1. In the context of India’s tea industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- India is the largest producer of tea in the world.
- Darjeeling tea is known as the ‘Champagne of Teas’.
- Black tea accounts for 96 percent of India’s total tea exports.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:- Black Tea Exports: This statement is correct. Black tea constitutes a significant majority of India’s tea exports, making up 96 percent, which highlights its dominance in the global market.
- “India is the largest producer of tea in the world.” This statement is incorrect. Although India is one of the major tea producers globally and the largest producer of black tea, China is the world’s largest producer of overall tea.
- “Darjeeling tea is known as the ‘Champagne of Teas’.” This statement is correct. Darjeeling tea has earned the appellation “Champagne of Teas” because of its distinctive flavor and aroma, much like how champagne is celebrated in the wine world.
2. Regarding the concept of government borrowing and securities, consider the following statements:
- Government securities can have maturities ranging from 3 to 50 years.
- Sovereign green bonds are exclusively used for funding education projects.
- The Reserve Bank of India sets the Ways and Means Advances limit for government accounts.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Government securities can have maturities ranging from 3 to 50 years: This is correct. Government securities are issued with various maturities, from short-term to long-term.
- Sovereign green bonds are exclusively used for funding education projects: This is incorrect. Sovereign green bonds are used for financing environmentally sustainable projects, not limited to education.
- The Reserve Bank of India sets the Ways and Means Advances limit for government accounts: This is correct. The RBI does set the limit for Ways and Means Advances to manage government cash flow.
Thus, only two statements are correct.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the Bt Cotton:
- Cotton, also known as White Gold, accounts for roughly two-thirds of total textile fiber consumption in India.
- Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in the country by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in 2002.
- Bollgard-3 is a genetically modified cotton variety that contains multiple Bt proteins for pest resistance.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- Cotton, also known as White Gold, accounts for roughly two-thirds of total textile fiber consumption in India. Correct: Cotton, also known as White Gold, is an important cash crop in India and plays an important role in the Indian economy. Cotton accounts for roughly two-thirds of total textile fiber consumption in India.
- Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in the country by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in 2002. Correct: Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in the country by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in 2002.
- Bollgard-3 is a genetically modified cotton variety that contains multiple Bt proteins for pest resistance. Correct: Bollgard-3 is designed to combat specific pests, increasing cotton yield and resilience. It incorporates multiple Bt proteins, enhancing its effectiveness against various lepidopteran pests. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) like Bollgard-3 are subject to regulatory scrutiny before approval.
4. In the context of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The Public Accounts Committee is responsible for examining government expenditure and ensuring accountability.
- PAC consists of thirty members, all from Lok Sabha for a term of one year.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- The Public Accounts Committee is responsible for examining government expenditure and ensuring accountability. Correct: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays a crucial role in examining government expenditure and ensuring accountability. It reviews the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) and holds the government accountable for its financial decisions.
- PAC consists of thirty members, all from Lok Sabha for a term of one year. Incorrect: PAC consists of not more than twenty-two members, fifteen elected by Lok Sabha, and not more than seven members of Rajya Sabha. The members are elected every year from amongst its members of respective houses according to the principle of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
5. In the light of digital payment systems, consider the following statements:
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016.
- PayPal is an example of a digital wallet that allows users to make payments through UPI.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016: This is correct. UPI revolutionized digital payments in India.
- PayPal is an example of a digital wallet that allows users to make payments through UPI: This is incorrect. PayPal does not support UPI directly.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application: This is correct. Users can manage multiple accounts seamlessly.
Thus, two statements are correct.
6. With respect to PM SVANidhi, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Finance.
- It provides collateral-free working capital loans.
- The scheme is available only to beneficiaries from States/UTs that have notified rules and a scheme under the Street Vendors Act, 2014.
- An interest subsidy of 25% per annum is credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts for timely or early loan repayment.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only one
[B] Only Two
[C] Only three
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only Two]
Notes:- PM SVANidhi is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with the objectives of providing working capital loans, encouraging regular repayment, and promoting digital transactions.
- The scheme offers collateral-free loans and is available to beneficiaries from States/UTs that have notified rules and a scheme under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. However, street vendors from Meghalaya, which has its own State Street Vendors Act, are also eligible.
- It covers all street vendors operating in urban areas.
- Beneficiaries who repay loans on time or early receive an interest subsidy of 7% per annum, credited semi-annually to their bank accounts through direct benefit transfer.
7. Regarding Sufi literature and its components, consider the following statements:
- Maktubat are collections of letters written by Sufi masters to their disciples.
- Tazkiras are biographical accounts of saints, often glorifying their spiritual genealogies.
- Malfuzats were compiled over centuries and had didactic purposes.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- Maktubat are collections of letters written by Sufi masters to their disciples: Correct. They reflect the master’s spiritual insights and the life conditions of recipients.
- Tazkiras are biographical accounts of saints, often glorifying their spiritual genealogies: Correct. They serve to memorialize Sufi saints and establish the precedence of their orders.
- Malfuzats were compiled over centuries and had didactic purposes: Correct. They were intended to educate and guide followers in spiritual practices.
Thus, all three statements are correct.
8. Consider the following:
- Ibn Batuta traveled to India during the reign of Akbar
- Marco Polo’s accounts were primarily focused on the northern regions of India
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Ibn Batuta traveled to India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, not Akbar, who reigned later in the 16th century, thus making the first statement incorrect. Marco Polo’s travel experiences were mainly documented in China and Central Asia, with limited information on northern India, making the second statement also incorrect.
9. Consider the following:
- Maasir-i-Alamgiri
- Maasir-ul-Umara
- Fatu-hat-i-Alamgiri
Which of the above works provides detailed accounts of Aurangzeb’s reign?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
1. Maasir-i-Alamgiri is a historical text by Muhammad Saqi Mustaid Khan, focusing on Aurangzeb’s rule and policies. 2. Maasir-ul-Umara, authored by Shahnawaz Khan, offers a comprehensive account of the nobility and court life during Aurangzeb’s reign. 3. Fatu-hat-i-Alamgiri, written by Ishwardas Nagaur, details military campaigns and administrative aspects under Aurangzeb. 4. All three works provide valuable insights into the socio-political landscape of the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb’s time.
10. Consider the following pairs:
| Al-Biruni | Famous Persian scholar known for his work on India |
| Ibn Battuta | Noted for his travel accounts across the Islamic world |
| Fa-Hien | Chinese monk who traveled to India to study Buddhism |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Al-Biruni: He was a Persian scholar who made contributions to various fields, including history and geography, and is well-known for his detailed accounts of India in his work “Kitab al-Hind”. So, this pair is correct.
- Ibn Battuta: He is famous for his extensive travels across the Islamic world and beyond, documented in “Rihla”, making this pair correct as well.
- Fa-Hien: He was a Chinese monk who traveled to India in the 5th century to study Buddhism and is known for his writings about his journey, thus making this pair correct too.
Thus, all three pairs are correct.
