1) Consider the following statements with respect to Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM- SYM) Scheme
Under the Scheme, the beneficiary should not be an income tax payer.
It is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50 basis (contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government).
The unorganised workers whose monthly income is Rs 15,000/ per month or less and belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years are eligible for the scheme.
They should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Further, he/she should not be an income tax payer.
Each subscriber under the PM-SYM, shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
It will be a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India and CSCs.
LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
2) Anoop Satpathy committee sometimes seen in the news recently, was constituted to review and recommend which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Ministry of Labour and Employment had constituted an expert committee, under the Chairmanship Dr. Anoop Satpathy to review and recommend methodology for fixation of National Minimum Wage (NMW).
The Expert Committee has submitted its report recently.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to Nord Stream-2 Project
It is an expansion of Russia’s existing Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany across the Caspian Sea.
U.S.A is opposing the project citing the increase in Russian gas supply to Europe would increase Moscow’s leverage over European countries.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Nord Stream 2 is an expansion of Russia’s existing Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany across the Baltic Sea.
The U.S says the new pipeline, and the resultant increase in Russian gas supply to Europe, would increase Moscow’s leverage over European Countries.
It would also make Russia richer, and as a result, more aggressive.
4) “World Employment and Social Outlook” is an annual report published by which of the following organisations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
World Employment and Social Outlookis an annual report published by International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency.
Global unemployment levels fell one percentile to a steady 5 per cent in 2018, the lowest figures since the economic crisis that wreaked havoc on labour markets, the International Labour Organization said in its recent report World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2019.
5) Green New Deal (GND) sometimes seen in the news recently, is associated with which of the following countries?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
U.S has recently proposed the Green New Deal (GND) to address both climate change and economic inequality.
The Green New Deal “is a four-part programme for moving America quickly out of crisis into a secure, sustainable future.
The resolution was introduced in the House and Senate recently.
6) Spirit and Opportunityrovers sometimes seen in the news recently, are associated with which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Spirit and Opportunity were identical, golf-cart-sized, solar-powered rovers.
Spirit landed at Gusev Crater on January 4, 2004; Opportunity followed, landing on the opposite side of Mars at Meridiani Planum on January 24.
Contact with Spirit was lost in March 2010, and the mission was declared over on May 25, 2011.
Opportunity continued to roam Mars — and sent out its last signals on June 10, 2018, when the most intense dust storm in recorded Martian history encrusted its solar panels, and damaged critical components.
NASA has recently announced the end of the Opportunity rover’s mission.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to Sambar deer
It is large in size and endemic to Indian subcontinent.
It has been protected under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The sambar deer is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Sambar is a protected animal under schedule three of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
8) Kattaikkuttu is a rural theatre form, practiced in which of the following states?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
9) Which of the following is/are not the features of Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)
Use of Pottery wheels
Undeciphered script
Proper town planning
Domestication of animals
Use of standard weights and measurements
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
10) Consider the following pairs
Pahari Dam – Madhya Pradesh
Kawal Tiger Reserve – Andhra Pradesh
Which of the pair(s) given above is/are correctly matched?
