Oct 2021

TEST YOURSELF | DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS, October, 2021
TEST YOURSELF
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
OCTOBER, 2021
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1. With reference to Silver Economy, consider the following statements:

1. Its main element is gerontechnology as a new scientific, research and implementation paradigm.
2. It relates to reducing the import of gold, gems and other minerals.
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
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2 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding DigiSaksham?
1. It is a digital skills programme to enhance the employability of youth.
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2. It was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
T
3 With reference to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(CCAMLR), consider the following statements:
1. It aims to conserve Antarctic marine life.
2. India has been a permanent member of the CCAMLR since 1986.
EX

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
4. Consider the following statements:

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1. Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 aims to make cities garbage-free

2. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation(AMRUT 2.0)aims to make cities water
secure.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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5 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)?
1. It is released by The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
2. It measures the combined and individual performance of production in selected eight core
industries.
3. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index
of Industrial Production (IIP).
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
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(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
6. In 1883, he became a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. In 1877, he toured India to propagate the
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philosophy of Vedas and earned the title of “Pandit” from the pundits of Kashi. In 1905, he published
the first issue of "The Indian Sociologist" and founded "The Indian Home Rule Society".
He was:
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Subhas Chandra Bose
(c) Shyamji Krishna Varma
(d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
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7. Which of the following states are covered in the Godavari basin?
1. Chhattisgarh
2. Maharashtra
EX
3. Gujarat
4. Karnataka
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
N
8 Consider the following statements:

1. A trust comprises three key parties: ‘Settlor’, ‘Trustee’ and ‘Beneficiaries’.
2. A trust is a separate legal entity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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9 Global Financial Stability Report is published by:

(a) International Monetary Fund
(b) World Economic Forum
(c) World Bank
(d) European Union
10. Which of the following Committees is not related to Police reforms?
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(a) Malimath Committee
(b) Justice Thomas Committee
(c) Ribeiro Committee
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(d) None of the above
11. With reference to Solar Conjunction, consider the following statements:

1. It is the period when Earth and Mars are obscured from each other.
2. It occurs every four years.
3. This phenomenon can be effectively used for transferring instructions to Mars missions.
T
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
EX
(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
12 With reference to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), consider the following statements:
1. It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state.
2. The climate of Mudumalai is moderate.
N
3. Eight percent of bird species found in India are recorded in Mudumalai.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
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13. Which of the above statements is/are correct regarding Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)?
1. It is a joint initiative of the World Bank and IMF.
2. It is a cross border cooperation drive to curb funding to terrorists.
Choose the correct option from the codes given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
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(d) Neither 1 nor 2
14. With reference to Antarctic Treaty, consider the following statements:

1. The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent.
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2. India is a member of this treaty.
3. It is headquartered in Brazil.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
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(d) 1, 2 and 3
15. With reference to Kayakave Kailasa, which of the statements given is incorrect?
(a) It is launched in the Union Budget 2020-2021.
EX
(b) The Launching Ministry is the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
(c) It will enable SC/ST entrepreneurs in providing bulk LPG transportation.
(d) State run energy firms are also part of it.
16. On the basis of carbon content, arrange these coals in descending order:
1. Anthracite
2. Lignite
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3. Peat
4. Bituminous
(a) 1-2-3-4
(b) 4-3-2-1
(c) 2-3-1-4
(d) 1-4-2-3
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1. The anti-defection laws were introduced to ensure a more stable government.
2. It does not apply if 1/3rd members of a certain party defect to others.
3. There is a time limit of 3 months for the speaker to decide on any defection case.
Which of the above statements is/are not correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
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18. With reference to Kayakave Kailasa, which of the statements given is incorrect?
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(a) It is launched in the Union Budget 2020-2021.
(b) The Launching Ministry is the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
(c) It will enable SC/ST entrepreneurs in providing bulk LPG transportation.
(d) State-run energy firms are also part of it.
19. With reference to Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India, consider the following statements:
1. It has been borrowed from British jurisprudence.
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2. Justice PN Bhagwati and Krishna Iyer revolutionised this juristic approach in India.
3. This approach permits the courts to take up cases suo motto.
EX
(a) 1 and 2only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 only
20. Which of the following recommendation(s) was/were made by the Sarkaria Commission with
reference to President Rule?
1. Sparing use of Article 356
N
2. Following constitutional conventions by Governor in case of hung assemblies.

3. Localized Emergency in specific troubled areas.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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21. Corbett National Park recently seen in the news, it is situated in which of the following states?
(a) Assam
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Uttarakhand
22. RTS, S vaccine recently seen in the news, are related to which of the following diseases?
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(a) Malaria
(b) Tuberculosis (TB)
(c) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
(d) Dengue
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23. Which of the following best explains the objective of Counter Magnetic Cities?
(a) Cities or towns are developed to prevent migration of people.
(b) Cities or towns are developed to counter growth of neighbouring cities.
(c) Cities or towns are developed to decongest metropolitan towns.
(d) Cities or towns are designed to avoid traffic during peak hours.
T
24. Consider the following statements.
1. Credit rating agencies rate the loan repaying capacity.
2. India and China allege biases in the credit rating agencies.
EX

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
25. With reference to Ayushman Bharat, consider the following statements:

N
1. States to conform to Union guidelines for implementation.

2. Health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family will be provided.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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26. With reference to Henley Passport Index 2021, consider the following statements:
1. It is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
2. It lists the world’s most travel-friendly passports.
3. Afghanistan and Singapore stood at the top of this year’s list.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
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(d) 1, 2 and 3
27. EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR recently commenced between which of the following countries?
(a) India and United Kingdom
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(b) Australia and India
(c) Russia and Nepal
(d) Bangladesh and Srilanka
28. Which of the following comes under the “Living Standards indicator” in the Multidimensional Poverty
Index (MPI)?
1. Cooking Oil
2. Sanitation
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3. Drinking Water
4. Electricity
5. Nutrition
EX
6. Housing
(a) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
29. With reference to CERT-In, consider the following statements:

N
1. It is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they
occur.
2. It is an office within the Ministry of Science and Technology.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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30. Consider the following statements.

1. Construction Workers Welfare Board (CWWB) is a tripartite entity with equal representation
from workers, employers and the government.
2. It will be funded by a cess levied at the rate of 1 percent of the total cost of construction
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
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(d) Neither 1 nor 2
31. Arrange the following Civil Services Reforms committees in chronological order.
1. Y K Alagh committee
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2. Nigavekar Committee
3. Surinder Nath Committee
4. Baswan Committee
(a) 1-2-3-4
(b) 1-3-2-4
(c) 4-3-1-2
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(d) 3-1-4-2

1. The first nationalization of commercial banks in India took place in 1980.
EX
2. The intention of strategic disinvestment is to transfer the ownership of a non-performing

organization to more efficient private players.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
N
33. He returned to India in 1929, influenced by Marxism and radical thought to some extent and joined
the Indian National Congress. In 1948 he, together with most of the Congress Socialists, left the
Congress Party and in 1952 formed the Praja Socialist Party. He launched 'Sampoorna Kranti' (total
revolution) in 1974 against corruption in public life.
(a) Subhash Chandra Bose
(b) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Jayaprakash Narayan
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34. Javan Gibbon saw in the news, International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened
Species classifies it as
(a) Critically Endangered (CR)
(b) Near Threatened (NT)
(c) Endangered (EN)
(d) Extinct (EX)
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1. Reverse Repo Rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country lends money to commercial
banks.
2. Marginal Standing Facility measures changes in the price level of a weighted average market
basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.
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(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
36. With reference to Red Sanders, consider the following statements:

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1. It is known for its rich hue and therapeutic properties.
2. It usually grows in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil.
3. It is declared Near Threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.)
red list.
EX

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
37. With reference to Rabies, consider the following statements:

N
1. It is a zoonotic viral disease.

2. Rabies deaths in humans are not preventable
3. India is endemic for rabies accounting for 36% of the world’s deaths.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
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1. In the Equalisation Levy, the payment should be made to a non-resident service provider.
2. Minimum Alternate Tax is applied so that Companies pay at least a certain amount of corporate
tax to the government.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
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(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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39. Which of the following countries are part of Nordic Countries?
1. Greenland
2. Denmark
3. Faroe islands
4. Åland
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(a) 1 and 2only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
EX
(d) All of the above
40. Arrange the following Civil Services Reforms committees in chronological order.
1. Y K Alagh committee
2. Nigavekar Committee
3. Surinder Nath Committee
4. Baswan Committee
N

(a) 1234
(b) 1324
(c) 4312
(d) 3142
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41. Which of the following statements is/ are correct about the Nation Human Rights Commission
(NHRC)?
1. Only the former Chief Justice of India can be the chairperson of NHRC.
2. The chairperson has a term of 6 years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever comes earlier.
3. It has very limited power with respect to human rights violations by the Armed Forces.
Choose from the options given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
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(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
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42. The first phase of the Indo Nepalese rail link passing through Janakpur has been completed recently.
Which two cities are connected by this rail link?
(a) Kathmandu and Raxual
(b) Jayanagar and Kurtha
(c) Gorakhpur to Lukla
(d) Champaran to Bardidas
T
43. Arrange the following space-related organizations chronologically (according to their foundation).
1. ISRO
2. INCOSPAR
EX
3. Antrix
4. Indian Space Association (ISpA)
5. New Space India Limited (NSIL)
(a) 1-2-3-4-5
(b) 2-1-3-5-4
(c) 1-2-5-3-4
N
(d) 2-1-5-3-4
44. Recently, Lucy Mission was seen in the news, the objective of the scheme is to
(a) Study Solar Coronal Mass Ejection
(b) Study Trojan asteroids
(c) Explore the Exoplanets
(d) Study of Planet Venus
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45. Which of the following countries are members of the International Energy Agency (IEA)?
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. India
4. Japan
5. New Zealand
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(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
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(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
46. With reference to the tax-to-GDP ratio, consider the following statements:
1. A low tax-to-GDP ratio indicates more spending on infrastructure creation, hence better financial
position the country
2. Developed nations typically have lower tax-to-GDP ratios than developing nations.
T
Which of the given above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
EX
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
47. Which of the following countries share a border with Afghanistan?

1. Turkmenistan
2. Iran
3. Uzbekistan
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4. Tajikistan
(a) 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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48. With reference to Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, consider the following
statements:
1. It prohibits identified single-use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential
by 2024.
2. In order to stop littering, the thickness of plastic carry bags has been decreased from 75 microns
to 50 microns.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
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(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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49. World Economic Outlook Report is published by
(a) International monetary fund
(b) World bank
(c) UNDP
(d) OECD

T
1. The Saraswati River originated from Kapal Tirith in the Himalayas in the west of Kailash
2. The river flowed through Haryana and Rajasthan states before entering Pakistan.
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
51. Kunming Declaration was seen in the news recently, it is related to:
(a) Refugee Crisis
(b) Drug Trafficking
N
(c) International Organised Crime

(d) Biodiversity Conservation
52. With reference to Flower scorpionfish, consider the following statements:

1. It belongs to the order of ray-finned fish.
2. It was discovered in the Pacific Ocean off Japan almost a century ago in 1929.
3. It has been found in the Indian Ocean also.
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(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
53. Double 10, recently seen in news, is related to
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(a) Taiwan’s national day.
(b) New weighing unit for atoms.
(c) Increasing population to food ratio.
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(d) Energy transfer rule across trophic levels.
54. With reference to Abhinav Bharat Society, consider the following statements:
1. It was initially founded as Mitra Mela by Madam Bhikaji Cama.
2. The society was associated with several revolutionaries with branches in various parts of India
and London.
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(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
EX
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2
55. Which of the following categories of women can undergo legal and safe medical termination of
pregnancy till 24 weeks?
1. Pregnancy due to incent relation
2. Pregnant divorcee getting married.
N
3. Destitute women from a severe earthquake hit area.

Choose from the correct options.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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56. Consider the following statements regarding India-U.S.A. Economic & Financial Partnership
Dialogue.
1. It is an example of track 2 diplomacy.
2. In the recent meeting, there was convergence by both curbing money laundering and climate
finance.
3. The US has promised to provide technical support for the development of GIFT City in Gujarat.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
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(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
57. With reference to Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021, consider the following statements:
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1. It is an annual report jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
2. India has a level of hunger that is extremely alarming.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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58. With reference to UN Human Rights Council, consider the following statements:
1. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues.
2. It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States.
EX
3. The members shall be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
59. With reference to Endosulfan, consider the following statements:

N
1. It is a pesticide that does not occur naturally in the environment.

2. It has a distinct odour similar to turpentine.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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60. With reference to the bilateral military exercises with India, which of the following pairs are correctly
matched?
Military Exercise — Participant Nation
1. Surya Kiran — Nepal
2. Vajra Prahar — US
3. Dharma Guardian — Japan
4. Garuda Shakti — France
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(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
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(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
61. Which of the following is/are correct about Hypersonic Engines?

1. They navigate at speeds in the range of 1.2 Mach to 5 Mach.
2. Hypersonic weapons are tough to detect and have a longer reach.
T
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
EX
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2
62. Which of the following countries are involved in the International Space Station (ISS) programme?
1. Russia
2. Japan
3. Canada
N
4. United States of America

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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63. With reference to Zeolites, consider the following statements:

1. They are crystalline solid structures made of silicon and aluminium.
2. They occur naturally and are also produced industrially.
3. They are noted for their lability toward ion exchange and reversible dehydration.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
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(d) 1, 2 and 3
64. With reference to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), consider the following statements:
1. A general allocation of SDRs requires Board of Governors approval by a 75 per cent majority of
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the total voting power.
2. IMF members can voluntarily exchange SDRs for currencies among themselves.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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65. Consider the following statements with reference to the e-Shram portal:
1. It will maintain a database of both organised & unorganised sector workers.
2. It is launched by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
66. With respect to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), consider the following statements:
1. El Nino events are sometimes referred to as the warm and wet half phase of ENSO and La Nina
as the cold phase of the ENSO.
N
2. Under the El Nino event, the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean increased more than usual
causing heavy rainfalls in Australia.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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67. With reference to the Bengal Florican recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:
1. These species are endemic to mainly India and Bangladesh.
2. They are classified as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of
Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
S
68. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Geospatial Energy Map?
1. It has been launched by NITI Aayog and ISRO.
2. It has more than 25 layers on the map.
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(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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69. With reference to Judicial Activism, consider the following statements:
1. The concept came up in the United Kingdom.
2. It was introduced in India in the 1970s by Justice P N Bhagwati.
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
70. With reference to National Urban Digital Mission, consider the following statements:
1. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY).
N
2. Its vision is to improve the ease of living for citizens by creating a national urban digital
ecosystem.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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71. In India, which of the following can be commercially and legally grown?
1. Golden Rice
2. BT Brinjal
3. DMH-11 Mustard
Choose the correct option from the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
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72. Which of the following countries were the founding members of the Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC)?
1. Iran
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2. Kuwait
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
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(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
73. With reference to Jal Jeevan Mission, consider the following statements:
1. It is under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
EX
2. It envisages a supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household.
3. The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Union Territories.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
N
74. With reference to World Economic Outlook 2021, consider the following statements:
1. It is an annual Survey by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
2. The global economy is projected to grow 4.9 per cent in 2021.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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75. Which of the following statements is correct regarding sub-standard assets?

(a) Asset which has remained as an NPA for a period exceeding twelve months.
(b) Asset classified as an NPA for a period not exceeding six months.
(c) Asset classified as an NPA for a period not exceeding twelve months.
(d) None of the Above
76. With reference to Global Food Security Index (GFSI), consider the following statements:
1. It is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model constructed from 58 unique
indicators.
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2. It measures the drivers of food security across both developing and developed countries.
3. India is ranked at 101st position in the GFS Index 2021
(a) 1 only
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(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
77. With reference to Mahaparinirvana Temple, consider the following statements:

1. It is located in Andhra Pradesh.
2. The reclining nirvana statue of Mahavira is inside the temple.
T
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
EX
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
78. Who was the founder of the Varman dynasty?

(a) Pushyavarman
(b) Samudravarman
(c) Bhaskar Varman
(d) Mahendravarman
N
79. With reference to Reclining Buddha, consider the following statements:

1. Reclining Buddha was first depicted in Mathura school of Art.
2. Parinirvana Stupa has a reclining Buddha in a red sandstone monolith at Sarnath.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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80. Which of the following is not a member of New QUAD, recently seen in the news?
(a) India
(b) Israel
(c) Saudi Arabia
(d) USA
81. Recently two lakes situated west of the Tanggula mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region
have reported an increase in size and depth due to glacial melting. Identify one of the Lake
(a) Aral Sea
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(b) Lake Chibzhang Co
(c) Lake Baikal
(d) Lake Tso Moriri
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82. With reference to Sovereign Gold Bond, consider the following statements:
1. The Bonds will be sold through all commercial banks, Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks.
2. The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with an exit option after the 5th year.
3. The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-
annually on the nominal value.
(a) 1 and 2 only
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(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
EX
83. Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary recently seen in the news, it is situated in which of the following states?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Odisha
(c) Assam
(d) Bihar
84. With reference to the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), consider the following statements:
1. These schemes are 100% funded by the Union government and implemented by the respective
N
state government machinery.

2. They are mainly formulated on the subjects in the Union List.
3. MGNREGA comes under the category of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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85. With reference to Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), consider the following statements:
1. It is a Special Purpose Vehicle with an authorized capital of Rs. 10000 Cr.
2. It has been mandated to create the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) in India.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
S
86. Which of the following reasons can be attributed to the Heavy rains recorded in the month of October?
1. Western Disturbances
2. Two High Pressure systems in Bay Of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
IA
3. Delayed monsoon withdrawal
Choose the correct option
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
87. With reference to Amur Falcons, consider the following statements:

T
1. They breed in Siberia and Northern China.
2. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species classifies
them as Near Threatened (NT).
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
88. Zero Waste Cities Challenge launched to find grassroots solutions to resource efficiency, waste
collection and recycling in which of the following countries?
1. South Africa
N
2. Vietnam
3. India
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
23 | P a g e
89. Regarding the net zero targets recently in the news, consider the following statements.
1. Net-zero means to stop the carbon emissions and bring them to zero.
2. “India: Transforming to a Net-Zero Emissions Energy System” report was released by NITI
Aayog.
Which of the above options is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
S
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
90. With reference to International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following statements:
1. International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization.
IA
2. The sunshine countries lie completely between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
T
91. Regarding the geographical extent of western ghats, consider the following statements
1. It stretches across the five states.
2. It starts from the mouth of the river Narmada to Kanyakumari.
Which of the above options is/are correct?
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
92. With reference to Melioidosis, consider the following statements:

1. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
N
2. It is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.
3. It is predominantly a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern
Australia.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
24 | P a g e
93. Which of the following are the right bank’s tributaries of Sabarmati River?
1. Dhamni
2. Siri
3. Watrak
4. Hathmati
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
S
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
94. With reference to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), consider the following statements:
1. It is a project to improve infrastructure within Pakistan.
IA
2. The goal of CPEC is to transform Pakistan’s economy by modernizing its road, rail, air and
energy transportation systems.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
T
95. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Atma Nirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, consider the following
statements:
1. Under this, critical care services will be made available in all districts that have a population of
over 5 lakh.
EX
2. The scheme is primarily focussing on rural areas.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

N
1. A surcharge is a tax on tax.

2. Surcharge becomes part of the Public Accounts of India.
3. It is a part of a divisible pool of taxes as given in Article 271 of the Constitution.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
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97. Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in:

(a) Nepal
(b) Bhutan
(c) Myanmar
(d) China
98. With reference to Dada Phalke Award, consider the following statements:
1. It was started in 1969.
2. It is presented annually at the National Films Awards ceremony.
S
3. Actor Amitabh Bachchan is the recipient of the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
IA
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
99. With reference to NIPUN Bharat, consider the following statements:

1. It has been launched under the aegis of the central sector scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
2. It aims to cover the learning needs of children in the age group of 6 to 18 years.
T
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
EX
100. Mullaperiyar Dam, recently seen in the news, is currently operated by?
(a) Kerala
(b) Karnataka
(c) TamilNadu
(d) Andhra Pradesh
101. With reference to Bush frog, consider the following statements:

N
1. It is endemic to the Western Ghats.

2. Aggressive Pesticide application is a threat to the bush frog.
3. It is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
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102. Lake Tahoe recently seen in the news, it is situated in which of the following countries?
(a) Australia
(b) United States of America
(c) Japan
(d) South Africa
103. Consider the following statements regarding Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
1. It will be implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
2. The project is modelled around the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) project.
S
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
IA
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
104. With reference to Sedition, consider the following statements:

1. It comes under Section 124A of Indian Penal Code.
2. Offence is committed when any person by words or otherwise brings hatred towards the
government established by law.
3. It was introduced by the British.
T
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
EX
(d) 1, 2 and 3
105. Gorongosa National Park was sometimes seen in the news, it is located in which of the following
countries?
(a) Brazil
(b) Australia
(c) South Africa
(d) Mozambique
N
106. Consider the following statements regarding traffic management policy framework for drones.
1. Unmanned Traffic Management Service Providers would be established.
2. It will segregate a drone from other aircrafts in the airspace below 5,000 feet in the country.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
27 | P a g e
107. Which of the following statements about Agni V missiles is/are correct?
1. It is India’s longest-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
2. It has been imported from Russia.
3. It has the capability of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
S
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
108. In the context of digital technologies for entertainment, consider the following statements:
IA
1. In Augmented Reality (AR), a simulated environment is created and the physical world is
completely shut out.
2. In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from a computer are projected onto real-life objects or
surroundings.
3. AR allows individuals to be present in the world and improves the experience using the camera
of a smartphone or PC.
4. VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing a complete immersion experience.
T
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
EX
(d) 4 only
109. The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in which of
the following states?
1. Assam
2. Meghalaya
3. Tripura
N
4. Arunachal Pradesh
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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110. With reference to Nag River revitalization project, consider the following statements:
1. It was conceptualized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
2. It is an ambitious project of Kerala state.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
S
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
111. Which of the following countries have been sanctioned under Countering America’s Adversaries
Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)?
IA
1. Russia
2. Turkey
3. North Korea
4. Iran
Choose the correct option.
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1, 2 and 4.
T
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) All of the above.
EX
112. Raveendran Committee recently in the news is related to:

(a) Setting up CERT-In facility in Bangalore.
(b) Investigate allegations of surveillance using the Pegasus spyware
(c) Effect of Red Echo attacks on Indian Infrastructures
(d) Recommend steps for free data flow with trust.
113. With reference to Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), consider the following statements:
N
1. It is a statutory body.
2. It comes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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114. With reference to the UDAN scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched as a regional connectivity scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2010.
2. The first flight under the UDAN scheme was flagged in 2017 from Bhubaneswar to the Varanasi
route.
3. It offers a unique opportunity to a common man to fly at an affordable price.
(a) 1 and 2 only
S
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
IA
115. With reference to World Heritage forests: Carbon sinks under pressure report, consider the following
statements:
1. It was released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World
Bank.
2. The majority of the World Heritage forest carbon is stored in tropical sites.
3. India’s Sundarbans National Park is among five sites that have the highest blue carbon stocks
T
globally.
(a) 1 and 2 only
EX
(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
116. Which of the following countries have underwater vehicles for carrying out subsea activities?
1. Russia
2. Japan
N
3. France
4. China
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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117. With reference to Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), consider the following statements:
1. It consists of securities and other financial assets held by investors in another country.
2. It provides the investor with direct ownership of a company's assets.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
S
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
118. Who released the report titled “Health Insurance for India’s Missing Middle”?
IA
(a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
(b) NITI Aayog.
(c) Ministry of Women and Child Development.
(d) Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
119. With reference to Sardar Patel National Unity Award, consider the following statements:
T
1. It is the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India.
2. Not more than two Awards shall be given in a year.
EX
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
120. With reference to the National Green Tribunal, consider the following statements:
1. It is a statutory body formed under the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
N
2. It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals within 1 year of the filing of the case.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
31 | P a g e
Explanation
1. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Its main element is gerontechnology as a new scientific, research and
implementation paradigm.
Statement 2 is not correct: The silver economy is the system of production, distribution and
consumption of goods and services aimed at using the purchasing potential of older and ageing
people and satisfying their consumption, living and health needs.
S
The silver economy is analyzed in the field of social gerontology (study of ageing) not as an existing
economic system but as an instrument of ageing policy and the political idea of forming a potential,
needs-oriented economic system for an ageing population.
IA
2. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: DigiSaksham is a digital skills programme to enhance the
employability of youth by imparting digital skills that are required in an increasingly technology-
driven era.
Statement 2 is not correct: The Minister for Labour and Employment launched DigiSaksham.
• This joint initiative with Microsoft India is an extension of the Government’s ongoing programs
to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas.
T
• Through the DigiSaksham initiative, free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as
well as advanced computing will be provided to more than 3 lakh youths in the first year.
• The initiative gives priority to the job-seekers of semi-urban areas belonging to disadvantaged
communities, including those who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
EX
• The Jobseekers can access the training through National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
• Under the DigiSaksham initiative, there will be basically three types of training viz. Digital Skills
– Self paced learning, VILT mode training (Virtual Instructor-led) and ILT mode training
(Instructor-led).
3. (c)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: It was established by an international convention in 1982 with the
N
objective of conserving Antarctic marine life. This was in response to increasing commercial interest
in Antarctic krill resources, a keystone component of the Antarctic ecosystem and a history of over-
exploitation of several other marine resources in the Southern Ocean.
• It is an international commission with 26 Members, and a further 10 countries have acceded to the
Convention. Based on the best available scientific information, the Commission agrees on a set of
conservation measures that determine the use of marine living resources in the Antarctic.
Statement 2 is correct: India has been a permanent member of the CCAMLR since 1986. Work
pertaining to the CCAMLR is coordinated in India by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its
attached office, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi, Kerala.
32 | P a g e
4. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The aim of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban(SBM-U 2.0) is to
make cities garbage-free while the Second Phase of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation is to make cities water secure.
o SBM-U 2.0 envisions to make all cities ‘Garbage Free’ and ensure grey and black water
management in all cities other than those covered under AMRUT, make all urban local bodies
as ODF+ and those with a population of less than 1 lakh as ODF++, thereby achieving the vision
of safe sanitation in urban areas.
 The Mission will focus on source segregation of solid waste, utilizing the principles of 3Rs
(reduce, reuse, recycle), scientific processing of all types of municipal solid waste and
S
remediation of legacy dumpsites for effective solid waste management.
o AMRUT 2.0 mission will prove to be a major step towards making cities self-reliant and ensuring
water security. Under this mission, drinking water surveys will be conducted to provide better
water services to the people.
o AMRUT 2.0 aims to provide 100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700
IA
urban local bodies by providing about 2.68 crore tap connections and 100% coverage of sewerage
and septage in 500 AMRUT cities by providing around 2.64 crore sewer/ septage connections,
which will benefit more than 10.5 crore people in urban areas.
o It will adopt the principles of circular economy and promote conservation and rejuvenation of
surface and groundwater bodies.
5. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The Office of Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of
T
Industry and Internal Trade released the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) for the Month of August
2021.
Statement 2 and 3 are correct: ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production
in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel,
Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items
EX
included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

• The base year of the index has been revised to 2011-12 from 2004-05 in alignment with the new
series of IIP.
6. (c)
[SOL] Shyamji Krishna Varma was one of the greatest revolutionaries that the Indian independence
movement witnessed. He was a lawyer, a journalist professionally and he was also an expert in the
Sanskrit language.
• He was born on October 4, 1857, in the city of Mandvi, located in the Kutch province of Gujarat.
N
• In 1883 He became a member of the Royal Asiatic Society

• Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Herbert Spencer were his chief inspirations on the path to
revolution.
• In 1877 toured India to propagate the philosophy of Vedas and earned the title of “Pandit” from
the pundits of Kashi
o In 1905 Published the first issue of "The Indian Sociologist" and founded "The Indian Home
Rule Society".
o Officially declared open "India House" at 65, Cromwell Avenue, HighGate as living
accommodation for Indian students in England.
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7. (b)
[SOL] The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system. It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.
• It rises in the Nasik district of Maharashtra and discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Godavari basin extends over states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana,
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Puducherry.
8. (a)
[SOL] In News
• The latest leak of offshore financial records has shown that the elites are finding ingenious new
S
ways to ring-fence (protect) their assets from scrutiny at home.
• It is reshaping the secrecy industry in international finance after regulators worldwide have begun
cracking down on global money flows
Statement 1 is correct. A trust comprises three key parties:
IA
• ‘Settlor’: one who sets up, creates, or authors a trust;
• ‘Trustee’: one who holds the assets for the benefit of a set of people named by the ‘settlor’; and
• ‘Beneficiaries’: to whom the benefits of the assets are bequeathed.
Statement 2 is not correct. A trust is not a separate legal entity, but its legal nature comes from the
‘trustee’.
9 (a)
[SOL] Option a is correct: The Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) is a semiannual report by
T
the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• It assesses the stability of global financial markets and emerging-market financing with primary
focus on current conditions, especially financial and structural imbalances, that could risk an upset
in global financial stability and access to financing by emerging-market countries.
• It is released twice per year, in April and October.
EX
• GFSR replaced two previous reports by the IMF, the annual International Capital Markets Report
and the quarterly Emerging Market Financing Report.
• The Global Financial Stability Report 2021 pointed out that for emerging markets and
developing economies, adoption of cryptocurrency might be luring but they also come with a set
of potential macro-financial risks, especially with respect to asset and currency substitution.
10. (d)
[SOL]
N
Image Courtesy: PRS
34 | P a g e
11. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Solar conjunction is the period when Earth and Mars, in their eternal
march around the Sun, are obscured from each other by the fiery orb of the Sun itself.
• The two planets are temporarily invisible to each other like dancers on either side of a huge
bonfire.
Statement 2 is not correct: Solar conjunction occurs every two years.
• Before solar conjunction, the mission team sends up any necessary commands.
Statement 3 is not correct: Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory respond in a
variety of ways.
S
o They turn off some instruments. They collect data from others and store it.
o No one attempts to send new instructions to Mars during solar conjunction.
12 . (d)
IA
[SOL] Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state
spread over 321 sq. km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• It has a common boundary with Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur
Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, and the Nilgiris North Division on the South and East
and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West, together forming a large conservation landscape
for flagship species such as Tiger and Asian Elephant. The reception Centre is located at
Theppakadu.
• The name Mudumalai means” the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65 million years when
T
the Western Ghats were formed.
• The climate of Mudumalai is moderate. It experiences cold weather during the month of December
or the beginning of January and hot weather is experienced during the months of March and April.
• It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, Bamboo of the giant variety,
EX
valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc,
o There are several species of endemic flora. Such a varied habitat is inhabited by a variety of
animals which include tigers, elephants, Indian Gaur, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer,
Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Dog,
Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Hyena, among others.
• This reserve has a wide variety of more than 260 species of birds.
• Eight percent of bird species found in India are recorded in Mudumalai.
13. (d)
N
[SOL] In News
• Recently, Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) launched its programme in Seychelles. India
was chosen as the Partner Administration and has provided a Tax Expert for this programme.
Statement 1 is not correct. It is a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Statement 2 is not correct. Aim: To strengthen developing countries' auditing capacity and
multinationals' compliance worldwide. (Not cross border cooperation)
• It is a capacity-building programme for developing nations.
35 | P a g e
14 b
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that
governs a whole continent.
Statement 2 is correct: India has been a member since 1983.
Statement 3 is not correct: It is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
15. (a)
[SOL] Kayakave Kailasa:
S
• As per Union Budget 2019-20, Indian Scheme ‘Kayakave Kailasa’, the Ministry of Petroleum
& Natural Gas has enabled SC/ST entrepreneurs in providing bulk LPG transportation.
• State run energy firms, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil
Corporation, plan to spend US$ 20 billion on refinery expansions to add units by 2022.
IA
16. (d)
[SOL] On the basis of the proportion of carbon content, various types of coal are:
1. Anthracite (80-95%)
2. Bituminous (55-65%)
3. Lignite (45-55%)
T
4. Peat (35-45%)
17. (b)
[SOL] In News
EX
• The Calcutta High Court has given West Bengal Assembly Speaker a deadline to pass an order in
the defection case involving 3 MLAs.
Statement 1 is correct. The anti-defection laws were introduced in 1985 as the 10th Schedule to
ensure a more stable government.
Statement 2 is not correct. It does not apply if 2/3rd members (Earlier it was 1/3rd) of a certain
party defect to others.
Statement 3 is not correct. There is no time limit for the Presiding officer to decide any defection
case.
N
18. (a)
[SOL] Kayakave Kailasa:
• As per Union Budget 2019-20, Indian Scheme ‘Kayakave Kailasa’, the Ministry of Petroleum
& Natural Gas has enabled SC/ST entrepreneurs in providing bulk LPG transportation.
• State-run energy firms, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil
Corporation, plan to spend US$ 20 billion on refinery expansions to add units by 2022.
19. (b)
36 | P a g e
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) originated and
developed in the USA in the 1960s. In the USA, it was designed to provide legal representation to
previously unrepresented groups and interests.
Statement 2 is correct: In India, the PIL is a product of the judicial activism of the Supreme Court.
It was introduced in the early 1980s. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Justice P.N. Bhagwati were the
pioneers of the concept of PIL.
Statement 3 is correct: Public Interest Litigation is the power given to the public by courts through
judicial activism. Such cases in which the victim does not have the necessary resources to commence
litigation or his freedom to move court has been suppressed or encroached upon. The court can itself
take cognisance of the matter and proceed suo motu or cases can commence on the petition of any
S
public-spirited individual.
20. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Sarkaria Commission was set up in June 1983 to examine the
IA
relationship and balance of power between state and central governments and suggest changes within
the framework of the Constitution. He recommended that the state assembly should not be dissolved
unless the proclamation is approved by the parliament and sparing use of article 356 of the constitution
should be made.
Statements 2 and 3 are not correct: The recommendations mentioned in statements 2 and 3 are made
by the Punchhi Commission. Punchhi Commission was constituted by the Central Government in 2007
as a Commission on Centre-State relations. It was constituted to protect the interests of the States by
trying to curb their misuse by the Centre. The commission recommended that the central government
should try to bring only the specific area under its jurisdiction and that too for a short period, not more
than three months. That means, the Commission recommended localizing the emergency provisions
T
under Articles 355 and 356. The Commission recommended that the Governor should be allowed to
follow “constitutional conventions” in the case of a Hung Assembly in the State.
21. (d)
EX
[SOL] Corbett National Park is situated in Nainital, Uttarakhand.Spans over an extent of 520 square
km.
o The whole area comprises hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands and a large lake.
• Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the governor of the
United Province.
• It was renamed Ramganga National Park, named after the river that flows through it, shortly
after Independence and was rechristened yet again as Corbett National Park in 1956.
• Corbett has the glory of being India's oldest and most prestigious National Park.
N
22. (a)
[SOL] RTS, S was first authorised in 2015 by the European Medicines Agency for use in Africa in
infants and children.
• The WHO recommended widespread use of the RTS, S/AS01 (RTS, S) malaria vaccine among
children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum
malaria transmission.
• The recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot programme in Ghana, Kenya and
Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.
37 | P a g e
23. (c)
[SOL] Cities or towns are developed to decongest metropolitan towns. Counter-magnet cities are
identified as those that can be developed as alternative centres of growth and attract migrants to them
rather than Delhi. The counter magnet cities should be given priority when allocating funding for
development of land, housing and infrastructure. Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram etc. Kanpur,
Gwalior are examples.
24. (c)
[SOL] In News
S
• Credit ratings agency ‘Moody's’ has changed India's sovereign rating outlook from 'negative'
to 'stable'.
o It also affirmed the country’s foreign-currency and local-currency long-term issuer ratings at
Baa3.
IA
Statement 1 is correct. It is a company that assigns credit ratings, which rate a debtor's ability to
pay back debt by making timely principal and interest payments and the likelihood of default.
Statement 2 is correct. India and China allege biases in the credit rating agencies as evident from
Economic Survey.
25. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: In Ayushman Bharat, States are given flexibility to decide on
T
mode of implementation.
Statement 2 is correct: Health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year will be provided.
26. (a)
EX
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative
ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access
without a prior visa.
• The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• It is the largest, most accurate travel information database –and enhanced by Henley & Partners’
research team.
• It lists the world’s most travel-friendly passports.
• The index covers 227 destinations and 199 passports.
N
Statement 3 is not correct: Japan and Singapore stood at the top of this year’s list, with their
passport holders allowed to travel visa-free to 192 countries, while South Korea and Germany share
the second position.
• Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen are among the least powerful.
• India, which held the 84th rank last year, fell down to the 90th position, with its passport holders
allowed to travel visa-free to 58 countries.
o India shares the rank with Tajikistan and Burkina Faso.
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27. (a)
[SOL] Recently, The 6th Edition of India - UK Joint Company Level Military Training EXERCISE
AJEYA WARRIOR has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.
• The exercise is part of an initiative to develop interoperability and sharing expertise with
friendly foreign nations.
• During this exercise, an Infantry Company from the Indian Army and an equivalent strength from
UK Army would be sharing their experiences gained during the conduct of various military
operations in their respective countries and overseas engagements.
o Together, both armies stand to benefit from their varied experiences.
S
• As part of the training, both the Armies would familiarise themselves with each other’s weapons,
equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures for carrying out joint military operations.
• There would be a series of Expert Academic Discussions on various subjects of mutual interest
such as Combined Arms Concept, Sharing of Experiences in Joint Force, Operation Logistics etc
IA
28. (c)
[SOL] The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was developed by Oxford Poverty and
Human Development Initiative (OPHI). It has 10 indicators:
1. Health
a. Nutrition
b. Child mortality
T
2. Education
a. Years of Schooling
b. School Attendance
EX
3. Living Standards
a. Cooking Oil
b. Sanitation
c. Drinking Water
d. Electricity
e. Housing
f. Assets
N
29. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has been
operational since January 2004. The constituency of CERT-In is the Indian Cyber Community. CERT-
In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur.
Statement 2 is not correct: The CERT-In or ICERT is an office within the Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology of the Government of India. CERT-In has been designated to serve as
the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security:
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• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.

• Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
• Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
• Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
• Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security
practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
• Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.
S
30. (c)
[SOL] In News
• The COVID-19 pandemic had widespread and devastating consequences to communities and
enterprises in India and across the globe.
IA
o The situation was particularly grim for the 453.6 million internal migrants in India.
 It was evident by the unprecedented ‘reverse migration’ witnessed during the
pandemic.
• Two acts constituted in 1996 address the issues faced by the construction workers.
o The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and
Conditions of Service) Act and
o the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act
T
• These legislatures mandated the institution of a Construction Workers Welfare Board
(CWWB). (Hence, Statement 1 is correct.)
o It is a tripartite entity with equal representation from workers, employers and the government.
EX
o Funded by: Cess at the rate of 1 percent of the total cost of construction (Hence, Statement
2 is correct.)
31. (b)
[SOL] Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) - It recommended significant changes and it was this
committee along with the committee discussed next that led to the introduction of a Civil Services
Aptitude Test at the Preliminary level from the year 2011.
• Surinder Nath Committee (2003) - The committee stressed the idea for domain expertise of
bureaucrats, suggesting that assigning a particular domain to the officers should be a key step for
N
their selection to the Central staffing scheme posts, identifying 11 domains.

• Nigavekar Committee (2011) is thought to induce a system in UPSC pattern to judge the
communications skills of the candidate, be it in any language.
• Baswan Committee (2015) - The issue of the dearth of IAS and IPS officers was highlighted in
the Baswan Committee Report as well. However, the number of officers who can be inducted
through UPSC CSE is limited and this may lead to compromise with the quality of the recruits
and problems in training them at LBSNAA.
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32. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: It was in the year 1969, 19th July when 14 of most major
commercial banks functioning in India underwent nationalization and then in the year 1980
another 6 banks were nationalized which enhanced the total number to 20.
Statement 2 is correct: The intention of strategic disinvestment is to transfer the ownership of a non-
performing organization to more efficient private players.
33. (d)
S
[SOL] Jayaprakash Narayan was a freedom fighter of great courage and one of the pioneers of the
socialist movement in the country.
• He was born on October 11, 1902, in Sitabdiara, a quiet village susceptible to floods, situated near
the confluence of the Ganga and Saryu rivers, nearly 118 km from Patna.
• He was a brilliant student. He completed his matriculation with distinction, but quit college to
IA
take part in the non-cooperation movement.
o He later went to the University of California, Berkeley, where he was exposed to Marxism.
o JP returned to India in 1929, influenced by Marxism and radical thought to some extent and
joined the Indian National Congress (Congress Party).
• In 1932 he was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment for his participation in the civil disobedience
movement against British rule in India.
o Upon release he took a leading part in the formation of the Congress Socialist Party, a
T
left-wing group within the Congress Party, the organization that led the campaign for Indian
independence.
o He was imprisoned by the British again in 1939 for his opposition to Indian participation
in World War II on the side of Britain, but he subsequently made a dramatic escape and for
a short time tried to organize violent resistance to the government before his recapture in 1943.
EX
o In 1948 he, together with most of the Congress Socialists, left the Congress Party and in 1952
formed the Praja Socialist Party.
o Soon becoming dissatisfied with party politics, he announced in 1954 that he would
thenceforth devote his life exclusively to the Bhoodan Yajna Movement, founded by Vinoba
Bhave, which demanded that land be distributed among the landless.
 He galvanised support for the Bhoodan movement, worked relentlessly for the poor
and the underprivileged and, above all, became a symbol of the national conscience in
the fight against corruption, anti-democratic conduct and repressive practices of Indira
Gandhi’s government in the 1970s.
N
o He grew from socialism to Sarvodaya, becoming the leader of resistance against a repressive,
anti-democratic regime.
o He set up the Azaad Dasta in the Terai region of Nepal to resist British rule.
o Narayan, who had launched a 'Sampoorna Kranti' (total revolution) in 1974 against
corruption in public life, is the third person to get the prestigious award this year.
o Socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan was posthumously conferred with India's highest
civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, for his "invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle and
upliftment of the poor and downtrodden".
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34. (c)
[SOL] Javan Gibbon is also known as the silvery gibbon and the primate is unique to central and
western Java, where it plays a role in regenerating forest vegetation by dispersing seeds.
• Javan Gibbons have a fluffy appearance because of their very dense and long silvery-grey fur.
• They have very long forelimbs, long fingers and shorter thumbs which make them great
brachiators (use their arms to swing between branches).
• Diet: Javan Gibbons are omnivores and eat fruits, some leaves and sometimes nectar and
grubs.
• In the wild: They live in family groups made up of a male and female and up to three juvenile
S
offspring. Like other gibbons, the territory is maintained by patrols, physical conflict and loud
calling.
• Conservation International estimates there are around 4,000 Javan gibbons left. They are listed as
endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened
Species.
IA
35. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are not correct: Repo Rate is the rate at which the central bank of a
country (Reserve Bank of India in case of India) lends money to commercial banks in the event
of any shortfall of funds.
o Repo stands for ‘repurchase option’ or ‘repurchase agreement’.
o The central bank provides these short term loans against securities such as treasury bills or
T
government bonds.
Reverse Repo Rate: This is the rate the central bank of a country pays its commercial banks to park
their excess funds in the central bank.
o The reverse repo rate provided by RBI is generally lower than the repo rate.
EX
o While repo rate is used to regulate liquidity in the economy, reverse repo rate is used to control
cash flow in the market.
o When there is inflation in the economy, RBI increases the reverse repo rate.
 It encourages commercial banks to make deposits in the central bank and earn returns.
Marginal Standing Facility: MSF or marginal standing facility is a system of the Reserve Bank
of India that allows scheduled commercial banks to avail funds overnight.
o It was introduced by the RBI as a provision for banks to avail overnight funds during a revision
of the country’s monetary policy in 2011-12.
N
o It is usually higher than the repo rate.

o Banks can use their SLR or statutory liquidity ratio to take loans under MSF.
 This is a short-term loan used to maintain the liquidity of banks.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) Inflation:
o It measures changes in the price level of a weighted average market basket of consumer goods
and services purchased by households.
o It also represents retail inflation.
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36. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), known for their
rich hue and therapeutic properties.
• It is high in demand across Asia, particularly in China and Japan, for use in cosmetics and
medicinal products as well as for making furniture, woodcraft and musical instruments.
• Red Sanders usually grow in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and a hot and
dry climate.
• It is declared Near Threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.)
red list
• It is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
S
Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• It is among the endangered species of wood found in Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool and Nellore
districts of Andhra Pradesh.
IA
37. (c)
[SOL] Statement 1 and 3 are correct: Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease.
• It is caused by the Rabies virus, of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae.
o It is a Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus that is present in the saliva of a rabid animal (dog, cat,
monkey, etc). India is endemic for rabies accounting for 36% of the world’s deaths.
Statement 2 is not correct: Rabies is 100% fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable.
o Rabies deaths in human are 100% preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care.
 Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people.
T
38. (c)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Equalisation Levy is a direct tax, which is withheld at the time of
payment by the service recipient. The two conditions to be met to be liable to equalisation levy:
• The payment should be made to a non-resident service provider;
EX
• The annual payment made to one service provider exceeds Rs. 1,00,000 in one financial year.
Statement 2 is correct: MAT or Minimum Alternate Tax is a provision in Direct tax laws to limit tax
exemptions availed by companies, so that they pay at least a minimum amount of corporate tax to the
government. The key reason for introduction of MAT is to ensure minimum levels of taxation for all
domestic and foreign companies in India.
39. (d)
[SOL] The Nordic region, or Norden, may be defined as consisting of the five sovereign states:
• Denmark,
N
• Finland,
• Iceland,
• Norway and
• Sweden,
• plus the three autonomous territories connected to these states:
o the Faroe Islands and
o Greenland (Denmark) and
o Åland (Finland).
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40. (b)
[SOL]
• Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) - It recommended significant changes and it was this committee
along with the committee discussed next that led to the introduction of a Civil Services Aptitude
Test at the Preliminary level from the year 2011.
• Surinder Nath Committee (2003)- The committee stressed the idea for domain expertise of
bureaucrats, suggesting that assigning particular domain to the officers should be a key step for
their selection to the Central staffing scheme posts, identifying 11 domains.
• Nigavekar Committee (2011) is thought to induce a system in UPSC pattern to judge the
S
communications skills of the candidate, be it in any language.
• Baswan Committee (2015) - The issue of dearth of IAS and IPS officers was highlighted in the
Baswan Committee Report as well. However, the number of officers which can be inducted
through UPSC CSE is limited and this may lead to compromise with the quality of the recruits
and problems in training them at LBSNAA.
IA
41. (c)
[SOL] In News
• PM Modi will address 28th NHRC Foundation Day programme on Oct 12, 2021.
Statement 1 is not correct. Its chairperson is the former Chief Justice of India or former Judge of
the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is not correct. The chairperson has a term of 5 years or up to the age of 70 years,
whichever comes earlier.
T
Statement 3 is correct. It has very limited power with respect to human rights violations by the Armed
Forces.
42. (b)
EX
[SOL] In News
• The rail link between Nepal and India is ready to resume on the neighbouring country's first-ever
broad gauge passenger service.
o Nepal has been asked to start operations preferably by this year.
• India decided to carry out the entire gauge conversion work, including trains to operate on the link
in 3 phases.
o The first stretch is a 34-km line between Bihar’s Jayanagar and Nepal’s Kurtha. (Hence,
statement B is correct.)
N
 In between these two lies the Hindu pilgrimage city of Janakpur Dham.
43. (b)
[SOL]
• India decided to go to space when the Indian National Committee for Space Research
(INCOSPAR) was set up by the Government of India in 1962. With the visionary Dr Vikram
Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
(TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research.
44 | P a g e
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile
INCOSPAR. Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in
a Nation's development, provided ISRO the necessary direction to function as an agent of
development. ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space based services and
to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently.
• Antrix Corporation Limited was set up in 1992 to market the products and services of the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• New Space India Limited (NSIL) is a Public Sector Undertaking of Government of India and
commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation. It was established on 6 March 2019
under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DoS) and the Company Act 2013.
S
• Indian Space Association (ISpA): It is an industry body of government and private companies
launched recently (in 2021). The ISpA aims to supplement the Centre’s efforts in commercial
space exploration and space-based communication.
IA
44. (b)
[SOL] Option B is correct: NASA is set to launch its first spacecraft to study Jupiter’s Trojan
asteroids. Named after an ancient fossil 3.2 million-year-old ancestor who belonged to a species of
hominins.
45. (b)
[SOL]
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) is made up of 30 member countries, 8 association
T
countries, and 3 accession countries. A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of
the OECD. IEA member countries are required to maintain total oil stock levels equivalent to at
least 90 days of the previous year's net imports. India became an Associate Member of IEA in
2017.
• 30 Member countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark,
EX
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg,
Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
The Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
• The 8 Association countries are Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore, South
Africa and Thailand.
46. (d)
[SOL] In News: The IMF has projected that India will grow at 9.5% and 8.5% this fiscal year and
N
next after a contraction of 7.3% last year in its latest World Economic Outlook report. India's debt
to GDP ratio increased from 74% to 90% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statement 1 is not correct: Tax-to-GDP ratio represents the size of a country's tax kitty relative to its
GDP. It is a representation of the size of the government's tax revenue expressed as a percentage of
the GDP. The higher the tax to GDP ratio the better the financial position the country will be in. The
ratio represents that the government is able to finance its expenditure. A higher tax to GDP ratio means
that the government is able to cast its fiscal net wide. It reduces a government's dependence on
borrowings.
Statement 2 is not correct: Developed nations typically have higher tax-to-GDP ratios than
developing nations.
45 | P a g e
47. (d)
[SOL] Afghanistan is a landlocked multiethnic country located in the heart of south-central Asia. The
nearest coast lies along the Arabian Sea. It is bounded to the east and south by Pakistan (including
those areas of Kashmir administered by Pakistan but claimed by India), to the west by Iran and to the
north by the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It also has a short
border with Xinjiang, China, at the end of the long, narrow Vākhān (Wakhan Corridor), in the extreme
northeast.
48. (d)
S
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEF&CC) has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, which prohibits
identified single-use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022.
The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single-use plastic, including
polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July,
IA
2022:-
• earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks,
polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
• plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packaging
films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than
100 micron, stirrers.
Statement 2 is not correct: In order to stop littering due to light weight plastic carry bags, with effect
from 30th September, 2021, the thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased from fifty
T
microns to seventy five microns and to one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st
December, 2022. This will also allow reuse of plastic carry due to increasing in thickness.
49. (a)
EX
[SOL] In News
• The IMF has projected that India will grow at 9.5% and 8.5% this fiscal year and next after a
contraction of 7.3% last year in its latest World Economic Outlook report. (Hence option A is
correct.)
• India's debt to GDP ratio increased from 74% to 90% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
o It is a cause of concern.
N
50. (a)
[SOL] In News: Recently, the Haryana government proposed to spend Rs 215 crore on the
construction of a dam meant for the revival of the Saraswati river.
Statement 1 is correct: The river originated from Kapal Tirith in the Himalayas in the west of
Kailash, flowed southward to Mansarovar and then turned towards the west.
Statement 2 is not correct: The river flowed through Haryana, Rajasthan and North Gujarat.
• It also flowed through Pakistan before meeting the Western Sea through the Rann of Kutch and
was approximately 4,000 km in length.
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51. (d)
[SOL] Option d is correct: The Kunming Declaration was adopted by over 100 countries on October
13, 2021, in China at the first part of the ongoing virtual 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
• It calls upon the parties to “mainstream” biodiversity protection in decision-making and
recognises the importance of conservation in protecting human health.
• Kunming Declaration acknowledges that the aim of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
should be to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
S
• Securing and maintaining a high-level political commitment to reverse the loss of biodiversity this
decade is a critical first step to addressing the current nature crisis.
52. (d)
IA
[SOL] Statements 1,2 and 3 are correct: Flower scorpionfish is also known as Hoplosebastes
Armatus and it belongs to the order of ray-finned fish that is also known as Scorpaeniforme. It was
discovered in the Pacific Ocean off Japan almost a century ago in 1929. A unique, lesser-known fish
species that was till now thought to be found only in the Pacific Ocean has been found in the Indian
Ocean too.
53. (a)
T
[SOL] Option A is correct: In News: Tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated since
October 1, when China observes its National Day. 1st Oct marks the birth of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC). Coinciding with the 72nd anniversary celebrations, China flew over 100 fighter jets into
Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. It jangled nerves in Taiwan and set off alarm around the
EX
world that it was preparing to take over the island by force.
• October 10 — “double 10”
• Taiwan observes October 10- “double 10”- as its national day
• It was on this day in 1911 that sections of the Manchu army rose in rebellion.
• Ultimately overthrowing the Qing dynasty and ending 4,000 years of the monarchy.
54. (b)
N
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: Mitra Mela, a secret organization of the revolutionaries was
established by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar at Nashik in
1899. It was later renamed Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) in 1904, taking after
Giuseppe Mazzini's Young Italy. Veer Savarkar was also the founder of the Free India Society in
England and Madam Bhikaji Cama was its founding leader.
Statement 2 is correct: The society grew to include several hundred revolutionaries and political
activists with branches in various parts of India, extending to London after Savarkar went to study
law.
47 | P a g e
55. (d)
[SOL] All the statements are correct: The government has notified new rules related to the Medical
Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021.
• In this, the gestational limit for termination of a pregnancy has been increased from 20 to 24 weeks
for certain categories of women.
Key Highlights of the Amendments
• Under the new rules, 7 specific categories will be eligible for termination of pregnancy up to 24
weeks:
• Survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest; (Option 1 is correct)
S
• Minors;
• Change of marital status during the ongoing pregnancy (widowhood and divorce); (Option 2
is Correct.)
• Women with physical disabilities;
IA
• Mentally ill women;
• Foetal malformation that has a substantial risk of being incompatible with life or if the child is
born, he/ she may suffer from serious physical or mental abnormalities; and
• Women with pregnancy in humanitarian settings or disaster or emergency situations. (Option
3 is Correct.)
56. (b)
[SOL] The eighth ministerial meeting of the India-U.S.A. Economic and Financial Partnership
T
Dialogue was recently held in Washington D.C.
• The meeting was chaired by India’s Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs and the
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
Statement 1 is not correct. It is an example of track 1 diplomacy as ministers are directly involved.
EX
Statement 2 is correct. In the recent meeting, there was convergence by both curbing money
laundering and climate finance.
Statement 3 is correct. The US has promised to provide technical support for the development of
GIFT City in Gujarat.
57. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a peer-reviewed annual report,
jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, designed to comprehensively measure
and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels. The aim of the GHI is to trigger action to
N
reduce hunger around the world.

Statement 2 is not correct: India ranks 101st out of the 116 countries with sufficient data to calculate
2021 GHI scores. With a score of 27.5, India has a level of hunger that is serious.
58. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations
system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe
and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them.
48 | P a g e
• It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

• It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention
throughout the year.
• The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN
General Assembly.
Statement 3 is not correct: The members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years and
shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.
S
59. (c)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Endosulfan is a pesticide and It does not occur naturally in
the environment.
• It is a cream-to-brown-coloured solid that may appear crystalline or in flakes.
IA
• It has a distinct odour similar to turpentine.
• It is used to control insects on food and non-food crops and also as a wood preservative.
• It is sold as a mixture of two different forms of the same chemical (referred to as α- and β-
endosulfan).
• Endosulfan can be released into the air, water, and soil in areas where it is applied as a pesticide.
• The health effects of endosulfan depend on how much endosulfan you are exposed to and the
length of that exposure
T
60. (c)
[SOL] The following table represents the correct match of important Indian bilateral army exercises:
EX
S.No. Exercise Name Participant Nations
1. Surya Kiran India & Nepal
2. Vajra Prahar India & US
3. Dharma Guardian India & Japan
4. Garuda Shakti India & Indonesia

N
61. (b)
[SOL] China in August tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe before
speeding towards its target. It was claimed by a report in the London-based Financial Times, citing
various sources.
Statement 1 is not correct. They navigate at speeds in the range of 5 Mach to 10 Mach.
Statement 2 is correct. Hypersonic weapons are tough to detect and have a longer reach.
49 | P a g e
62. (d)
[SOL] Option d is correct: International Space Station is a space station, or a habitable artificial
satellite, in Low Earth Orbit (approximately 250 miles above Earth).
• The first piece of the International Space Station was launched in 1998, since then it is evolving.
• NASA and its partners around the world finished the space station in 2011.
• The ISS is one of the most ambitious international collaborations in human history.
• The ISS programme is a joint project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United
States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
•
S
The ownership and use of the space station are established by intergovernmental treaties and
agreements.
• The station is divided into two sections, the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) and the United States
Orbital Segment (USOS), which is shared by many nations.
• ISS is the ninth space station to be inhabited by crews, following the Soviet and later Russian
IA
Salyut, Almaz, and Mir stations as well as Skylab from the US.
63. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: Zeolites are highly porous, 3-D meshes of silica and
alumina.
• They occur naturally and are also produced industrially on a large scale.
o In nature, they occur where volcanic outflows have met water.
T
o Synthetic zeolites have proven to be a big and low-cost boon.
• They are often also referred to as molecular sieves.
• The zeolites are noted for their lability toward ion exchange and reversible dehydration.
•
EX
They have a framework structure that encloses interconnected cavities occupied by large metal
cations (positively charged ions) and water molecules.
64. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The IMF issues an international reserve asset known as Special
Drawing Rights or SDRs, that can supplement the official reserves of member countries participating
in the SDR Department (currently all members of the IMF). A general allocation of SDRs must be
consistent with the objective of meeting the long-term global need for reserve assets and requires
Board of Governors approval by an 85 per cent majority of the total voting power.
N
Statement 2 is correct: Once agreed, the allocation is distributed to member countries in proportion
to their quota shares at the Fund. Total global allocations are currently about SDR 204.2 billion (some
$293 billion). IMF members can voluntarily exchange SDRs for currencies among themselves.
65. (d)
[SOL] In News: Over four crore unorganised sector workers had been registered on the e-Shram
portal in under two months of its launch.
Statement 1 is not correct: The portal will maintain a database of workers in the country’s
unorganised sector.
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• Workers will be provided with an e-SHRAM card which will have a 12 digit unique number.
o The details of workers will also be shared by the state government and departments.
Statement 2 is correct: The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched the National Database for
Unorganised Workers (NDUW) or e-Shram portal. This will be a single-point reference to help
authorities reach out to and track workers in the informal sector, and offer welfare in times of crisis.
• The database will include construction workers, migrant workers, gig and platform workers,
street vendors, domestic workers, agriculture workers, migrant workers and similar other
sub-groups of unorganised workers.
• It will be available in public for open access where workers can self-enrol through Aadhaar and
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mobile numbers.
66. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: ENSO is a single climate phenomenon, it has three states or
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phases. The two opposite phases are El Niño and La Niña. El Niño is the warming of the ocean
surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific
Ocean. And, La Nina is basically the opposite of an El Niño: Ocean temperatures along the eastern
half of the tropical Pacific cool down and that part of the world dries out.
Statement 2 is not correct: During an El Niño event, the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean gets
warmer than usual, particularly at the equator and along the coasts of South and Central America.
Warm oceans lead to low-pressure systems in the atmosphere above, which in turn leads to a lot of
rain for the western coasts of South America.
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67. (d)
[SOL] Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis).The species is found in very small numbers in
India and Cambodia. About a hundred of them are present in Nepal and the species is extinct in
Bangladesh. It is an iconic species of topmost conservation priority and it exhibits transboundary
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movements. It has a very small, rapidly declining population largely as a result of the widespread
loss of its grassland habitat.
• IUCN status: Critically Endangered.
68. (c)
[SOL] Geospatial Energy Map of India was launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 18 October 2021.
Statement 1 is correct. It has been launched by NITI Aayog and ISRO.
N
Statement 2 is correct. It has more than 25 layers on the map.
69. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The concept of Judicial Activism came up in the United States of
America (USA).
Statement 2 is correct: It was introduced in India in the mid 1970s. Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Justice
P N Bhagwati, Justice O Chinnappa Reddy and Justice D A Desai laid the foundations of judicial
activism in the country.
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70. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: National Urban Digital Mission aims to build a shared digital
infrastructure that will strengthen the capacity of the urban ecosystem to solve complex problems at
scale and speed. It is built as a public good and provides the ecosystem actors the foundational digital
building blocks, ready-to-use platforms, standards, specifications, and frameworks. It is an initiative
of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Statement 2 is correct: Its vision is to improve the ease of living for citizens by creating a national
urban digital ecosystem that delivers accessible, inclusive, efficient and citizen centric governance in
India’s 4400 towns and cities.
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71. (d)
[SOL] Recently, candy giant Mars Wrigley carried out a mass recall of several batches of its Crispy
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M&Ms across Europe. It was due to the use of Genetically Modified rice flour that allegedly originated
in India, according to the European Commission’s rapid alert system. However, the Commerce
Ministry pointed out that GM rice is not grown commercially in India, let alone export.
Option D is correct. India does not allow any GM crop to be grown in India except for BT Cotton.
72. (d)
[SOL] The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent,
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intergovernmental Organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
o Libya, UAE, Algeria, Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo joined it later.
• The OPEC Secretariat is the executive organ of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
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Countries (OPEC). Located in Vienna.
73. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 and 2 are correct: Jal Jeevan Mission envisages a supply of 55 litres of water
per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC)
by 2024.
• It is under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
N
• It was launched in 2019.

Statement 3 is not correct: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for
Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories.
• Aims:
o The mission ensures the functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections;
water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture.
• It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking
water supply system, greywater treatment and its reuse.
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74. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: World Economic Outlook is a Survey by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) staff usually published twice a year. It presents IMF staff economists' analyses
of global economic developments during the near and medium term.
Statement 2 is not correct: The global economy is projected to grow 5.9 percent in 2021 and 4.9
percent in 2022, 0.1 percentage point lower for 2021 than in the July forecast. The downward revision
for 2021 reflects a downgrade for advanced economies—in part due to supply disruptions—and for
low-income developing countries, largely due to worsening pandemic dynamics.
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75. (c)
[SOL]
• Sub Standard: A sub-standard asset is one which is classified as an NPA for a period not
exceeding twelve months.
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• Doubtful: A doubtful asset is one which has remained as an NPA for a period exceeding twelve
months.
• Loss: A loss asset is one where loss has already been identified by the bank or an external
institution, but it is not yet completely written off, due to its recovery value, however little it may
be.
76. (b)
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[SOL] Statement 1 and 2 are correct: Global Food Security Index (GFSI) considers the issues of
food affordability, availability, quality and safety, and natural resources and resilience across a set of
113 countries. The index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model
constructed from 58 unique indicators that measure the drivers of food security across both
developing and developed countries.
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Statement 3 is not correct: According to the report, India held 71st position with an overall score
of 57.2 points on the GFS Index 2021 of 113 countries, fared better than Pakistan (75th position),
Sri Lanka (77th Position), Nepal (79th position) and Bangladesh (84th position). But the country was
way behind China (34th position)
77. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: Mahaparinirvana Temple is located in Kushinagar in UP.
Statement 2 is not correct: The reclining nirvana statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple is 6.10
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mt. long and is made of monolith red sandstone of the 5th century A.D.
• It represents the ‘Dieing-Buddha’ reclining on his right side with his face towards the west.
• Being the death- place of Lord Buddha, it is a holy place for pilgrimage.
78. (a)
[SOL] Option A is correct: The Varman dynasty (350-650) was the first historical dynasty of the
Kamarupa kingdom. It was established by Pushyavarman, a contemporary of Samudragupta.
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79. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: The Reclining Buddha was first depicted in Gandhara art, which
began in the period between 50 BC and 75 AD, and peaked during the Kushana period from the first
to the fifth centuries AD.
Statement 2 is not correct: Kushinagar, where the Buddha actually attained parinirvana, has a 6-
metre-long red sandstone monolith statue of the Reclining Buddha inside the Parinirvana Stupa.
80. (c)
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[SOL] Recently, India and Israel agreed to resume long-pending negotiations on a free trade
agreement, as External Affairs Minister met his Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem
o Israel accepts travel for Indians with Covishield jab.
Option C is correct. UAE (not Saudi Arabia) is the member of the new QUAD.
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81. (b)
[SOL] The two lakes — Chibzhang Co and Dorsoidong Co — in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region
grew larger between October 1987 and 2021. (Hence, Option B is correct.)
• But much of these glaciers are retreating due to rising temperatures, accelerating ice loss and
meltwater runoff.
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82. (b)
[SOL] Statements 1 is not correct: The Gold Bonds are issued as Government of India Stock under
the Government Securities (GS) Act, 2006.
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o These are issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India.
o The Bonds will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks(except Small Finance Banks and
Payment Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of
India Limited (CCIL),designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National
Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Maturity period is 8 years, with an option to exit the investment
after the first five years.
•
N
Gold bonds can be purchased in multiples of one unit.

o The upper limit for retail (individual) investors and HUFs is 4 kilograms (4,000 units) each
per financial year.
o For trusts and similar entities, an upper limit of 20 kilograms per financial year is applicable.
o Minimum permissible investment is 1 gram of gold.
• A fixed rate of 2.5% per annum is applicable on the scheme, payable semi-annually.
o The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
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83. (b)
[SOL] Option b is correct: Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is situated at Bargarh district in Odisha.
• The 353-square kilometre sanctuary is situated adjacent to the huge Hirakud reservoir.
• The sanctuary is an important biogeographic zone from both the ecological and environmental
point of view.
• Biodiversity: It is home to over 40 species of mammals, 234 species of birds, 41 species of
reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 42 species of fishes, 85 species of butterflies and 38 species of
spiders.
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84. (c)
[SOL]
Statement 1 is not correct: In India’s development plan exercise we have two types of schemes i.e
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central sector and centrally sponsored scheme. Under Central sector schemes, it is 100% funded by
the Union government and implemented by the Central Government machinery. Central sector
schemes are mainly formulated on subjects from the Union List. Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme
(CSS) a certain percentage of the funding is borne by the States in the ratio of 50:50, 70:30, 75:25 or
90:10 and the implementation is by the State Governments.
Statement 2 is not correct: Centrally Sponsored Schemes are formulated in subjects from the State
List to encourage States to prioritise in areas that require more attention.
Statement 3 is correct: The centrally sponsored schemes are divided into two categories – core of the
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core schemes and core schemes. MGNREGA or the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act falls under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Core of the core schemes.
85. (b)
EX
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), also known as
BharatNet, is a Special Purpose Vehicle set up under Companies Act by Government of India with an
authorized capital of Rs. 1000 Cr. Thus, BBNL is a Government of India Undertaking.
Statement 2 is correct: It has been mandated to create the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN)
in India. A total of around 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats spread over 6,600 Blocks and 641 Districts are
to be covered by laying incremental fiber. The timeline for this ambitious project is two years. The
project cost is estimated to be about 20,000 Cr which will be funded by the Universal service
Obligation Fund (USOF).
N
86. (c)
[SOL] In News: Although the monsoon season ends in September, a delayed withdrawal and other
factors have been causing heavy rainfall in several states.
Option 1 is correct: Western disturbances:
o Begin to have significant interference in local weather over the extreme northern parts of India,
commonly causing either rain or snowfall.
o When a low-pressure system interacts with western disturbance, further intense rainfall occurs.
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Option 2 is not correct: Two low-pressure systems were active simultaneously

o One each over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal regions.
o Collectively, these triggered severe weather events over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
Option 3 is correct: Delayed monsoon withdrawal
o This year, however, the withdrawal began only on October 6 against a normal of September 17.
o Even though the easterlies are beginning to replace the westerlies,
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 The former is yet to strengthen and fully establish.
 The easterly winds indicate the arrival of the northeast monsoon
o So far, the monsoon has withdrawn completely from the Western, Northern, Central and Eastern
India regions.
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o But it remains active over the southern peninsula.
o Thus, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have had significant rainfall
during the last 10 days.
87. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Amur Falcons are Scientifically termed as ‘Falco amurensis’.
T
• The Amur falcon is a small raptor of the falcon family.
• They breed in Siberia and Northern China and migrate to winter in Southern Africa.
o Migrates west through India and across the Arabian Sea to Southern Africa.
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Statement 2 is not correct: The birds are the least concern under the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• The hunting of the bird was punishable under the Manipur Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and
could lead to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹25,000.
88. (d)
[SOL] Waste Aid (a UK based international NGO) launched its Zero Waste Cities Challenge.
o The competition was launched to find grassroots solutions to resource efficiency, waste collection
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and recycling in South Africa, Vietnam and India.

• It is part of a programme to encourage a circular economy and inclusive livelihood
opportunities in the city.
• Prizes of €10,000 will be awarded to two innovation solutions that increase resource efficiency
and reduce waste, in the three cities
• It aims to find entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas that help reduce or recycle waste
and create green employment opportunities.
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89. (d)
[SOL] CoP 26 is soon to begin in Glasgow with focus on commitment to Net Zero.
• India doesn’t rule out ‘net zero’ commitment but New Delhi insists on earlier pledges for tech
transfer funds from developed countries.
Option 1 is not correct: Net-zero is also referred to as carbon-neutrality.
• It is a state in which a country’s emissions are compensated by absorption and removal of
greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
• It does not mean that a country would bring down its emissions to zero.
Option 2 is not correct: “India: Transforming to a Net-Zero Emissions Energy System”: A report
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released jointly by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and Shell.
90. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched at COP21 (2015), the
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UN climate meeting in Paris. This is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization. The Headquarters
is in India with its Interim Secretariat being set up in Gurugram.
Statement 2 is not correct: It has 122 sun-belt countries as its prospective member countries and
currently has 98 Signatory countries globally. The sunshine countries lie either completely or partly
between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
91. (d)
[SOL] In News: Flash floods and back-to-back landslides in Kerala bring into focus the fragile
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ecosystem of the mountain chain that runs almost parallel to India’s western coast.
Option 1 is not correct: The Western Ghats is a mountain chain that runs almost parallel to India’s
western coast.
• It stretches across six states:Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
EX
Option 2 is not correct: It runs to a length of 1,600 km,starting from the mouth of the river Tapti near
the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India in Tamil Nadu.
92. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: Melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease, is an
infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. The disease is caused by the bacterium
Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• The bacteria causing melioidosis are found in contaminated water and soil.
N
• Melioidosis is a rare but serious disease in the United States with 12 cases reported annually.
• The true burden of the disease is unknown in India but a 2016 modelling study by scientists at the
University of Oxford predicted a global incidence of around 165,000 cases worldwide with an
estimated case fatality of 89,000 (54%).
• This study suggested melioidosis to be endemic to India with an annual incidence of close to
52,500 cases.
• It is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.
• It is predominantly a disease of tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern
Australia where it is widespread.
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93. (a)
[SOL] The Sabarmati is a seasonal river with its flows dominated by the monsoon.
• It originates from Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan and meets in the Bay of Khambhat in the Arabian
sea.
• It passes through districts like Udaipur in Rajasthan, and Aravalli, Sabarkantha,
Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Kheda in Gujarat.
• Its length is 371 km. & total catchment area is 21,674 sq. km.
• Sei, Siri and Dhamni are the right bank’s tributaries and Wakal, Harnav, Hathmati, Khari, Watrak
are left bank’s tributaries.
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94. (c)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), massive bilateral project
to improve infrastructure within Pakistan for better trade with China and to further integrate the
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countries of the region. It was launched in 2015.
Statement 2 is correct: The goal of CPEC is both to transform Pakistan’s economy—by modernizing
its road, rail, air, and energy transportation systems—and to connect the deep-sea Pakistani ports of
Gwadar and Karachi to China’s Xinjiang province and beyond by overland routes.
95. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Critical care services will be made available in all districts that have a
population of over 5 lakh.
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Statement 2 is not correct: Its objective is to fill gaps in public health infrastructure, especially in
critical care facilities and primary care in both urban and rural areas. Under PMASBY, a national
institution for health, four new national institutes for virology, a regional research platform for WHO
South East Asia Region, nine biosafety level-III laboratories, five new regional national centres for
EX
disease control will be set up.
96. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct. A surcharge is a charge (tax) on any tax, charged on the tax already
paid.
Statement 2 is not correct. The surcharge goes to Consolidated Fund of India and can be spent for
any purpose.
Statement 3 is not correct. It is not a part of a divisible pool of taxes as given in Article 271 of the
Constitution. Union may keep it fully for its own usage.
N
97. (b)
[SOL] In News: China’s legislature has adopted a new border law, to take effect on January 1. It calls
on the state and military to safeguard the territory and ‘combat any acts’ that undermine China’s
territorial claims.
Option B is correct. Recently, China has also claimed Sakteng wildlife sanctuary aka Bhutan Nature
park. It is in Bhutan, contiguous with Tawang Valley and does not touch China Border.
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98. (a)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The Government of India started it in 1969 to commemorate
Dadasaheb Phalke, known as the 'Father of Indian Cinema'.
o He made India's first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913.
• It is the highest honour for an artist in Indian cinema.
• It is presented annually at the National Films Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film
Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The recipients are honoured for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and development
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of Indian cinema."
• The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of
Rs. 10 lakh.
Statement 3 is not correct: Recently, Legendary actor Rajnikanth was honoured with the 51st
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Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
99. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with
Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat).
• It is being implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), the
Ministry of Education.
T
• A five-tier implementation mechanism will be set up at the National- State- District- Block-
School level in all States and UTs, under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra
Shiksha.
EX
o It covers key technical aspects of foundational literacy and numeracy as well as the
administrative aspects for effectively setting up an implementation mechanism at the National,
State, District, Block and School level.
Statement 2 is not correct: It aims to achieve the goal of universal proficiency in foundational literacy
and numeracy for every child by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27, as envisaged by National Education
Policy 2020.
o It aims to cover the learning needs of children in the age group of 3 to 9 years.
N
100. (c)
[SOL] In News: Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Supervisory Committee to take an
immediate and firm decision on the maximum water level that can be maintained at Mullaperiyar
dam amidst torrential rains in Kerala.
Option C is correct. Under the lease agreement between the British and Travancore (Current Kerala),
Tamil Nadu got the rights to operate Mullaperiyar Dam even though it is situated in Kerala on the
Periyar River. It is a bone of contention and sub judice due to Kerala’s wish to decommission it.
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101. (d)
[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Bush frog Scientific Name is Raorchestes ponmudi.
o It is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.
• The bush frog’s life cycle is entirely different unlike other frog species and water sources are
not primarily needed for the growth of its eggs.
• It eats up the shoot borer Conogethes punctiferalis that enters through immature panicles
and attacks the shoots and stems, thus destroying cardamom plants, often on a large scale.
• The bush frog is widely found in the Ponmudi area of the Western Ghats (endemic to the
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Western Ghats) and is familiar to cardamom planters.
o The bush frog is also common in the CHR (Cardamom Hill Reserve) areas of Udumbanchola and
Peerumade in the Idukki district.
• Aggressive pesticide application is a threat to the bush frog.
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Statement 3 is correct: The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened
Species classifies it as Critically Endangered.
102. (b)
[SOL] Lake Tahoe, a freshwater lake occupying a fault basin on the California-Nevada border in the
northern Sierra Nevada, U.S.A
• It is Fed by numerous small streams, it is drained by the Truckee River to Pyramid Lake, Nevada,
about 60 miles (100 km) northeast.
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• It was visited in 1844 by the soldier-explorer John C. Frémont, the intensely blue lake took its
name from the Washoe Indian word meaning “big water.”
• Water is supplied through its western outlet, the Truckee, for the Newlands Irrigation Project in
Nevada.
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• The lake and the surrounding area of national forests have been developed as tourist resorts.
103. (c)
[SOL] In News:The Centre’s initiative is seen as a step towards ending the dominance of platforms
such as Amazon and Flipkart, which have been accused by the minister of wielding monopoly power
and breaking the law.
Statement 1 is correct: The task of implementing DPIIT’s (Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade) ONDC project has been assigned to the Quality Council of India (QCI).
N
Statement 2 is correct: The ONDC project is modelled around the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) project that is seen as a success by many.
• The UPI project allows people to send or receive money irrespective of the payment platforms on
which they are registered.
• Similarly, ONDC will ensure that buyers and sellers in the e-commerce market transact regardless
of the platforms on which they are registered.
• Thus, a buyer registered on Amazon, may directly purchase goods from a seller who sells on
Flipkart.
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104. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: The sedition comes under Section 124A of IPC.
Statement 2 is correct: According to the Section 124A, the offence of sedition is committed when
any person by words or otherwise brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or
attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law.
Statement 3 is correct: It was introduced by the British in 1870.
105. (d)
[SOL] In News: In the Gorongosa National Park, evolutionary trends were witnessed which led to the
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more tuskless female elephants.
Option D is correct: It is located in the Southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in
Mozambique, Southeast Africa. It is a more than 4,000 km square park comprising the valley floor
and parts of surrounding plateaus. It encompasses savannas, woodlands, wetlands, and a wide pan of
water called Lake Urema. Gorongosa was once a hunting reserve, and in 1960, it was first designated
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a national park.
106. (a)
[SOL] In News: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified a traffic management policy framework
for drones, which envisages private, third-party service providers for ensuring safe operations. The
framework has been issued under the Drone Rules 2021.
Statement 1 is correct: Established Unmanned Traffic Management Service Providers (UTMSP). It
will extend automated, algorithm-driven software services instead of voice communication as in the
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traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems.
Statement 2 is not correct: It will be responsible for segregating and separating a drone from other
drones and manned aircraft in the airspace below 1,000 feet in the country.
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107. (c)
[SOL] In News: India has successfully test-fired its longest-range surface-to-surface ballistic
missile, Agni-V. It has a range of up to 5,000 kilometres and the missile can reach most parts of China.
Statement 1 is correct. It is India’s longest-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Statement 2 is not correct. It has been indigenously developed under the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme (IGMDP).
Statement 3 is correct. It has the capability of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes.
N
108. (b)
[SOL] statement 1 is not correct: It is a combination of the real scene viewed by the user and a
virtual scene generated by the computer. In augmented reality, users see and interact with the real
world while digital content is added to it. Pokemon Go is an example of augmented reality.
Statement 2 is not correct: Virtual Reality is a Fully Artificial Environment, Full immersion in a
virtual environment and VR replaces the actual world environment with 3D digital elements.
Statement 3 and 4 are correct: There's a different way to experience augmented reality, though –
with special AR headsets, such as Google Glass, where digital content is displayed on a tiny screen in
front of a user's eye.
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109. (c)
[SOL] The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these
states. This special provision is provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
• The 6th schedule areas remain within executive authority of the state and have been constituted
as autonomous districts, with a degree of autonomy within the State Legislature.
110. (d)
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[SOL] Statements 1 and 2 are not correct: The Nag River revitalization project conceptualized by
the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and is an ambitious project for the people
of Nagpur.
• Nag river flows through Nagpur city, hence giving it the name.
• It is now a highly polluted water channel of sewage and industrial waste.
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• It is approved under the National River Conservation Plan and will be implemented by the
National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD).
• It will reduce the pollution level in terms of untreated sewage, flowing solid waste and other
impurities flowing into the Nag river and its tributaries.
• Under this project, three STP projects with a capacity of 92 MLD, 500 km sewerage network,
pumping station and community toilets will be constructed.
• The cost of the project is Rs 2,117-crore and a period of eight years has been fixed for this work.
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111. (c)
[SOL] In News: India is likely to begin taking delivery of the S-400 in November
EX
• It would potentially activate U.S. sanctions under Countering America’s Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Option C is correct: CAATSA is a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on
o Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The USA suspended Turkey from its F-35 aircraft programme
following Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 from Russia. However, this was done without invoking
CAATSA.
112. (b)
N
[SOL] In News: The Supreme Court has set up a panel to investigate allegations of potential
surveillance of mobile phones using the Pegasus spyware.
• Under the case, the Union Government is alleged to have used spyware for surveillance on private
citizens.
Option B is correct: Raveendran panel would now seek the government’s response afresh and probe
into government excesses. However, probe committees for government excesses like extra-judicial
killings are often faced by a lack of cooperation from the government. The Justice Raveendran panel
has been empowered to take the assistance of any serving or retired officer(s), legal expert(s) or
technical expert(s). The committee is expected to submit its report in eight weeks.
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113. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body.
Statement 2 is not correct: CARA comes under the Ministry of Women & Child Development,
Government of India.
Additional information:
• It functions as the nodal body for the adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and
regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. CARA is designated as the Central Authority to
deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on
Intercountry Adoption, 1993, ratified by the Government of India in 2003.
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• CARA primarily deals with the adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through
its associated /recognised adoption agencies.
114. (b)
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[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: It was launched as a regional connectivity scheme under the
Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: The first flight under the UDAN scheme was flagged in 2017 from
Bhubaneswar to the Varanasi route.
• It offers a unique opportunity to a common man to fly at an affordable price.
• It has played a major role in adding new airports and routes to the aviation landscape of the
country.
• The 4th round of UDAN was launched in December 2019 with a special focus on North-Eastern
T
Regions, Hilly States, and Islands.
• The UDAN 4.1 is focused on connecting smaller airports, along with a special helicopter and
seaplane routes.
EX
115. (b)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct: UNESCO, World Resources Institute (WRI) and International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released World Heritage forests: Carbon sinks under
pressure.
Statement 2 and 3 are correct: It provides the first global scientific assessment of greenhouse gas
emissions and sequestration by forests in UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• It is combining satellite-derived data with monitoring information at the site level.
• Over the past 20 years, World Heritage sites lost 3.5 million hectares of forest (an area larger
than Belgium) and forests in 10 World Heritage sites emitted more carbon than they absorbed.
N
116. (d)
[SOL] Recently, India’s First Manned Ocean Mission "Samudrayan" was launched in Chennai by
Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
• With the launch of this Unique Ocean Mission, India joins the elite club of nations such as the
USA, Russia, Japan, France and China to have such underwater vehicles for carrying out
subsea activities.
• A new chapter opens to explore ocean resources for drinking water, clean energy & blue economy.
63 | P a g e
117. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) consist of securities and other
financial assets held by investors in another country.
o FPI holdings can include stocks, ADRs, GDRs, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded
funds.
Statement 2 is not correct: FPIs does not provide the investor with direct ownership of a company's
assets and is relatively liquid depending on the volatility of the market.
• Along with foreign direct investment (FDI), FPI is one of the common ways to invest in an
S
overseas economy.
o FDI and FPI are both important sources of funding for most economies.
IA
118. (b)
[SOL] In News: NITI Aayog suggests extending Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (AB-PMJAY) coverage to ‘missing middle’. The report has recommended three models for
increasing the health insurance coverage in the country.
Option B is correct: NITI Aayog Published the report titled ‘Health Insurance for India’s Missing
Middle’.
T
119. (a)
[SOL] Statement 1 is correct: Sardar Patel National Unity Award is the highest civilian award in the
field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India. It seeks to recognize notable and inspiring
EX
contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong
and united India. These are announced on the National Unity Day, i.e. the birth anniversary of Sardar
Patel on 31st October. It consists of a medal and a citation and no monetary grant or cash award are
attached.
Statement 2 is not correct: Not more than three Awards shall be given in a year. The Ministry of
Home Affairs receives the nominations online. Any citizen of India without distinction of religion,
race, caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation and any institution/organization.
N
120. (d)
[SOL] Statement 1 is not correct. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 (11th
FYP) under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010 as a statutory body. It is a specialised body for
effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of
forests and other natural resources.
Statement 2 is not correct. It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within
6 months of the filing of the case.

64 | P a g e

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TEST YOURSELF | DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS, October, 2021

1. With reference to Silver Economy, consider the following statements:

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 aims to make cities garbage-free

8 Consider the following statements:

9 Global Financial Stability Report is published by:

10. Which of the following Committees is not related to Police reforms?

11. With reference to Solar Conjunction, consider the following statements:

(c) 1 and 3 only

3. Eight percent of bird species found in India are recorded in Mudumalai.

14. With reference to Antarctic Treaty, consider the following statements:

17. Consider the following statements:

2. Following constitutional conventions by Governor in case of hung assemblies.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

25. With reference to Ayushman Bharat, consider the following statements:

1. States to conform to Union guidelines for implementation.

29. With reference to CERT-In, consider the following statements:

30. Consider the following statements.

32. Consider the following statements:

2. The intention of strategic disinvestment is to transfer the ownership of a non-performing

35. Consider the following statements:

36. With reference to Red Sanders, consider the following statements:

Which of the statements given above are correct?

37. With reference to Rabies, consider the following statements:

1. It is a zoonotic viral disease.

38. Consider the following statements:

(d) All of the above

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

47. Which of the following countries share a border with Afghanistan?

50. Consider the following statements:

(c) International Organised Crime

52. With reference to Flower scorpionfish, consider the following statements:

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

53. Double 10, recently seen in news, is related to

(c) Both 1 and 2

3. Destitute women from a severe earthquake hit area.

59. With reference to Endosulfan, consider the following statements:

1. It is a pesticide that does not occur naturally in the environment.

61. Which of the following is/are correct about Hypersonic Engines?

(c) Both 1 and 2

4. United States of America

63. With reference to Zeolites, consider the following statements:

75. Which of the following statements is correct regarding sub-standard assets?

77. With reference to Mahaparinirvana Temple, consider the following statements:

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

78. Who was the founder of the Varman dynasty?

79. With reference to Reclining Buddha, consider the following statements:

state government machinery.

87. With reference to Amur Falcons, consider the following statements:

92. With reference to Melioidosis, consider the following statements:

2. The scheme is primarily focussing on rural areas.

96. Consider the following statements:

1. A surcharge is a tax on tax.

97. Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in:

99. With reference to NIPUN Bharat, consider the following statements:

101. With reference to Bush frog, consider the following statements:

1. It is endemic to the Western Ghats.