September 03-2024 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has indeed been rebranded as the Digital Bharat Nidhi under the Telecommunications Act of 2024.
• Aim to enhance the management and implementation of the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The new rules prioritize improving telecom services in underserved and remote areas, not in urban and well-connected areas.
• The rules outline the administrator’s powers and the criteria for implementing and managing funds for the schemes and projects under the Digital Bharat Nidhi.

Statement 3 is correct

• The rules mandate that implementers receiving funds must provide telecommunication services on an open and non-discriminatory basis.
• The rules encourage innovation, indigenous technology development, and sustainable practices, fostering collaboration between academia, research institutes, start-ups, and industry.

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Option 1, 2, 4 and 5 are correct

• The conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to widespread destruction, displacement, and severe humanitarian crises.
• Chad shares a long western border with Sudan.
• Ethiopia shares an eastern border with Sudan.
• Nigeria does not border Sudan; it is located further west, separated by Chad.
• Libya shares a northern border with Sudan.
• Eritrea shares Eastern border with Sudan

Answer: (c) Only four; Difficulty Level: Hard

Correct

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Operation Kaveri refers to India’s recent evacuation mission aimed at bringing back its citizens who were stranded in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
• The operation was launched to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals from the crisis-hit country.

Option (a) is incorrect

• India’s disaster relief efforts in Sri Lanka are unrelated to Operation Kaveri. However, India has extended help to Sri Lanka in the past during natural disasters, but these were under different operations.

Option (b) is incorrect

• India’s evacuation mission from Ukraine, known as Operation Ganga, was a separate effort carried out in 2022 to evacuate Indian citizens from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Option (c) is incorrect

• India’s humanitarian aid to Nepal usually involves disaster relief efforts, particularly after the 2015 earthquake, under different operation names.

Answer: (d) India’s evacuation effort to bring back citizens stranded in Sudan; Difficulty Level: Hard

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The Livestock Census, started in 1919, is conducted every five years.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Livestock Census is conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying in collaboration with both State Governments and UT Administrations, not just the Union Government.

Statement 3 is correct

• The 20th Livestock Census recorded a total livestock population of 536 million, which represents a 4.6% increase from the 2012 census.

Statement 4 is correct

• Uttar Pradesh has the highest livestock population as observed in the latest census.

Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Correct

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): RKVY, launched in 2007, focuses on holistic development by incentivizing public investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
• The scheme encourages states to boost public investment in agriculture and related sectors.

Option (a) is incorrect

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): This scheme provides crop insurance to farmers against losses due to unforeseen events but does not focus on overall agricultural investment.

Option (c) is incorrect

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): This scheme is specifically aimed at promoting organic farming but does not cover the broader scope of agricultural and allied sector investment.

Option (d) is incorrect

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): This scheme targets the enhancement of the production of certain crops but does not encompass the wider agricultural development focus described.

Answer: (b) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY; Difficulty Level: Easy

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The mission actually aims to establish Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the agricultural sector by 2025-26, not 2030.
• Moreover, it is designed to enhance the entire agricultural sector, not just urban farming practices.
• The mission draws parallels to other government e-governance initiatives, such as Aadhaar and UPI, indicating its broad and inclusive scope, far beyond just urban agriculture.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The mission’s goal is to digitally identify 11 crore farmers across the nation by 2025-26, rather than farmers in rainfed farming regions.
• This nationwide implementation reflects the mission’s comprehensive approach, ensuring that a significant portion of India’s farming community is integrated into the digital framework.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• AgriStack, a major component of the mission, is not limited to tracking livestock data.
• Instead, it involves a broad array of digital tools and registries, such as the Farmer’s Registry, Geo-Referenced Village Maps, and the Crop Sown Registry.
• These tools are designed to track and manage various aspects of agriculture, including farmers’ land, crop data, and soil information, making AgriStack a comprehensive system for supporting digital agriculture.

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The SDG India Index is developed and released by NITI Aayog, which is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. NITI Aayog is responsible for formulating and monitoring the progress of various development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and thus manages the SDG India Index.
• The SDG India Index, created by NITI Aayog, assesses the progress of India and its states/UTs towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Notably, Goal 14, which pertains exclusively to the nine coastal states, is excluded from the Index’s composite score calculation.
• The Index utilizes 113 indicators that are aligned with the National Indicator Framework. It involves normalizing data, setting target values for 2030, and calculating scores from 0 to 100 for each goal, with the composite score being an average of these goal scores.
• A comprehensive methodology is used, including data normalization and target setting for 2030.
• The SDG India Index underscores the importance of adapting SDGs to local contexts and involving states and UTs as vital stakeholders. It encourages collaborative competition among states to address performance gaps.
• NITI Aayog is committed to assisting states and UTs in advancing SDG progress, with the goal of achieving a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

Option (a) is incorrect

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is involved in environmental and climate-related policies but is not responsible for the SDG India Index.

Option (c) is incorrect

• The Planning Commission, which was responsible for planning and development before its dissolution, does not handle the SDG India Index. It was replaced by NITI Aayog.

Option (d) is incorrect

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is involved in statistical data and program implementation but does not release the SDG India Index.

Answer: (b) National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog; Difficulty Level: Easy

Correct

Explanation

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

• Established in 2008 under the Department of Posts within the Ministry of Communication, IPPB is wholly owned by the Government of India.
• Prior to its full-scale launch, IPPB was introduced as a pilot project in 2017 in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh) to utilize the postal network for extending banking services to more people, especially in underserved areas.
• IPPB offers a range of banking services designed to meet diverse needs.
  • It provides zero balance savings and current accounts tailored for both individuals and businesses.
  • Customers can benefit from secure domestic money transfer and remittance services, as well as the direct transfer of government benefits to their accounts. The bank also facilitates utility bill payments for electricity, water, and gas.
  • For businesses, IPPB delivers efficient solutions for enterprise and merchant payments.
  • Utilizing the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), customers can access banking services and make payments using Aadhaar authentication.
  • Additionally, IPPB offers virtual debit cards for secure digital transactions and various insurance products through partnerships.
  • Pensioners can use the Digital Life Certificate service to submit life certificates electronically, while cash management services are available for corporate and government bodies.

Answer: (a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1; Difficulty Level: Easy

Correct

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Niveshak Didi is India’s first floating financial literacy camp, aimed at enhancing financial literacy among women in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
• The initiative is a collaboration between IPPB and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Option (b) is incorrect

• Financial Empowerment Initiative does not specifically refer to the floating financial literacy camp in Srinagar.

Option (c) is incorrect

• Women’s Financial Literacy Outreach suggests a focus on women’s financial literacy, it does not accurately represent the floating camp initiative in Srinagar.

Option (d) is incorrect

• EmpowerHer Finance Program does not specifically describe the floating financial literacy camp in Srinagar.

Answer: (a) Niveshak didi; Difficulty Level: Easy