#133 Gov
Q1. Which of the following is/are supported under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)?
- Performance testing and certification of agricultural machinery.
- Capacity building and awareness generation through demonstrations.
- Promotion of post-harvest mechanization.
- Establishment of Custom Hiring Centres.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) adopts a comprehensive approach to improving agricultural mechanization.
- SMAM was launched in 2014–15. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- SMAM aims to “reach the unreached” by extending the benefits of mechanization to underserved sections.
- It includes small and marginal farmers, including women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and rural entrepreneurs.
- The scheme supports testing and certification of agricultural machinery. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- It promotes training, demonstrations and awareness programmes. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
- Post-harvest mechanization is one of the important components of the scheme. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
- Establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) is a major component of SMAM. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
Hence, option (d) is correct.
Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2282697®=3&lang=1
#132 IR
Q2. Consider the following statements:
- The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the legal framework governing freedom of navigation and overflight.
- India is a signatory to UNCLOS, whereas Australia is not.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific based on international law and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- UNCLOS (1982) establishes the legal framework governing maritime zones, freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful use of oceans. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- Both India and Australia are parties to UNCLOS. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Hence, option (a) is correct.
#230 Geo
Q3. Which one of the following best describes the process of mass wasting in geomorphology?
(a) Gradual transportation of weathered sediments by running water under fluvial action
(b) Downslope movement of weathered rock, soil and debris under the direct influence of gravity
(c) Erosion and transportation of loose sediments by persistent wind action in arid regions
(d) Deposition and accumulation of rock debris by moving glaciers in high mountain regions
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- The recent Wayanad debris slide has once again highlighted the importance of understanding mass wasting, one of the major geomorphic processes responsible for slope instability.
- Mass wasting refers to the downslope movement of weathered rock, soil, regolith or debris primarily under the influence of gravity, with or without the presence of water. Rainfall often acts as a triggering factor by increasing pore-water pressure and reducing friction between particles. Hence, option (b) correctly defines mass wasting.
- Transportation by running water is a fluvial process, not mass wasting.
- Transportation by wind is an aeolian process, common in deserts.
- Deposition by glaciers is a glacial process, resulting in landforms such as moraines.
Hence, option (b) is correct.
#110 His
Q4. Which one of the following deities is most commonly depicted with six faces (Shanmukha) in Indian iconography?
(a) Lord Ganesha
(b) Lord Kartikeya
(c) Lord Vishnu
(d) Lord Surya
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, Australia announced the repatriation of three stolen Chola-era antiquities from Tamil Nadu temples, highlighting growing India–Australia cooperation in the protection and restitution of cultural heritage.
- Among the antiquities being returned is a six-headed Shanmukha sculpture from the Naganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu.
- Shanmukha literally means "the six-faced one" and is a prominent form of Lord Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, Skanda, Kumara, or Subrahmanya. According to Hindu tradition, the six faces symbolise omniscience, power, wisdom, courage, detachment and divine grace.
Hence, option (b) is correct.
#120 Eco
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
- Under the existing provisions of the NFSA, Priority Households (PHH) are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month.
- Under the existing provisions of the NFSA, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month irrespective of the number of family members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- The Union Government has proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, to change the foodgrain entitlement for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries from a purely household-based allocation to a per-person entitlement with a ceiling.
- Under the existing NFSA, Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- Under the existing provisions, AAY households receive 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month, irrespective of household size. The proposed amendment seeks to replace this with 7 kg per person subject to a maximum of 35 kg per household. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Hence, option (c) is correct.