm equipment, etc.

Answer: (b) 2 Only | Difficulty Level: Easy