Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
12%
A. 1 only
55%
B. 2 only
27%
C. Both 1 and 2
7%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the above events can be a consequence of U.S. Fed increasing interest rates?
Anonymous Quiz
13%
A. Only one
43%
B. Only two
36%
C. Only three
8%
D. All four
3. With reference to the Anti-defection law, consider the following statements.
1) The law applies to only Parliament.
2) The law specifies a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.
3) It led to the creation of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.
1) The law applies to only Parliament.
2) The law specifies a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.
3) It led to the creation of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.
Answer: B
Explanation:
● The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was conceived as a joint effort by India and France
to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
● It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
● The Paris Declaration that established the ISA states that the alliance is an action-oriented,
member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy
technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving
energy transition in its member countries.
● The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
Membership
● ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries (which lie either
completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) to address
their special energy needs.
● The first general assembly of the ISA, held in 2018, adopted the amendment to its
framework agreement to expand the scope of membership to all member states of the
United Nations. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● Currently, 100+ countries are signatories, with 90+ countries having ratified to become full
members.
Objectives
● The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,000
billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, while delivering energy access
to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in installation of
1,000 GW of solar energy capacity. This would help mitigate global solar emissions to the
tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Why in News?
The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, under the presidency of
India and co-presidency of France, is set to be held in New Delhi.
Explanation:
● The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was conceived as a joint effort by India and France
to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
● It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
● The Paris Declaration that established the ISA states that the alliance is an action-oriented,
member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy
technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving
energy transition in its member countries.
● The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
Membership
● ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries (which lie either
completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) to address
their special energy needs.
● The first general assembly of the ISA, held in 2018, adopted the amendment to its
framework agreement to expand the scope of membership to all member states of the
United Nations. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● Currently, 100+ countries are signatories, with 90+ countries having ratified to become full
members.
Objectives
● The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,000
billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, while delivering energy access
to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in installation of
1,000 GW of solar energy capacity. This would help mitigate global solar emissions to the
tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Why in News?
The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, under the presidency of
India and co-presidency of France, is set to be held in New Delhi.
https://youtu.be/6WhFWHSzR4c?si=FESRAsh5DoULEflL
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Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
Anonymous Quiz
8%
A. 1 only
22%
B. 1 and 3 only
17%
C. 2 only
53%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation
Anti-defection Law
● The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the anti-defection law, was
introduced in 1985 with a view to curb the tendency among legislators to switch loyalties
from one party to another and facilitate the toppling of regimes and formation of new ones.
Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● It provides for the Presiding Officer of the legislature to disqualify any defector on a
petition by another member.
Effectiveness of the Law
● What was introduced as a panacea for the menace of floor-crossing and toppling of elected
regimes by engineering defections has proved largely ineffective in many cases. Recent
instances give an idea of the various ploys adopted by parties, legislators and Speakers to
either evade the law against defection or to achieve partisan political ends.
● The most common these days is for a ruling party with a big majority to poach the main
Opposition parties without any regard for the anti-defection law. When the aggrieved party
moves for disqualification, Speakers choose not to act, thus formalising the defection.
The law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a
disqualification plea. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Explanation
Anti-defection Law
● The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the anti-defection law, was
introduced in 1985 with a view to curb the tendency among legislators to switch loyalties
from one party to another and facilitate the toppling of regimes and formation of new ones.
Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● It provides for the Presiding Officer of the legislature to disqualify any defector on a
petition by another member.
Effectiveness of the Law
● What was introduced as a panacea for the menace of floor-crossing and toppling of elected
regimes by engineering defections has proved largely ineffective in many cases. Recent
instances give an idea of the various ploys adopted by parties, legislators and Speakers to
either evade the law against defection or to achieve partisan political ends.
● The most common these days is for a ruling party with a big majority to poach the main
Opposition parties without any regard for the anti-defection law. When the aggrieved party
moves for disqualification, Speakers choose not to act, thus formalising the defection.
The law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a
disqualification plea. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
4. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta
Abhiyan (PMGDISHA).
1) It aims to impart digital literacy in the rural areas.
2) Its target is to empower at least one person per rural household with crucial digital literacy
skills.
3) The scheme has special emphasis on marginalised sections of society.
Abhiyan (PMGDISHA).
1) It aims to impart digital literacy in the rural areas.
2) Its target is to empower at least one person per rural household with crucial digital literacy
skills.
3) The scheme has special emphasis on marginalised sections of society.
How many of the above statements(s) is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
2%
A. Only one
23%
B. Only two
74%
C. All three
1%
D. None
5. Consider the following events.
1) Outflow of foreign investments from India
2) Weakening of Indian rupee
3) Imports become cheaper
4) Volatility in Indian stock markets
1) Outflow of foreign investments from India
2) Weakening of Indian rupee
3) Imports become cheaper
4) Volatility in Indian stock markets
Answer: C
Explanation
● In order to impart digital literacy in the rural areas, PMGDISHA was launched by the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the aim to empower at least
one person per rural household with crucial digital literacy skills. Hence, statements 1
and 2 are correct.
● Launched in 2017, the Scheme envisages to make six crore persons in rural areas, across
States/UTs, digitally literate, reaching to around 40% of rural households.
● The scheme aims at bridging the rural-urban digital divide, with special emphasis on
marginalised sections of society. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Scheme would empower the citizens in rural areas by training them to operate
computer or digital access devices (like tablets, smart phones etc.), send and receive e-mails,
browse Internet, access Government services, search for information, undertake digital
payment etc. and hence enable them to use Information Technology and related applications
especially Digital Payments to actively participate in the process of nation building.
● The scheme is implemented by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special
Purpose Vehicle set up by the Ministry of Electronics IT, with active collaboration of all
the State Governments and UT Administrations.
Explanation
● In order to impart digital literacy in the rural areas, PMGDISHA was launched by the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the aim to empower at least
one person per rural household with crucial digital literacy skills. Hence, statements 1
and 2 are correct.
● Launched in 2017, the Scheme envisages to make six crore persons in rural areas, across
States/UTs, digitally literate, reaching to around 40% of rural households.
● The scheme aims at bridging the rural-urban digital divide, with special emphasis on
marginalised sections of society. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The Scheme would empower the citizens in rural areas by training them to operate
computer or digital access devices (like tablets, smart phones etc.), send and receive e-mails,
browse Internet, access Government services, search for information, undertake digital
payment etc. and hence enable them to use Information Technology and related applications
especially Digital Payments to actively participate in the process of nation building.
● The scheme is implemented by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special
Purpose Vehicle set up by the Ministry of Electronics IT, with active collaboration of all
the State Governments and UT Administrations.
Which of the above events can be a consequence of U.S. Fed increasing interest rates?
Anonymous Quiz
5%
A. Only one
15%
B. Only two
70%
C. Only three
10%
D. All four
Answer: C
Explanation:
What happens when the US Fed increases interest rates?
● When the US Federal Reserve (Fed) increases its interest rates, the difference between
the interest rates of the two countries reduces (known as interest rate differential),
thus making India less attractive for foreign investors.
● It results in outflow of foreign investments from India and other emerging economies.
Hence, event 1 is correct.
○ As investors pull out money, the demand for the US dollar increases, causing the
Indian rupee to weaken. Hence, event 2 is correct.
○ A weaker rupee increases the cost of imports like crude oil, contributing to
inflationary pressures in India. Hence, event 3 is incorrect.
○ Higher US rates make it more expensive for Indian companies with dollar-
denominated debt to repay loans, impacting their balance sheets.
○ Global investors rebalancing their portfolios in response to Fed rate hikes can lead
to volatility in Indian stock markets. Hence, event 4 is correct.
When US Fed reduces interest rates
● Similarly, when the US Federal Reserve decreases its interest rates, the interest rate
differential widens resulting in capital inflows into emerging markets like India, as
investors seek higher returns.
● Increased capital inflows can lead to an appreciation of the Indian rupee, making
imports cheaper and reducing inflationary pressures.
Explanation:
What happens when the US Fed increases interest rates?
● When the US Federal Reserve (Fed) increases its interest rates, the difference between
the interest rates of the two countries reduces (known as interest rate differential),
thus making India less attractive for foreign investors.
● It results in outflow of foreign investments from India and other emerging economies.
Hence, event 1 is correct.
○ As investors pull out money, the demand for the US dollar increases, causing the
Indian rupee to weaken. Hence, event 2 is correct.
○ A weaker rupee increases the cost of imports like crude oil, contributing to
inflationary pressures in India. Hence, event 3 is incorrect.
○ Higher US rates make it more expensive for Indian companies with dollar-
denominated debt to repay loans, impacting their balance sheets.
○ Global investors rebalancing their portfolios in response to Fed rate hikes can lead
to volatility in Indian stock markets. Hence, event 4 is correct.
When US Fed reduces interest rates
● Similarly, when the US Federal Reserve decreases its interest rates, the interest rate
differential widens resulting in capital inflows into emerging markets like India, as
investors seek higher returns.
● Increased capital inflows can lead to an appreciation of the Indian rupee, making
imports cheaper and reducing inflationary pressures.
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Answer: C
Explanation
● Miyawaki is a technique of growing dense plantations in a short time. This method
originated in Japan and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world. It is named
after the Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki.
● With this method of plantation, an urban forest can grow within a short span of 20-30
years while a conventional forest takes around 200-300 years to grow naturally. Hence,
answer is option C.
● In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each
other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards rather than
sideways. It helps in the prevention of the growth of weeds.
● As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster
and becomes maintenance-free after a span of 3 years.
Explanation
● Miyawaki is a technique of growing dense plantations in a short time. This method
originated in Japan and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world. It is named
after the Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki.
● With this method of plantation, an urban forest can grow within a short span of 20-30
years while a conventional forest takes around 200-300 years to grow naturally. Hence,
answer is option C.
● In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each
other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards rather than
sideways. It helps in the prevention of the growth of weeds.
● As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster
and becomes maintenance-free after a span of 3 years.
2. Consider the following statements with reference to the PM Vishwakarma scheme.
1) The scheme is fully funded by the central government.
2) It provides end-to-end support to artisans who work with their hands and tools.
3) The scheme will provide support to artisans only in rural areas.
1) The scheme is fully funded by the central government.
2) It provides end-to-end support to artisans who work with their hands and tools.
3) The scheme will provide support to artisans only in rural areas.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
15%
A. Only one
76%
B. Only two
7%
C. All three
1%
D. None