Economic and Social Development

Consider the following countries :

• 1. Italy
• 2. Japan
• 3. Nigeria
• 4. South Korea
• 5. South Africa

Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 4″ option2=”1, 3 and 5″ option3=”2 and 4 only” option4=”3 and 5 only” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A, which includes Italy, Japan, and South Korea.

Italy, Japan, and South Korea are prominent examples of countries facing challenges related to low birth rates and rapidly ageing populations. These demographic trends are widely discussed in global media. Nigeria and South Africa, while facing other significant demographic issues, are generally characterized by relatively high birth rates and younger populations compared to the other three countries listed.

Low birth rates and ageing populations have significant socio-economic implications, including strain on healthcare and pension systems, potential labour shortages, and shifts in consumer markets. Many developed countries and some rapidly developing ones are grappling with these issues.

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:

• 1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
• 2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
• 3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
• 4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 3 and 4″ option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”2 only” option4=”1, 2 and 4″ correct=”option2″]

Statement 1 is incorrect; the entry age for PM-SYM Yojana is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40. Statement 2 is correct; the monthly contribution by the beneficiary is indeed age-specific. Statement 3 is correct; the scheme guarantees a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after attaining the age of 60 years. Statement 4 is incorrect; family pension is applicable only to the spouse (receiving 50% of the pension) upon the death of the subscriber, not also to unmarried daughters.

PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for unorganized workers, providing a minimum assured pension of ₹3000 after age 60 with age-specific contributions.

The scheme is jointly funded by the beneficiary and the Central Government, with equal contributions. It targets unorganized sector workers with monthly income below ₹15,000 and who are not covered by other statutory social security schemes. Family pension rules under PM-SYM specifically mention the spouse as the beneficiary upon the death of the subscriber.

With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

• 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
• 2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

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=”option2″]

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services on the 9th of every month for pregnant women in their second and third trimesters at government health facilities. It does not explicitly cover six months of post-delivery health care services as a guaranteed package under *this specific scheme*. Statement 2 is correct. Under PMSMA, private sector healthcare providers, especially specialists, are encouraged to volunteer their services for free check-ups at government facilities.

PMSMA focuses on providing assured, comprehensive antenatal care services on a fixed day every month through the involvement of private sector volunteers and public health facilities.

The scheme aims to detect high-risk pregnancies early and ensure adequate care. Services provided include comprehensive antenatal check-ups, screening for conditions like anemia, gestational diabetes, and hypertension, and counseling. The involvement of private practitioners is a unique feature intended to supplement the efforts of the public health system.

Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization :

1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.

2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Let’s evaluate each statement about the World Toilet Organization (WTO):
1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. This is incorrect. The World Toilet Organization is an international non-profit organization founded in 2001, not an agency of the United Nations.
2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. This is correct. WTO organizes the World Toilet Summit and founded World Toilet Day (which is now officially recognized by the UN as 19 November). It also runs the World Toilet College to provide training in sanitation.
3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation. This is incorrect. While WTO works towards improving sanitation globally, its primary function is advocacy, raising awareness, capacity building through education and training (like the World Toilet College), and fostering innovation and collaboration. Granting large-scale funds is typically the role of development banks, governments, and larger international aid organizations, not the core activity of WTO.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

– World Toilet Organization is a non-profit, not a UN agency.
– WTO initiated World Toilet Day (now a UN observance) and holds summits and training programs.
– WTO focuses on advocacy, education, and capacity building rather than being a primary funding body.

World Toilet Day, initiated by the WTO, was officially declared a United Nations day in 2013. It serves to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis and mobilize action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which includes the target of ensuring access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and ending open defecation by 2030.

With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements :

• CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.
• CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.

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=”option1″]

The question is about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Let’s examine the statements:
Statement 1: “CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.” This statement is correct. The CSR rules (specifically Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and associated rules/clarifications) explicitly exclude activities undertaken in the normal course of business, activities that benefit only employees of the company, or activities conducted solely for the benefit of the company itself from being considered as CSR expenditure.
Statement 2: “CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.” This statement is incorrect. Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 mandates that companies meeting certain turnover, net worth, or net profit criteria in any financial year must constitute a CSR Committee and “shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least two per cent. of the average net profit of the company made during the three immediately preceding financial years”. This clearly specifies a minimum spending requirement for eligible companies.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.

The Companies Act, 2013 made India the first country to legally mandate CSR spending for eligible companies. The objective is to encourage businesses to contribute to societal goals through corporate resources. The law specifies eligible activities and mandates a minimum expenditure based on profitability.

Eligible CSR activities are listed in Schedule VII of the Act and include areas like eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, protection of national heritage, etc. If a company fails to spend the mandated amount, it is required to explain the reasons in its annual report or transfer the unspent amount to a designated fund within a specified timeframe, depending on whether the project is ongoing or not.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: India’s public sector health care system largely focuses on curative care with limited preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care.

Statement-II: Under India’s decentralized approach to health care delivery, the States are primarily responsible for organizing health services.

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

[amp_mcq option1=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I” option2=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I” option3=”Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect” option4=”Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct” correct=”option2″]

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct individually, but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. India’s public healthcare system does have a predominant focus on curative care, and health is indeed a State subject. However, the State being primarily responsible for health services doesn’t inherently lead to a focus on curative care; this focus stems from historical development, resource allocation patterns, disease burden, and infrastructure priorities.

– Statement I is correct: India’s public health system has historically prioritized and invested more in curative care (treating illnesses) through hospitals and clinics, compared to robust preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative health services, although efforts are being made to change this focus.
– Statement II is correct: Under India’s federal structure, Public Health and Sanitation is listed in the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, making States primarily responsible for organizing and delivering health services.
– The decentralization of health as a State subject provides states autonomy but doesn’t explain the *reason* for the focus on curative care. This focus is driven by historical context, disease profile, infrastructure development priorities, and resource constraints.

Improving the balance between curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care is a key goal of India’s National Health Policy. The focus on strengthening primary healthcare, including wellness centres and public health initiatives, aims to shift the balance towards prevention and promotion.