GPSC Prelims 2017 General Studies Paper II with Answers & Explanations

Explanation

The Human Development Report is formulated and published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). First introduced in 1990 by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq and Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, the report aims to assess global development through a human-centric lens rather than purely economic metrics. It features the Human Development Index (HDI), which evaluates countries based on key dimensions of human development such as a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

Explanation

The secondary sector is the highest contributor to the economy of Gujarat. In the fiscal year 2016-17, this sector contributed approximately 44.8% to the state's Gross State Value Added at current prices. This dominant share is driven by Gujarat's robust industrial base, with leading national positions in manufacturing, chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and engineering. Unlike most other Indian states where the tertiary sector dominates, Gujarat's industrial-led growth model makes the secondary sector the primary driver of its economic output.

Explanation

Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, is an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement that aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.

Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity that focuses on fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

Rotterdam Convention is a multilateral treaty that promotes shared responsibility in the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides to protect human health and the environment.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India regularly conducts the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households to capture subjective assessments of price movements and inflation from households across major Indian cities. This survey gathers qualitative and quantitative responses on expected inflation rates for both three-month-ahead and one-year-ahead horizons. The data collected serves as a vital forward-looking input for the central bank in formulating its bi-monthly monetary policy.

Explanation

In April 2014, the Reserve Bank of India adopted the Consumer Price Index as the primary measure of inflation for formulating its monetary policy, following the recommendations of the Urjit Patel Committee. The Consumer Price Index tracks the retail prices of a representative basket of goods and services consumed by households, making it an accurate reflection of the cost of living and the inflation directly experienced by consumers. Under the monetary policy framework, the central bank targets the headline Consumer Price Index (Combined) inflation rate, aiming to maintain it at 4% with a tolerance band of ± 2%.

Explanation

The Third Five Year Plan, which spanned from 1961 to 1966, is widely referred to as the Gadgil Yojana. It was named after Dhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil, who served as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India during its formulation. The design of this plan was heavily influenced by his economic views and focused on achieving a self-reliant and self-generating economy. The plan placed significant emphasis on agricultural development, particularly wheat production, alongside industrial expansion.

Explanation

Under the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015, promulgated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 1 percent of the total civil construction cost of all National Highway projects is earmarked for planting trees, transplanting, beautification, and maintaining green corridors. This allocation is pooled into a dedicated Green Highways Fund to support the development of eco-friendly national highways with the active participation of local communities, farmers, NGOs, and government departments.

Explanation

The Water Footprint Network does not recognize or define a brown water footprint as a category in its global water footprint assessment standard. The established scientific methodology exclusively classifies water footprints into three distinct categories based on the source of water and its environmental impact: green, blue, and grey. Because the brown water footprint is not part of this standard framework, it does not exist as an official classification for measuring water consumption and pollution.

Explanation

The Economic Survey of India is the flagship annual document prepared by the Economics Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser of India, this document analyzes the trends in agricultural, industrial, and services production, as well as employment, prices, exports, imports, and other key macroeconomic indicators over the preceding financial year. It is traditionally presented in both Houses of Parliament by the Union Finance Minister, shortly before the presentation of the Union Budget.

Explanation

The Raja Chelliah Committee (Tax Reforms Committee) was appointed by the Government of India in 1991 to examine the tax structure and suggest comprehensive reforms. The committee recommended significant changes in both direct and indirect taxes, aiming to simplify the tax system, broaden the tax base, lower tax rates to encourage compliance, and improve overall tax administration. Its recommendations laid the foundation for modern fiscal reforms in India, including the rationalization of personal income tax, corporate tax, excise duties, and customs duties.

Explanation

In 2016, the Government of India liberalized the Foreign Direct Investment policy for the defence sector, allowing foreign investment up to 100 percent. Under this framework, foreign investment was permitted up to 49 percent under the automatic route, while investments beyond 49 percent and up to 100 percent were permitted through the government approval route, specifically in cases where it was likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

Explanation

The National Health Policy 2017, approved by the Union Cabinet of India, formulated several quantitative targets to improve the health indicators of the population. Under the specific goals for life expectancy and healthy life, the policy explicitly aims to increase the life expectancy at birth from the baseline of 67.5 years to 70 years by the year 2025.

Explanation

Airtel Payments Bank became India's first payments bank to commence operations by launching pilot services in Rajasthan in November 2016. It was set up as a joint venture between Bharti Airtel and Kotak Mahindra Bank to promote financial inclusion by offering basic banking services, remittance facilities, and savings accounts to underbanked and unbanked populations.

Explanation

According to the economic statistics of the Government of Gujarat and the Central Statistics Office, the state of Gujarat accounted for approximately 7.3% of India's national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the financial year 2015–16.

The share of Gujarat in the national economy has witnessed steady growth, rising from about 5.8% in 2000–01 to around 7.3% in 2015–16. This sustained economic contribution is primarily driven by Gujarat's robust industrial sector, high manufacturing and export output, and favorable business policies that attract significant domestic and foreign investments.

Explanation

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the Human Development Report (HDR) 2016 under the central theme of "Human development for everyone". The report focuses on how human development can be ensured for all individuals globally, with a particular emphasis on reaching the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups who have been left behind. It aligns with the universal spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure that developmental progress is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

Explanation

In the Gujarat Budget 2016-17, the allocations for the major developmental expenditure heads in descending order were Social Services with ₹40,285.52 crore, Irrigation and Flood Control with ₹14,294.20 crore, Transport with ₹7,969.00 crore, and Energy with ₹6,823.82 crore. This sequence reflects the state government's priority of focusing heavily on social sectors and water management systems, followed by transport infrastructure and power sector development.

Explanation

The First Five-Year Plan of India, launched in 1951, was based on the Harrod-Domar economic growth model. Formulated by R.F. Harrod and Evsey Domar, this model emphasizes that economic growth depends on the level of savings and the productivity of capital, represented by the capital-output ratio. In the context of the newly independent Indian economy, which faced severe food shortages and inflation, the plan utilized this framework to prioritize capital accumulation and agricultural development, successfully laying the foundation for public sector investments in irrigation, power, and basic infrastructure.

Explanation

The Government of India announces the Minimum Support Price (MSP) twice a year, corresponding to the two major cropping seasons in India: the Kharif (summer) season and the Rabi (winter) season. These price announcements are made before the sowing begins for each season, providing farmers with a price guarantee and helping them plan their crops effectively based on market expectations. The MSP is determined based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and is officially declared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Explanation

The Kelkar Committee, officially known as the Task Force on Direct Taxes, was established in 2002 under the chairmanship of Vijay Kelkar to recommend reforms and simplification of the tax system in India. To rationalize the tax structure and broaden the tax base, the committee proposed the elimination of several tax exemptions and rebates. This included the recommendation to abolish tax rebates under Section 88 of the Income Tax Act, which eventually led to the restructuring of tax-saving investments under Section 80C in the Union Budget of 2005-2006.

Explanation

Budgetary deficit is defined as the difference between the government's total expenditure and its total receipts. Since total receipts include borrowings and other liabilities, the budgetary deficit does not capture the complete indebtedness of the government.

To find the actual borrowing requirement, the net borrowings must be added back to the budgetary deficit. This combined value represents the fiscal deficit.

Fiscal Deficit = Budgetary Deficit + Net Borrowings of the Government

This formula accounts for the total resource gap of the government, indicating the total amount of money the government needs to borrow from all sources to cover its overall expenditure.

Explanation

The State Bank of India was established on July 1, 1955, based on the recommendations of the All India Rural Credit Survey Committee. This committee was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India in 1951 under the chairmanship of A.D. Gorwala. The committee submitted its report in 1954, recommending the creation of a strong, state-partnered commercial bank by nationalizing the Imperial Bank of India and integrating it with state-associated banks. This step was aimed at expanding banking facilities and institutional credit to rural and semi-urban areas to support the development of the agricultural sector. Acting on these recommendations, the Parliament passed the State Bank of India Act in 1955, leading to the formation of the State Bank of India.

Explanation

The Government of Karnataka decided to establish Asia's first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in the Koppal district under a public-private partnership model. This park acts as a one-stop solution for paddy growers, providing state-of-the-art facilities for value-added products like rice flour, rice bran oil, noodles, rice rava, and rice-based alcohol. It supports paddy growers in the Tungabhadra Command Area and neighboring districts by offering modern processing facilities and helping them secure better returns for their produce.

Explanation

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is Asia's first and fastest stock exchange, established in 1875 as the Native Share and Stock Brokers' Association. Located on Dalal Street in Mumbai, it was founded by Premchand Roychand and played a pioneering role in the development of the Indian financial and capital markets.

Explanation

Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonymous name used by the creator or creators of Bitcoin, who outlined the design and philosophy of the decentralized cryptocurrency in a seminal white paper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, published on October 31, 2008. Nakamoto also implemented the first blockchain database and released the first version of the Bitcoin software client in January 2009, establishing the world's first decentralized digital currency.

Explanation

The Swachh Bharat Cess was introduced by the Government of India under Section 119 of the Finance Act, 2015, to fund and promote Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiatives. It was levied at a rate of 0.5% on the value of all taxable services and came into effect on November 15, 2015. This cess was collected in addition to the prevailing service tax before being subsumed under the Goods and Services Tax on July 1, 2017.

Explanation

India was ranked 122nd out of 155 countries in the World Happiness Report 2017, which was published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. This marked a decline of four positions from its rank of 118th in the 2016 report. The report evaluates global happiness levels based on six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

Explanation

Under the standard classification of India's foreign trade by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) represents the largest economic region and destination group for Indian exports. The OECD countries collectively import the highest share of India's total merchandise exports, driven by significant demand from advanced economies like the United States, member states of the European Union, Japan, and Australia. During the fiscal years leading up to 2017, the export share of this economic group consistently outperformed other regional trade groupings and individual trading partners, making it the leading market for Indian products.

Explanation

Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015–2020, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh were recognized and added as Towns of Export Excellence under the seafood category.

Towns producing goods above a specific threshold value are recognized as Towns of Export Excellence to maximize their export potential. This status enables recognized associations in these towns to access financial assistance under the Market Access Initiative scheme on a priority basis. Additionally, common service providers in these areas become eligible for benefits under the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme, which helps modernize infrastructure and facilitate easier import of capital goods.

Explanation

SANKALP was announced in the Union Budget 2017-18 by the Government of India as a programme aimed at strengthening the institutional mechanisms for skill development and increasing access to quality and market-relevant training for the youth. SANKALP stands for Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion programme. It is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with assistance from the World Bank.

Explanation

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Established in 1965 as the Agricultural Prices Commission and renamed in 1985, it is the specialized body mandated to recommend the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for various agricultural commodities. The commission arrives at its recommendations by analyzing key factors such as the cost of production, changes in input prices, market price trends, demand and supply conditions, and inter-crop price parity. These recommendations are then submitted to the government, and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs takes the final decision on fixing the MSPs.

Explanation

Under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, enterprises engaged in the manufacture or production of goods are classified based on their investment in plant and machinery. A manufacturing enterprise is classified as a micro enterprise if its investment in plant and machinery does not exceed Rs. 25 Lakhs.

Explanation

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2010, India achieved a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.519, which positioned the country in the Medium Human Development category. In this report, India was ranked 119th among 169 countries based on indicators measuring health, education, and standard of living.

Explanation

The Committee on Digital Payments was constituted by the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance in August 2016 under the chairmanship of Ratan P. Watal, the former Finance Secretary and Principal Advisor to NITI Aayog. The primary mandate of this 11-member committee was to review the existing payment systems in India and recommend appropriate measures to encourage and accelerate digital transactions. The committee submitted its report in December 2016, proposing a roadmap to reduce the cash-to-GDP ratio by promoting interoperability, open access, and competition in digital payment systems.

Explanation

Gujarat's average annual GSDP growth rate during the period 2004-05 to 2015-16 was recorded as 10.02%, one of the highest sustained growth rates among Indian states in that period, making option (A) 10.02% correct. The other options (8.02%, 12.02%, 14.02%) do not match the officially cited figure from Gujarat's economic survey data for this period.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census, Lakshadweep recorded the highest literacy rate among all the Union Territories in India, standing at 91.85%. Among its population, the male literacy rate was 95.56% and the female literacy rate was 87.95%. This outstanding educational performance also places Lakshadweep second in terms of overall literacy in the entire country, immediately following the state of Kerala.

Explanation

The Economic Survey 2016–17 introduced the first-ever estimates of internal trade flows within India using Goods and Services Tax Network data. It revealed that India's aggregate inter-state trade is surprisingly high, standing at about 54% of its Gross Domestic Product. This internal trade-to-GDP ratio highlights a highly integrated domestic market and compares very favourably with other large countries. This level of internal trade is also estimated to be approximately 1.7 times larger than India's international trade volume.

Explanation

The Grand Innovation Challenge was launched by NITI Aayog in April 2016 on the MyGov portal. The initiative was aimed at involving citizens in the very first stage of planning by crowd-sourcing ideas to identify and solve the most critical development and social sector challenges facing India. Supported under the Atal Innovation Mission, the challenge sought to foster citizen-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and the deployment of appropriate technologies to address pressing national needs.

Explanation

The "Kerala Model" of development is widely recognized for achieving high human and social development indicators despite historically low per capita income levels.

Kerala has consistently registered the highest Human Development Index (HDI) in India. This success is primarily attributed to sustained public investments in primary education, robust healthcare systems, land reforms, and social welfare policies. These initiatives have led to near-universal literacy, high life expectancy at birth, low infant mortality rates, and a favorable sex ratio, demonstrating that significant improvements in quality of life do not solely depend on high levels of economic wealth.

Explanation

The Kayakalp Council was constituted in March 2015 by the Ministry of Railways under the leadership of the then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Formed in accordance with the vision for innovation, technology development, and business re-engineering, the council was mandated to recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement and transformation of the Indian Railways. Noted industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, was appointed to head this innovative standing body.

Explanation

The 12th Five Year Plan (2012–2017) of India set twenty-five core monitorable targets to achieve rapid, sustainable, and inclusive growth. Under the poverty and employment category, the plan aimed to reduce the head-count ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points (or 10%) compared to the estimates recorded at the end of the 11th Five Year Plan. Additionally, this target was supported by a strategy to reduce poverty by 2% annually on a sustainable basis during the plan period.

Explanation

According to the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on opening bank accounts for minors, a minor above the age of 10 years is permitted to independently open and operate only savings bank accounts, subject to limits and safeguards prescribed by individual banks. Savings, fixed, and recurring bank deposit accounts can be opened by a minor of any age through a natural or legally appointed guardian. Minors are not permitted to open current accounts, cash credit or overdraft accounts, or loan accounts, because minors are legally incompetent to contract under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, and their accounts must always remain in credit. Consequently, none of the specific provisions in options a, b, or c are correct, making option d the correct choice.

Explanation

Kharif crops, also known as monsoon crops, are cultivated and harvested in India during the rainy season. These crops are typically sown at the onset of the southwest monsoon in June and July and are harvested towards the end of the monsoon season, which primarily falls between October and November. Key crops grown during this period include rice, maize, jowar, bajra, ragi, cotton, and jute, which require hot and humid conditions to grow and a dry period for harvesting.

Explanation

During the decade 1991-2001, Maharashtra recorded a decadal population growth rate of 22.73%. This rate declined significantly to 15.99% in the 2001-2011 period. The difference of 6.74 percentage points marks the highest drop in the decadal growth rate of population among the options.

Explanation

The Gender Development Index measures gender gaps in human development achievements by calculating the ratio of female to male Human Development Index values. It assesses disparities between women and men across the same three basic dimensions as the Human Development Index. The first dimension is health, which is measured by female and male life expectancy at birth. The second dimension is knowledge, which is measured by female and male expected years of schooling for children and mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and older. The third dimension is command over economic resources or living standards, which is measured by female and male estimated Gross National Income per capita.

Explanation

The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) is the key agency in India tasked with conducting large-scale, periodical sample surveys on various socio-economic aspects. For the estimation of the poverty line, the government relies on the quinquennial household consumer expenditure surveys designed and executed by the NSSO. The detailed data on consumption patterns collected through these nation-wide sample surveys serves as the primary statistical basis for calculating poverty ratios and identifying the population living below the poverty line.

Explanation

The Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb) is the premier investment promotion agency of the Government of Gujarat. Operating under the Industries and Mines Department, it functions as a single point of contact to facilitate, handhold, and guide potential investors looking for opportunities in the state. Since its inception, the bureau has played a central role in organizing the flagship biennial Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to attract domestic and international investments, acting as an essential interface between industries and government departments to streamline project implementation and approvals.

Explanation

All of the given institutions are classified as All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) which are regulated and supervised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These development-oriented financial institutions play a crucial role in providing long-term finance and credit facilitation in India. The RBI regulates and supervises EXIM Bank, National Housing Bank, and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, along with the Small Industries Development Bank of India, to ensure financial stability and aligned monetary policy transmission.

Explanation

India signed an agreement with Russia to jointly manufacture the Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters under the Make in India initiative. This joint venture was established between India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russian Helicopters. The project aimed to deliver 200 of these twin-engine, multi-role helicopters to replace the aging Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Indian Armed Forces, with 60 helicopters imported directly from Russia and the remaining 140 manufactured locally in India.

Explanation

The Sugam form (ITR-4) is designed for resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and partnership firms (other than LLPs) who have opted for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE of the Income Tax Act. This simplified income tax return form is intended to ease compliance for small business owners and professionals having a total income of up to ₹50 lakh, allowing them to declare their income at a predetermined rate rather than maintaining detailed books of accounts.

Explanation

The Abhijit Sen Committee, officially designated as the Expert Committee to Study the Impact of Futures Trading on Agricultural Commodity Prices, was constituted by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, in March 2007. Under the chairmanship of Professor Abhijit Sen, who was then a member of the Planning Commission, the committee was specifically mandated to examine the extent to which futures trading affected the wholesale and retail prices of agricultural commodities. After analyzing extensive data, the committee submitted its report in 2008, concluding that there was no conclusive empirical evidence to show a direct causal relationship between futures trading and the inflationary pressures on agricultural product prices in India.

Explanation

The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. Its height varies across different latitudes due to differences in solar heating and convective activity. At the equator, intense solar heating leads to strong convective currents that transport heat and moisture upward. This vigorous vertical mixing pushes the tropopause higher, making the troposphere thickest over equatorial regions, where it reaches an average height of about 16 to 18 km.

Explanation

Most of the world's hot deserts are located between 15° and 30° latitudes in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This zone corresponds to the subtropical high-pressure belt, where dry air descending from the upper atmosphere warms up and dries out, preventing condensation and cloud formation. Additionally, dry trade winds blow offshore in these regions, and cold ocean currents along the western coasts of continents further stabilize the atmosphere, suppressing precipitation and creating hyper-arid desert conditions.

Explanation

The Gutenberg discontinuity is the seismic boundary that separates the Earth's mantle from its core, located at a depth of approximately 2900 kilometers below the surface. At this transition zone, there is a distinct change in the density and physical state of the materials, marking the boundary between the solid silicate mantle and the liquid iron-nickel outer core. Seismic waves change velocity abruptly at this interface; P-waves slow down significantly, while S-waves are completely stopped because they cannot travel through liquid. This boundary is named after Beno Gutenberg, the seismologist who discovered it in 1914.

Explanation

The Mediterranean climate is a distinct climatic type found in the mid-latitudes, typically on the western sides of continents between 30° and 45° North and South latitudes. The defining feature of this climate is its unique precipitation pattern consisting of wet winters and dry summers. During the summer months, the subtropical high-pressure belts shift poleward, bringing dry, descending air that suppresses precipitation and leads to hot, arid conditions. In the winter, these high-pressure systems shift equatorward, allowing the moisture-laden prevailing westerlies and associated cyclonic storms to move over these regions, resulting in mild, rainy winters.

Explanation

The Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat features a central highland or dome-like topographic structure. Rivers originating from this central elevated region, such as the Bhadar, Shetrunji, Machchhu, and Bhogavo, radiate and flow outwards in all directions before emptying into the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Kutch, and the Gulf of Khambhat. This radial flow of rivers from a central high point to the surrounding lower areas is the defining characteristic of a radial drainage pattern.

Explanation

The Atacama Desert is widely recognized as the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Some areas within the desert have never recorded any rainfall, with the overall region receiving an average of less than one millimeter of precipitation per year.

Geographically, it consists of a continuous strip of land stretching approximately 1600 kilometers along the Pacific coast of South America, primarily in northern Chile. It is positioned directly between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountain range to the east. This coastal location, combined with the rain shadow effect of the mountains and the cold Humboldt Current flowing along the coast, creates the unique climatic conditions responsible for its extreme aridity.

Explanation

The Gulf of Cambay (also known as the Gulf of Khambhat) possesses the highest tidal energy potential in India, estimated at approximately 7,000 MW out of the country's total potential of about 8,000 MW. This exceptionally high potential is primarily due to its unique funnel-shaped geography and large tidal ranges, which reach up to 11 meters. The energy of a tide cycle per square meter of ocean surface is proportional to the square of the tidal range (h²), making the high-amplitude tides of the Gulf of Cambay extremely favorable for harnessing tidal power.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in Manipur constitutes approximately 35.1% of the state's total population. This is the lowest proportion of Scheduled Tribes among the specified states, which otherwise feature heavy tribal majorities well exceeding 65% of their respective total populations.

Explanation

The official GPSC answer key highlights option (A) — Kerala – Mizoram – Tripura – Goa — as the correct descending sequence of literacy rates per the 2011 Census. While independently computed 2011 Census figures (Kerala 93.91%, Mizoram 91.58%, Goa 88.70%, Tripura 87.75%) would actually place Goa above Tripura, the GPSC-published master key for this paper (CSP-02-A) explicitly marks (A) as correct, and options B, C, and D are marked wrong in the key. As the authoritative source for this exam, the highlighted key answer (A) is adopted.

Explanation

The correct matches for the rivers and their respective tributaries are described below.

Krishna is matched with Tungabhadra, which is its major right-bank tributary formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka.

Brahmaputra is matched with Lohit, an important tributary originating in eastern Tibet that flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Godavari is matched with Indravati, a significant tributary originating in the Kalahandi district of Odisha and flowing through Chhattisgarh to join the Godavari.

Yamuna is matched with Chambal, which originates in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh and flows through Rajasthan before joining the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation

The Sarada River, also known as the Sharda, Kali, or Mahakali River, originates in the Greater Himalayas at Kalapani. Under the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816 between the Kingdom of Nepal and the British East India Company, this river was designated as the western international boundary between India and Nepal. It flows along the border of Uttarakhand in India and Nepal before entering the Indo-Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh to join the Ghaghara River.

Explanation

The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from an altitude of about 50 km to 85 km. Within this layer, temperature decreases with increasing altitude. Near the top of the mesosphere, at the boundary called the mesopause, temperatures drop to their lowest point of approximately -90°C, making this the coldest region of the atmosphere.

Explanation

A cold front is the transition zone where a colder, denser airmass actively moves in to replace a warmer airmass. As the colder air advances, it wedges underneath the warmer, less dense air, forcing it to rise rapidly. The boundary separating these two distinct air masses is defined by this displacement of warm air by cold air.

Explanation

Laterite soils are formed in tropical and subtropical regions with hot and wet climates, where intense seasonal rainfall leads to the leaching of silica and lime. This weathering process leaves behind a soil highly enriched in iron and aluminium. The characteristic deep red colour of these soils is directly caused by the high concentration of iron oxides, such as hematite and goethite, which undergo oxidation under these climatic conditions.

Explanation

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, which then opens into the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean. Located between Iran to the north and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman to the south, this narrow strait serves as the primary maritime route for exporting oil from the petroleum-rich countries of the Persian Gulf region to global markets.

Explanation

The Narmada River flows westward through a rift valley, which was formed due to faulting and is situated between the Vindhya Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.

With a total length of approximately 1,312 km, the Narmada is the longest west-flowing river in India.

The Tawa reservoir is built across the Tawa River in Madhya Pradesh. The Tawa River is a major left-bank tributary of the Narmada River, meaning the reservoir is not constructed directly across the Narmada itself.

Due to the steep gradient of its course and the hard rocky terrain through which it flows, the Narmada River does not form a delta at its mouth. Instead, it forms a wide estuary as it empties into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.

Explanation

The Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant at Bhadravati in Karnataka obtains its high-grade hematite iron ore from the Kemmangundi mines in the Bababudan Hills of Chikmagalur district. Established in 1923 as the Mysore Iron Works, the plant was strategically located near these hills to leverage the rich iron ore deposits, utilizing the nearby Bhadra River for water and local forest resources for charcoal in its initial years of operation.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, Tamil Nadu has 48.4% of its total population residing in urban areas, making it the most urbanized major state in the country. This high level of urbanization is driven by robust industrial growth, a high concentration of service industries, and well-distributed urban centers across the state.

Explanation

Terrigenous deposits consist of sediments derived from the weathering and erosion of rocks on land. These materials, which include sand, silt, and clay, are transported to the ocean primarily by rivers, wind, glaciers, and gravity. Because of their terrestrial origin and the relatively large, heavy nature of these particles, they settle quickly upon entering the marine environment. Consequently, the vast majority of terrigenous sediments accumulate close to the landmasses along the continental margins, specifically covering the continental shelves and slopes.

Explanation

Mohs' scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale characterizing the scratch resistance of minerals. Introduced in 1812 by the German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs, the scale is based on the ability of a harder natural mineral sample to visibly scratch a softer one. It rates minerals on a scale from 1 to 10, where talc represents the softest mineral with a value of 1, and diamond represents the hardest natural substance with a value of 10.

Explanation

The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, flows out of the Florida Straits, and travels northward along the eastern coast of the United States before heading eastward across the North Atlantic Ocean. It transports warm tropical waters to the higher latitudes of the North Atlantic, playing a crucial role in keeping the climate of western Europe significantly warmer than it would otherwise be.

Explanation

Yamuna has a length of approximately 1376 km, originating from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas. Narmada flows for about 1312 km, starting from the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh. Mahanadi has a length of around 851 km, originating in the Sihawa highlands of Chhattisgarh. Kaveri is approximately 800 km long, originating from Talakaveri in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. This makes Yamuna the longest among them, followed in decreasing order by Narmada, Mahanadi, and Kaveri.

Explanation

Orographic rainfall, also known as relief rainfall, occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a physical barrier such as a mountain range. The Western Ghats act as a major barrier to the moisture-laden Southwest Monsoon winds blowing from the Arabian Sea. Mahabaleshwar is situated on the crest and windward side of these ghats, causing the ascending air to cool rapidly, condense, and precipitate heavily, resulting in high annual rainfall of about 600 cm. As the winds cross the mountain barrier and descend on the eastern leeward side, they become warmer and drier. Pune, being located in this rain-shadow zone on the leeward side, receives significantly less rainfall of around 70 cm. This stark contrast in precipitation between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain range is a classic demonstration of orographic rainfall.

Explanation

The Earth's atmosphere is composed of various gases with distinct volume percentages. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas, constituting approximately 78.08% of the dry atmosphere. Oxygen is the next most abundant gas, making up about 20.95%. Argon, a noble gas, is the third most abundant, accounting for around 0.93%. Carbon dioxide is a trace gas present in much smaller quantities, representing approximately 0.04% of the atmosphere. Arranging these gases in descending order of their percentages yields the sequence of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide.

Explanation

The longitude of the ship can be calculated directly using the relationship between time differences and the Earth's rotation rate. The Earth rotates through 360° of longitude in 24 hours, which corresponds to a rate of 15° per hour.

First, find the difference in time between the ship's local time (12:00 PM, noon) and the Greenwich Mean Time (7:00 AM) shown on the chronometer: Time difference = 12:00 PM - 7:00 AM = 5 hours

Using the rotation rate, the longitude calculation is: Longitude = 5 hours × 15° per hour = 75°

Since the ship's local time (12:00 PM) is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (7:00 AM), the ship is positioned to the east of the Prime Meridian, placing it at 75° East longitude.

Explanation

Current matches with Temperature because variations in temperature, which affect water density, are a primary driver of thermohaline circulation and global ocean currents.

Water mass matches with Density because a water mass is an identifiable body of ocean water with a common history, characterized and distinguished by its specific density profile, which is determined by its temperature and salinity.

Wave matches with Wind because the vast majority of ocean waves are generated by the force and friction of wind transferring kinetic energy across the surface of the water.

Tide matches with Gravitation because tides are the periodic rise and fall of the ocean surface caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun acting on the rotating Earth.

Explanation

The Yellow Revolution was launched in India in 1986 to increase the production of edible oilseeds, particularly mustard, sesame, soybean, and groundnut, to achieve self-reliance in cooking oil. The production of fruits, honey, and horticulture is associated with the Golden Revolution, making the pairing of the Yellow Revolution with fruits and flowers incorrect.

Explanation

As per the 2011 Census of India, the Dangs is the least populous district in Gujarat, with a total population of 228,291. Because of its small overall population size, the district recorded the lowest female population in Gujarat, which stands at 113,793. The district also maintains a high sex ratio of 1007 females per 1000 males.

Explanation

The apparent movement of the Sun between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is a direct consequence of the Earth revolving around the Sun while maintaining its axial tilt of 23.5° relative to the plane of its orbit. Because this tilt remains fixed in space, different latitudes receive direct vertical rays of the Sun at different times of the year, reaching the Tropic of Cancer in June and the Tropic of Capricorn in December. This combined effect of orbital motion and axial tilt is also responsible for the change of seasons on Earth.

Explanation

The Earth's inner core is composed primarily of iron and nickel and experiences extreme pressure from the immense weight of the overlying mantle and crust. Under such intense pressure, the cohesive forces between atoms are strengthened, which significantly raises the melting and boiling points of these metals. Since the actual temperature of the core, though extremely high, does not exceed these elevated points, the central part remains in a solid state.

Explanation

Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise are categorized into four distinct zones with separate permissible limits for daytime and nighttime. Daytime is defined from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while nighttime spans from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

For a residential area, the permissible ambient noise level is set at 55 dB (A) Leq during the day and 45 dB (A) Leq during the night.

Explanation

The Okha - Rameshwaram Weekly Express (Train number 16733 / 16734) is the longest distance train running from Gujarat to other parts of India. It connects the westernmost tip of India at Okha in Gujarat to the southernmost peninsula at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. The total travel distance of this route is approximately 3,153 kilometers, traversing multiple states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Explanation

Semang matches with Malaysia because they are a Negrito ethnic group indigenous to the mountainous rainforests of the Malay Peninsula.

Yuroba matches with Nigeria because they constitute one of the largest African ethnic groups, predominantly inhabiting the southwestern region of Nigeria.

Bora matches with Brazil because they are an indigenous people inhabiting the Amazon basin, primarily found in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.

Maori matches with New Zealand because they are the indigenous Polynesian people who settled in mainland New Zealand.

Explanation

The Gujjars are a pastoral and agricultural community primarily located in the northern and northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. In India, they predominantly inhabit regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, rather than the hills and forests of Central India.

Explanation

The average density of the Earth as a whole is calculated by dividing its total mass by its total volume. Using Earth's mass of approximately 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg and its volume of about 1.08 × 10²¹ m³, the average density is determined to be around 5.51 g/cm³. This value represents a combined average of the lighter crustal rocks, which have densities of about 2.7 to 3.0 g/cm³, and the much denser metallic core, which reaches densities of over 13 g/cm³ under high pressure.

Explanation

Seawater has an average salinity of about 35 parts per thousand. The major dissolved salts in ocean water, in order of abundance, are sodium chloride at approximately 77.7% and magnesium chloride at approximately 10.9%. Because sodium chloride is not present in the choices, magnesium chloride is the salt with the highest concentration among the choices provided.

Explanation

The Pennines (Europe), the Appalachians (America), and the Aravallis (India) are classic examples of old fold mountains (or old mountains).

Unlike young fold mountains like the Himalayas or the Alps, which are still growing and have high, rugged peaks, old fold mountains were formed hundreds of millions of years ago during ancient orogenic events. The Aravallis originated in the Precambrian era, making them one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world. The Appalachians were formed during the Paleozoic era, and the Pennines were formed during the Carboniferous period. Over geologic time, these ranges have been significantly eroded and worn down by natural agents like wind, water, and glaciers, resulting in rounded peaks and lower elevations.

Explanation

The Godavari is the largest peninsular river in India, with an extensive catchment basin covering approximately 312,812 km². Originating in Triambakeshwar near Nashik in Maharashtra, its basin stretches across several states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, accounting for nearly 10% of India's total geographical area.

Explanation

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are the leading pulse-producing states in India, collectively contributing a major share of the country's total pulse output. Madhya Pradesh consistently ranks as the largest producer of pulses in India, followed closely by Rajasthan and Maharashtra. These states possess favorable agro-climatic conditions, characterized by semi-arid climates, low to moderate rainfall, and suitable soil types like black soil and sandy loam, which are highly conducive for cultivating major pulse crops such as gram, pigeon pea (tur), urad, and moong.

Explanation

Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock formed by the compaction of silt and clay-sized mineral particles (mud), rather than from organic fossil remains. In contrast, coal is formed from accumulated prehistoric plant fossils, limestone is formed primarily from the calcareous skeletal fragments of marine organisms, and chalk is a soft, porous limestone composed of the microscopic fossilized shells of marine plankton.

Explanation

Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of fine silt, sand, clay, and organic matter carried by running water, such as rivers and streams. As rivers flow down from mountainous regions, they erode rocks and transport the eroded material. When the velocity of the river water decreases upon reaching the plains, deltas, and floodplains, these sediments are deposited along the river banks and basins, creating highly fertile alluvial soils over time.

Explanation

Slash and burn agriculture, widely known as Jhum cultivation or Jhumming in Northeast India, is a highly significant farming practice in Mizoram. In this traditional method, forest tracts are cleared by slashing the vegetation, allowing it to dry, and then burning it to enrich the soil with nutrient-rich ash. The hilly terrain and rural demographic profile of Mizoram make this subsistence form of farming a primary livelihood source for a significant portion of its tribal population, who cultivate crops like rice, maize, and vegetables on these cleared hill slopes before shifting to a new plot to allow the old land to naturally regenerate its fertility.

Explanation

Solapur is situated at approximately 75° 54' E longitude. Since the Earth rotates from west to east, the sun rises earlier in places situated further to the east. Solapur is the easternmost city among the given locations, which means it experiences sunrise before the other cities.

Explanation

The Prime Meridian at 0° longitude and the equator at 0° latitude intersect at the coordinate point of 0°N 0°E. This geographical location is situated in the Gulf of Guinea, which is a northeastern arm of the tropical Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa.

Explanation

Stalactites and stalagmites are depositional landforms formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate in limestone or karst caves. Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil to form a weak carbonic acid, which dissolves the limestone as it percolates through the ground. When this water, rich in dissolved calcium bicarbonate Ca(HCO₃)₂, drips into an underground cave, the pressure drop causes carbon dioxide CO₂ to escape, reducing the solubility of the mineral. Consequently, calcium carbonate CaCO₃ precipitates out of the solution. Stalactites grow downwards from the ceiling of the cave as mineral-laden water drips, while stalagmites grow upwards from the cave floor where the water drops splash and deposit calcite. Over time, these mineral deposits build up, representing classic depositional features of karst topography.

Explanation

The Peninsular Plateau represents the largest physiographic division of India, covering nearly 1.6 million square kilometers, which is approximately half of the country's total landmass. Due to its massive geographic extent, this region contains the largest share of India's total forest area, accounting for over 57% of the nation's forest cover. The plateau is dominated by tropical deciduous forests (also known as monsoon forests), which are the most widespread forest type in India, thriving under moderate rainfall conditions between 70 cm and 200 cm. The presence of major forested sub-regions such as the Dandakaranya, Chotanagpur Plateau, and the Satpura-Vindhya ranges further contributes to this region holding the highest percentage of the country's overall forest area.

Explanation

The distribution of forest area in terms of the percentage of forest cover relative to the total geographical area of each district determines this sequence. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), the forest cover percentages for these districts are:

Dang: It has a geographical area of 1,766 sq km and a forest cover of about 1,368 sq km, which constitutes approximately 77.46% of its area, making it the district with the highest forest density in the state.

Narmada: It has a geographical area of 2,817 sq km and a forest cover of about 963 sq km, representing around 34.18% of its total area.

Junagadh: Its forest cover occupies about 20% to 24% of its total geographical area.

Kutch: It has a massive geographical area of 45,674 sq km and a forest cover of about 2,011 sq km, resulting in a low forest cover percentage of around 4.4% of its total area.

This relative proportion of forest area yields the descending order of Dang, Narmada, Junagadh, Kutch.

Explanation

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified Indian soils into 8 major categories. These groups are alluvial soils, black soils, red and yellow soils, laterite soils, arid or desert soils, saline and alkaline soils, peaty and organic soils, and forest and mountain soils. This systematic division is based on their origin, color, composition, and location, providing a comprehensive framework for agricultural planning and soil management across the country.

Explanation

The continental shelf along the western coast of India is significantly wider than that of the eastern coast. Among all the coastal states of India, Gujarat possesses the broadest continental shelf, covering an area of approximately 184,000 square kilometers. The shelf is particularly wide in the northwestern region, reaching its maximum width of about 345 kilometers off the coast of southern Gujarat near Daman and the Gulf of Khambhat. This expansive and relatively shallow marine region provides highly favorable ecological conditions for marine life, making it a highly productive zone for demersal fisheries and a key area for offshore petroleum resources.

Explanation

Living coral reefs, particularly reef-building hermatypic corals, require warm and shallow marine waters to survive and grow. They exist in a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which require sufficient sunlight and stable, warm temperatures. The optimal sea surface temperature range for the growth and survival of these coral reefs is between 20°C and 30°C. Temperatures outside this range inhibit the precipitation of calcium carbonate necessary for reef skeletal growth and can lead to stress, resulting in coral bleaching.

Explanation

The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is a tri-service command created in January 2003 to manage and administer India's tactical and strategic nuclear assets. Operating under the authority of the Nuclear Command Authority, which is headed by the Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief of the SFC is a three-star rank officer from the Indian Armed Forces. This commander is responsible for the operational control, maintenance, and deployment of all land-based, air-delivered, and sea-based nuclear delivery platforms of India.

Explanation

In India, the authority to authorize and release nuclear weapons for use is strictly held under civilian control. The Nuclear Command Authority consists of a Political Council and an Executive Council. The Political Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister of India, is the sole body vested with the power to authorize the retaliatory use of nuclear weapons. Thus, this critical authority resides in the person of the Prime Minister of India, or their designated successor(s).

Explanation

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu is developed under an inter-governmental agreement signed between India and the Soviet Union in 1988, which was later carried forward by the Russian Federation. The plant is built in collaboration with ROSATOM, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia, through its subsidiary Atomstroyexport. ROSATOM provides the VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors, technical expertise, and critical equipment for the construction and operation of the power units.

Explanation

The Disarmament and International Security Affairs (D | ISA) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is the specialized division responsible for formulating India's policies on disarmament and international security. It represents India on all matters concerning nuclear non-proliferation, arms control, and confidence-building and security-building measures across regional and multilateral platforms.

Explanation

According to Article IX, paragraph 3 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a nuclear-weapon state is officially defined as one which has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967. This criteria recognizes only five nations as nuclear-weapon states: the United States, Russia (as the successor state to the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France, and China.

Explanation

CAPTCHA, which stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, is a security mechanism used to determine whether a user is a human or an automated program, commonly known as a bot. By presenting tasks that are simple for humans but complex for computer scripts, such as identifying distorted text or selecting specific categories of images, CAPTCHAs effectively block automated bots from spamming websites, creating fake accounts, or executing brute-force login attempts.

Explanation

Electronic wallets, commonly known as e-wallets, are digital payment systems that allow users to store money, link bank accounts or cards, and perform online or contactless financial transactions. They function as a secure electronic mechanism for payments, utilizing encryption, tokenization, and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive user details and financial data during digital transactions.

Explanation

The National Digital Library of India is a virtual repository of learning resources equipped with a single-window search facility, developed and maintained by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur under the aegis of the Ministry of Education. It is designed to accommodate digital content in any language and offers user interface support in several Indian vernacular languages, including Hindi and Bengali, to ensure widespread accessibility. The library provides curated educational materials spanning all academic levels, from primary school students to postgraduate scholars and research professionals across all major disciplines.

Explanation

A digital signature is a mathematical technique based on asymmetric cryptography used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a digital document, message, or transaction. It utilizes a public-private key pair, where the sender signs the data using their unique private key and the recipient verifies it using the sender's public key. This process ensures non-repudiation, which means the signer cannot deny having sent or signed the message because the private key is held exclusively by them, establishing legal accountability and trust in digital communications.

Explanation

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that enables communication between compatible devices over a distance of 4 cm or less. Operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, NFC allows smartphones and other enabled devices to securely share data, pair with accessories, and make contactless mobile payments with a simple touch.

Explanation

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) uses asymmetric key cryptography involving pairs of public and private keys to secure electronic communications.

Bitcoin is the pioneer decentralized cryptocurrency that operates on a peer-to-peer blockchain network.

Stuxnet is a notorious malicious computer worm specifically designed to target industrial control systems, causing physical destruction to uranium enrichment centrifuges, which constitutes a cyber-physical attack.

Data integrity is maintained and verified using cryptographic hash functions, which generate a unique fixed-size output for any given input data to easily detect unauthorized alterations.

Explanation

The Government of India initiative MeghRaj is the GI Cloud (Government of India Cloud) initiative, designed to optimize information and communication technology spending and accelerate the delivery of e-services across the country. It establishes a robust, secure, and scalable cloud infrastructure by bringing together a set of distributed cloud computing environments under a common set of standards, guidelines, and protocols. This platform is managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to host diverse e-governance applications for various government departments and ministries.

Explanation

VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. It is an independent verification printer system attached to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that allows voters to verify that their votes are cast correctly. When a vote is cast, a paper slip containing the candidate's serial number, name, and election symbol is printed and remains visible behind a transparent window for seven seconds. This allows the voter to confirm their choice before the slip automatically cuts and falls into a sealed ballot compartment. The system provides a physical audit trail of the electronic vote, which can be manually counted in case of disputes or for verification purposes.

Explanation

Payment Gateway matches with e-Commerce as it is the essential payment processing technology that enables online transactions on e-Commerce platforms.

PMGDISHA, which stands for Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan, matches with Digital Literacy because it is a flagship government scheme aimed at imparting digital literacy to citizens in rural households.

Digital Signature Certificate matches with e-Mudra because eMudhra is a licensed Certifying Authority in India authorized to issue digital signature certificates for secure electronic transactions.

Electronic delivery of service matches with e-Kranti because e-Kranti is a vital pillar of the Digital India initiative designed to ensure the seamless electronic delivery of government services to citizens.

Explanation

The introduction of animal genes into plants through genetic engineering represents a major ethical concern in agricultural biotechnology. Transferring genetic material across distinct biological kingdoms (from animals to plants) raises significant moral, cultural, and religious objections. For instance, individuals who follow strict vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or halal diets may have profound ethical reservations about consuming plant-based foods that carry animal genes. This cross-species genetic manipulation is viewed by many as violating natural boundaries and the dietary principles of various communities.

Explanation

Edible vaccines are produced by introducing the gene encoding a specific antigenic protein from a pathogen into the genome of a plant. The transgenic plant then expresses these antigenic proteins in its edible parts like fruits, seeds, or leaves. When these plant parts are consumed, the antigenic proteins are released in the digestive tract, where they stimulate the mucosal and systemic immune systems to produce protective antibodies. Because these vaccines only express the specific protective antigen and do do not contain any pathogenic or disease-causing genetic material, they are entirely safe and free from the risk of causing the actual disease.

Explanation

The United Nations General Assembly designated the period 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity in Resolution 65/161. This global initiative was launched to support and promote the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which were adopted at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-10) held in Nagoya, Japan. The primary goal of this decade was to raise awareness about the critical loss of biodiversity and to encourage countries and communities to take proactive steps to protect, restore, and sustainably manage the Earth's diverse ecosystems.

Explanation

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region containing significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot according to Conservation International, a region must meet two strict criteria. First, it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, meaning it has a high level of plant species found nowhere else on Earth. Second, it must have lost at least 70% of its original primary vegetation, representing serious levels of habitat loss.

Explanation

Article 48A of the Constitution of India, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. This article was inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 to reinforce the commitment of the state towards environmental protection.

Explanation

Blue baby syndrome, scientifically known as methemoglobinemia, is caused by the contamination of drinking water with nitrates. When infants ingest water containing high levels of nitrates, bacteria in their digestive systems convert these nitrates into nitrites. These nitrites react with hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is incapable of binding with and transporting oxygen to body tissues. This lack of oxygen circulation leads to clinical hypoxia, causing a characteristic bluish discoloration of the infant's skin, particularly around the mouth, hands, and feet. Infants under six months of age are highly susceptible to this condition because their digestive tract is less acidic, which facilitates the growth of nitrate-reducing bacteria, and their bodies produce lower levels of the enzyme methemoglobin reductase, which normally converts methemoglobin back to functional hemoglobin.

Explanation

The Ministry of Power launched these three initiatives to improve transparency, monitoring, and efficiency in the power sector. GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) is a mobile application and portal launched to track the progress of rural electrification in India in real-time. UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) is a flagship scheme designed for the financial turnaround and operational improvement of state-owned power distribution companies (DISCOMs). TARANG (Transmission App for Real-Time Monitoring and Growth) is an IT tool developed to monitor the status of upcoming and ongoing transmission projects, ensuring faster clearance and resolution of issues in the power transmission sector.

Explanation

Meghdoot is a comprehensive free and open-source software suite designed and developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for setting up and managing a secure cloud computing environment. Built as a product of the National Resource Centre for Free and Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) program, it leverages robust open-source technologies, including OpenStack, to facilitate the deployment, orchestration, and scaling of private cloud infrastructure.

Explanation

Double fortified salt is an innovative public health tool formulated to deliver two essential micronutrients, iodine and iron, through a single daily dietary source. Iodine is vital for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and its adequate intake directly prevents thyroid gland enlargement, known as goiter. Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, which is necessary for transporting oxygen in the blood, and its fortification in salt serves as a highly effective strategy to combat and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

Explanation

A googol is the large mathematical number equal to 10¹⁰⁰, which represents 1 followed by 100 zeros. The term was coined in 1920 by nine-year-old Milton Sirotta, the nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, to illustrate the difference between an unimaginably large number and infinity. Kasner later popularized the term in his 1940 book Mathematics and the Imagination.

Explanation

Kanha Tiger Reserve became the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, named Bhoor Singh the Barasingha, in March 2017. The mascot represents the hard ground swamp deer (Barasingha), which is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh and is endemic to the Kanha region. Designed by award-winning wildlife cartoonist Rohan Chakravarty, the initiative was launched to create a unique identity for the reserve and to raise awareness about the conservation of this highly endangered deer species.

Explanation

The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an international award created in 1951 following a donation from Biju Patnaik, the Founder President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in Odisha, India. Jointly funded by the Government of India, the Government of the State of Odisha, and the Kalinga Foundation Trust, the prize is presented biennially by UNESCO to individuals who have had a distinguished career as a writer, editor, lecturer, radio/television program director, or film producer, and who have helped to interpret science, research, and technology to the public in a way that emphasizes the international importance of scientific progress.

Explanation

The Institute of Nano Science and Technology is an autonomous research institution under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It was established under the umbrella of the Nano Mission of the Government of India to foster research and development in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The institute is located in Mohali, Punjab, and works to generate processes, technologies, and devices in diverse fields such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, and environmental science.

Explanation

These four names represent the synthetic chemical elements officially added to the periodic table by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in late 2016. Nihonium (atomic number 113, symbol Nh), Moscovium (atomic number 115, symbol Mc), Tennessine (atomic number 117, symbol Ts), and Oganesson (atomic number 118, symbol Og) are superheavy, highly radioactive elements that completed the seventh period of the periodic table.

Explanation

A biogeochemical cycle is the natural pathway by which essential chemical elements circulate through the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. The term combines bio, geo, and chemical, representing the integration of living organisms, geological processes (such as air, water, and soil), and the chemical elements themselves. These cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen, water, and phosphorus cycles, are crucial for recycling nutrients and sustaining life on Earth by ensuring that essential elements are constantly moved and reused between living matter and the non-living environment.

Explanation

Osteomalacia is a condition characterized by the softening of bones in adults, which is primarily caused by a severe and prolonged deficiency of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for the body because it regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract. These minerals are crucial for maintaining the strength and structural integrity of the skeletal system. When Vitamin D is deficient, the body cannot absorb adequate calcium, preventing the proper mineralization of the newly formed bone matrix, which leads to weak, soft, and painful bones.

Explanation

Haemophilia is known as the Royal Disease because it was famously passed down through the royal families of Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was a carrier of the gene for haemophilia B, a genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. She passed the recessive X-linked mutation to several of her children. Through the strategic marriages of her descendants, the condition spread to the royal dynasties of Spain, Germany, and Russia. The most famous case was Tsarevich Alexei, the heir to the Russian throne, whose illness significantly impacted the course of the Russian Empire. This widespread occurrence of the bleeding disorder among European royalty led to its popular moniker.

Explanation

The GSLV Mark III, which was later renamed Launch Vehicle Mark 3 or LVM3, is a three-stage launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It possesses a payload capacity of carrying up to 4,000 kg class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and up to 8,000 to 10,000 kg of payload into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This makes it ISRO's most powerful launch vehicle with the heaviest payload capacity.

Explanation

GLONASS, which stands for Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, is a space-based satellite navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces. It provides real-time position and velocity determination for both military and civilian users globally, serving as Russia's counterpart to the United States' Global Positioning System.

Explanation

NISAR, which stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a joint Earth-observing mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Signed in 2014, the partnership aims to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar satellite. This satellite is designed to observe and measure some of the planet's most complex natural processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.

Explanation

ASTROSAT was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation on September 28, 2015, aboard the PSLV-C30 rocket. It is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory designed to study the universe. The mission carries five distinct payloads that enable simultaneous observations of celestial sources in the optical, ultraviolet, and both low and high-energy X-ray bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Explanation

The Megha-Tropiques is a collaborative satellite mission developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). Launched in October 2011, the satellite was designed to study the water cycle and energy exchanges in the tropical atmosphere to better understand tropical weather systems, monsoons, and climate change.

Explanation

According to the definition promulgated by the Ministry of Power in October 2004, a village is declared as electrified if basic infrastructure such as a distribution transformer and distribution lines are established in the inhabited area, electricity is provided to public places like schools, panchayat offices, health centres, and community centres, and at least 10% of the total number of households in the village are electrified.

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in May 2016. The primary objective of the scheme is to safeguard the health of women and children by providing them with clean cooking fuel in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections. The financial support under the scheme is targeted at women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, helping to replace hazardous, smoke-emitting traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes in rural India.

Explanation

As per NITI Aayog, the residential and commercial sectors together account for 29% of the total electricity consumption in India. This combined share has been growing at an annual rate of approximately 8%, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing appliance ownership, and rising demand for space cooling and lighting. This high share of electricity consumption makes energy-efficient building interventions and energy conservation building codes a major priority for sustainable energy management in India.

Explanation

India's first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered train was flagged off on January 14, 2015, by the Union Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu. This train runs on the Rewari-Rohtak section of the Northern Railway zone in the state of Haryana, covering a distance of 81 kilometers in approximately two hours. The passenger train utilizes a dual-fuel system combining diesel and CNG to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower diesel consumption. This green technology initiative was implemented by the Indian Railways Organization for Alternative Fuels (IROAF) in collaboration with the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

Explanation

During the fiscal year 2016–17 (specifically from April 2016 to February 2017), India transitioned from being a net importer of electricity to a net exporter for the first time. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India exported approximately 5,798 million units of electricity to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. This milestone was driven by the commissioning of cross-border transmission interconnections, such as the Muzaffarpur–Dhalkhebar line to Nepal and the Baharampur–Bheramara line to Bangladesh, which significantly boosted power export capacities to these neighbouring nations.

Explanation

The Regional Research Station of the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) in Gujarat is located in Bharuch. The station was initially established in Anand, Gujarat, in February 1989 and was subsequently shifted to Bharuch in April 2003. It focuses on research regarding the reclamation and sustainable management of salt-affected black soils (Vertisols) and the use of poor-quality waters for irrigation in the region, particularly addressing the salinity issues of the Bara tract.

Explanation

GSAT-7, also named Rukmini, is India's first dedicated military satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launched in August 2013, it is a multi-band communication satellite designed primarily to meet the communication requirements of the Indian Navy. It provides secure, real-time communications and networking capabilities to warships, submarines, aircraft, and land-based stations across the Indian Ocean Region.

Explanation

DRDO Nishant is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and artillery fire correction roles for the Indian military. The aerial platform is launched using a truck-mounted hydropneumatic catapult and is safely recovered using an integrated parachute and airbag system.

Explanation

According to the official technical document of the National Action Plan on Climate Change launched by India in 2008, the country-wide observed mean surface air temperature has risen by 0.4°C over the past century. This warming trend has been particularly notable along the west coast, in central India, the interior peninsula, and north-eastern India.

Explanation

Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, during his tenure as the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), spearheaded the successful legal crusade against the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to revoke a patent granted on the wound-healing properties of turmeric. In 1995, the USPTO had granted a patent to researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for this use. Under Dr. Mashelkar's leadership, CSIR contested the patent by presenting ancient Sanskrit texts and documented evidence to prove that the medicinal properties of turmeric had been part of traditional Indian knowledge for centuries and therefore did not meet the criteria of novelty. This landmark victory in 1997 protected Indian traditional knowledge from biopiracy and paved the way for the creation of India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).

Explanation

BGR-34, which stands for Blood Glucose Regulator-34, is an Ayurvedic anti-diabetic herbal formulation developed jointly by two laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) — the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP). This formulation is designed to manage and control blood glucose levels in patients suffering from Type-2 diabetes, and it has been approved by the Ministry of AYUSH.

Explanation

The Department of Science and Technology launched the Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation initiative, abbreviated as SATYAM, to foster scientific research on the effects of yoga and meditation. The program is designed to explore the impact of these ancient Indian practices on physical and mental health, as well as on cognitive functioning, using modern scientific tools and techniques. It supports research involving both healthy individuals and patients suffering from various disorders to establish robust, evidence-based validation for yoga and meditation.

Explanation

According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, also known as the law of equal areas, a line segment joining a satellite and the Earth sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time. This implies that the satellite must move faster when it is closer to the Earth (at perigee) and slower when it is farther away (at apogee) due to the conservation of angular momentum.

Mathematically, for a satellite in a stable orbit of radius r, the orbital speed v is given by the relation v = √(GM/r), where G is the gravitational constant and M is the mass of the Earth. As the satellite is brought progressively nearer to the Earth, the orbital radius r decreases, which directly causes the orbital speed v to increase.

Explanation

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is awarded annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to recognize outstanding Indian research in various scientific disciplines. Named after the founder Director-General of CSIR, Sir Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, this highly prestigious award is given to young Indian scientists for notable and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in fields such as biological, chemical, mathematical, physical, medical, engineering, and earth sciences.

Explanation

KALPANA-1, originally launched as METSAT-1 on September 12, 2002, by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C4), is the first exclusive meteorological satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Before its launch, meteorological imaging instruments were flown as part of the multipurpose INSAT series of satellites. METSAT-1 was designed as a dedicated, stand-alone meteorological satellite to provide weather-related services such as cloud imaging, water vapor mapping, and wind vector measurements. In February 2003, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee renamed the satellite KALPANA-1 to honor the memory of the Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who passed away in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Explanation

In the Gujarat Budget 2017-18, the total budget size was ₹1,72,179.24 crore. The sector that received the highest funding was Education with a provision of ₹25,000 crore. The Urban Development sector received the second highest allocation of ₹11,500 crore. In comparison, the Health sector received an allocation of ₹8,800 crore, and the Tribal Development Department received an allocation of ₹2,000 crore.

Explanation

The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by state governments, including the Government of Gujarat, under the Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms.

The scheme aims to establish a decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system by emphasizing four key reform processes:

Ensuring an integrated, broad-based extension delivery mechanism that aligns with the farming systems approach.

Addressing gender concerns by mobilizing farm women into groups, building their capacities, and providing specialized training.

Encouraging multi-agency extension strategies by involving public, private, and non-governmental sector service providers in technology dissemination.

Utilizing a bottom-up planning process and participatory approaches to make extension planning demand-driven, starting at the block and district levels.

Explanation

The Gujarati film Wrong Side Raju won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the 64th National Film Awards in 2017. Directed by Mikhil Musale and co-produced by CineMan Productions and Phantom Films, this thriller-drama film is inspired by a real-life 2013 hit-and-run incident in Ahmedabad. It stars Pratik Gandhi in the lead role, alongside Kimberley Louisa McBeath and Asif Basra.

Explanation

In April 2017, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Gujarat Maritime Board entered into an agreement where the Port of Rotterdam agreed to provide strategic consultancy and expertise for a variety of projects along the Gujarat coastline. This partnership focuses on port planning, development of new greenfield ports, capacity building, and implementing global best practices in port management and logistics.

Explanation

Mamta Kalyan is not a component of the Mamta Abhiyan launched by the Government of Gujarat. The Mamta Abhiyan is an outreach health and nutrition initiative implemented in convergence with the Integrated Child Development Services to provide maternal and child care. The structured components under this scheme are Mamta Divas (Health and Nutrition Day), Mamta Mulakat (Postnatal care home visits), Mamta Sandarbh (Referral services), Mamta Nondh (Records and registers), and Mamta Taruni (Adolescent health).

Explanation

In the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, which consists of a total of 182 seats, the reservation of seats for marginalized communities is determined by the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order of 2008. Under this delimitation, 13 constituencies are reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and 27 constituencies are reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Explanation

G.R. Vishwanathan was not a member of the Committee of Administrators (COA) nominated by the Supreme Court of India in January 2017. The court-appointed four-member COA, tasked with overseeing the administration of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and implementing the Justice Lodha Committee reforms, consisted of former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai, cricket historian Ramachandra Guha, former Indian women cricket team captain Diana Edulji, and IDFC Managing Director Vikram Limaye. G.R. Vishwanathan, the former Indian cricketer, was not included in this administrative panel.

Explanation

The book Matoshree is authored by Sumitra Mahajan, the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2017, the book portrays the life and times of the 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar of the Malwa kingdom, who ruled Indore. Sumitra Mahajan, an eight-time Member of Parliament representing Indore, originally wrote this work as a play to depict the exemplary administration, social reforms, and compassionate governance of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar.

Explanation

Athens was named the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2018 by the Director-General of UNESCO, following the recommendation of the program's Advisory Committee. The capital of Greece was selected for the exceptional quality of its proposed year-long program of activities. The initiative, which commenced on World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, 2018, included workshops, poetry readings, meetings with writers and translators, and concerts, all aimed at making books and reading accessible to the city's entire population, including marginalized groups, migrants, and refugees.

Explanation

Kerala became the first Indian state to declare internet access as a basic human right of its citizens during its state budget presentation in March 2017. To implement this declaration, the state government initiated the Kerala Fibre Optic Network project. This initiative aims to provide free high-speed internet to nearly two million below poverty line households, alongside affordable internet access to other residents across the state.

Explanation

The three-day festival "Destination North East 2017" was organized in Chandigarh from March 6 to March 8, 2017. It was organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in association with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to showcase the North East region as a potential destination for investment. The event highlighted the region's rich cultural heritage, tourism potential, and the use of appropriate technologies in key sectors such as handloom, handicrafts, and horticulture. This marked the first time the annual event was organized outside New Delhi.

Explanation

For the kharif season of 2016–17, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cotton (Long Staple) at ₹4160 per quintal. This represented an increase of ₹60 per quintal over the previous year's price of ₹4100 per quintal.

Explanation

The Chenani-Nasri Tunnel, also known as the Patnitop Tunnel, is constructed along National Highway 44 (NH 44) in Jammu and Kashmir. This bi-directional tunnel bypasses the landslide-prone and snow-bound stretches of Patnitop, Kud, and Batote on the highway, reducing the travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar by approximately thirty kilometres and significantly cutting down travel time. National Highway 44 is the longest north-south highway in India, connecting Srinagar directly to Kanyakumari.

Explanation

In March 2017, the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation recommended to the Central Government to issue a notification extending social security benefits to the volunteers of various scheme-based unorganised workers. This recommendation specifically targeted three major groups of honorary and volunteer workers: Anganwadi workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, and Mid-day Meal workers, in order to bring around 62 lakh workers under the ambit of the provident fund network.

Explanation

Under the dynamic fuel pricing pilot project launched by state-owned oil marketing companies on May 1, 2017, petrol and diesel prices were revised on a daily basis in five selected cities across India. These five cities were Puducherry (Pondicherry), Udaipur, Jamshedpur, Chandigarh, and Visakhapatnam. Pune was not included in this pilot phase.

Explanation

The Bharatmala Pariyojana is a centrally-sponsored umbrella programme for the highways sector, launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It was designed to optimize the efficiency of road traffic and freight movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps. The programme subsumed ongoing highway development projects, including the National Highways Development Project, to focus on the systematic development of economic corridors, inter-corridors, feeder routes, national corridor efficiency improvements, border and international connectivity roads, coastal and port connectivity roads, and greenfield expressways.

Explanation

The SAMPADA scheme, which stands for Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters, was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Later renamed as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, this umbrella scheme is designed to create modern infrastructure for food processing and efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. Its primary objectives include the modernization of food processing units, reduction of agricultural waste, creation of employment opportunities in rural areas, and doubling the income of farmers by ensuring better returns for their agricultural produce.

Explanation

The World Health Organization designated Depression: Let's Talk as the official theme for World Health Day on 7 April 2017. The primary goal of the campaign was to encourage more people suffering from depression to seek and receive help, while actively working to reduce the social stigma surrounding mental health issues globally. Depression was highlighted as a leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, making open discussion a critical first step toward treatment and recovery.

Explanation

The National Health Policy of 2017 aims to attain the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all stages of life through a preventive and promotive health care orientation. To achieve this objective, the policy proposes to increase government spending on health from the baseline of 1.2% of GDP to 2.5% of GDP by 2025. This target seeks to provide a significant fiscal expansion for health, helping to ensure universal access to good quality healthcare services and reduce out-of-pocket expenditures for patients.

Explanation

Madhuri Dixit was appointed as the brand ambassador of the MAA (Mother's Absolute Affection) programme, which was launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in August 2016. The nationwide programme aims to promote breastfeeding and generate awareness among mothers about its vital benefits for infant survival and health.

Explanation

The Tupolev Tu-142M long-range maritime patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy was formally decommissioned in March 2017 after 29 years of service. On April 8, 2017, the aircraft made its final landing at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, where it was handed over to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to be converted into a public museum on the Beach Road.

Explanation

The Swathi Weapon Locating Radar is an indigenous mobile radar system developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited. It is designed to automatically detect, track, and locate hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers by analyzing their projectile trajectories, while also facilitating direct counter-fire. The system was officially handed over to the Indian Army in March 2017.

Explanation

The Nuclear Suppliers Group is a multilateral export control regime consisting of 48 participating governments. It was founded in 1974 in response to India's first nuclear weapon test to ensure that the export of civilian nuclear materials and nuclear-related technology is not diverted to nuclear weapons development. Decisions within the group are made by consensus, and all major nuclear supplier countries are part of it.

Explanation

On April 13, 2017, the United States military dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the Mother of All Bombs, in the Achin district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan. The military strike targeted a complex network of caves and tunnels utilized by militants belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province. This mission marked the very first operational use of this particular non-nuclear weapon in combat.

Explanation

In March 2017, India joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an Association country. For the year 2016, India was the third-largest primary energy consumer in the world, trailing only China and the United States. India's energy consumption has grown rapidly due to robust economic expansion, population growth, and increasing urbanization, positioning its global rank ahead of other major economies.

Explanation

In December 2016, Qatar implemented Law No. 21 of 2015, which came into effect to formally replace the controversial 'Kafala' (sponsorship) system with a contract-based labor model. Under the Kafala system, foreign workers were legally bound to their employers, who controlled their ability to change jobs or leave the country. The 2016 reform aimed to provide migrant workers with greater flexibility, contract-based protections, and regulated procedures for changing employment.

Explanation

Sagarmatha Friendship is a bilateral military exercise conducted jointly by the armies of Nepal and China. The inaugural edition of this joint military drill was held in April 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal, with a primary focus on counter-terrorism, disaster management, and search-and-rescue operations.

Explanation

AirAsia entered the Indian aviation market through a joint venture with Tata Sons, establishing AirAsia India in 2013. On the other hand, IndiGo is owned and operated independently by InterGlobe Aviation Limited, founded by Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, and has never had a joint venture or business alliance with AirAsia. This makes the pairing of Air Asia and Indigo incorrect.

Explanation

The Rohingya Muslims are an ethnic minority group who predominantly reside in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, located on the western coast of the country bordering Bangladesh. Historically known as Arakan, Rakhine State is the traditional homeland of the Rohingya people, where they have lived for generations.