1. Consider the following statements regarding the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
1. KCC scheme was announced in the Budget speech of 1998-99 to fulfill the financial requirements of the farmers at various stages of farming through institutional credit.
2. The model scheme was prepared by the SIDBI on the recommendation of V Gupta committee.
3. The KCC scheme is being implemented by the all Co-operative banks, Regional Rural Banks and Public Sector Banks throughout the country.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
1. Answer-c
Explanation-
Kisan Credit Card Scheme
The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was announced in the Budget speech of 1998-99 to fulfill the financial requirements of the farmers at various stages of farming through institutional credit.
The model scheme was prepared by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on the recommendation of V Gupta committee.
The KCC scheme is being implemented by the all Co-operative banks, Regional Rural Banks and Public Sector Banks throughout the country.
Scheme covers risk of KCC holders against death or permanent disability resulting from accidents.
Objectives:
1. To provide adequate and timely credit support from the banking system to the farmers at the cheap rate of interest.
2. To provide credit at the time of requirement.
3. To support post-harvest expenses.
4. To provide Working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to agriculture.
5. Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities (land development, pump sets, plantation, drip irrigation etc.)
6. Consumption requirements of farmers.
Other Salient features of the Scheme:
Revolving cash credit facility involving any number of drawals and repayments within the limit.
Limit to be fixed on the basis of operational land holding, cropping pattern and scale of finance.
Entire production credit needs for full year plus ancillary activities related to crop production to be considered while fixing limit.
Card valid for 5 years subject to annual review. As incentive for good performance, credit limits could be enhanced to take care of increase in costs, change in cropping pattern, etc.
Conversion/reschedulement of loans also permissible in case of damage to crops due to natural calamities.
Operations may be through issuing branch (and also PACS in the case of Cooperative Banks) through other designated branches at the discretion of bank.
Crop loans disbursed under KCC Scheme for notified crops are covered under Crop Insurance Scheme, to protect the interest of the farmer against loss of crop yield caused by natural calamities, pest attacks etc.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
1. OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental organization, created in 1974, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
2. It aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil in the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries.
3. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Answer-a
3. Consider the following statements with respect to the Centrally Protected Monuments.
1. There is ban on construction within 100 metres of a centrally protected monument and regulated construction within 100-200 metres under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
2. The Act protects monuments and sites that are over 100 years old.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Answer-c
Explanation-
The Government of India is planning to conduct a review of monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the ones protected by the State governments.
At present, 3,691 monuments nationwide are protected by the ASI. The list of the centrally protected monuments had not seen a substantial increase in many years, and important sites under the State governments could be added to the list.
There is ban on construction within 100 metres of a centrally protected monument and regulated construction within 100-200 metres under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
The Act protects monuments and sites that are over 100 years old.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the Flow Diverter Stents Technology.
1. Researchers of SCTIMST have developed an innovative intracranial flow diverter stent for the treatment of aneurysms of the blood vessels of the brain.
2. When it deployed in the artery in the brain bearing the aneurysms, divert blood flow away from the aneurysm, thus reducing the chances of its rupture from the pressure of blood flow.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
4. Answer-d
Explanation-
SCTIMST has developed Flow Diverter Stents Technology for the treatment of Aneurysms of brain.
Researchers of Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) have developed an innovative intracranial flow diverter stent for the treatment of aneurysms of the blood vessels of the brain. It is ready for transfer and further testing in animals, followed by human trials.
Flow diverters stents when deployed in the artery in the brain bearing the aneurysms, divert blood flow away from the aneurysm, thus reducing the chances of its rupture from the pressure of blood flow.
Flow diverters have the advantages of being flexible and adaptable to the shape and course of the vessel. Also flow diverters promote healing of the vessel wall by removing the constant stress of blood flow on it.
Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvanthapuram is an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology.
Intracranial aneurysm is a localized ballooning, bulging or dilation of arteries in the brain caused by progressive weakening of the inner muscles of the wall of the blood vessels. Spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm can result in bleeding into the space around the brain resulting condition called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
5. Guru Ghasidas was an advocate of which of the following sect?
(a) Satnami
(b) Nanakpanthi
(c) Sanatan Dharma
(d) Nirankari
5. Answer-a
Explanation
Guru Ghasi Das was Guru of the Satnami sect in the early 19th century. It was Guru Ghasidas to start treating everyone as same in deep forested part of Chhattisgarh.
The Guru’s teachings and philosophy is similar to sikhism. Guru Ghasidas created a symbol of truth called “jaitkhambh” – a white painted log of wood, with a white flag on the top. The structure indicates a white man who follows the truth “satnam” is always steadfast and is the pillar of truth (satya ka stambh). The white flag indicates peace.