1) Consider the following statements with respect to Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF)
It is a corpus of Rs. 2,000 crore under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
It was created for the development and up-gradation of agricultural marketing infrastructure in rural and regulated wholesale markets.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs recently gave its approval for the creation of a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore for Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF) to be created with NABARD for development and up-gradation of agricultural marketing infrastructure in Gramin Agricultural Markets and Regulated Wholesale Markets.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to Darwaza Band -Part 2' campaign
It was launched by Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen across the country.
It focuses on sustaining the open defecation free status of villages across the country.
It has been supported by the World Bank.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen has recently launched the Part two of Darwaza Band campaign which focuses on sustaining the open defecation free status of villages across the country.
The 'Darwaza Band- Part 2' campaign has been supported by the World Bank and is being rolled out countrywide immediately after the launch.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
It is an alliance of 29 countries only from North America and Europe.
The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance of 29 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on 4 April 1949.
In accordance with the Treaty, the fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means.
Macedonia has recently signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance.
The Macedonia-NATO accord follows a deal with Greece ending a 27-year-old dispute over Macedonia's name.
The accordmust now be ratified by allied governments.
4) The Report on Social Protection for Children sometimes seen in the news recently, is released jointly by
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
India is second only to sub-Saharan Africa in how many poor children live in the country, states a joint report on Social Protection for Children released by UNICEF and International Labour Organization (ILO).
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) Scheme
It is a subsidy scheme which involves refund of taxes and levies paid by exporters.
Currently, it is applicable only to exporters of apparels and made-ups.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The RoSL, a scheme under which exporters can claim refunds from the Centre for all the levies and duties they pay at the State level, is extended only to exporters of apparel and made-ups.
With India’s eligibility to extend direct sops to exporters coming under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) scanner, the government is examining the industry’s suggestion of expanding the scope and coverage of the Rebate of State Levies (RoSL).
RoSL Scheme does not flout global trade rules as it involves refund of taxes and levies paid by exporters, and is not a subsidy scheme like Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS).
6) Consider the following statements with respect to Indo-Saracenic architecture
It is a revival architectural style used by British architects in India in the 19th century.
The Madras High Court buildings are an example of this style.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
7) “Exercise RAHAT” sometimes seen in the news recently, is associated with
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
‘EXERCISE RAHAT’ is a Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise.
It was conducted by the Jaipur based Sapta Shakti Command on behalf of Indian Army.
The Joint exercise in coordination with NDMA is being conducted to synergise efforts for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS)
Under the Scheme, the government gives incentives to exporters’ equivalent to a certain percentage of their export value.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
At present, bulk of the incentives to exporters is under the popular MEIS wherein the government gives incentives to exporters’ equivalent to a certain percentage of their export value in the form of duty credit scrips that can be used to pay customs duties and are freely transferable.
But with the WTO now ruling that since India’s per capita Gross National Income is over $1,000 it is no longer eligible to give direct subsidies such as the ones offered under MEIS, such schemes have to be phased out.
Since the government is not keen on giving more direct export subsidies such as the one given under the MEIS, the ROSL becomes more relevant.
9) Which of the following product(s) does not have a GI tag?
Rasagola
Silao Khaja
Rajamudi rice
Tirupathi Laddu
Kangra Paintings
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai has recently granted GI tag to Silao Khaja, the traditional delicacy of Nalanda district, Bihar.
Rajamudi is a traditional red rice variety of Old Mysore region, which was patronised by the “royals” (and hence the nomenclature).
There is a serious effort on to secure GI tag for the ‘royal rice’.
If all goes as planned, Rajamudi will join the league of Basmati and get a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in recognition of its unique qualities.
10) Consider the following statements with respect to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
It is a not for profit company established under the companies act 1956.
It works under the aegis of Ministry of Finance.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) is a not for profit company under the companies act 1956.
It works under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs.
It is a National Level Apex Body for the benefit of Minorities as defined under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992.
The prime mandate of NMDFC is to provide concessional finance to the Minorities for self-employment/ income generation activities.
The notified Minorities in India are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists & Parsis and Jain.
Under NMDFC program, preference is given to Artisans & Women.
