Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES

Context: Matangini Hazra was remembered on the 81st anniversary of her martyrdom.

About Matangini Hazra:-

• Birth: 1869.
• Birth place Tamluk, West Bengal.
• Death:1942.
• Matangini Hazra was 73 when she fell to British bullets, leading a protest march in 1942 in Tamluk, Bengal.
• Her death made her a martyr for many, inciting revolutionaries to establish their own parallel government in Medinipur, which functioned till 1944.

Early Life:-

• She was married at a young age and became widowed at 18.
• After her husband’s death, she dedicated herself to social causes.

Ideology:-

• She supported Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals.  (Mahatma Gandhi)
• People fondly called her Gandhi Buri (Old Lady Gandhi) for her dedication to Gandhian principles. (India and Mahatma Gandhi)

Political Participation:–

• She became an active member of the Indian National Congress and took to spinning her own Khadi.
• She participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Salt March, and the Quit India Movement.
• 1933: When Sir John Anderson, Governor of Bengal visited Tamluk to address a public gathering, Matangini craftily managed to avoid the security and reached the dais where she waved a black flag.
  • She was awarded six months of rigorous imprisonment for her bravado.
• 1942: During the Quit India Movement in 1942, at the age of 73, she led a large procession of around 6,000 protesters, advocating for the takeover of the Tamluk police station.
  • In the ensuing clash with British authorities, she was shot and killed, becoming a martyr for the cause of Indian independence.

MUST READ: India’s Women Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal, designated as the Governor General of India? (2023)

1. The Regulating Act
2. The Pitt’s India Act
3. The Charter Act of 1793
4. The Charter Act of 1833

Q.2) Consider the following freedom fighters: (2022)

1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –POLITY

Context: India expressed commitment towards combating organized crimes at the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) recently.

About the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime( UNTOC):-

• Adopted by the UN General Assembly: 15 November 2000.
• Entry into force: 29 September 2003.
• Signatories: 147.
• Parties: 191 (as of 20 February 2023)
• The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime.
• It is also known as the Palermo Convention.
• Objective: combatting transnational organized crime, fostering international cooperation, and strengthening legal frameworks.
• UNTOC enables cooperation between member states for tackling international organized crime.
• All member parties to the convention must take measures including:
  • Creating domestic criminal offenses.
  • Adopting frameworks for extradition, mutual legal assistance, and law enforcement cooperation.
  • Promoting training and technical assistance for upgrading or building the adequate capacity of national authorities.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the custodian of the UNTOC.

Three protocols of UNTOC:-

The UNTOC is supplemented by three Protocols, namely:-

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children

• Adopted in 2003, it is the first global legally binding instrument with an agreed definition of trafficking in persons.

Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air

• Adopted in 2004, this protocol deals with the problem of organized criminal groups who smuggle migrants, often at high risk to the migrants and at great profit for the offenders.

Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition

• Adopted in 2001, its objective is to promote, facilitate, and strengthen cooperation among States in order to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition.

India and UNTOC:-

• India ratified the UNTOC in 2011 becoming the fourth South Asian country to do so.
• The nodal agency for all dealings with UNTOC is the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

About UNODC:-

• Establishment:
• HQ: Vienna, Austria.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) contributes to global peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights by helping to make the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism.
• It provides technical assistance, research, and normative support to Member States to help them develop and implement comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to the complex and interconnected threats that they face at the national, regional, and global levels. In today’s challenging times, our work is needed more than ever.

Functions:-

• Tackling the world drug problem
• Preventing corruption
• Countering terrorism
• Counter-Terrorism Strategy
• Combating organized crime
• Preventing crime and promoting

Funding:-

• UNODC relies on voluntary contributions, mainly from governments, to carry out the majority of our work.

MUST READ: World Drug Report and UNODC

SOURCE: BUISNESS STANDARD

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from a baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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: (2019)

1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member states to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: 18 rare pygmy hogs were reintroduced in their historical home in Assam recently.

Background:-

• Eighteen captive-bred pygmy hogs, the smallest and rarest pigs on earth, were released in western Assam’s Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve on Saturday, September 30.
• It was the fourth such exercise undertaken under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) annually since 2020, helping up the total number of this critically endangered species released at the park to 54.
• The PHCP target is to reintroduce 60 pygmy hogs in Manas, its historical habitat, by 2025.
• Backed by the United Kingdom-based Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the PHCP was started near Guwahati in 1996 with two males and two females captured from the Bansbari Range of Manas National Park.
• The reintroduction of captive-bred hogs to the wild began in 2008.
• The PHCP has so far successfully bred and reintroduced 170 pygmy hogs that belong to a unique genus without any close relatives.

About Pygmy hogs:-

• Scientific Name: Porcula salvinia.
• Habitat: Pygmy Hogs prefer undisturbed patches of grassland.
• Distribution: The species was historically known from only a few locations in northern West Bengal and northwestern Assam in India.
• Pygmy Hogs measure about 65 cm in length.
• The pygmy hog is the smallest and rarest wild pig in the world.
• Females are a little smaller.
• Pygmy Hogs differ from members of the genus Sus in the extreme reduction in body, ears, and tail size, and relatively short medial false hooves.
• Their snout disc is perpendicular to the axis of the head.
• It is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
• It is also an indicator species.
  • Indicator species: Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region.
• Threats: loss and degradation, and illegal hunting.

Conservation Status:-

• IUCN: Critically Endangered.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I. (Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI))
• CITES: Appendix I

MUST READ: Kaziranga National Park

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following fauna: (2023)

1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

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

Q.2) Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (2020)

1. Corbett
2. Ranthambore
3. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
4. Sunderbans

Syllabus

• Prelims –Governance

Context: The Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0 was launched recently.

About Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0:-

• Developed by IIT Kanpur.
• Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• Objectives: Provide instant tabular analysis of Grievances Filed and disposed of. Offer State-wise and district-wise Grievances Filed data. Offer Ministry-wise data. Enhance grievance redressal process with AI capabilities.
• IGMS 2.0, is an Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System. (Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) portal)
• It is for upgrading DARPG Information Systems (CPGRAMS) with Artificial Intelligence capabilities.
• CPGRAMS, or Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System, serves as an online platform for citizens to lodge grievances with government authorities 24/7, streamlining the process for efficient service delivery.
• The Dashboard provides instant tabular analysis of Grievances Filed and disposed of, State-wise and district-wise Grievances Filed, and ministry-wise data.
• It also helps the officials identify the root cause of the grievance.
• This portal falls under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• It offers real-time analysis of grievances filed and resolved, categorizing data by state, district, and ministry.
• The system leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the root causes of grievances and facilitates drafting letters for scheme or ministry selection, expediting grievance resolution.

MUST READ: Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs)

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)

1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centers within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places, and major tourist centres.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

Q.2) What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’? (2017)

1. Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations the government’s education system and local communities.
2. Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
3. Strengthening India’s scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power.
4. Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.

Syllabus

• Prelims –ART AND CULTURE

Context: The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology is embarking on a restoration project for the ancient Naganathaswamy Temple.

Background:-

• The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology is set to take up restoration of the 1,000-year-old Naganathaswamy Temple at Manambadi in Thanjavur district in what would be a revival of the Chola-era temple that was dismantled in a botched renovation exercise some years ago.

About Naganathaswamy Temple:-

• Location: Manambadi, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
• Constructed by: Rajendra Chola I
• It was constructed between 1012 and 1044 CE.
• It is renowned for its remarkable stone sculptures and historical inscriptions. (Hoysala Temples)
• The temple features an ekatala vimana and a mukha mandapa, both divided into three bays, adorned with sculptures of deities and intricate makara thanas (ceremonial arches).
• The walls of both structures are divided into three bays.
• The central bays of the vimana have niches to accommodate Dakshinamurthi in the south, Lingodhbava in the west, and Brahma in the north.
• The sculptures of Bikshatana, Adavallan, and Ganapathi decorate the south, whereas Gangadarara, Durga, and Ammaiappar are in the north.
• All the niches have well-carved and distinctive makara thoranas (ceremonial arches) with relief sculptures in the centre.
• The temple is known for its important inscriptions belonging to the periods of Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga I (regnal years 1070-1120 CE).
• Nine interesting and informative inscriptions have been recorded from this temple.
• The earliest among them belongs to the fourth regnal year of Rajendra Chola I.
• Beyond its cultural significance, the temple plays a vital role in the local economy.
• It is a hub for trade and commerce.
• It was declared as an ancient monument in September 2022.
• The Arulmigu Naganathaswamy temple at Manambadi village, Tiruvidai Maruthur taluk, has been declared a protected monument under the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966.

MUST READ: Shore temple

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? (2022)

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of the Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

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

Q2. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –ART AND CULTURE

Context: Recently, Andhra Pradesh’s Bojjannakonda got a major facelift to draw more tourists.

About Bojjannakonda:-

• Location: Andhra Pradesh.
• Bojjannakonda is a historic Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh near Visakhapatnam.
• It is renowned for its votive stupas, caves, brick structures, early historic pottery, and Satavahana coins.
• It Dates back to the 3rd century BC.
• Buddhist monks used to practice on the hill about 2,000 years ago.
• It was originally known as ‘Buddhuni konda’ (hill of the Buddha), but it came to be known as ‘Bojjannakonda’ in the course of time.
• Visakhapatnam hosts other Buddhist sites like Thotlakonda, Appikonda, and Bavikonda. Bojjannakonda and Lingalametta are ancient Buddhist monasteries from the 3rd century BC.
• These are ancient Buddhist monasteries.
• They feature various rock-carved stupas, Buddha sculptures, and rock-cut monolithic stupas.
• These sites reflect the evolution of Buddhism through its three phases: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
  • Theravada: Lord Buddha was considered a teacher.
  • Mahayana: Buddhism was more devotional.
  • Vajrayana: Buddhist tradition was more practiced as Tantra and in esoteric form. (Neo-Buddhism)
• The main stupa at Bojjannakonda is a rock-carved structure covered with bricks and adorned with Buddha sculptures.
• To the west of Bojjannakonda, another hillock, Lingalakonda or Lingalametta, is present.
• It boasts rows of rock-cut monolithic stupas.
• The Buddhist temple at Barabodur in Java has been constructed on the lines of the structures on Lingalametta, according to Buddhist monks.
• It is also known as ‘Sankaram’, perhaps, a corruption of the Buddhist ‘Sangraha’.

MUST READ: The Buddhist Circuit

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following statements is correct? (2021)

1. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River.
2. Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of the Chambal river.
3. Pandu – lena cave shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada River.
4. Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari river.

Q2) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (2020)

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism
2. The Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance)

Context: Recently, credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service released a report, ‘Decentralised Finance and Digital Assets,’ which advocates for decentralized digital identity systems instead of centralized biometric systems like India’s Aadhaar.

• Referring to “security and privacy vulnerabilities posed by centralized ID systems like Aadhaar”, the report states “the Aadhaar system faces hurdles, including the burden of establishing authorization and concerns about biometric reliability.”
• The government stated that it is evident that the authors of the report are unaware that the seeding of Aadhaar in the MGNREGS database has been done without requiring the worker to authenticate.

About Aadhaar:

• The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
• It contains biometric information, such as fingerprints and iris scans, along with demographic information, including individuals’ addresses and date of birth.
• It serves as proof of identity and is valid anywhere in India for any identification purposes.
  • Having an Aadhaar card is compulsory while applying for a new PAN card or filing Income tax returns.

Advantages of using Aadhaar:

• Transparency in identification of beneficiaries for welfare schemes: Aadhaar has helped to remove fake and duplicate identities of beneficiaries.
  • It has been used to filter the list of beneficiaries and stop the leakage of public money.
• Targeted delivery of welfare measures: JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile numbers) has been employed for targeted delivery of subsidies.
  • Use of Aadhaar Card for distributing social welfare schemes has led to better targeting of poor which were suffering by leakages.
• Aadhaar has helped in mapping development parameters: In critical sectors of the country like healthcare and education, Aadhaar has been used to map the development processes and parameters.
  • It has also been used to map skilled manpower, based on the vocational training acquired by the individual with the suitable job vacancies/ skill requirements.
• Quick and easy Income tax returns: Use of Aadhaar in income tax filing has reduced the number of documents needed for filing income tax.
  • It has made the process more efficient and cost-effective.
• Phase out of corruption: The use of Aadhaar in financial transactions has reduced the menace of black money in the country thereby reducing the corruption.

Concerns associated with Aadhaar:

• Quantity fraud: In the distribution of rations, the prevalent type of corruption is quantity fraud, where beneficiaries receive less than their entitled share.
  • Aadhaar does not address this issue effectively.
• Authentication failures: Many individuals in rural areas face authentication failures due to unreliable internet connections, fading fingerprints, or lack of phone connectivity for OTP verification. The extent of these failures remains undisclosed.
  • A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) from 2022 states “UIDAI did not have a system to analyze the factors leading to authentication errors.”
• Privacy at risks: UIDAI has not ensured that the applications or devices used by agencies or companies for authentication “were not capable of storing the personal information of the residents, which put the privacy of residents at risk”.
• Authentication Errors: Discrepancies between job card information and UID data can lead to authentication errors, causing wage payment delays and complications.
• Misdirected Payments: Aadhaar payments can be misdirected when an individual’s Aadhaar number gets linked to another person’s bank account, making it challenging to detect and resolve such issues.
  • Aadhaar payments people got redirected to Airtel wallets causing much havoc. Misdirected payments through Aadhaar are difficult to detect and are nearly impossible to resolve.
• Last-mile delivery in rural areas faces issues of lesser Bank penetration: The last-mile delivery is a significant challenge with the problem of lesser banking infrastructure in rural areas and the failure of the banking correspondent model to take off.
• Questionable savings claims: Claims of substantial savings through Aadhaar implementation in MGNREGA have been challenged by researchers, citing insufficient funds as the primary reason for wage payment delays.

Supreme Court opinion:

• The government must abide by and enforce Supreme Court directions, including;
  • Restriction of mandatory Aadhaar to permissible purposes,
  • Provision of an alternative whenever Aadhaar authentication fails
  • Unconditional exemption for children.

Way Forward:

Although the Aadhaars system has undoubtedly brought transparency and efficiency to welfare programs, it is crucial to address the challenges and concerns raised by its implementation. Balancing security, accessibility, and reliability is essential to ensure that Aadhaar continues to benefit those it was intended to serve. Addressing these concerns will help optimize the effectiveness of Aadhaar in government welfare schemes while safeguarding the rights and privacy of citizens.

Source:  TH

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Economy)

Context: The creative industries encompass a diverse range of economic activities rooted in original ideas and artistic expression.

About Creative Economy:

• It is an evolving concept which is building on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge and technology.
• The creative industries are a group of economic activities that are based on original ideas.
  • They include businesses that are centred around creativity.
• These industries include design, music, publishing, architecture, film, crafts, visual arts, fashion, literature, computer games, and more.
• The Nataraja, a statue of Hindu lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, installed next to ‘Bharat Mandapam’, at the venue of the G20 Summit is a prime examples of creative economy.

Benefits of Creative Economic Industries:

• Employment generation: Creative industries provide employment opportunities for a significant portion of the population, especially talented individuals.
  • According to Asian Development Bank report 2023, these industries contribute nearly 8% of India’s total employment.
• Spillover Effects on the Wider Economy: Creative industries drive innovation, fostering creativity, experimentation, and collaboration across various sectors and disciplines.
  • These industries positively impact sectors like tourism, education, and urban development.
• Tourism Boost: Creative industries attract tourists who engage in cultural experiences, contributing significantly to India’s tourism industry.
• Education and skills development: Creative industries play a pivotal role in providing learning opportunities, enhancing cultural awareness, and nurturing talent.
• Urban economic growth: Creative industries revitalize urban areas by creating vibrant cultural hubs, theatre’s, galleries, and entertainment districts.
• Promotion of India’s Heritage and Resources: Creative industries showcase India’s rich culture, history, and traditions, leveraging abundant natural and human resources.
• Global branding and soft power: Exporting creative goods and services enhances India’s brand value and soft power, strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties.

Challenges associated with creative economy:

• Common issues: Indian artists and artisans face challenges that are related to economic sustainability, market access, and the preservation of traditional art forms in a rapidly changing society.
• Need of support and finances: Government support, cultural institutions, and initiatives provide financial assistance, training programmes, and opportunities for artists to exhibit their work.
  • However, more efforts are needed to promote contemporary artists as brands and ensure equal representation and financial assistance.
• Limited reach of sponsored platforms: There are challenges in the selection of artists for financial assistance in organising cultural events.
• Lack of transparency in the selection process creates inequality in representation.
  • So, talented artists, particularly those based outside the city, are unable to gain from sponsored platforms.
• Lack of promoting platforms: Unlike in other countries, there are no serious efforts by private or public institutions to promote contemporary artists as brands.
• Crime in the art sector: Crime in the art world includes art theft, copyright infringement, forgery, fraud, and illicit trafficking.
  • There is no institutional infrastructure, expertise and technology to verify the original artwork.

Govt Initiatives aimed at promoting creative industries:

• National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): NFDC is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • It focuses on planning, promoting, and efficiently developing the Indian film industry.
• National Institute of Design (NID): NID operates autonomously under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • It provides education, research, consultancy, and outreach services across various design domains.
• Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS): SPoCS, under the Ministry of Culture, encourages a culture of science, technology, and innovation.
  • It achieves this through science festivals, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, and camps, primarily targeting the youth.
• Scheme for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Dance (SPIC MACAY): SPIC MACAY is a voluntary movement that arranges programs covering classical music, dance, folk arts, crafts, yoga, meditation, and cinema.
• India’s Culture Working Group (CWG) is to increase and support the growth of cultural and creative industries and the creative economy
  • It is aimed at promoting job creation, innovation, inclusiveness, and improving the status of cultural practitioners.

Way Forward:

India’s creative economy holds immense potential for job creation, economic growth, and cultural promotion. However, addressing the challenges faced by creative industries and implementing strategic initiatives are essential to fully unlock this potential and establish India as a global creative powerhouse.

Source:    HT

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:

United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime is also known as the Palermo Convention.

Statement-II:

India ratified the UNTOC in 2011.

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 Naganathaswamy Temple, consider the following statements:

1. The temple is known for its important inscriptions belonging to the periods of Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga I
2. The temple features an ekatala vimana.
3. It was constructed by Rajendra Chola II.

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

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

Mains Practice Questions

Q.1) What are the concerns and challenges associated with the utilization of Aadhaar in welfare programs, and what steps should be taken to address them while safeguarding citizens’ rights and privacy? (250 Words)

Q.2) Analyse the significance of the creative/arts sector in India’s economy. What are the challenges faced by Indian artists and artisans? Suggest ways to address those challenges. (250 words)

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  3rd October 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – a