Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation and the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers & Health and Family Welfare addressed the National Mega Conclave on “PACS as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra(provided under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY)).”

Background:-

• As per the new model bylaws adopted by the Ministry of Cooperation, the scope of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) has been widened beyond their original function of dealing with agricultural credits at the grassroots level.
• PACS are now empowered to access many other avenues like the opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  • PACS are village-level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level.

About Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY).:-

• Launched:2008. 
• Historical Background:-
  • It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the name Jan Aushadhi Campaign in 2008.
  • 2015: It was re-launched as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY).
  • 2016: it was again renamed “Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP).
• Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Implementing Agency: the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).
• Objectives of PMBJP: to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to people through special Kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra.
• Funding: Financial Support is provided by the government to eligible NGOs/Trusts/agencies/individuals to establish Jan Aushadhi stores.

Salient Features of PMBJP:-

• Ensure access to quality medicines.
• Create awareness about generic medicinesthrough education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high prices.
• The scheme ensures easy reach to affordable medicineto the people in every nook and corner of the country.
• Create demand for generic medicinesby improving access to better healthcare through low treatment cost and easy availability wherever needed in all therapeutic categories.
• Janaushadhi Sugamfacilitates the public by providing a digital platform at the tip of their fingers.
  • Jan Aushadhi Sugam: a mobile app that helps in locating the nearest Janaushadhi Kendra and the availability of medicines with its price.
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has been established for co-coordinating procurement, supply and marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores. (Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra (PMJK))
• The quality, safety and efficacy of medicinesare ensured to the required standards before the same are supplied to Supers stockists /Jan Aushadhi Stores from the Warehouse.

 Benefits of PMBJP:-

• The scheme ensures easy reach to affordable medicine to the people in every nook and corner of the country.

 MUST READ: Mission Indradhanush Complete Immunization

SOURCE: PIB

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: (2023)

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for preschool children, adolescents and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q.2) Consider the following statements:

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2020)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

Background:-

• Thousands of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra beneficiaries from across the country along with Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs and local-level representatives joined the event.

About Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:-

• Launched: November 2023.

Objectives:-

• Reaching the unreached.
• Dissemination of information and generating awareness about schemes.
• Learning from the citizens.
• Enrolment of potential beneficiaries through details ascertained during the Yatra.

Salient Features:-

• The Yatra launched on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, by flagging off IEC (Information, Education and Communication) Vans which will be initially visiting the districts having significant Scheduled Tribe population and the remaining districts from the third week of November 2023 onwards up to 26 January 2024.
• Five specially designed IEC (Information, Education and Communication) Vans will carry the message of the Government’s flagship welfare programmes.
• The schemes that will be publicized through the yatra include Ayushman Bharat; PMJAY PM Garlb Kalyan Anna Yojana;  Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana among others.
• The target is to cover over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats and over 3,600 urban local bodies by 25th January 2024.

 MUST READ: One District One Product(ODOP)

SOURCE: PIB

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017? (2019)

1. Pregnant women are entitled to three months of pre-delivery and three months of post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother a minimum of six creche visits daily.
3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following? (2012)

1. Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at the household level
2. Purchasing power parity at the national level
3. Extent of budget deficit and GDP growth rate at the national level

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY

Context: Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Conducted Raids in Railway Exam Paper Leak Case.

Background:-

• A case was registered on a complaint from Western Railway, against certain Officials of Railways and others unknown employees of a private company on the allegations of leaking question papers.
• It was alleged that some candidates were allegedly provided the paper through Whatsapp messages and few candidates were physically shown the question papers through mass gathering.

About the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):-

• It was established as the Special Police Establishment in 1941.
• Objective: to investigate cases of corruption in procurement during the Second World War.
• Later, the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended the establishment of the CBI.
  • As a result, it was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Union Home Ministry.
• The Special Police Establishment (which looked into vigilance cases) setup in 1941 was also merged with the CBI
• Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office.
• The CBI is not a statutory body.
• It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, of 1946.
• The CBI investigates the crime of corruption, economic offences and serious and organized crime other than terrorism.
• The CBI is headed by a Director who is assisted by a special/additional director.

• The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenureby the CVC Act, 2003.
• As per the CVC Act of 2003, the Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendation of a three-member committeeconsisting of the
  • Prime Minister as Chairperson,
  • Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him.
  • If there is no recognized leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be a member of that committee.
• The CBI Academy is located in Ghaziabad, UPand started functioning in 1996.
• It also has three regional training centres at Kolkata, Mumbai & Chennai.
• The superintendence of CBIrelated to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 lies with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
• Other matters with the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) in the Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Grievances of the Government of India

Functions:-

• Investigating cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Union govt employees
• Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic laws
• Investigating serious crimes, having national and international ramifications, committed by organised gangs of professional criminals.
• Coordinating activities of the anticorruption agenciesand various state police forces
• Taking up, on the request of a state government, any case of public importance for investigation.
• The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate such a crime in a Statebut only with the consent of the concerned State Government.
• It takes up investigation of conventional crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape etc., on reference from the state governments or when directed by the Supreme Court/High Courts.
• The CBI acts as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India.
• CBI can Suo-moto take up investigation of offences only in the Union Territories.
• The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a Statebut only with the consent of the concerned State Government.
• The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State.

 MUST READ: CBI and ED

SOURCE: AIR

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct? (2022)

1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps Public Sector Banks develop strategies and capital-raising plans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY/GOVERNANCE

Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to 31 coaching institutes for misleading advertisements recently.

Background:-

• The CCPA has observed that some of the coaching institutes mislead consumers by deliberately concealing important information with respect to course opted by successful candidates, duration of the course and the fees paid by the candidates.
• The authority has also observed that some of the coaching Institutes also indulge in making claims like 100 per cent selection and job guarantees without providing verifiable evidence.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):-

• Establishment: 2020.
• Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
• HQ: Delhi.
• The authority is being constituted under Section 10(1) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• The Act replaced The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and seeks to widen its scope in addressing consumer concerns.
• Objective: to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers.

Composition:-

• It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members one of whom will deal with matters relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to services.
• The CCPA will have an Investigation Wing that will be headed by a Director General.
• District Collectors too, will have the power to investigate complaints of violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements.

Functions:-

• To conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution.
• Order recall of unsafe goods and services.
• Order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.
• Impose penalties on manufacturers/ endorsers/ publishers of misleading advertisements.

 MUST READ: CCPA: Advertisement Rules & Service Charge

SOURCE: AIR

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2022)

1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as market-places.
2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) Which of the following activities constitute a real sector in the economy? (2022)

1. Farmers harvesting their crops
2. Textile mills converting raw cotton into fabrics
3. A commercial bank lending money to a trading company
4. A corporate body issuing Rupee Denominated Bonds overseas

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recently, rhinos returned to Assam’s  Laokhowa-Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary after 40 yrs.

Background:-

• Until 1983, this protected region, which is a part of “greater” Kaziranga National Park, had 45-50 rhinos but they were wiped out by the poachers. However, since November last year, they have been sighted again.
• The Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries are two centrally located Protected Areas (PAs) of Assam.
• In fact, though these two wildlife sanctuaries have two different names, they are ecologically and geographically a singular entity.

About Laokhowa-Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary:-

IMAGE SOURCE: pachydermjournal.org

• Location: Nagaon district of Assam, India.
• It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
• Area: approximately 70 square kilometers.
• Flora: Flora: freshwater mangrove trees, simul, korai, ajar, hijal, etc. are found in the area.
  • There are many species of trees and medicinal plants in the sanctuary.
• Fauna: Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, wild buffalo, elephants etc.
  • The highly endangered Gangetic River Dolphins are still seen in the waters of the Brahmaputra River adjacent to these Pas.

Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary:-

• Location: Nagaon district of Assam.
• Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary is situated adjacent to the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Area: 44 square kilometers.
• Originally marked as a Reserved Forest in 1974, it officially became a wildlife sanctuary in 1995.
• It’s a crucial part of the larger Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system .
• It serves as a buffer for the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
• Vegetation: it consists of a mix of grasslands, wetlands, and riverine habitats, providing a diverse ecosystem.
• Flora: freshwater mangrove trees, simul, korai, ajar, hijal, etc. are found in the area.
  • There are many species of trees and medicinal plants in the sanctuary.
• Fauna: elephants, wild buffalo, deer, and various species of primates.

 MUST READ: Wildlife Protection

SOURCE: THE TIMES OF INDIA

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? (2020)

1. Kanha National Park
2. Manas National Park
3. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Tal Chhaper Wildlife Sanctuary

Q.2) Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? (2020)

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory recently captured megastar explosions in 30 Doradus B.

Background:-

• The expansive shell of fainter X-rays indicates that another supernova occurred more than 5,000 years prior, and possibly others before that.

About NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory:-

• Launch: July 23, 1999.
• Duration: 23 years
• The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope.
• It has eight-times greater resolution and is able to detect sources more than 20-times fainter than any previous X-ray telescope.
• It is part of NASA’s fleet of “Great Observatories” along with the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitizer Space Telescope and the now deorbited Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.
• The telescope is named after Indian astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who won the Nobel Prize in physics.
• It examines the X-rays emitted by some of the universe’s strangest objects, including quasars, immense clouds of gas and dust and particles sucked into black holes.

About30 Doradus B:-

• 30 Doradus B, is a supernova remnant that is part of a vibrant region of space where stars have been forming for millions of years.
  • A supernova is a catastrophic event that occurs at the end of a massive star’s life cycle.
• This celestial spectacle, is located some 160,000 light-years from Earth.
• It is a complex landscape of dark clouds of gas, young stars, high-energy shocks, and superheated gas.
• The largest and brightest region of star formation in the Local Group of galaxies, including the Milky Way, is called 30 Doradus (or, informally, the Tarantula Nebula).
• It is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighbour galaxy to the Milky Way.
• 30 Doradus has long been studied by astronomers who want to better understand how stars like the Sun are born and evolve.
• It is a testament to the violent and beautiful life cycles of stars.

 MUST READ: The North Star

SOURCE: INDIA TODAY

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the: (2022)

1. First half of the month of June
2. Second half of the month of June
3. First half of the month of July
4. Second half of the month of July

Q.2) If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? (2022)

1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur in equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
2. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
3. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Syllabus

• Prelims –ART AND CULTURE

Context: Recent reports show that Bobbilli Veena craftsmen are struggling for livelihood.

Background:-

• Much like Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, the town of Bobbili in the Vizianagaram district is renowned for producing high-quality veenas.

About Bobbili Veena:-

• Location: The home of the Bobbili veena is the town of Bobbili, about 120km from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
• It is also known as ‘Saraswati veena’.
• It is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music.
• The making of the veena began in the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king of Bobbili Samsthanam who was a great patron of music.
• It is typically crafted from seasoned wood, including jackwood, teak, or mahogany.
• It typically comprises a resonator, neck, and strings, with meticulous carvings and traditional craftsmanship.
• The central part has a lion’s head carved at the tapering end.
• The frets of this veena are made of bell metal.
• These Veenas are also remarkable for the exquisite designs etched on the body, making each piece exclusive.
• It is not just a musical instrument but a symbol of cultural heritage, representing the artistic legacy of Bobbili and the Vizianagaram district. (Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar)
• In 2011, it received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Government of India, recognizing its unique association with its place of origin

 MUST READ: Sangeet Natak Akademi

SOURCE: THE HINDU

 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: (2017)

1. It is a song and dance performance
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 only

Q.2) With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: (2014)

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I :

The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a State without the consent of the concerned State Government.

Statement-II :

The Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended the establishment of the CBI.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) With reference to the Bobbili Veena, consider the following statements:

1. In 2001, it received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Government of India.
2. It is also known as ‘Saraswati veena’.
3. It is a large plucked string instrument used in Hindustani classical music.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  10th January 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – a