1. Consider
the following statements regarding the recently launched Rural Sanitation
Strategy.
The Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation (DDWS), launched the 5 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy
(2019-2024).
It focuses on sustaining the
sanitation behaviour change that has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat
Mission Grameen (SBM-G)
It ensures that everyone uses a
toilet, and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
The Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI launched the 10 Year Rural
Sanitation Strategy (2019-2029), which focus on sustaining the sanitation
behavior change that has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen
(SBM-G), ensuring that no one is left behind, and increasing access to solid
and liquid waste management.
This strategy has been prepared
by DDWS, in consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders, and it
lays down a framework to guide local governments, policy makers, implementers
and other relevant stakeholders in their planning for ODF Plus, where everyone
uses a toilet, and every village has access to solid and liquid waste
management.
The 10 year strategy focuses on
the need for States/UTs to continue their efforts to sustain the gains of the
mission through capacity strengthening, IEC (Information, education and
communication), organic waste management, plastic waste management, grey water
management and black water management. The strategy also speaks about potential
collaborations with development partners, civil society and inter-government
partnerships. It also highlights innovative models for sanitation financing.
2. Consider
the following statements.
The Department of Official
Language was set up as an independent Department of the Ministry of Home
Affairs for accelerating the progressive use of Hindi for the official purposes
of the Union.
Constitution has not mentioned
anything about the official language of India.
Kanthasth is the computer
software developed by Department of Official Language for translating all kinds
of official files from English to Hindi.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 2, 3
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
With a view to ensuring
compliance of the constitutional and legal provisions regarding official
language and to promote the use of Hindi for the official purposes of the
Union, the Department of Official Language was set up in June 1975 as an
independent Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Since then, this
Department has been making efforts for accelerating the progressive use of
Hindi for the official purposes of the Union.
Part 17 of the constitution of
India (Articles 343 to Article 351) makes elaborate provisions dealing with the
official language of the Republic of India. The main provisions dealing with
the official language of the Union are embodied in Articles 343 and 344 of the
Constitution of India. The Official languages have been listed in the 8th
schedule of Constitution of India.
The department has developed a
computer software called “Kanthasth” for translating the all kinds of official
files from English to Hindi and vice versa to make the translation work simpler
and quicker.
An E-learning platform called the
“Pravah” also being developed by the department for use in 16 Indian languages
including English. Anybody can learn Hindi through his mother tongue with the
help of this E-learning platform.
3. Kathmandu
Declaration, sometimes seen in news is related to
a) South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC)
b) Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
c) Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
d) Group of 77 (G-77)
Solution: b)
Fourth BIMSTEC summit was held in
Nepal. The Fourth BIMSTEC Summit
concluded with an 18-point Kathmandu Declaration. The declaration is expected
to enhance the effectiveness of BIMSTEC Secretariat by engaging it in various
technical and economic activities in the region.
4. Consider
the following statements about Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
(SIPRI).
SIPRI is a United Nations
organisation dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and
disarmament.
According to a report by SIPRI,
India was the largest importer of major arms in 2014-18.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) None
Solution: d)
SIPRI is an independent
international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms
control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and
recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and
the interested public.
5. Consider
the following statements regarding All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)
report for 2018-19.
It is a biennial web-based,
pan-India exercise on the status of Higher Education in the country.
The survey covers all the
Institutions in the country engaged in imparting of higher education.
Gender gap has been increasing
significantly in higher education, according to 2018-19 report.
Which of the above statements
is/are incorrect?
a) 1, 2
b) 2 only
c) 1, 3
d) 2, 3
Solution: c)
All India Survey on Higher
Education (AISHE) report for 2018-19 was recently released by the HRD ministry.
The survey, undertaken as an
annual, web-based, pan-India exercise on the status of Higher Education since
2010-11, covers all the Higher Educational Institutions in the country
The survey collects data on
several parameters like teachers, student enrolment, programmes, examination
results, education finance, infrastructure, etc.
Key findings:
Gender gap narrowing.
More Girls in two states: In
Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, there are now more females in the age group of
18-23 enrolling for higher education than male students.
Female enrolment improved from
47.6% in 2017-18 to 48.6% in 2018-19.
The gross enrolment ratio (GER)
increased marginally – from 25.8 in 2017-18 to 26.3 in 2018-19.
6. Consider
the following statements regarding Goldschmidtite.
It is a new mineral from the
Earth’s mantle, found inside a diamond.
While the mantle is dominated by
elements such as magnesium and iron, goldschmidtite has high concentrations of
potassium.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) None
Solution: c)
A new, curious mineral has been
discovered inside a diamond unearthed from a mine in South Africa. The mineral
has been named goldschmidtite, after Victor Moritz Goldschmidt, the Norwegian
scientist acknowledged as the founder of modern geochemistry.
While the mantle is dominated by
elements such as magnesium and iron, goldschmidtite has high concentrations of
niobium, potassium and the rare earth elements lanthanum and cerium.
Diamonds hold clues as they are
found up to 160 km beneath the surface, in the upper mantle.
2. Consider
the following statements regarding Interim government of India, formed in 1946.
It was the only such cabinet in
India’s history in which both Congress and the Muslim League shared power at
the Centre.
The interim government functioned
according to the Government of India Act of 1935.
The interim government functioned
until India became a sovereign democratic republic.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 1 only
c) 1, 3
d) 2, 3
Solution: b)
On September 2, 1946, the interim
government of India led by Jawaharlal Nehru was formed.
It was the only such cabinet in
India’s history in which both Congress and the Muslim League shared power at
the Centre.
The interim government functioned
with a great degree of autonomy, and remained in power until the end of British
rule, after which it was succeeded by the Dominions of India and Pakistan.
The interim government functioned
according to the older Government of India Act of 1919.
3. Consider
the following statements regarding United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD).
Recently for the first time India
hosted the Conference of Parties of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD).
UNCCD is the only convention
stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
To help publicise the Convention,
2019 is declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 3
b) 2, 3
c) 1, 2
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
For the first time ever India
hosted the 14th session of Conference of Parties (COP-14) of United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in September 2019, to address the
issue of land degradation and desertification.
India took over the Presidency of
the COP from China.
About UNCCD:
Established in 1994.
It is the sole legally binding
international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land
management.
It is the only convention
stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
To help publicise the Convention,
2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
Focus areas: The Convention
addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as
the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be
found.
Aim: Its 197 Parties aim, through
partnerships, to implement the Convention and achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals. The end goal is to protect land from over-use and drought,
so it can continue to provide food, water and energy.
The Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for this Convention.
4. Consider
the following statements about Indian Bridge Management System.
The Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways has inventorized bridges/structures under Indian Bridge Management
System (IBMS).
IBMS is the second largest
platform in the world owned by a single owner.
Socio-Economic Bridge Rating
Number is given which will decide the importance of the structure in relation
to its contribution to daily socio-economic activity of the area in its vicinity.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 2, 3
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
The Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways has inventorized 1,72,517 bridges/structures under Indian Bridge
Management System (IBMS). IBMS is the largest platform in the world owned by a
single owner, with database that could exceed 1,50,000 bridge structures.
In addition to the structural
rating, the bridges are also being assigned Socio-Economic Bridge Rating Number
which will decide the importance of the structure in relation to its
contribution to daily socio-economic activity of the area in its vicinity.
5. G5 Sahel
is an institutional framework for coordination of regional cooperation of which
countries?
Burkina Faso
Chad
Somalia
Mali
Kenya
Mauritania
Niger
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
b) 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
c) 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
d) 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
1. Consider the following
statements regarding Black Carbon.
Black carbon is the sooty black
material emitted from gas and diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and
other sources that burn fossil fuel.
Black carbon has an atmospheric
lifetime of more than 100 years.
Black carbon deposits in the
Arctic increases the Earth’s ability to reflect the warming rays of the sun.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a)1, 2
b) 1 only
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Incorrect
Solution: b)
Black carbon is the sooty black
material emitted from gas and diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and
other sources that burn fossil fuel. It comprises a significant portion of
particulate matter or PM, which is an air pollutant.
Black carbon is a global
environmental problem that has negative implications for both human health and
our climate. Inhalation of black carbon is associated with health problems
including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even birth
defects. Black carbon also contributes to climate change causing changes in
patterns of rain and clouds.
As black carbon deposits in the
Arctic, the particles cover the snow and ice, decreasing the Earth’s ability to
reflect the warming rays of the sun, while absorbing heat and hastening melt.
Black carbon stays in the
atmosphere for only several days to weeks, whereas carbon dioxide (CO2) has an
atmospheric lifetime of more than 100 years.
2. Consider
the following statements regarding Interpol.
It is a part of United Nations
that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
India joined the organisation
before independence, and is one of its oldest members.
Its mandate covers virtually
every kind of crime, including crimes against humanity, child pornography, drug
trafficking, political corruption, copyright infringement, and white-collar
crime.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3
Solution: c)
India has proposed to Interpol
that the General Assembly of the organization be held in New Delhi in 2022 as
part of the nation’s 75th Independence Day celebrations.
The International Criminal Police
Organisation, or Interpol, is a 194 member intergovernmental organisation.
headquartered in Lyon, France.
formed in 1923 as the
International Criminal Police Commission, and started calling itself Interpol
in 1956.
Inia joined the organisation in
1949, and is one of its oldest members.
Its broad mandate covers virtually every kind
of crime, including crimes against humanity, child pornography, drug
trafficking, political corruption, copyright infringement, and white-collar
crime.
3. Consider the following
statements regarding Lignin.
Lignin is found in almost all dry
plants including crop residues and the woody bark of trees.
lignin-based nanomaterial can act
as additive in coating and packaging matrials.
Abundant quantities of lignin are
generated as post-harvest agro-biomass.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: d)
Lignin is a complex organic
polymer rich in polyphenols with antimicrobial qualities.
It is found in almost all dry
plants including crop residues and the woody bark of trees.
Abundant quantities of lignin are
generated as post-harvest agro-biomass and in paper and pulp industries every
year, which often go waste.
Researchers have developed a
lignin-based nanocomposite which could potentially have commercial value. The
lignin-based nanomaterial can act as additive in coating and packaging
materials.
4. Consider
the following statements about India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural
Development.
India has signed an agreement for
setting up the India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development
(IAIARD) in Malawi.
IAIARD will be a Pan-African
Institute.
India has developed similar
institutes in other African countries.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 3
b) 2, 3
c) 1, 2
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
India has signed an agreement
with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Consultancy
Service (NABCONS) for setting up the India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and
Rural Development (IAIARD) in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern
Africa.
IAIARD will be a Pan-African
Institute wherein trainees from Malawi and other African countries will be
trained to develop their human resources and build their capacity.
This will be the first of its
kind institute developed in an African country by India. This will further
strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Malawi and that of India’s
relations with the African Union.
5. Consider the following
statements regarding the recently released School Education Quality Index
(SEQI).
School Education Quality Index
(SEQI) is developed by Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) to
evaluate the performance of States and Union Territories (UTs) in the school
education sector.
The index is developed through a
collaborative process, including key stakeholders such as Ministry of Women and
Child Development and World Bank.
SEQI provides a platform for
states and UTs to identify their strengths and weaknesses and undertake
requisite course corrections or policy interventions.
Which of the above statements
is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 1, 2
c) 1, 3
d) 2, 3
Solution: b)
NITI Aayog releases the first
edition of School Education Quality Index (SEQI).
About the School Education
Quality Index (SEQI):
Developed by NITI Aayog to
evaluate the performance of States and Union Territories (UTs) in the school
education sector.
Aim: To bring an ‘outcomes’ focus
to education policy by providing States and UTs with a platform to identify
their strengths and weaknesses and undertake requisite course corrections or
policy interventions.
The index is developed through a
collaborative process, including key stakeholders such as Ministry of Human
Resource and Development (MHRD), the World Bank and sector experts.
11. Consider the following
statements regarding Bio-Plastics.
Bioplastics can be made from
agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other
containers using microorganisms.
Some bioplastics are soil and
marine-safe and they safely degrade in the environment within weeks or months,
leaving no harmful residues.
Bioplastics save more
non-renewable energy than conventional plastics and emit less GHG compared to
conventional plastics.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: d)
Bioplastics are plastic materials
produced from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn
starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, etc. Bioplastic can be
made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other
containers using microorganisms. Not all bioplastics are biodegradable nor
biodegrade more readily than commodity fossil-fuel derived plastics.
2. Which of
the following are the potential high-altitude tiger landscapes.
Manas-Royal Manas-Jigme Dorji.
Neora Valley-Torsa-Buxa-Phibsu
Askot-Pithoragarh-Nandhaur-Suklaphanta
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1 only
b) 1, 2
c) 1, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: d)
A study jointly conducted by
three countries had established that there were 52,671 sq.km. of tiger habitat
in high altitudes or Himalayan habitats of India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Potential high altitude tiger
landscapes include the Valmiki-Chitwan-Annapurna (India-Nepal), Manas-Royal
Manas-Jigme Dorji (India-Bhutan); Neora Valley-Torsa-Buxa-Phibsu
(India-Bhutan); Askot-Pithoragarh-Nandhaur-Suklaphanta (India-Nepal); and
Arunachal-Sikkim-bordering Bhutan (India-Bhutan).
3. Consider
the following statements regarding BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile.
BRAHMOS is the first supersonic
cruise missile known to be in service.
The missile has flight range of
up to 290-km with supersonic speed only during the initial stage of its flight.
It operates on ‘Fire and Forget
Principle’, adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target.
It is fully indigenously
developed by India.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 2, 3, 4
c) 1, 2, 4
d) 1, 3
Solution: d)
The missile has flight range of
up to 290-km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter
flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker
engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.
It operates on ‘Fire and Forget
Principle’, adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target.
It carries a conventional warhead
weighing 200 to 300 kgs.
Special Features
Universal for multiple platforms
“Fire and Forget” principle of
operation
High supersonic speed all through
the flight
Long flight range with varieties
of flight trajectories
Low radar signature
Shorter flight times leading to
lower target dispersion and quicker engagement
Pin point accuracy with high
lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact
It is a joint venture between the
Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India’s Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO), who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.
4. Consider the following
statements about Project Navlekha.
The project is to make online
content relevant for more Indian users especially in local languages.
The project aims to bring 135,000
local language publishers onlineby making web hosting smooth and simple.
It is the initiative of Ministry
of Communication and Information Technology.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1, 2
b) 1, 3
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: a)
Google has unveiled Project
Navlekha to make online content relevant for more Indian users especially in
local languages.
The project aims to bring 135,000
local language publishers online by making web hosting smooth and simple.
5. Consider
the following statements regarding Project REPLAN.
The project was launched by
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research as part of its commitment to
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
The waste plastic from nature is
collected, de-structured and de-gradated and then mixed with paper pulp in a
ratio of 80 is to 20.
Which of the above statements
is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) None
Solution: b)
Contributing to ‘Swachhata Hi
Seva’ campaign in a unique way, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
has launched a designer carry bag made from a mix of plastic waste and paper
pulp.
1. Consider
the following statements with respect to ‘Universal Postal Union (UPU)’
It is a specialized agency of the
United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in
addition to the worldwide postal system.
A non-member state of the United
Nations may also become a member if two-thirds of the UPU member countries
approve its request.
Select the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
c) Both 1
and 2
The Universal Postal Union (UPU,
French: Union postale universelle), established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874,
is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal
policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. The
UPU contains four bodies consisting of the Congress, the Council of
Administration (CA), the Postal Operations Council (POC) and the International
Bureau (IB). It also oversees the Telematics and Express Mail Service (EMS)
cooperatives. Each member agrees to the same terms for conducting international
postal duties. The UPU’s headquarters are located in Bern, Switzerland.
2. ‘INS
Baaz’ is located in
a) Goa
b) Lakshadweep Islands
c) Odisha
d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
d) Andaman
and Nicobar Islands
INS Baaz is located at Campbell
Bay on the Great Nicobar island, the southernmost and largest island in the UT
of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
3. ‘Nelloptodes
gretae’ was in news recently. It is a species of
a) Night frog
b) Beetle
c) Non-venomous snake
d) Orchid
b) Beetle
Nelloptodes gretae is a species
of beetle in the family Ptiliidae. It was named after the environmental
activist Greta Thunberg.
4. Consider
the following statements with respect to ‘Sentinel-3 World Fires Atlas’
It is jointly developed by NASA
and ISRO.
It uses a method that enables it
to identify all active fires at night.
Select the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
b) 2 only
The Sentinel-3 World Fires Atlas
Prototype product has been developed by European Space Agency over the southern
countries of the ESA member states, using as input the Sentinel-3A and
Sentinel-3B SLSTR Level 1b data containing two dedicated channels (F1 and F2)
for fire and high temperature events.
The ESA Sentinel-3 World Fires
Atlas Prototype aims to provide continuity to ESA ATSR World Fire Atlas
(operating from June 1995 to March 2012) taking on board all the improvements
of Sentinel-3 SLSTR instrument.
5. Consider
the following statements with respect to ‘Pushkaram’
It is a festival dedicated to
worshiping of rivers.
The Pushkaram tradition is
mentioned in ‘Yajurveda’.
Select the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
a) 1 only
Pushkaram is an Indian festival
dedicated to worshiping of rivers.
It is celebrated at shrines along
the banks of 12 major sacred rivers in India, in the form of ancestor worship,
spiritual discourses, devotional music and cultural programmes.
The Pushkaram tradition is not
mentioned in the early Hindu texts; it is part of the medieval Hindu
astrological lore. Therefore, the names of 12 rivers may vary depending on the
regional traditions. For example, in Maharashtra, Bhima is associated with
Scorpio sign, while in Tamil Nadu, Tamraparni is associated with it.
1. Which of
the following countries are allowed under Open General Export Licences (OGELs)?
South Africa
United States of America
Pakistan
Japan
Select the correct code:
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2, 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and 4
d) 1, 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and
4
The countries allowed under the
OGELs are: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK,
USA, Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico.
2. Consider
the following statements with respect to ‘International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO)’
It is a specialized agency of the
United Nations.
Its headquarters is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.
Select the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
a) 1 only
The International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It changes
the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the
planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and
orderly growth. Its headquarters is located in the Quartier International of
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
3. Which of
the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
Hambantota – Sri Lanka
Chabahar – Afghanisatn
Duqm – Iran
Select the correct code:
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 1 and 3
d) 2 and 3
a) 1 only
Hambantota – Sri Lanka
Chabahar – Iran
Duqm – Oman
4. ‘Global
Pension Index’ is released by
a) World Economic Forum
b) World Bank
c) United Nations Development Programme
d) None of the above
d) None of
the above
It is published by the Australian
Centre for Financial Studies (ACFS) in collaboration with Mercer, with most of
the funding from the State Government of Victoria.
5. Consider
the following statements with respect to ‘International Nitrogen Management
System (INMS)’
It is a joint activity of the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Nitrogen
Initiative.
It is supported by the Global
Environment Facility.
Select the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
b) 2 only
International Nitrogen Management
System (INMS) is a joint activity of the UNEP and the International Nitrogen
Initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility.
1. ‘Barisha raid’ is associated
with which of the following countries?
a) Syria
b) Pakistan
c) Libya
d) Iraq
Solution (a)
The Barisha raid, officially
codenamed Operation Kayla Mueller after Kayla Mueller, was a United States
military operation conducted in Barisha, Idlib Governorate, Syria on October
26–27, 2019, to capture or kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the then-leader of the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terror organization.
2. ‘Ik Onkar’ is associated with which of the
following religious philosophy?
a) Sikhism
b) Jainism
c) Buddhism
d) Hinduism
Solution (a)
Ik Onkar is the symbol that
represents the one supreme reality and is a central tenet of Sikh religious
philosophy. Ik Onkar has a prominent position at the head of the Mul Mantar and
the opening words of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
3. ‘Prakritik
Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’ is launched by which of the following state
governments?
a) Telangana
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Rajasthan
Solution (b)
Source:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/2-200-panchayats-brought-under-natural-farming-says-baldi/853590.html
4. ‘Mandana
Paintings’ is associated with
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Rajasthan
c) West Bengal
d) Odisha
Solution (b)
Mandana Paintings
Mandana in the local language
refers to ‘drawing’ in the context of chitra mandana or ‘drawing a picture’.
Mandana is derived from the word
Mandan which implies decoration and beautification.
Mandana paintings are one of the
oldest forms of tribal art in India that has survived over the ages.
Mandana paintings are wall and
floor paintings of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Mandana are drawn to protect home
and earth, welcome gods into the house and as a mark of celebrations on festive
occasions.
5. ‘Haqqani
network’ is an insurgent group from which of the following countries?
a) Afghanistan
b) Lebanon
c) Iraq
d) Syria
Solution (a)
Haqqani network
It is an Afghan guerrilla
insurgent group using asymmetric warfare to fight against US-led NATO forces
and the government of Afghanistan.
It is one of the most powerful
and feared groups in the Afghan insurgency
