DART 07-08-26 - Questlink IAS

Governance

Q1. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), implemented by the Ministry of Textiles, adopts a need-based approach for the integrated development of the handloom sector by supporting production, marketing, infrastructure, credit and welfare of weavers. In this context, consider the following statements:

The Small Cluster Development Programme (SCDP) provides financial assistance of up to ₹2 crore for the development of handloom clusters.
The Mega Cluster Development Programme provides Central assistance of up to ₹30 crore for clusters covering at least 10,000 handlooms.
The Concessional Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme provides loans to handloom weavers at a concessional interest rate of 6% for three years.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

National Handloom Day is celebrated annually on 7 August. It commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which promoted indigenous goods and encouraged self-reliance. The occasion celebrates India’s weaving traditions and recognises the socio-economic and cultural contribution of handloom workers.
The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Textiles for the integrated development of the handloom sector through cluster development, marketing assistance, concessional credit, social security and infrastructure support. The Programme delivers its wider support through the following key components:
Under the Small Cluster Development Programme (SCDP), eligible handloom clusters receive financial assistance of up to ₹2 crore for better looms, worksheds, lighting, design development and marketing interventions. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Mega Cluster Development Programme covers clusters with at least 10,000 handlooms and provides Central assistance of up to ₹30 crore over five years for comprehensive development. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The Concessional Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme provides loans to handloom weavers at a concessional interest rate of 6% for three years, along with interest subvention, margin money assistance and credit guarantee support. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Other components of NHDP:

Handloom Weavers’ Welfare (Social Security):
PMJJBY: ₹2 lakh life insurance benefit on death due to any cause.
PMSBY: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent total disability and ₹1 lakh for permanent partial disability.
Scholarship: Up to ₹2 lakh per year for education of two children of a handloom worker.
Mega Cluster Development Programme: Each mega handloom cluster covers at least 10,000 handlooms/clusters and can receive central assistance of up to ₹30 crore over five years.
Need-Based Special Infrastructure Projects: Assistance of up to ₹12 crore per project for productivity, quality improvement, value addition and marketing infrastructure.

Environment

Q2. The term 'Blue Zone', which was recently seen in the news, refers to:

(a) Marine protected areas designated for the conservation of coral reefs and coastal biodiversity.

(b) Regions of the world identified for exceptionally high life expectancy and healthy ageing of their populations.

(d) Climate-sensitive regions identified by the World Health Organization for monitoring vector-borne diseases.

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The concept of Blue Zones was recently in the news following reports on Ogimi village in Okinawa (Japan), one of the world's best-known regions with a high concentration of centenarians and healthy elderly people.
Blue Zones are not marine conservation areas or biodiversity reserves. Hence, Option (a) is not correct.
A Blue Zone is a geographical region where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives, with unusually high numbers of centenarians (people aged 100 years or more). The concept was introduced by Dan Buettner, in collaboration with Michel Poulain and Gianni Pes, after demographic and epidemiological studies on longevity. The recognised Blue Zones are:
Okinawa (Japan) – Asia
Sardinia (Italy) – Europe
Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) – Central America
Ikaria (Greece) – Europe
Loma Linda (California, USA) – North America
Common lifestyle characteristics observed across these regions include:
Plant-based diet with limited processed foods.
Natural daily physical activity through farming, walking and household work.
Moderate calorie intake (e.g., the Okinawan principle of Hara Hachi Bu—eat until about 80% full).
Strong family and community bonds with active social engagement.
A clear sense of purpose (Ikigai in Japan or Plan de Vida in Costa Rica).
Low stress levels, adequate sleep and active participation in community life.
These are considered observational lifestyle patterns rather than scientifically established causes of longevity. Hence, Option (b) is correct.

Economy

Q3. With reference to the monetary policy transmission mechanism and lending rates in an economy, consider the following statements:

The cost of credit depends not only on the policy interest rate but also on the cost of identifying, evaluating and monitoring borrowers.
A prolonged period of negative real interest rates can encourage banks to undertake greater credit risk by relaxing lending standards.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation

Recent discussions on monetary policy have highlighted that sustained economic growth depends not only on lower interest rates but also on improving the efficiency of credit intermediation and managing financial sector risks.
Lending rates are determined not only by the policy repo rate but also by operational costs such as borrower screening, credit appraisal, monitoring, recovery mechanisms and default risk. These factors significantly influence the final cost of credit. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Economic research shows that prolonged periods of low or negative real interest rates may induce banks to ease lending standards and finance riskier borrowers, thereby increasing the probability of future loan defaults and NPAs. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Governance

Q4. The Union Cabinet recently approved the GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) Scheme as the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme to promote a circular bioeconomy, strengthen India's energy security, and scale up domestic production of Compressed Biogas (CBG). In this context, which of the following are among the six major Growth Engines of the scheme?

Assured Compressed Biogas (CBG) Offtake Framework
Stable Compressed Biogas (CBG) Pricing Framework
Credit Guarantee Support
CBG Ecosystem Challenge Fund

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (d)

Explanation

The GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) Scheme has been approved as the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme to develop a robust Compressed Biogas (CBG) ecosystem through six integrated growth engines.
The scheme provides an Assured CBG Offtake Framework, under which City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities will procure CBG to meet the notified blending obligation, thereby creating a reliable long-term market for producers. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It introduces a Stable CBG Pricing Framework with a government-backed administered price to provide revenue certainty and improve the commercial viability of CBG projects. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The scheme includes a Credit Guarantee Support mechanism to facilitate institutional finance for eligible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)-based CBG projects by reducing lending risk. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
The CBG Ecosystem Challenge Fund supports district-level planning, feedstock assessment, technology adoption, value addition of organic manure, infrastructure development and stakeholder capacity building. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

History

Q5. ‘Veeragallu’, which was recently seen in the news, refers to:

(a) Memorial stones erected in honour of warriors who died displaying exceptional valour.

(b) Stone pillars erected by medieval rulers to commemorate the foundation of new capitals.

(d) Megalithic stone circles used for astronomical observations during the Iron Age.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

A 12th-century Veeragallu discovered at Neeragunda, Karnataka, contains an inscription believed to shed new light on the final days of the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana.
Veeragallu are memorial stones erected in honour of warriors who sacrificed their lives in battle or while performing acts of exceptional bravery. They often bear inscriptions and sculptural depictions of the heroic event.
Foundation or victory pillars are different commemorative monuments and are not known as Veeragallu.
Land grants to temples or Brahmadeya villages are generally recorded on copper plates or temple inscriptions, not on Veeragallu.
Megalithic stone circles and alignments belong to a different archaeological tradition associated with prehistoric burials or astronomical alignments.

Hence, option (a) is correct.