Economic and Social Development

171. Consider the following statements with reference to a Report titled ‘T

Consider the following statements with reference to a Report titled ‘The Paths to Equal’, published in 2023, prepared by ‘UN Women’ and ‘UNDP’ (United Nations Development Programme) :

  • 1. This Report introduces two new indices : Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI).
  • 2. Less than 1% of women and girls live in a country with high women’s empowerment and a small gender gap.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

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

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Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct. The report “The Paths to Equal,” jointly published by UN Women and UNDP in 2023, indeed introduced two new indices: the Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) to provide a more comprehensive measure of gender equality. The report’s findings indicated that less than 1% of women and girls live in a country characterized by both high women’s empowerment (high WEI) and a small gender gap (high GGPI).
– Statement 1: The report introduced WEI and GGPI as complementary tools to measure women’s empowerment and gender parity respectively. WEI measures women’s power and freedoms to make choices and shape their lives, while GGPI measures the gap between women and men across key dimensions.
– Statement 2: The report highlighted the global disparity, showing that despite some progress, the majority of women and girls live in countries where empowerment is low and gender gaps are wide. The statistic about less than 1% is a key finding from the report.
The report analyzed data from 114 countries, providing a comprehensive overview of the state of gender equality globally through these new metrics. It aimed to inform policy and action towards achieving gender equality as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal 5.

172. According to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index, 2020-21, which one among

According to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index, 2020-21, which one among the following States is a Front Runner in its performance on SDG-14?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tripura” option2=”Maharashtra” option3=”Punjab” option4=”Odisha” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) Odisha.
According to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2020-21 report, States are categorized as Aspirant (0-49), Performer (50-64), Front Runner (65-99), and Achiever (100) based on their performance towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. SDG-14 relates to ‘Life Below Water’, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources. Odisha is a coastal state and was classified as a Front Runner in its performance on SDG-14 in the 2020-21 index.
SDG 14 aims to prevent marine pollution, sustainably manage marine and coastal ecosystems, minimize ocean acidification, support sustainable small-scale fisheries, conserve coastal and marine areas, increase economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources, and increase scientific knowledge and transfer of marine technology. States with significant coastlines and marine biodiversity are key players in achieving this goal. Tripura and Punjab are landlocked states and would have limited scope related to this specific SDG, though states can contribute to marine protection through addressing pollution from land-based activities. Maharashtra also has a coastline, but Odisha’s performance was rated higher in the ‘Front Runner’ category for this specific SDG in the mentioned report.

173. According to the National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) constr

According to the National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) constructed by the NITI Aayog, the education dimension is represented by parameters pertaining to

  • school attendance
  • years of schooling
  • literacy rate in the region

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=”option2″]

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The National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) constructed by the NITI Aayog uses the Alkire-Foster methodology and is based on three dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living. Each dimension has specific indicators. The Education dimension is represented by two indicators:
1. Years of Schooling: A household is deprived if no member aged 10 years or older has completed six years of schooling.
2. School Attendance: A household is deprived if any child aged 6 to 14 years is not attending school.
Thus, ‘school attendance’ and ‘years of schooling’ are the parameters for the education dimension. ‘Literacy rate in the region’ is a related concept but is not one of the specific indicators used in the NITI Aayog’s MPI education dimension according to the methodology document.
The Education dimension of the NITI Aayog National MPI is measured by ‘Years of Schooling’ and ‘School Attendance’.
The Health dimension uses ‘Nutrition’ and ‘Child and Adolescent Mortality’ indicators. The Standard of Living dimension uses ‘Cooking Fuel’, ‘Sanitation’, ‘Drinking Water’, ‘Electricity’, ‘Housing’, and ‘Assets’ indicators. Each indicator is given a specific weightage within its dimension and contributing to the overall MPI score.

174. Which one of the following statements regarding Jan Shikshan Sansthan

Which one of the following statements regarding Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”JSS aims to provide vocational skills to non-literate, neo-literate and person with rudimentary level of education.” option2=”JSS is meant for vocational education of women only.” option3=”JSS works at the doorstep of the beneficiaries.” option4=”JSS receives grants from the government for skill development.” correct=”option2″]

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Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) is a scheme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Its primary objective is to provide vocational skill training to non-literate, neo-literate, and persons with rudimentary levels of education to improve their socio-economic status. While empowering women is a significant focus area and JSSs run many programs for women, the scheme is not exclusively meant for women. It caters to all adults in the target group, including men. Therefore, statement B is not correct. Statements A, C, and D accurately describe aspects of the JSS program – targeting the specific educational levels, working closely with local communities (“at the doorstep”), and receiving government grants for their activities.
Jan Shikshan Sansthan provides vocational training to a specific group of adults including both men and women.
JSS operates through NGOs with government grants. They offer a wide range of skill development programs based on local needs and market demand, aiming to provide employable skills and entrepreneurship opportunities. Their focus is on reaching out to marginalized sections of society.

175. Consider the following statements regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana (JS

Consider the following statements regarding Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) :

  • 1. JSY is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission.
  • 2. The objective of JSY is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

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″]

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Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is indeed a safe motherhood intervention. It was launched in 2005 as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which is now subsumed under the broader National Health Mission (NHM). Its main objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. It provides cash incentives for giving birth in a health facility. Both statements accurately describe aspects and objectives of JSY.
JSY incentivizes institutional delivery to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes under the NHM.
JSY integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. It focuses on poor pregnant women, with a special focus on women in low-performing states. The scheme targets eligible pregnant women in both rural and urban areas.

176. Which one of the following programmes is not a part of poverty allevia

Which one of the following programmes is not a part of poverty alleviation programmes in India?

[amp_mcq option1=”Integrated Rural Development Programme” option2=”Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana” option3=”Ayushman Bharat Yojana” option4=”National Family Benefit Scheme” correct=”option3″]

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Ayushman Bharat Yojana is not primarily a poverty alleviation programme in the sense of directly providing income, employment, or asset creation for the poor. It is a national health insurance scheme.
Programmes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (which includes National Rural Livelihoods Mission and National Urban Livelihoods Mission), and National Family Benefit Scheme (part of National Social Assistance Programme) are specifically designed to address poverty through various means like self-employment, wage employment, and social security benefits for the poor.
Ayushman Bharat aims to provide universal health coverage, focusing on access to healthcare services for economically weaker sections, which indirectly contributes to well-being but isn’t categorized as a direct poverty alleviation program like income or employment schemes.

177. Which of the following are the parts of the Government of India’s AYUS

Which of the following are the parts of the Government of India’s AYUSH initiative?

[amp_mcq option1=”Allopathy, Unani and Yoga only” option2=”Homeopathy, Unani and Yoga only” option3=”Allopathy and Homeopathy only” option4=”Allopathy, Homeopathy, Unani and Yoga” correct=”option2″]

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Homeopathy, Unani, and Yoga are parts of the Government of India’s AYUSH initiative.
AYUSH is an acronym that stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These are traditional and alternative systems of medicine promoted by the Ministry of AYUSH in India.
The AYUSH systems are recognized alongside modern medicine (Allopathy) in India’s healthcare landscape, but Allopathy itself is not considered part of the AYUSH umbrella. The initiative aims to promote education, research, and propagation of these indigenous medical systems.

178. Which one of the following statements with regard to the World Immigra

Which one of the following statements with regard to the World Immigration Report, 2020 prepared by the United Nations is NOT correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”India had the largest number of migrants living abroad” option2=”United States was the top destination country” option3=”United States was the top remittance-sending country” option4=”China was the top remittance recipient country” correct=”option4″]

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The statement “China was the top remittance recipient country” with regard to the World Migration Report, 2020 prepared by the United Nations (IOM) is NOT correct.
– The World Migration Report 2020, published by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated that India was the top remittance recipient country globally in 2019 (the data year for the 2020 report).
– Statement A is correct: The report confirmed India as the largest country of origin for international migrants.
– Statement B is correct: The report identified the United States as the main destination country for international migrants.
– Statement C is correct: While not explicitly stating the US as the *absolute* top sender in all categories, the US is consistently among the leading countries for total value of remittances sent globally due to its large economy and migrant population. World Bank data for 2019/2020 confirms the US as the top source country.
– Remittances are financial transfers from migrants to their home countries. They are a significant source of foreign exchange and income for many developing countries.
– The World Migration Report is a biennial publication providing data and analysis on international migration trends.

179. The objective of National Youth Parliament Festival is to hear the voi

The objective of National Youth Parliament Festival is to hear the voice of youth between:

[amp_mcq option1=”10 – 15 years.” option2=”15-18 years.” option3=”18 – 25 years.” option4=”25 – 35 years.” correct=”option3″]

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The objective of the National Youth Parliament Festival is to hear the voice of youth between the ages of 18 and 25 years.
The National Youth Parliament Festival provides a platform for youth to express their views on public issues and engage in democratic processes, inspired by the concept of a youth parliament.
The festival is based on the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address on December 31, 2017. It aims to encourage youth, particularly those aged 18-25 (the age group eligible to vote but not yet eligible to contest elections), to understand the working of the parliament and voice their opinions.

180. Which one of the following is NOT correct with regard to Pradhan Mantr

Which one of the following is NOT correct with regard to Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM)?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is a pension scheme for organized workers” option2=”It has started enrolment since 2019″ option3=”It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme” option4=”It is meant for entry age group of 18-40 years” correct=”option1″]

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Option A is NOT correct with regard to Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM). It is a pension scheme for unorganized workers, not organized workers.
PM-SYM is a government scheme aimed at providing social security in the form of a pension to workers in the unorganized sector.
PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for unorganized workers, such as street vendors, agriculture workers, construction workers, domestic workers, etc. It started enrolment in February 2019. The entry age is between 18 and 40 years, and upon reaching 60 years of age, the beneficiary is entitled to receive a minimum assured pension of ₹3000 per month.
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