Answer: B
Explanation
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, guarantees 100 days of work each financial year to any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● In addition to this, there is a provision for upto additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year in drought/natural calamity notified rural areas. The State Governments may make provision for providing additional days beyond the period guaranteed under the Act from their own funds. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The act makes it obligatory for the State to give rural households work on demand. In case such employment is not provided within 15 days of registration, the applicant becomes eligible for an unemployment allowance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was initiated as directed in MGNREGA to implement the mandate of the Act.
● The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of the MGNREGS in association with state governments.
Explanation
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, guarantees 100 days of work each financial year to any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● In addition to this, there is a provision for upto additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year in drought/natural calamity notified rural areas. The State Governments may make provision for providing additional days beyond the period guaranteed under the Act from their own funds. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The act makes it obligatory for the State to give rural households work on demand. In case such employment is not provided within 15 days of registration, the applicant becomes eligible for an unemployment allowance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was initiated as directed in MGNREGA to implement the mandate of the Act.
● The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of the MGNREGS in association with state governments.
4. Consider the following factors.
1) Subsidized power supply
2) Usage of combine harvesters
3) Narrow gap between rice-harvesting season and wheat-sowing season
1) Subsidized power supply
2) Usage of combine harvesters
3) Narrow gap between rice-harvesting season and wheat-sowing season
Which of the above factor(s) can potentially encourage stubble burning?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. 1 and 2 only
20%
B. 1 and 3 only
30%
C. 2 and 3 only
44%
D. 1, 2 and 3
As we celebrate the festival of lights, we're taking a short break! Our general quiz will be postponed to next week.
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Answer: D
Explanation
● Stubble burning is the process of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, like paddy, wheat, etc., have been harvested, to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.
● This is commonly practiced by farmers of Punjab and Haryana.
Evolution of stubble burning
● During the late 1970s and early 1980s, which was the Green Revolution era, Punjab and Haryana shifted from their traditional crops (maize, pearl millet, pulses and oilseeds) to the wheat-paddy cultivation cycle. Free or subsidized power supply for groundwater extraction plays a role here in the shift. Hence, factor 1 is correct.
● In Punjab and Haryana, while the paddy crop is usually harvested between the first and last weeks of October, the wheat crop is sown from the first week of November.
● Paddy harvesting and threshing are labor-intensive and in case of shortage of cheap labor machines like the Combined Harvester are used which only pick the plant’s top part (panicle) and leave the remaining stalk of about 2-3 feet (stubble) standing in the field. Hence, factor 2 is correct.
● With only 10-15 days between the rice-harvesting season and the wheat-sowing time, farmers often burn the stubble to quickly eliminate the paddy stubble. Hence, factor 3 is correct.
Explanation
● Stubble burning is the process of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, like paddy, wheat, etc., have been harvested, to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.
● This is commonly practiced by farmers of Punjab and Haryana.
Evolution of stubble burning
● During the late 1970s and early 1980s, which was the Green Revolution era, Punjab and Haryana shifted from their traditional crops (maize, pearl millet, pulses and oilseeds) to the wheat-paddy cultivation cycle. Free or subsidized power supply for groundwater extraction plays a role here in the shift. Hence, factor 1 is correct.
● In Punjab and Haryana, while the paddy crop is usually harvested between the first and last weeks of October, the wheat crop is sown from the first week of November.
● Paddy harvesting and threshing are labor-intensive and in case of shortage of cheap labor machines like the Combined Harvester are used which only pick the plant’s top part (panicle) and leave the remaining stalk of about 2-3 feet (stubble) standing in the field. Hence, factor 2 is correct.
● With only 10-15 days between the rice-harvesting season and the wheat-sowing time, farmers often burn the stubble to quickly eliminate the paddy stubble. Hence, factor 3 is correct.
5. Consider the following landmark judgements
1. Justice Puttaswamy Vs Union of India case - Recognised that transgenders are equally entitled to the rights in the constitution
2. Lily Thomas Vs Union of India case - Right to Privacy was recognised a fundamental right
3. National Legal Services Authority Vs Union of India case - Automatic disqualification of MPs/MLAs in case of conviction with sentence greater than 2 years
1. Justice Puttaswamy Vs Union of India case - Recognised that transgenders are equally entitled to the rights in the constitution
2. Lily Thomas Vs Union of India case - Right to Privacy was recognised a fundamental right
3. National Legal Services Authority Vs Union of India case - Automatic disqualification of MPs/MLAs in case of conviction with sentence greater than 2 years
How many of the above pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
Anonymous Quiz
28%
A. Only one
19%
B. Only two
12%
C. Only three
41%
D. None
Answer: D
Explanation
Justice Puttaswamy Vs Union of India case - Right to Privacy was recognised a fundamental right
National Legal Services Authority Vs Union of India case - Recognised transgenders are equally entitled to the rights in the constitution
Lily Thomas Vs Union of India case - Automatic disqualification of MPs/MLAs in case of conviction with sentence greater than 2 years.
Explanation
Justice Puttaswamy Vs Union of India case - Right to Privacy was recognised a fundamental right
National Legal Services Authority Vs Union of India case - Recognised transgenders are equally entitled to the rights in the constitution
Lily Thomas Vs Union of India case - Automatic disqualification of MPs/MLAs in case of conviction with sentence greater than 2 years.
Last Batch for UPSC 2025 – Your Final Chance to Succeed!
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Weekly Tests to keep you sharp
Seats are LIMITED – secure yours NOW and get a head start on your UPSC 2025 journey!
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This is it! The LAST batch of the year at Officers IAS Academy starts on November 15, 2024! Don’t wait, your dream career awaits:
One-on-One Mentorship with ex-IAS Officers
Online & Offline Learning Options
Weekly Tests to keep you sharp
Seats are LIMITED – secure yours NOW and get a head start on your UPSC 2025 journey!
Kindly fill the form to ensure your Admission- https://forms.gle/eKiF22b674nXryEVA
Answer: D
Explanation
About the Mission
● Launched in 2020, Mission Karmayogi is a nationwide programme to lay the foundation for capacity building of civil servants. Hence, answer is option D.
● Officially called the "National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)", the mission plans to transform human resource management in the country.
● Mission Karmayogi aims to prepare the Indian civil servants for the future by making them more creative, constructive, imaginative, innovative, proactive, professional, progressive, energetic, enabling, transparent and technology-enabled.
● The fundamental focus of the reform is the creation of a ‘citizen centric civil service’ capable of creating and delivering services conducive to economic growth and public welfare.
● It shifts the focus from “Rule based training to Role based training”. Greater thrust has been laid on behavioral change.
● NPCSCB will be governed by the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council, which will also include state Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet ministers and experts. This council will approve and review civil service capacity building programmes.
iGOTKarmayogi
● The Mission Karmayogi programme is delivered by the digital platform called iGOTKarmayogi.
● The platform enables officials to explore, acquire and certify their competencies that are critical to discharging their duties.
Explanation
About the Mission
● Launched in 2020, Mission Karmayogi is a nationwide programme to lay the foundation for capacity building of civil servants. Hence, answer is option D.
● Officially called the "National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)", the mission plans to transform human resource management in the country.
● Mission Karmayogi aims to prepare the Indian civil servants for the future by making them more creative, constructive, imaginative, innovative, proactive, professional, progressive, energetic, enabling, transparent and technology-enabled.
● The fundamental focus of the reform is the creation of a ‘citizen centric civil service’ capable of creating and delivering services conducive to economic growth and public welfare.
● It shifts the focus from “Rule based training to Role based training”. Greater thrust has been laid on behavioral change.
● NPCSCB will be governed by the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council, which will also include state Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet ministers and experts. This council will approve and review civil service capacity building programmes.
iGOTKarmayogi
● The Mission Karmayogi programme is delivered by the digital platform called iGOTKarmayogi.
● The platform enables officials to explore, acquire and certify their competencies that are critical to discharging their duties.
2. With reference to Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), consider the following statements.
1) PKVY aims at promoting organic farming in the country.
2) The scheme focuses on end to end support to organic farmers.
3) The scheme promotes the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) form of organic certification.
1) PKVY aims at promoting organic farming in the country.
2) The scheme focuses on end to end support to organic farmers.
3) The scheme promotes the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) form of organic certification.
How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. Only one
35%
B. Only two
58%
C. All three
2%
D. None
Answer: B
Explanation:
● The Government of India has been promoting organic farming in the country through a dedicated scheme namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The scheme stresses on end to end support to organic farmers i.e from production to certification and marketing. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Under PKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/3 years.
● The scheme promotes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for India (PGS-India) form of organic certification that is built on mutual trust, locally relevant and mandates the involvement of producers and consumers in the process of certification. PGS–India operates outside the framework of Third Party Certification. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
○ The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) ensures that products grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides can be certified and recognized not only in the domestic market but also for export, particularly to the EU and Switzerland.
○ The NPOP has been officially acknowledged by international bodies, thereby enhancing the acceptance of Indian organic products globally.
Funding Pattern:
● Funding pattern under the scheme is in the ratio of 60:40 by the Central and State Governments respectively.
● In case of North Eastern and Himalayan States, Central Assistance is provided in the ratio of 90:10 (Centre: State) and for Union Territories, the assistance is 100%.
Explanation:
● The Government of India has been promoting organic farming in the country through a dedicated scheme namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The scheme stresses on end to end support to organic farmers i.e from production to certification and marketing. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Under PKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/3 years.
● The scheme promotes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for India (PGS-India) form of organic certification that is built on mutual trust, locally relevant and mandates the involvement of producers and consumers in the process of certification. PGS–India operates outside the framework of Third Party Certification. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
○ The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) ensures that products grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides can be certified and recognized not only in the domestic market but also for export, particularly to the EU and Switzerland.
○ The NPOP has been officially acknowledged by international bodies, thereby enhancing the acceptance of Indian organic products globally.
Funding Pattern:
● Funding pattern under the scheme is in the ratio of 60:40 by the Central and State Governments respectively.
● In case of North Eastern and Himalayan States, Central Assistance is provided in the ratio of 90:10 (Centre: State) and for Union Territories, the assistance is 100%.
3. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), consider the following statements.
1) PMMY provides loans to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.
2) The loans are awarded on a collateral-free basis.
3) Under PMMY, loans are extended only by Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
1) PMMY provides loans to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.
2) The loans are awarded on a collateral-free basis.
3) Under PMMY, loans are extended only by Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
68%
A. 1 and 2 only
10%
B. 1 and 3 only
11%
C. 2 and 3 only
12%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation
● Launched in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) provides loans upto Rs. 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● PMMY aims to “fund the unfunded” by bringing such enterprises to the formal financial system and extending affordable credit to them.
● Under PMMY collateral free loans of upto Rs. 10 Lakh are extended by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) viz Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) etc. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● The loans are given for income generating activities in manufacturing, trading and services sectors and for activities allied to agriculture.
● Mudra loans are offered in four categories namely, ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore’, ‘Tarun’ and ‘Tarun Plus’ which signifies the stage of growth or development and funding needs of the borrowers:-
○ Shishu : covering loans upto Rs. 50,000/-
○ Kishore : covering loans above Rs. 50,000/- and upto Rs. 5 lakh
○ Tarun : covering loans above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs. 10 lakh.
○ Tarun Plus: covering loans above Rs. 10 lakh and upto Rs. 20 lakh. (would be available to entrepreneurs who have availed and successfully repaid previous loans under the Tarun category)
● With an objective to promote entrepreneurship among the new generation aspiring youth, it is ensured that more focus is given to Shishu Category loans and then Kishore and Tarun categories.
Explanation
● Launched in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) provides loans upto Rs. 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● PMMY aims to “fund the unfunded” by bringing such enterprises to the formal financial system and extending affordable credit to them.
● Under PMMY collateral free loans of upto Rs. 10 Lakh are extended by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) viz Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) etc. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.
● The loans are given for income generating activities in manufacturing, trading and services sectors and for activities allied to agriculture.
● Mudra loans are offered in four categories namely, ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore’, ‘Tarun’ and ‘Tarun Plus’ which signifies the stage of growth or development and funding needs of the borrowers:-
○ Shishu : covering loans upto Rs. 50,000/-
○ Kishore : covering loans above Rs. 50,000/- and upto Rs. 5 lakh
○ Tarun : covering loans above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs. 10 lakh.
○ Tarun Plus: covering loans above Rs. 10 lakh and upto Rs. 20 lakh. (would be available to entrepreneurs who have availed and successfully repaid previous loans under the Tarun category)
● With an objective to promote entrepreneurship among the new generation aspiring youth, it is ensured that more focus is given to Shishu Category loans and then Kishore and Tarun categories.
4. Consider the following factors.
Statement -I:
Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) is often referred to as “hot money”.
Statement -II:
It tends to flee at the first signs of trouble in an economy.
Statement -I:
Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) is often referred to as “hot money”.
Statement -II:
It tends to flee at the first signs of trouble in an economy.