Human Development

Which of the following does NOT show an improvement in rural areas from the National Family Health Survey 4 to National Family Health Survey 5 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Infant mortality rate” option2=”Obesity in women” option3=”Anaemia in children” option4=”Total fertility rate” correct=”option2″]

Comparing data for rural areas from NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21):
A) Infant mortality rate: Decreased, showing improvement.
B) Obesity in women (BMI >= 25.0 kg/m2): Increased, showing worsening, i.e., no improvement.
C) Anaemia in children (6-59 months): Increased, showing worsening, i.e., no improvement.
D) Total fertility rate: Decreased, often considered a positive demographic trend (improvement in terms of population stabilization).
Both Obesity in women and Anaemia in children increased, meaning neither showed improvement. However, as a single-choice question, Option B (Obesity in women) is the chosen correct answer in many sources referencing this specific question, highlighting the significant increase in obesity as a key non-improvement.

NFHS-5 data revealed concerning trends in several health indicators compared to NFHS-4, notably increases in the prevalence of overweight/obesity and anaemia across various population groups, including in rural areas, while indicators like IMR and TFR generally showed improvement.

The increase in obesity and anaemia in rural areas between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 points towards emerging public health challenges related to diet, nutrition, and lifestyle, requiring targeted interventions.

Dardic group of language belongs to which language family ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Indo European” option2=”Austric” option3=”Sino-Tibetan” option4=”Dravidian” correct=”option1″]

The Dardic group of languages belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. These languages are spoken primarily in northern Pakistan, northern India (especially Jammu and Kashmir), and eastern Afghanistan.

Dardic languages are a subgroup within the larger Indo-Aryan language family, which itself is part of the vast Indo-European family covering languages spoken across Europe, the Iranian Plateau, and South Asia.

Examples of Dardic languages include Kashmiri, Shina, Khowar, and Kalasha. While traditionally grouped together, the linguistic unity of the Dardic group is debated among scholars; however, their affiliation with Indo-Aryan and thus Indo-European is well-established.

Which one of the following statements regarding Human Rights is not correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Human Rights derive their inspiration from moral principles” option2=”They are applicable subject to their adoption by States” option3=”The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was adopted by the United Nations in the year 1948″ option4=”The universalism of Human Rights is challenged by the cultural relativists” correct=”option3″]

The statement that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was adopted by the United Nations in the year 1948 is not correct. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976.

The ICCPR, along with the UDHR and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), forms the International Bill of Human Rights.

Human Rights do derive inspiration from moral principles and are considered inherent. While international human rights norms exist, their application within a state is often subject to the state’s ratification and incorporation into domestic law. The concept of universalism of human rights is indeed challenged by cultural relativists who argue that rights should be understood within specific cultural contexts.

What is meant by Social Equality?

[amp_mcq option1=”Each person should perform the functions according to his status” option2=”No effort should be made to modify the existing social system” option3=”No person should be made to suffer a position of relative inferiority in relation to other men due to caste, race or religion” option4=”Special effort to improve the lot of weaker section” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C.

Social equality is the principle where all individuals within a society have equal rights, opportunities, and status, free from discrimination based on factors like caste, race, religion, gender, etc. Option C directly reflects this by stating that no person should face inferiority due to these social markers. Option A describes a rigid social hierarchy, the opposite of equality. Option B suggests maintaining the status quo, which is irrelevant to the definition of equality. Option D describes affirmative action, a measure to *achieve* equality, but not its definition.

Social equality is a fundamental pillar of a just and democratic society, aiming to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal respect and worth for all individuals.

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (Social activist)
A. Aruna Roy
B. Kalpanatai Salunkhe
C. Akhil Gogoi
D. Pratibha Shinde

List II (Activity/ Organisation)
1. Lok Sangharsh Morcha
2. Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana
3. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti
4. Paani Panchayat
Code:

[amp_mcq option1=”A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1″ option2=”A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4″ option3=”A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2″ option4=”A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4″ correct=”option1″]

Aruna Roy is a prominent social activist known for her work with the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana (MKSS) in Rajasthan, advocating for the right to information and rural labour rights. Kalpanatai Salunkhe is associated with the Paani Panchayat movement, a model for equitable distribution of water resources. Akhil Gogoi is a well-known activist in Assam and the leader of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which champions farmers’ rights and land issues. Pratibha Shinde is a social activist known for her work on farmers’ rights and is associated with the Lok Sangharsh Morcha.

This question requires matching prominent Indian social activists with the organizations or movements they are associated with.

These activists represent various streams of social movements in India, focusing on issues like transparency and accountability in governance (RTI), equitable resource management (water), and rights of farmers and marginalized communities.

The major cleavage in global human rights discourse has been between :

[amp_mcq option1=”religious rights v. civil rights” option2=”national rights v. minority rights” option3=”gender rights v. equal rights” option4=”civil and political rights v. economic, social and cultural rights” correct=”option4″]

The major cleavage in global human rights discourse has historically been the debate and differing emphasis placed on civil and political rights versus economic, social, and cultural rights. Civil and political rights (such as the right to life, liberty, freedom of speech, right to vote) were often prioritized by Western liberal democracies, while economic, social, and cultural rights (such as the right to work, education, healthcare, adequate standard of living) were often championed by socialist states and developing countries. This led to debates about their universality, indivisibility, and priorities, forming a significant divide in the human rights discourse, particularly evident during the Cold War era.

Civil and political rights (First Generation Rights) include freedoms and participation in government.
Economic, social, and cultural rights (Second Generation Rights) relate to social and economic security and well-being.
The perceived tension and differing priorities between these two sets of rights have been a major point of contention.

International human rights law, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the two major Covenants (ICCPR and ICESCR), aims to treat all rights as universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated. However, the historical and ongoing debates about their implementation and prioritization highlight the cleavage.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I (Festival)
List-II (Occasion)

A.	Vallamkali	1.	Temple festival
B.	Pooram festival	2.	Boat race
C.	Chapchar Kut	3.	The marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini
D.	Madhavrai fair	4.	Spring festival

[amp_mcq option1=”A-3 B-1 C-4 D-2″ option2=”A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3″ option3=”A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3″ option4=”A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2″ correct=”option2″]

Matching the festivals with their occasions:
A. Vallamkali is a traditional boat race festival, most famously held in Kerala (e.g., Nehru Trophy Boat Race). This matches with Occasion 2.
B. Pooram festival is a major Hindu temple festival celebrated in Kerala, with Thrissur Pooram being one of the most renowned. This matches with Occasion 1.
C. Chapchar Kut is a festival of the Mizo people of Mizoram, celebrated after the jungle has been cut and cleared for jhum cultivation, typically in March, marking the arrival of spring. This matches with Occasion 4.
D. Madhavrai fair is held in Gujarat, celebrating the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. This matches with Occasion 3.

Therefore, the correct match is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.

– Vallamkali: Boat race in Kerala.
– Pooram festival: Temple festival in Kerala.
– Chapchar Kut: Spring/harvest festival in Mizoram.
– Madhavrai fair: Celebration of Krishna-Rukmini marriage in Gujarat.

These festivals represent the diverse cultural and religious traditions across different regions of India. Vallamkali is a popular part of the Onam celebrations. Pooram festivals are known for elaborate processions, caparisoned elephants, and fireworks. Chapchar Kut involves traditional Mizo dances and music.

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List I (Festival) List II (Community/ethnic group)

A. Nongkrem	1. Khasi
B. Chapchar Kut	2. Mising
C. Kherai Puja	3. Bodo
D. Ali-Ai-Ligang	4. Mizo

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	1	4	3	2
(b)	1	3	4	2
(c)	2	3	4	1
(d)	2	4	3	1

[amp_mcq option1=”(a) 1 4 3 2″ option2=”(b) 1 3 4 2″ option3=”(c) 2 3 4 1″ option4=”(d) 2 4 3 1″ correct=”option1″]

The correct matching is: Nongkrem is a festival of the Khasi community (A-1). Chapchar Kut is a festival of the Mizo community (B-4). Kherai Puja is a religious festival of the Bodo community (C-3). Ali-Ai-Ligang is an agricultural festival of the Mising community (D-2). Matching these pairs gives the code 1 4 3 2.

– Nongkrem festival is celebrated by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya.
– Chapchar Kut is a popular spring festival of the Mizo people of Mizoram.
– Kherai Puja is a significant festival for the Bodo community in Assam.
– Ali-Ai-Ligang is an agricultural festival celebrated by the Mising tribe of Assam.

These festivals are important cultural events reflecting the traditions, beliefs, and agricultural cycles of the respective communities, predominantly located in the North-Eastern states of India.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List-I (Act)	List-II (Year)
A. The Dowry Prohibition Act	1. 1961
B. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act	2. 1956
C. The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act	3. 1986
D. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act	4. 2005

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

Matching the Acts with their years of enactment:
– The Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted in 1961. (A-1)
– The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act was originally enacted as The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act in 1956 and renamed as Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act in 1986. The year 1956 refers to the original enactment. (B-2)
– The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act was enacted in 1986. (C-3)
– The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was enacted in 2005. (D-4)

The correct matches are A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4. This corresponds to option A.

– Dowry Prohibition Act: 1961
– Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act: Original Act 1956 (as SITA), amended and renamed 1986 (as ITPA).
– Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act: 1986
– Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act: 2005

These Acts represent significant legislative efforts in India to address social issues affecting women and vulnerable populations, dealing with matters like dowry, trafficking, inappropriate representation, and domestic violence.

From the passage, what would you consider the best option for a successful dialogue between two conflicting actors?

(Passage: Dialogue is one of the most important tools of conflict resolution. It implies a sense of creating meaning through talking or reasoning together. The idea behind a dialogue is to bring together diverse groups of actors with differences in personal experiences, perceptions, and at times, a history of violent conflict between them. The aim of dialogical conflict resolution mechanisms is to create conditions for coordinated action towards a common goal : the end of violence and the emergence of an inclusive and peaceful society.)

[amp_mcq option1=”Domination of the strong party in arriving at a negotiated settlement” option2=”Work on building a meaningful relationship” option3=”Use it as a means to buy time” option4=”Create an asymmetric relationship” correct=”option2″]

The passage describes dialogue as “creating meaning through talking or reasoning together” and bringing together diverse groups with differences, sometimes a history of conflict, towards a common goal: the end of violence and a peaceful society. This process, focusing on shared understanding (“creating meaning”) and collaboration (“coordinated action towards a common goal”), is essentially about building a foundation for a meaningful relationship where parties can communicate constructively despite their differences. Options A, C, and D describe outcomes or approaches (domination, buying time, asymmetry) that contradict the collaborative, meaning-making, and goal-oriented nature of dialogue as presented in the passage.

According to the passage, dialogue involves creating shared meaning and working towards a common goal among diverse groups, which facilitates building a meaningful relationship.

Effective dialogue in conflict resolution requires mutual respect, active listening, empathy, and a genuine willingness to understand the other’s perspective, all of which are components of building a meaningful relationship aimed at finding common ground and solutions.