Economic and Social Development

Consider the following statements about Centralized Laboratory Net- work (CLN):

• 1. CLN works to test vaccines which can be used during pandemic
• 2. India is a member of CLN
• 3. CLN is a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Inno- vations (CEPI)

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

The Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) is indeed a network of laboratories established to test vaccines, especially those aimed at tackling epidemic and pandemic threats. This aligns with statement 1.

The CLN is a key component of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)’s efforts to accelerate vaccine development and testing. India is a member of this network, with institutions like the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) participating.

Statement 2 is correct as India is part of the CLN. Statement 3 is also correct as the CLN is an initiative under the umbrella of CEPI. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Consider the following statements about ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)’ scheme :

• 1. It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.
• 2. It creates affordability yet economically viable and profitable flight on regional routes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

The correct option is C, Both 1 and 2.

The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme is a regional connectivity scheme launched by the Government of India.
Statement 1: “It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.” This is correct. The primary objective of UDAN is to make air travel accessible and affordable for common people by stimulating regional air connectivity, thereby developing the regional aviation market.
Statement 2: “It creates affordability yet economically viable and profitable flight on regional routes.” This is also correct. The scheme aims to make flights affordable for passengers through measures like fare caps on a certain percentage of seats. To ensure economic viability for airlines operating on potentially less profitable regional routes, the scheme includes a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, where the government provides financial support to cover operational costs that cannot be met by passenger fares alone. This mechanism helps make the routes economically viable for operators.

UDAN is a market-based mechanism where airlines bid for routes and commit to providing a certain number of subsidized seats. It is a component of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016. The scheme focuses on improving infrastructure at unserved and underserved airports and providing incentives to airlines to operate flights on these routes.

Which of the following statements about ‘SHRESHTA’ scheme, launched recently by the Government of India, is/are correct?

• 1. This scheme is for residential education for students in high school in targeted areas.
• 2. It provides for high quality education for meritorious but poor Scheduled Caste students.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

The SHRESHTA scheme stands for ‘Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas’. Its primary objective is to provide quality residential education to meritorious but poor Scheduled Caste (SC) students in classes 9th to 12th by admitting them into the best private residential schools. Thus, both statements accurately describe aspects of the scheme.

The SHRESHTA scheme provides residential education for SC students in high schools and aims to provide quality education to meritorious poor SC students.

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It aims to bridge the gap in access to quality education for Scheduled Caste students and promote their overall development.

eSanjeevani, the free telemedicine service of the Government of India, was recently integrated with the

[amp_mcq option1=”Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” option2=”Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana” option3=”Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana” option4=”Universal Health Insurance Scheme” correct=”option1″]

eSanjeevani, the flagship telemedicine platform of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, was integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in May 2022. This integration allowed eSanjeevani users to create Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) and link their existing health records.

eSanjeevani was integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to enhance digital health services and interoperability.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create a national digital health ecosystem that enables access to health records and promotes interoperability of health information. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana are insurance schemes. The Universal Health Insurance Scheme is a broader concept, not a specific program eSanjeevani was integrated with in this context.

What is ‘Tikki Mausi’ in the context of Malnutrition ?

[amp_mcq option1=”A specially packaged food item” option2=”A mascot” option3=”Name of a scheme” option4=”Name given to the healthcare providers” correct=”option2″]

The correct option is (B) A mascot.

‘Tikki Mausi’ is a mascot launched by the Odisha government and UNICEF to spread awareness about malnutrition among children and women. The character aims to educate people on aspects like nutrition, health, and well-being.

The mascot, Tikki Mausi, represents a friendly aunt-like figure who uses simple language and engaging visuals to convey important health and nutrition messages, making them accessible to the target audience, especially in rural areas.

Which of the following statements with regard to Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is/are correct ?

• 1. PMKSY was launched during 2015-16.
• 2. The basic aim of PMKSY is to enhance physical access of water on farm.
• 3. One of the main objectives of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

All three statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are correct.

PMKSY was launched in July 2015 with the aim of expanding irrigated area, improving water use efficiency, and achieving convergence of irrigation investments at the field level. Its core objective is indeed to enhance physical access of water on the farm, symbolized by the slogan “Har Khet Ko Pani” (water to every field). The scheme integrates various ongoing irrigation programs to ensure a holistic approach to water management in agriculture.

PMKSY also focuses on promoting water-saving technologies like micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems) and integrated watershed development. The program is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with significant contribution from states.

Which one of the following Indian States (other than Himalayan or NE States) ranked first in the Composite Water Management Index as per the report issued by the NITI Aayog in June 2018?

[amp_mcq option1=”Madhya Pradesh” option2=”Karnataka” option3=”Gujarat” option4=”Maharashtra” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is Gujarat.

As per the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by NITI Aayog in June 2018, Gujarat was ranked first among the non-Himalayan and North-Eastern states in overall water management.

The NITI Aayog launched the CWMI to assess the performance of states in water management and conservation, providing a tool for improvement.

Which of the following statements with regard to coverage rate of Aadhar cards during 2015 is/are correct ?

• 1. The coverage rate of Aadhar cards in western India is quite high and it is above 90 per cent in Gujarat
• 2. The coverage rate of Aadhar cards is the highest in southern India and it is almost 100 per cent in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
• 3. The penetration of Aadhar cards has been very low in north-eastern part of India and it is the lowest in Assam and Meghalaya

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”2 only” option2=”1 and 3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. Based on the Aadhar enrolment data and trends reported around 2015-16:
1. The coverage rate in Western India, including Gujarat, was indeed quite high, generally above 90% for the eligible population.
2. Southern states consistently showed high coverage rates. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were among the leading states with very high enrolment figures, often cited as approaching universal coverage for the eligible population by 2015-16.
3. States in the North-Eastern part of India, particularly Assam and Meghalaya, faced significant challenges and delays in Aadhar enrolment due to various factors, resulting in very low coverage rates compared to the national average and other states during this period.

– Aadhar enrolment progress varied significantly across Indian states.
– States in the South and West generally achieved higher coverage rates earlier.
– States in the North-East, especially Assam and Meghalaya, had considerably lower coverage due to unique challenges.

– By the end of 2015 and early 2016, the Aadhar project had achieved substantial coverage nationally, but regional disparities existed.
– The low coverage in Assam was partly linked to the ongoing process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
– These trends were widely reported in government documents and media coverage regarding the Aadhar rollout.

Which one of the following is not correct in the current Indian scenario?

[amp_mcq option1=”Life expectancy is on the increase and is about 67 years as of now.” option2=”Infant mortality rate is on the decline and has reached 47 per thousand.” option3=”Maternal mortality rate (MMR) is on the rise due to lack of medical facilities.” option4=”Percentage of women giving birth in health institutions is on the rise.” correct=”option3″]

The correct option is C) Maternal mortality rate (MMR) is on the rise due to lack of medical facilities. This statement is not correct in the current Indian scenario.

– Statement A is correct: Life expectancy in India has been steadily increasing due to improvements in healthcare and living standards. While “about 67 years” might be slightly outdated for the *most current* data (it’s closer to 70-71 now), the statement says “is on the increase” and provides a plausible figure from recent past, making it not incorrect in essence.
– Statement B is correct: The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India has been declining significantly over the years. While 47 per thousand was the IMR around the late 2000s/early 2010s, stating it “has reached 47 per thousand” on its decline path is correct, even if the current IMR is lower (around 28 as of 2020). The statement doesn’t say it *is currently* 47, but that it *has reached* that point (implying a decline).
– Statement C is incorrect: Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in India has been declining steadily due to increased institutional deliveries, improved access to healthcare, and better maternal and child health programmes. It is not on the rise.
– Statement D is correct: The percentage of women giving birth in health institutions (hospitals, clinics etc.) has significantly increased over the years, which is a major factor contributing to the decline in IMR and MMR.

India has made substantial progress in improving health indicators like IMR and MMR, although regional disparities persist. The decline in MMR is a notable achievement in public health, dropping from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-2016 to 97 in 2018-2020.

Social theorists in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries emphasised the emergence of industrialisation, urbanisation, secularisation and bureaucratisation as hallmarks of :

[amp_mcq option1=”Modernity” option2=”Feudalism” option3=”Kingship” option4=”Medievalism” correct=”option1″]

Industrialisation, urbanisation, secularisation, and bureaucratisation are emphasised by social theorists as hallmarks of Modernity.

– **Modernity** refers to the period and set of social, cultural, and political norms that emerged in Europe and the Americas in the aftermath of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment, extending into the contemporary era. Key transformations associated with modernity include the rise of science and reason, individualism, nation-states, and capitalism.
– **Industrialisation** is the process of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial one. It involves technological innovation and factory production.
– **Urbanisation** is the increasing number of people that live in urban areas. It is closely linked to industrialisation as factories and jobs are often concentrated in cities.
– **Secularisation** is the process by which religion loses its social and cultural significance in a society. It involves a shift from religious institutions dominating social life to religious belief becoming a more private matter.
– **Bureaucratisation** is the process by which organisations are increasingly structured by impersonal rules, hierarchical authority, and specialized roles, as described by sociologist Max Weber as a characteristic of modern states and large organizations.

Social theorists like Max Weber, Émile Durkheim, and Karl Marx studied these processes extensively in the 19th and 20th centuries, viewing them as fundamental aspects of the transition from traditional, often feudal, societies to modern ones. Concepts like feudalism and kingship represent forms of social and political organization characteristic of pre-modern or medieval societies, contrasting with the features of modernity listed.