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.

5. Consider the following about absentee voting.
1) Individuals who are unable to vote in person due to illness are eligible for absentee voting.
2) Members of the armed forces, deployed on election duty, are not eligible for absentee
voting.

Answer: C
Explanation
● Mission POSHAN 2.0 is an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme. It seeks to address
the challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and
lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by
creation of a convergent eco-system to develop and promote practices that nurture health,
wellness and immunity. Hence, answer is option C, as Senior Citizens are not covered
under the scheme.
● Poshan 2.0 will seek to optimize the quality and delivery of food under the Supplementary
Nutrition Program.
● Mission Poshan 2.0 will contribute to human capital development of the country; address
malnutrition challenges; promote nutrition awareness and good eating habits for
sustainable health & well-being and address nutrition related deficiencies through key strategies.
● Under the programme, nutritional norms and standards and quality and testing of THR will be improved and greater stakeholder and beneficiary participation will be promoted besides traditional community food habits. Poshan 2.0 will bring 3 important programmes/schemes under its ambit, viz., Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Poshan Abhiyaan.

Answer: A
Explanation:
About Absentee voting
● Postal voting, also known as absentee voting, is a method of voting in which electors cast
their ballots by mail rather than in person at a polling station.
● This method is particularly useful for individuals who are unable to vote in person due to
various reasons, such as being away from their home constituency, having a disability, or
being engaged in essential services on election day.
Who is eligible for postal ballots?
● The eligibility criteria for postal ballots vary depending on the specific election and
jurisdiction. However, some common categories of eligible voters include:

○ Service voters: Members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and other
government employees deployed on election duty far from their home
constituencies. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
○ Absentee voters: Individuals who are unable to vote in person due to reasons such
as being away from their home constituency for work, illness, or disability. Hence,
statement 1 is correct.
○ Electors on election duty: Government officials and polling staff who are assigned
duties at polling stations other than their own.
○ Electors under preventive detention: Individuals who are detained under
preventive custody orders during the election period.
○ Note: The Election Commission of India allowed media persons covering election
activities and senior citizens who are 85 years and older to cast their vote
through postal ballots in the recently held general elections.

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1. The Hornbill Festival, a ten day annual tourism promotional event, is organised by

Answer: A
Explanation:
● Conceptualised in 2000, the Hornbill Festival is a ten day annual tourism promotional event
organised by the State Government of Nagaland to showcase the state’s rich and traditional
cultural heritage. Hence, answer is option A.
● Dubbed as the “Festival of Festivals”, this event provides a unique platform for visitors to
witness the Naga cultural diversity converging at one venue.
● The festival is named after the Hornbill, a culturally significant bird that symbolises beauty
and grace in Naga folklore and ritual.

● The Hornbill Festival is held at the heritage village of Kisama.
● Some popular dances during the festival include the warrior dance of the Angamis, the fire
dance of the Konyaks, and the bamboo dance of the Sumis.

2. Consider the following statements with reference to Nano urea.
1) Nano urea contains nitrogen nanoparticles.
2) Nano urea provides nitrogen in the form of plasma.
3) Conventional urea has a much higher efficiency than nano urea.

Answer: A
Explanation
● Nano urea is urea in the form of a nanoparticle containing nitrogen particles of
20–50 nanometres in size. It provides nitrogen to plants in liquid form as an alternative
to conventional urea. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.

● A 500ml bottle of nano urea is equivalent to a 45kg bag of conventional urea. While
conventional urea has an efficiency of about 25 per cent, the efficiency of liquid nano
urea can be as high as 85-90 per cent. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

3. Consider the following statements about Basavanna.
1) Basavanna rejected all kinds of superstitions and rituals.
2) His creation, Anubhava Mantapa, was open only to men.