Q. Consider the following statements:
1. India retains 40th rank out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings
2. Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
3. WIPO is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a. Only one statement
b. Only two statements
c. All the statements
d. None
Ans: c
Explanation:
India retains 40th rank out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The 2023 edition reveals the ranking of this year’s most innovative economies in the world amongst 132 economies and localises the top 100 science and technology innovation clusters.
WIPO is the global forum for Intellectual Property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation.
It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
Q2. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 introduces an alternate insolvency resolution process for MSMEs, called PIRP. What does ‘R’ stand for in PIRP?
a) Recovery
b) Resolution
c) Rental
d) Retire
Answer: b
Explanation : The Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
The Bill will amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Insolvency is a situation where individuals or companies are unable to repay their outstanding debt.
The Bill introduces an alternate insolvency resolution process for MSMEs, called the Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PIRP).
Q3. Consider the following statements:
1. The Bio-Imaging Bank is a repository containing radiology and pathology images.
2. Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create a ‘Bio-Imaging Bank’ for early-stage cancer detection.
3. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a. Only one statement
b. Only two statements
c. All the statements
d. None
Ans: c
Explanation: Bio-Imaging Bank:
Comprehensive Repository: The Bio-Imaging Bank is a repository containing radiology and pathology images linked with clinical information, outcome data, treatment specifics, and additional metadata.
AI Integration: The project uses deep learning to develop a cancer-specific tailored algorithm for early detection, incorporating data from 60,000 patients.
Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, the project involves collaboration with IIT-Bombay, RGCIRC-New Delhi, AIIMS-New Delhi, and PGIMER-Chandigarh.
Q4. With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right.
2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 Only
b. 2 Only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: b
Explanation:
Under Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution, the President and Governors have the power to pardon, and to suspend, remit, or commute a sentence passed by the courts.
Also, since prisons is a state subject, state governments have powers under Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to remit sentences.
However, Section 433A of the CrPC puts certain restrictions on these powers of remission.
Q5. With reference to Lithium, consider the following statements:
1. Abu Dhabi has invested over $6 billion in big-ticket investments in the Jio platform, Adani, Tata Motors and Tata Power.
2. A comprehensive free trade agreement has been in effect between India and the UAE since 2022.
3. A variety of items from both nations are granted duty-free access to the markets of the other under the agreement.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d
India is the Emirates’ second-largest trading partner.
The UAE’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in India has increased over the past few years and has surpassed $12 billion.
Abu Dhabi has invested over $6 billion in big-ticket investments in the Jio platform, Adani, Tata Motors and Tata Power.
A comprehensive free trade agreement has been in effect between India and the UAE since 2022. A variety of items from both nations are granted duty-free access to the markets of the other under the agreement, in addition to loosened regulations to encourage investment.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022 between India and the UAE is one of the key drivers of the rise in FDI from the UAE.
Q6. Consider the following statements:
1. National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on January 25.
2. India is currently ranked 54th in World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (2021).
Which of the above statements are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both
d. None
Ans: c
India attracted a lot of tourist in the past due to its wealth and pilgrimage importance.
Tourism continuously remained part of the Five Year Plans after post-independence.
Different types of Tourism like Health Tourism, Business Tourism, Wildlife Tourism and Eco-Tourism etc. were introduced in India after the seventh FYP.
India ranks 6th according to World Travel and Tourism Council in terms of Travel & Tourism IN 2021.
Travel & Tourism contributed 5.8% to GDP and the sector created 32.1 million jobs, which is equivalent to 6.9% of total jobs in 2021.
India is currently ranked 54th in World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (2021).
According to Global Data, international arrivals to the country is forecast to reach 7.2 million in 2022 and 8.6 million in 2023 Tourism Industry in India accounted for 8% of the total employment.
Incredible India is the name of an international tagline by the Government of India to promote tourism in India.
Q7. Consider the following statements:
1. 23rd of October has been designated as International Snow Leopard Day.
2. The Living Himalaya Network Initiatives goals include adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat, and saving iconic species.
3. The Bishkek Declaration of 2013 established a goal of protecting at least 20 snow leopard landscapes.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a. Only one statement
b. Only two statements
c. All the statements
d. None
Ans: c
Since 2014, the 23rd of October has been designated as International Snow Leopard Day.
The day celebrates the anniversary of the Bishkek Declaration and raises awareness for the conservation and protection of this endangered cat.
The Living Himalaya Network Initiative has been established as one of WWF's global initiatives to achieve transformational conservation impact across the three Eastern Himalayan countries of Bhutan, India (North-East), and Nepal. LHI goals include adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat, and saving iconic species.
The Bishkek Declaration of 2013 established a goal of protecting at least 20 snow leopard landscapes with viable snow leopard populations by 2020.
Q8. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?
1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother a minimum of six creche visits daily.
3. Women with more than two children get reduced entitlements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: c
Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Act, 2017:
It extends women’s paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks.
Of these, up to 8 weeks can be taken pre-delivery.
Enterprises with 50 or more employees must provide crèches.
They should allow the mother 4 crèche visits, daily.
The costs of these benefits are to be borne solely by employers.
It allows women to work from home after availing the maternity leave.
Women with 2 or more children get reduced entitlements.
Q9. What is the Gini coefficient used for in economic analysis?
a) Measure of economic growth.
b) Indicator of income inequality.
c) Gauge of inflation.
d) Assessment of unemployment.
Answer: b
The Gini coefficient is a widely-used measure to quantify the extent of income inequality within a population.
Q10. What does a V-shaped economic recovery signify?
a) Gradual rebound after a downturn .
b) Sharp decline followed by stagnation .
c) Swift and robust recovery after a sharp decline.
d) Prolonged period of slow growth.
Answer: c
A V-shaped recovery suggests a quick and strong rebound in the economy following a sharp downturn.