Answer: B
Explanation
● In 2022, the government of India launched the pilot phase of open network for digital
commerce (ONDC) with an aim to democratise the country’s fast growing digital e-
commerce space that is currently dominated by the two U.S.-headquartered firms —
Amazon and Walmart. Hence statement 1 is correct.
What is ONDC?
● ONDC is a network based on open protocol and will enable local commerce across
segments, such as mobility, grocery, food order and delivery, hotel booking and travel,
among others, to be discovered and engaged through a single platform.
● It is an initiative of the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
● It is neither an aggregator application
nor a hosting platform, and all existing
digital commerce applications and
platforms can voluntarily choose to adopt and be a part of the ONDC network. Hence
statement 3 is incorrect.
Role in Democratising Digital Commerce
● The ONDC platform aims to create new opportunities, curb digital monopolies and
support micro, small and medium enterprises and small traders and help them get
on online platforms. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● The ONDC aims to enable buying of products from all participating e-commerce
platforms by consumers through a single platform.
● Currently, a buyer needs to go to Amazon website/app, for example, to buy a product
from a seller on Amazon. Under ONDC, it is envisaged that a buyer registered on one
participating e-commerce site (for example, Amazon) may purchase goods from a seller
on another participating e-commerce site (for example, Flipkart).
● The ONDC model is trying to replicate the success of the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) in the field of digital payments.
▪️ UPI allows people to send or receive money irrespective of the payment platforms
they are registered on.
● The open network concept also extends beyond the retail sector, to any digital
commerce domains including wholesale, mobility, food delivery, logistics, travel,
urban services, etc.
Significance
● The government believes that ONDC will put an end to the domination of the e-
commerce market by a few large platforms. Amazon and Flipkart, for instance, have
been accused of discriminating among sellers on their platforms and promoting certain
seller entities in which they hold indirect stakes.
● With an open network like ONDC that connects buyers and sellers across platforms, the
government hopes to level the playing field and make platforms redundant.
● It is said that buyers will also be able to access sellers across platforms without having to
switch between multiple platforms.
● Over the next five years, the ONDC expects to bring on board 90 crore users and 12 lakh
sellers on the network.
● The ONDC will standardise operations like cataloguing, inventory management, order
management and order fulfilment, hence making it simpler and easier for small
businesses to be discoverable over network and conduct business.
Challenges
● ONDC faces its own share of challenges and risks, which must be addressed. One of the
pivotal challenges lies in ensuring the adoption and acceptance of ONDC by the
various stakeholders within the e-commerce ecosystem.
● Another challenge is to ensure the quality and reliability of the services and products
offered on the network. ONDC will have to establish clear standards and guidelines
for quality assurance, consumer protection, data privacy, cybersecurity, etc.
● ONDC will also have to ensure effective dispute resolution mechanisms for handling complaints and grievances.
● ONDC will have to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the network to make sure that the network can handle the increasing volume and variety of transactions
and data.
Explanation
● In 2022, the government of India launched the pilot phase of open network for digital
commerce (ONDC) with an aim to democratise the country’s fast growing digital e-
commerce space that is currently dominated by the two U.S.-headquartered firms —
Amazon and Walmart. Hence statement 1 is correct.
What is ONDC?
● ONDC is a network based on open protocol and will enable local commerce across
segments, such as mobility, grocery, food order and delivery, hotel booking and travel,
among others, to be discovered and engaged through a single platform.
● It is an initiative of the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
● It is neither an aggregator application
nor a hosting platform, and all existing
digital commerce applications and
platforms can voluntarily choose to adopt and be a part of the ONDC network. Hence
statement 3 is incorrect.
Role in Democratising Digital Commerce
● The ONDC platform aims to create new opportunities, curb digital monopolies and
support micro, small and medium enterprises and small traders and help them get
on online platforms. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● The ONDC aims to enable buying of products from all participating e-commerce
platforms by consumers through a single platform.
● Currently, a buyer needs to go to Amazon website/app, for example, to buy a product
from a seller on Amazon. Under ONDC, it is envisaged that a buyer registered on one
participating e-commerce site (for example, Amazon) may purchase goods from a seller
on another participating e-commerce site (for example, Flipkart).
● The ONDC model is trying to replicate the success of the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) in the field of digital payments.
▪️ UPI allows people to send or receive money irrespective of the payment platforms
they are registered on.
● The open network concept also extends beyond the retail sector, to any digital
commerce domains including wholesale, mobility, food delivery, logistics, travel,
urban services, etc.
Significance
● The government believes that ONDC will put an end to the domination of the e-
commerce market by a few large platforms. Amazon and Flipkart, for instance, have
been accused of discriminating among sellers on their platforms and promoting certain
seller entities in which they hold indirect stakes.
● With an open network like ONDC that connects buyers and sellers across platforms, the
government hopes to level the playing field and make platforms redundant.
● It is said that buyers will also be able to access sellers across platforms without having to
switch between multiple platforms.
● Over the next five years, the ONDC expects to bring on board 90 crore users and 12 lakh
sellers on the network.
● The ONDC will standardise operations like cataloguing, inventory management, order
management and order fulfilment, hence making it simpler and easier for small
businesses to be discoverable over network and conduct business.
Challenges
● ONDC faces its own share of challenges and risks, which must be addressed. One of the
pivotal challenges lies in ensuring the adoption and acceptance of ONDC by the
various stakeholders within the e-commerce ecosystem.
● Another challenge is to ensure the quality and reliability of the services and products
offered on the network. ONDC will have to establish clear standards and guidelines
for quality assurance, consumer protection, data privacy, cybersecurity, etc.
● ONDC will also have to ensure effective dispute resolution mechanisms for handling complaints and grievances.
● ONDC will have to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the network to make sure that the network can handle the increasing volume and variety of transactions
and data.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Anonymous Quiz
4%
A. 1 only
13%
B. 2 only
22%
C. 1 and 2
61%
D. 1,2 and 3
5. Which of the following is/are functions of APEDA?
1) Promotion of export oriented production and development of the Scheduled products
2) Fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports
3) Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses for the purpose of ensuring the quality of such products
1) Promotion of export oriented production and development of the Scheduled products
2) Fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports
3) Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses for the purpose of ensuring the quality of such products
Answer: D
Explanation
● All the statements are correct.
● The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was
established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority Act,1985.
● The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
● It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
● The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.
Functions of APEDA
● Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of
providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies,
participation in enquiry capital through joint ventures and other reliefs and subsidy
schemes;
● Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products on payment of such fees
as may be prescribed;
● Fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of
exports;
● Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants,
storage premises, conveyances or other places where such products are kept or handled for
the purpose of ensuring the quality of such products;
● Improving of packaging of the Scheduled products;
● Improving of marketing of the Scheduled products outside India;
● Promotion of export oriented production and development of the Scheduled products;
Products monitored
● APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the
following scheduled products:
○ Fruits, Vegetables and their Products.
○ Meat and Meat Products.
○ Poultry and Poultry Products.
○ Dairy Products.
○ Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products.
○ Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products.
○ Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds.
○ Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
○ Cereal and Cereal Products.
○ Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts.
○ Pickles, Papads and Chutneys.
○ Guar Gum.
○ Floriculture and Floriculture Products.
○ Herbal and Medicinal Plants.
● In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of
sugar.
Explanation
● All the statements are correct.
● The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was
established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority Act,1985.
● The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
● It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
● The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.
Functions of APEDA
● Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of
providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies,
participation in enquiry capital through joint ventures and other reliefs and subsidy
schemes;
● Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products on payment of such fees
as may be prescribed;
● Fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of
exports;
● Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants,
storage premises, conveyances or other places where such products are kept or handled for
the purpose of ensuring the quality of such products;
● Improving of packaging of the Scheduled products;
● Improving of marketing of the Scheduled products outside India;
● Promotion of export oriented production and development of the Scheduled products;
Products monitored
● APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the
following scheduled products:
○ Fruits, Vegetables and their Products.
○ Meat and Meat Products.
○ Poultry and Poultry Products.
○ Dairy Products.
○ Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products.
○ Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products.
○ Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds.
○ Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
○ Cereal and Cereal Products.
○ Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts.
○ Pickles, Papads and Chutneys.
○ Guar Gum.
○ Floriculture and Floriculture Products.
○ Herbal and Medicinal Plants.
● In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of
sugar.
1. Which of the following statements about Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds is correct?
1) AT1 bonds are perpetual bonds with no maturity date.
2) They offer higher interest rates due to their higher risk.
1) AT1 bonds are perpetual bonds with no maturity date.
2) They offer higher interest rates due to their higher risk.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Anonymous Quiz
12%
A. 1 only
22%
B. 2 only
61%
C. Both 1 and 2
5%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
2. With reference to the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT), consider the following
statements.
1. It was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
2. It is a quasi-judicial authority which settles disputes which are related to corporate cases.
3. It acts as the appellate authority under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
statements.
1. It was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
2. It is a quasi-judicial authority which settles disputes which are related to corporate cases.
3. It acts as the appellate authority under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
22%
A. 1 and 2 only
10%
B. 2 only
34%
C. 2 and 3 only
33%
D. 1, 2 amd 3
Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Additional-Tier 1 (AT1) bonds are perpetual debt instruments
issued by banks to raise money and build up their core equity capital.
○ A perpetual instrument is one with no maturity date, implying that the issuer – a
bank in this case – does not pay the principal amount back to investors but
makes periodic interest payments throughout the life of the bond.
● In practice, however, AT-1 bonds typically come with a ‘call option’, which means that the
bank issuing these instruments can redeem them or repay investors after a specified
period.
● Statement 2 is correct: For AT-1 bonds, banks typically shell out a higher rate of interest.
● However, there are certain features of the instrument that make them riskier than
several other bonds.
● If a bank faces financial stress, it can hold off interest payments or pay a lower amount.
● Most alarming for investors is the clause which permits banks to write off AT-1 bonds in
case of severe financial stress.
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Additional-Tier 1 (AT1) bonds are perpetual debt instruments
issued by banks to raise money and build up their core equity capital.
○ A perpetual instrument is one with no maturity date, implying that the issuer – a
bank in this case – does not pay the principal amount back to investors but
makes periodic interest payments throughout the life of the bond.
● In practice, however, AT-1 bonds typically come with a ‘call option’, which means that the
bank issuing these instruments can redeem them or repay investors after a specified
period.
● Statement 2 is correct: For AT-1 bonds, banks typically shell out a higher rate of interest.
● However, there are certain features of the instrument that make them riskier than
several other bonds.
● If a bank faces financial stress, it can hold off interest payments or pay a lower amount.
● Most alarming for investors is the clause which permits banks to write off AT-1 bonds in
case of severe financial stress.
3. Dachigam National Park located in Jammu and Kashmir is a critical habitat for which of the following species?
choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
18%
A) Great Indian Bustards
65%
B) Hanguls
10%
C) Olive Ridley turtles
7%
D) Black necked cranes
Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) was established under the
Companies Act 2013 and was constituted in 2016 to handle the laws regarding the
companies.
● Statement 2 is correct: It operates as a quasi-judicial authority which handles the
structures, laws and settles disputes which are related to corporate cases. The NCLT is
formed on Article 245 in the constitution of India.
● Statement 3 is incorrect: Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the NCLT is
the Adjudicating Authority. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
acts as the appellate authority.
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) was established under the
Companies Act 2013 and was constituted in 2016 to handle the laws regarding the
companies.
● Statement 2 is correct: It operates as a quasi-judicial authority which handles the
structures, laws and settles disputes which are related to corporate cases. The NCLT is
formed on Article 245 in the constitution of India.
● Statement 3 is incorrect: Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the NCLT is
the Adjudicating Authority. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
acts as the appellate authority.
Answer: B
Explanation
● Dachigam National Park is situated in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
● It encompasses nearly half of the catchment zone of the renowned Dal Lake.
● Located within the Zanskar mountain range of the Northwest Himalayan biogeographic
zone.
● The park harbors the last remaining genetically viable population of the Kashmir red deer,
also known as the Hangul Kashmir stag, which is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
● The vegetation within the park primarily consists of coniferous forests interspersed with broadleaf species such as apricot, walnut, chestnut, oak, willow, poplar, wild cherry, pear,
plum, peach, apple, chinar, birch, pine, and elm.
Explanation
● Dachigam National Park is situated in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
● It encompasses nearly half of the catchment zone of the renowned Dal Lake.
● Located within the Zanskar mountain range of the Northwest Himalayan biogeographic
zone.
● The park harbors the last remaining genetically viable population of the Kashmir red deer,
also known as the Hangul Kashmir stag, which is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
● The vegetation within the park primarily consists of coniferous forests interspersed with broadleaf species such as apricot, walnut, chestnut, oak, willow, poplar, wild cherry, pear,
plum, peach, apple, chinar, birch, pine, and elm.
4. The primary objective of the Tele Manas initiative launched by the Government of India is
5. With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements:
1) The palm oil tree is native to West Africa.
2) Palm oil consists of more than 90 per cent share in total edible oil imports in India.
3) National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm is aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production.
1) The palm oil tree is native to West Africa.
2) Palm oil consists of more than 90 per cent share in total edible oil imports in India.
3) National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm is aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
4%
a) 1 and 2 only
38%
b) 2 and 3 only
35%
c) 1 and 3 only
23%
d) 1, 2 and 3
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.
Answer: C
Explanation
● The oil palm tree is native to West Africa, specifically to the region that includes countries
like Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Liberia. Hence statement 1 is correct.
● In recent decades, the cultivation of oil palm has expanded well beyond West Africa and is
now grown in various tropical regions around the world, including Southeast Asia and parts
of South America. It is a major global commodity, with applications in food products,
cosmetics, and industrial processes.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm
(NMEO-OP), with an investment of over Rs 11,000 crore to boost domestic oilseed
production and make the country self-sufficient in cooking oils. Hence statement 3 is
correct.
● With palm oil having 55 per cent share (not 90 percent) in total edible oil imports,
NMEO-OP would ensure that farmers get all facilities, from quality seeds to technology to
promote cultivation of palm and other oil seeds. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Significance
● The Prime Minister said while India has become self-sufficient or Atma Nirbhar in the
production of rice, wheat and sugar, it was not enough as the country is dependent on huge
imports of edible oils.
● India is the world's biggest vegetable oil importer. India produces less than half of the
roughly 2.5 million tonnes of edible oil that it consumes annually. It imports the rest,
buying palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, soyoil from Brazil and Argentina, and sunflower oil, mainly from Russia and Ukraine, with the import bill hovering around Rs 75,000 crore per year.
● The increase in cultivation of oil palm will not only benefit farmers but also consumers who
would get quality cooking oils at a cheaper rate.
● Besides, it would benefit processors and the entire value chain, thereby creating job\ opportunities.
Explanation
● The oil palm tree is native to West Africa, specifically to the region that includes countries
like Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Liberia. Hence statement 1 is correct.
● In recent decades, the cultivation of oil palm has expanded well beyond West Africa and is
now grown in various tropical regions around the world, including Southeast Asia and parts
of South America. It is a major global commodity, with applications in food products,
cosmetics, and industrial processes.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm
(NMEO-OP), with an investment of over Rs 11,000 crore to boost domestic oilseed
production and make the country self-sufficient in cooking oils. Hence statement 3 is
correct.
● With palm oil having 55 per cent share (not 90 percent) in total edible oil imports,
NMEO-OP would ensure that farmers get all facilities, from quality seeds to technology to
promote cultivation of palm and other oil seeds. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Significance
● The Prime Minister said while India has become self-sufficient or Atma Nirbhar in the
production of rice, wheat and sugar, it was not enough as the country is dependent on huge
imports of edible oils.
● India is the world's biggest vegetable oil importer. India produces less than half of the
roughly 2.5 million tonnes of edible oil that it consumes annually. It imports the rest,
buying palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, soyoil from Brazil and Argentina, and sunflower oil, mainly from Russia and Ukraine, with the import bill hovering around Rs 75,000 crore per year.
● The increase in cultivation of oil palm will not only benefit farmers but also consumers who
would get quality cooking oils at a cheaper rate.
● Besides, it would benefit processors and the entire value chain, thereby creating job\ opportunities.
Deadline Extended!
The last date for submission of applications for CS(P)-2025 & IFoS(P)-2025 has been extended till 18th February 2025 (6:00 PM).
Correction Window: Open from 19th to 25th February 2025 for any necessary edits.
Don't miss this golden opportunity—complete your application on time! For any doubts regarding application process, please fell free to reach our special Helpline number - +91 94459 10017 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM).
#UPSC2025 #IAS2025 #IFoS2025 #UPSCPrelims #UPSCExam #UPSCMotivation #CivilServices #IASPreparation
The last date for submission of applications for CS(P)-2025 & IFoS(P)-2025 has been extended till 18th February 2025 (6:00 PM).
Correction Window: Open from 19th to 25th February 2025 for any necessary edits.
Don't miss this golden opportunity—complete your application on time! For any doubts regarding application process, please fell free to reach our special Helpline number - +91 94459 10017 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM).
#UPSC2025 #IAS2025 #IFoS2025 #UPSCPrelims #UPSCExam #UPSCMotivation #CivilServices #IASPreparation