2019-20

31. Consider the following statements : The ‘National Investment and Infra

Consider the following statements :
The ‘National Investment and Infrastructure Fund’ was created to

  • 1. promote Foreign Direct Investment in India
  • 2. support infrastructure projects in the country
  • 3. attract venture capital for startups
  • 4. finance defence projects

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) was primarily created to support infrastructure projects in India by attracting both domestic and international investments.
– Statement 1 is partially correct in that NIIF aims to attract foreign investment, but its core purpose is specifically for infrastructure, not general FDI promotion across all sectors.
– Statement 2 is the main objective of NIIF.
– Statement 3 is incorrect; NIIF focuses on infrastructure and related sectors, not venture capital for startups.
– Statement 4 is incorrect; NIIF is not designed to finance defence projects.
– Therefore, only statement 2 correctly describes the primary purpose of NIIF.
NIIF is a collaborative investment platform for international and Indian investors, anchored by the Government of India. It is structured as a fund of funds, but also makes direct investments. It manages funds across three funds: Master Fund, Fund of Funds, and Strategic Opportunities Fund, focusing on different sectors like roads, ports, energy, housing, and other infrastructure-related areas.

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32. India pledged at COP26 to reach net zero emission by 2070. What is the

India pledged at COP26 to reach net zero emission by 2070. What is the target percentage of renewable energy announced to be achieved by 2030?

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40%
45%
50%
55%
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At COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, India pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2070. As part of its ‘Panchamrit’ (five nectar elements) commitments announced at the summit, India also set several ambitious targets for 2030, including meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources.
– India’s Net Zero target year is 2070.
– One of the key targets announced for 2030 was to meet 50% of the country’s energy requirements from renewable energy sources.
– Other 2030 targets included increasing non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW and reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 45%.
The Panchamrit targets announced by India at COP26 are: 1. Reach 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. 2. Meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030. 3. Reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now till 2030. 4. Reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 percent by 2030. 5. Achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070. The question specifically asks for the target percentage of renewable energy for 2030.

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33. The ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’ was introduced to facilitate the

The ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’ was introduced to facilitate the resolution of insolvency cases and to improve the ease of doing business in India. In which year was it enacted?

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2013
2015
2016
2017
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The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was enacted in the year 2016.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, is a comprehensive law enacted by the Parliament of India to consolidate the laws relating to insolvency and bankruptcy in India. It provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency of companies and individuals.
The IBC replaced multiple existing laws and frameworks related to insolvency and bankruptcy resolution, aiming to improve the ease of doing business in India by providing a clear, fast, and predictable mechanism for debt resolution. It established the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) as the regulatory body.

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34. A disease that is present permanently in a region or population is kno

A disease that is present permanently in a region or population is known as

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pandemic
epidemic
endemic
zoonotic
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A disease that is present permanently in a region or population is known as endemic.
In epidemiology, an endemic disease is one that is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a population within a geographical area without external inputs. This means the disease is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.
An ‘epidemic’ refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population in a given area. A ‘pandemic’ is an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people. A ‘zoonotic’ disease is an infectious disease that has jumped from a non-human animal to humans.

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35. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed to provide re

The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed to provide regulatory powers to the Reserve Bank of India for overseeing the functioning of which financial institution?

  • 1. Mutual funds
  • 2. Insurance companies

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Both 1 and 2
1 only
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2
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Neither mutual funds nor insurance companies were brought under the purview of the Reserve Bank of India’s regulatory powers by the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, aimed to bring cooperative banks under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank of India. This was done to strengthen their governance, improve financial stability, and protect depositors’ interests.
Mutual funds are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Insurance companies are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The 2020 amendment specifically targeted cooperative banks and did not extend RBI’s regulatory ambit to mutual funds or insurance companies.

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36. Which one of the following international organizations provides financ

Which one of the following international organizations provides financial assistance and technical expertise to developing countries, including India, to support various developmental projects?

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The World Trade Organization
The World Bank
The International Monetary Fund
The Asian Development Bank
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The World Bank is an international organization that provides financial assistance and technical expertise to developing countries, including India, to support various developmental projects.
The World Bank Group is a family of five international organizations that make leveraged loans to developing countries. The two most prominent components are the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The World Bank’s primary focus is poverty reduction and promoting shared prosperity by providing financial support, policy advice, and technical assistance for development projects in areas like infrastructure, education, health, and environmental sustainability.
While the IMF focuses on macroeconomic stability and balance of payments issues, and the WTO deals with global trade rules, the World Bank is specifically geared towards long-term economic development through project finance and technical expertise. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves a similar function but is focused on the Asian region. Among the given options covering global reach, the World Bank is the most appropriate answer for providing general financial and technical assistance for developmental projects to developing countries like India.

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37. Who among the following Indian Film Directors adopted Macbeth, Othello

Who among the following Indian Film Directors adopted Macbeth, Othello and Hamlet into Maqbool, Omkara and Haider respectively?

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Yash Chopra
Vishal Bhardwaj
Rohit Shetty
Sudhir Mishra
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Vishal Bhardwaj is the Indian Film Director who adapted Macbeth, Othello, and Hamlet into Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider respectively.
Vishal Bhardwaj is renowned for his adaptations of William Shakespeare’s tragedies into critically acclaimed Hindi films. ‘Maqbool’ (2003) is an adaptation of Macbeth, ‘Omkara’ (2006) is based on Othello, and ‘Haider’ (2014) is a modern-day adaptation of Hamlet set in Kashmir.
These adaptations are noted for their gritty realism, strong performances, and creative reinterpretation of the original plots within Indian socio-political contexts. These films form what is often referred to as Bhardwaj’s “Shakespearean Trilogy”.

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38. What is the common name for the Asiatic wild dog that was once found a

What is the common name for the Asiatic wild dog that was once found all over the continent?

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Dhole
Dachshund
Beagle
Mudhol Hound
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The common name for the Asiatic wild dog that was once found all over the continent is Dhole.
The Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a canid native to South, Southeast, East, and Central Asia. It is also known as the Asian wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf. The Dhole is a highly social animal, living in packs, and is a formidable predator.
Dholes are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, facing threats from habitat loss, depletion of prey base, competition with other predators, and persecution. Dachshund, Beagle, and Mudhol Hound are breeds of domesticated dogs and are not wild species found across the continent.

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39. The ruins of which Indus Valley site in Gujarat was named as a World H

The ruins of which Indus Valley site in Gujarat was named as a World Heritage Site in 2021?

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Babar Kot
Bet Dwarka
Dholavira
Bhagatrav
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The ruins of Dholavira, an Indus Valley site in Gujarat, was named as a World Heritage Site in 2021.
Dholavira is a Harappan city located on the island of Khadir in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is one of the most prominent and well-preserved urban settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization. Its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021 highlights its outstanding universal value, representing the unique characteristics of the Harappan civilization in terms of urban planning, water management systems, and architecture.
Dholavira is the 40th UNESCO World Heritage Site in India. Other notable Indus Valley sites in Gujarat include Lothal and Surkotada, but Dholavira was the one inscribed in 2021. The site’s significance lies in its distinct features like a sophisticated water conservation system and the multi-layered settlement pattern.

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40. What is the current status of India’s economy in terms of market class

What is the current status of India’s economy in terms of market classification by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund?

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Low-income economy
Middle-income economy
High-income economy
Upper-middle-income economy
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India is classified as a middle-income economy by the World Bank.
The World Bank classifies economies based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. As of the latest classification (updated July 1, 2023, based on 2022 GNI), India falls into the lower-middle-income group. The broad categories are low-income, middle-income (which includes lower-middle and upper-middle), and high-income economies. Therefore, ‘Middle-income economy’ is the correct broad classification among the given options.
The income classifications by the World Bank are used for analytical purposes and do not imply any specific development stage. The thresholds are updated annually to account for inflation and other factors. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also uses similar categorizations, often classifying countries as advanced economies, emerging market and developing economies. India is typically included in the latter category, consistent with being a middle-income country by World Bank standards.

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