4. The primary objective of the Tele Manas initiative launched by the Government of India is
Answer: B
Explanation
● Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative was
launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to provide free tele-mental health
services all over the country.
● Launched in 2022, aims to enhance mental health service delivery nationwide.
● The Tele MANAS toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 offer multi-
language support and have been pivotal in facilitating communication between callers and
mental health professionals.
Structure
● Tele-MANAS comprises two tiers: trained counsellors at State Tele-MANAS cells who
provide immediate care, and mental health professionals (psychologists, clinicians,
psychiatrists) at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) who provide specialist care.
● NIMHANS, Bengaluru, serves as the nodal centre while the International Institute of
Information Technology (IIITB) in Bengaluru is tasked with providing the technical
know-how for the helpline.
Explanation
● Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative was
launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to provide free tele-mental health
services all over the country.
● Launched in 2022, aims to enhance mental health service delivery nationwide.
● The Tele MANAS toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 offer multi-
language support and have been pivotal in facilitating communication between callers and
mental health professionals.
Structure
● Tele-MANAS comprises two tiers: trained counsellors at State Tele-MANAS cells who
provide immediate care, and mental health professionals (psychologists, clinicians,
psychiatrists) at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) who provide specialist care.
● NIMHANS, Bengaluru, serves as the nodal centre while the International Institute of
Information Technology (IIITB) in Bengaluru is tasked with providing the technical
know-how for the helpline.
5. Which of the following statements about Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is incorrect?
Answer: B
Explanation
● Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
of the RBI, created by an act of parliament in 1961. Hence statement A is correct.
● The idea behind the DICGC is to boost the faith of the public in the banking system, and
provide protection against the loss of deposits to a significant extent.
● DICGC insures all deposits such as savings, fixed, current and recurring including accrued
interest.
● Each depositor in a bank is insured up to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh for both principal and
interest amount held by them as on the date of liquidation or failure of a bank.
● Banks covered by Deposit Insurance Scheme: All commercial banks, Local Area Banks,
Regional Rural Banks and Co-operative Banks (Primary cooperative societies are not
insured by the DICGC).
● Deposit insurance facility of DICGC is not available to depositors of NBFCs. Hence
statement C is correct.
● The DICGC insures all deposits such as savings, fixed, current, recurring, etc. deposits except
the following types of deposits
○ Deposits of foreign Governments;
○ Deposits of Central/State Governments; Hence statement B is incorrect.
○ Inter-bank deposits;
○ Deposits of the State Land Development Banks with the State co-operative bank;
○ Any amount due on account of and deposit received outside India.
○ Any amount, which has been specifically exempted by the corporation with the
previous approval of Reserve Bank of India
Explanation
● Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
of the RBI, created by an act of parliament in 1961. Hence statement A is correct.
● The idea behind the DICGC is to boost the faith of the public in the banking system, and
provide protection against the loss of deposits to a significant extent.
● DICGC insures all deposits such as savings, fixed, current and recurring including accrued
interest.
● Each depositor in a bank is insured up to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh for both principal and
interest amount held by them as on the date of liquidation or failure of a bank.
● Banks covered by Deposit Insurance Scheme: All commercial banks, Local Area Banks,
Regional Rural Banks and Co-operative Banks (Primary cooperative societies are not
insured by the DICGC).
● Deposit insurance facility of DICGC is not available to depositors of NBFCs. Hence
statement C is correct.
● The DICGC insures all deposits such as savings, fixed, current, recurring, etc. deposits except
the following types of deposits
○ Deposits of foreign Governments;
○ Deposits of Central/State Governments; Hence statement B is incorrect.
○ Inter-bank deposits;
○ Deposits of the State Land Development Banks with the State co-operative bank;
○ Any amount due on account of and deposit received outside India.
○ Any amount, which has been specifically exempted by the corporation with the
previous approval of Reserve Bank of India
"International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on September 8 to promote the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right. It highlights the transformative power of literacy in creating more inclusive, sustainable societies. This day calls for global efforts to improve literacy rates and empower individuals through education."
1. Consider the following statements about Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
1) The Prime Minister is the Chairman of DAC.
2) It is the highest decision-making body in the defense ministry for deciding on new policies
and capital acquisitions
1) The Prime Minister is the Chairman of DAC.
2) It is the highest decision-making body in the defense ministry for deciding on new policies
and capital acquisitions
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
6%
A. 1 only
64%
B. 2 only
26%
C. Both 1 and 2
4%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is constituted under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
for overall guidance of the defence procurement planning process.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Defence Minister is the Chairman of DAC. Its members
include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of triservices.
● Statement 2 is correct: The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the defence
ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the
Indian Coast Guard.
● The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved
requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame
prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
Explanation
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is constituted under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
for overall guidance of the defence procurement planning process.
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The Defence Minister is the Chairman of DAC. Its members
include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of triservices.
● Statement 2 is correct: The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the defence
ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services and the
Indian Coast Guard.
● The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved
requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame
prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
2. Which of the following has/have been included under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons
2. Halons
3. Hydrofluorocarbons
1. Chlorofluorocarbons
2. Halons
3. Hydrofluorocarbons
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Anonymous Quiz
14%
A. 1 and 2 only
11%
B. 1 only
31%
C. 1 and 3 only
44%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation
● The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international
environmental treaty that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100
man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS) including
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
● The stratospheric ozone layer protects humans and the environment from harmful
levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The widespread use of ODS had caused a
hole in the Ozone layer of the atmosphere, which allowed some harmful radiation to reach
the earth. These radiations were considered potential health hazards.
● Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol is the only UN treaty that has been ratified by
every country.
● Under this treaty, all parties have specific responsibilities related to the phase out of the
different groups of ODS, control of ODS trade, annual reporting of data, national licensing
systems to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters.
● Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities along
with binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.
● The Montreal Protocol has been a far more effective and successful agreement than the
climate change instruments. It has already resulted in the phase-out of nearly 99% of
ozone-depleting substances.
About Hydrofluorocarbons
● Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling
and refrigeration.
● HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases and a substantial number are short-lived climate
pollutants with a lifetime of between 15 and 29 years in the atmosphere.
● HFCs are widespread in air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosols, foams and other
products.
● HFCs were introduced as non-ozone depleting alternatives to support the timely phase out
of CFCs and HCFCs under Montreal Protocol.
● While these chemicals do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, HFCs were found to be
extremely potent in causing global warming. Some of them have high Global Warming
Potentials (GWPs) ranging from 12 to 14,000.
● So, the HFCs solved one problem, but were contributing in a major way to another. But these
could not be eliminated under the original provisions of Montreal Protocol which was meant
to phase-out ozone-destroying chemicals only. The Kigali Amendment enabled the Montreal
Protocol to mandate the elimination of HFCs as well.
Kigali Agreement
● The Parties to the Montreal Protocol reached an agreement at their 28th Meeting of the
Parties in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Agreement particularly aims at phasing out the
production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons which were first introduced as a
substitute to ODSs namely CFCs and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs.
● Parties to the agreement agreed to curtail the use of HFC by at least 85 per cent before the
middle of this century. Countries have different timelines to do this. India has to achieve
this target by 2047 while the developed countries have to do it by 2036. China and some
other countries have a target of 2045.
● The agreement came into force on 1st January 2019 and has been ratified by more than 130
countries (including India) so far.
● Kigali Agreement legally binds the signatory countries with non-compliance measures.
Explanation
● The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international
environmental treaty that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100
man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS) including
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
● The stratospheric ozone layer protects humans and the environment from harmful
levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The widespread use of ODS had caused a
hole in the Ozone layer of the atmosphere, which allowed some harmful radiation to reach
the earth. These radiations were considered potential health hazards.
● Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol is the only UN treaty that has been ratified by
every country.
● Under this treaty, all parties have specific responsibilities related to the phase out of the
different groups of ODS, control of ODS trade, annual reporting of data, national licensing
systems to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters.
● Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities along
with binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.
● The Montreal Protocol has been a far more effective and successful agreement than the
climate change instruments. It has already resulted in the phase-out of nearly 99% of
ozone-depleting substances.
About Hydrofluorocarbons
● Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling
and refrigeration.
● HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases and a substantial number are short-lived climate
pollutants with a lifetime of between 15 and 29 years in the atmosphere.
● HFCs are widespread in air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosols, foams and other
products.
● HFCs were introduced as non-ozone depleting alternatives to support the timely phase out
of CFCs and HCFCs under Montreal Protocol.
● While these chemicals do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, HFCs were found to be
extremely potent in causing global warming. Some of them have high Global Warming
Potentials (GWPs) ranging from 12 to 14,000.
● So, the HFCs solved one problem, but were contributing in a major way to another. But these
could not be eliminated under the original provisions of Montreal Protocol which was meant
to phase-out ozone-destroying chemicals only. The Kigali Amendment enabled the Montreal
Protocol to mandate the elimination of HFCs as well.
Kigali Agreement
● The Parties to the Montreal Protocol reached an agreement at their 28th Meeting of the
Parties in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Agreement particularly aims at phasing out the
production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons which were first introduced as a
substitute to ODSs namely CFCs and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs.
● Parties to the agreement agreed to curtail the use of HFC by at least 85 per cent before the
middle of this century. Countries have different timelines to do this. India has to achieve
this target by 2047 while the developed countries have to do it by 2036. China and some
other countries have a target of 2045.
● The agreement came into force on 1st January 2019 and has been ratified by more than 130
countries (including India) so far.
● Kigali Agreement legally binds the signatory countries with non-compliance measures.
Choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
25%
A. Providing insurance to farmers against crop failures.
18%
B. Financing the development of cold storage facilities in rural areas.
51%
C. Supporting startups and enterprises in the agriculture sector.
5%
D. Subsidizing the cost of fertilizers for small farmers.
Answer: C
Explanation
● The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development has launched the
AgriSURE Scheme, an innovative fund which is a pioneering step toward
revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in India.
● With a focus on technology-driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures, AgriSURE is designed
to fuel growth and foster innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.
● A Blended capital fund of ₹750 crore with SEBI Registered Category II, Alternative
Investment Fund (AIF), contributions from the Government of India is ₹250 crore, NABARD
is ₹250 crore, and ₹250 crore is being mobilized from banks, insurance companies, and
private investors.
● With the introduction of the AgriSURE fund, the government aims to further drive
investments in the agriculture sector that will empower farmers and boost the rural
economy through accelerating accessible and affordable innovative solutions.
Explanation
● The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development has launched the
AgriSURE Scheme, an innovative fund which is a pioneering step toward
revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in India.
● With a focus on technology-driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures, AgriSURE is designed
to fuel growth and foster innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.
● A Blended capital fund of ₹750 crore with SEBI Registered Category II, Alternative
Investment Fund (AIF), contributions from the Government of India is ₹250 crore, NABARD
is ₹250 crore, and ₹250 crore is being mobilized from banks, insurance companies, and
private investors.
● With the introduction of the AgriSURE fund, the government aims to further drive
investments in the agriculture sector that will empower farmers and boost the rural
economy through accelerating accessible and affordable innovative solutions.
4. Which organization is responsible for the establishment and management of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in India?