Answer: D
● St Francis Xavier, also referred to as “Goencho Saib” (Lord of Goa) was a Spanish Jesuit
missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
● He arrived at Goa in 1542 under the orders of King John III, to restore Christianity
among the Portuguese settlers.
● He died in 1552 on Shangchuan island off the coast of China, where he was first buried.
Later the saint's body was exhumed and transported to Malacca and finally to Goa in
1554. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● At present, the Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.
● The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa, on December 3rd each year to
commemorate the death anniversary of the patron saint. Hence, statement 3 is
incorrect.
Why in News?

● The decennial exposition(exhibition) of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier has
recently begun.
● During the exposition, the relics are carried in a ceremonial procession from the Basilica to
Se Cathedral for the devotees to venerate.

3. Consider the following statements about the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
1) The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is a global organization that unites
cooperatives around the world.
2) The membership is open only to international cooperative organizations.

Answer: A
Explanation
● The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is the global organization that unites,
represents, and serves cooperatives around the world. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● Founded in 1895, London, England during the 1st Cooperative Congress, it is one of the
oldest and largest non-governmental organizations, representing 1 billion cooperative
members globally.
● With approximately 3 million cooperatives across the planet, the ICA serves as the apex
body for the cooperative movement, providing a global platform for collaboration,
knowledge exchange, and coordinated action.
● It is the leading voice for cooperatives, advocating for their interests and supporting the
sharing of expertise across the sector.
● ICA has over 306 member organizations across 105 countries.
○ Its members include both international and national cooperative organizations
representing a wide range of economic sectors, such as agriculture, banking,
consumer goods, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services.
Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Why in News?
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in
New Delhi.
● The conference will bring together cooperators from around the globe to explore the role of
cooperatives in shaping a collective, peaceful, and prosperous future for all.
● The conference theme, "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All," highlights the people-
centered, purpose-driven, and progress-oriented nature of cooperatives.

S. no Financial Company Regulator
1. Housing Finance Companies Reserve Bank of India
2. Merchant Bankers Securities and Exchange Board of India
3. Chit Fund Companies Central Government
4. Nidhi Companies State Governments

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Answer: D
Explanation:
● An Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies
Act, 1956 which provides banking services without meeting the legal definition of a
bank. 
● They also deal in other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase,
insurance business, chit business but does not include any institution whose principal
business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any
goods (other than securities) or providing any services and
sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.
What is the difference between banks & NBFCs?
● NBFCs lend and make investments and hence their activities are similar to that of banks;
however there are a few differences:
1. NBFCs cannot issue cheques drawn on itself; Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation
(DICGC) is not available to depositors of NBFCs, unlike in the case of banks. Hence,
statement 2 is incorrect.

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1. Consider the following statements about Guru Ghasidas- Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.
1) It is the largest tiger reserve in India.
2) It is located in the state of Odisha.
3) The tiger reserve is contiguous with the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

Answer: A
Guru Ghasidas- Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
● Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh has been notified as India's
56th tiger reserve. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect
● It is the third largest tiger reserve in India after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger
Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● This tiger reserve is located in Chhattisgarh encompasses the Guru Ghasidas National
Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary.
● The tiger reserve is contiguous with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh
and is also connected to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to the West and
Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand to the East. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The forests are primarily made up of distinct species of flora such as Teak, Sal, Tendu, Mahua, etc
● Fauna species found here include Tigers, Leopards, Jackals, Barking deer, Wild Boar,
Sloth bear, etc

2. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY).
1) One of its objectives is doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
2) The scheme aims at creation of Fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages.
3) PMMSY is implemented as a Central Sector Scheme.

Answer: B
Explanation
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
● The central government launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in
2020 to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible
development of the fisheries sector in India.
● PMMSY is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5
years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

● It is implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry and Dairying.
Objectives
● It is a flagship scheme for integrated, sustainable, inclusive development of the marine
and inland fisheries sector.
● It aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25,
increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of
incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about
10%. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It is designed to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality,
technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization and strengthening
of value chain, traceability and establishing a robust fisheries management framework and
fishers’ welfare.
● It primarily focuses on adopting ‘Cluster or Area based approaches’ and creation of
Fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The scheme also aims at generating additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful
employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities.
● Under PMMSY, financial assistance for livelihood and nutritional support are
provided for traditional and socio-economically backward, eligible active marine and
inland fishermen families during the fishing ban period.
● PMMSY also supports insurance coverage for fishermen and offers interest subvention
schemes for fishing vessels.
● PMMSY is implemented as an umbrella scheme having both Centrally Sector
Components and Centrally Sponsored Scheme Components. Hence, statement 3 is
incorrect.

3. Consider the following statements about Solar Cycle and Sunspot activity.
1) Solar maximum is when the Sun has the most sunspots.
2) The end of the solar cycle is the solar maximum
3) Sunspots arise due to disturbances in the sun's magnetic field.

4. Consider the following.
1) Children
2) Adolescent girls
3) Pregnant women
4) Senior citizens
5) Lactating mothers

Answer: B
Explanation
Solar Cycle and Sunspot activity
● Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun that arise due to disturbances
in the suns magnetic field. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● The total number of sunspots varies during the 11-year solar cycle.
● The middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, or when the Sun has the most
sunspots. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum and then a new cycle begins. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.