statement 1 is incorrect. National Skill Development
Corporation India (NSDC) established in 2009 is a not- for- profit company set
up by the Ministry of Finance.

explanation

NSDC:

National Skill Development Corporation India (NSDC)
established in 2009 is a not- for- profit company set up by the Ministry of
Finance.

NSDC was set up by Ministry of Finance as Public Private
Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of India through Ministry of Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) holds 49% of the share capital of
NSDC while the private sector has the balance 51% of the share capital.

Functions:

NSDC aims to promote skill development by catalyzing
creation of large quality and for-profit vocational institutions.

It also provides funding to build scalable and profitable
vocational training initiatives.

Its mandate is also to enable support system which focuses
on quality assurance information systems and train the trainer academies either
directly or through partnerships.

It also develops appropriate models to enhance support and
coordinate private sector initiatives.

statement 2 is incorrect. The various state DMF rules
and the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Khestra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) guidelines
stipulate some Òhigh priorityÓ issues for DMFs including:

Drinking water.

Health

Women and child welfare.

Education

Livelihood and skill development.

Welfare of aged and disabled.

Sanitation

explanation

About DMFs:

DMFs were instituted under the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act 2015 as non-profit trusts to
work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by
mining-related operations.

The objective of District Mineral Foundation is to work for
the interest of the benefit of the persons and areas affected mining related
operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

Jurisdiction: Its manner of operation comes under the
jurisdiction of the relevant State Government.

The various state DMF rules and the Pradhan Mantri Khanij
Khestra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) guidelines stipulate some Òhigh priorityÓ issues
for DMFs including:

Drinking water.

Health

Women and child welfare.

Education

Livelihood and skill development.

Welfare of aged and disabled.

Sanitation

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY):

The programme is meant to provide for the welfare of areas
and people affected by mining related operations using the funds generated by
District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

Objectives of the scheme:

To implement various developmental and welfare
projects/programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing ongoing
schemes/projects of State and Central Government.

To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts during and after
mining on the environment health and socio-economics of people in mining
districts.

To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected
people in mining areas.

statement 2 is incorrect. the Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has instituted the National
Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA).

explanation

National Entrepreneurship Awards 2018

To be eligible for these awards the nominee must be under
the age of 40 years; he/she must be a first-generation entrepreneur and must
hold 51% or more equity and ownership of the business.

There are special awards for women persons with disability
scheduled caste/ tribes and entrepreneurs from areas with limited
opportunities. The women entrants must individually/collectively own 75% or
more of the enterprise.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) hosts National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA). The NEA is a platform
focused on driving innovation ushering in a positive change for youth in
entrepreneurship across all the industries thus differentiating it from other
awards programs.

The awards will acknowledge an Entrepreneur and Entity/
Individual Supporting Entrepreneurs exceptional growth strategies and products
dedicated customer focus etc. to inspire and promote growth of entrepreneurs in
India.

statement 1 is incorrect-It is an annual geo-political
event organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research
Foundation (ORF).

statement 3 is incorrect- The Gateway of India Dialogue is a
geo-economic conference co-hosted by Ministry of External Affairs India and the
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations.

explanation

Raisana Dialogue

The Raisina Dialogue is an annual conference held in New
Delhi envisioned to be IndiaÕs flagship conference of geopolitics and
geo-economics. The conference is held jointly by Ministry of External Affairs
India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) an independent think tank
based in India.

It is structured as a multi-stakeholder cross-sectorial
conclave involving policy and decision makers including cabinet ministers from
various Governments high-level Government officials and policy practitioners leading
personalities from business and industry etc.

The Gateway of India Dialogue is a geo-economic conference
held in Mumbai India’s financial and commercial capital.[1] It is co-hosted by
Ministry of External Affairs India and the Gateway House: Indian Council on
Global Relations. The conference name as well as its logo comes from Gateway of
India the famous monument of Mumbai.

It seeks to focus on bringing together geopolitics and
business leaders under one roof. The inaugural edition was held on 13-14 June
2016 and had participants from 20 countries.[2] The objective is to make it a
signature international conference on the lines of Davos Forum.[1]

statement 2 is incorrrect. It consists of two border
road taskforces undertaking construction activities in the north-eastern
region.

explanation

Project Udayank of the Border Roads Organisation was raised
on June 1990 at Doomdooma Assam. The name of the project Udayank is synonymous
to the land of rising sun which fits appropriately to the area it operates. It
consists of two border road taskforces undertaking construction activities in
the north-eastern region.

ÒThe Future of RailÓ Report

¥ The first-of-a-kind report released by IEA analyses the
current and future importance of rail around the world through the perspective
of its energy and environmental implications.

¥ It examines how the role of rail in global transport might
be elevated as a means to reduce the energy use and environmental impacts
associated with transport.

¥ The report reviews the impact of existing plans and
regulations on the future of rail and explores the key policies that could help
to realize an enhanced future rail.

statement 1 is incorrect. The organisations from the
United Nations system that are most active in addressing the global electronic
waste challenge have signed a Letter of Intent paving the way for coordination
and collaboration on United Nations system-wide support for e-waste management.
The signatories include UN Environment the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) United Nations University (UNU) International Labour Organization
(ILO) the Basel and Stockholm Conventions the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR).

explanation

E-waste Coalition:

The report supports the work of the E-waste Coalition which
includes International Labour Organization (ILO); International
Telecommunication Union (ITU); United Nations Environment Programme (UN
Environment); United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); United Nations
University (UNU) and Secretariats of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions.

E-waste export though is regulated under the Basel
Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and
Their Disposal which has been ratified by 188 nations.

statement 2 is incorrect. To provide theoretical course
on satellite technology

explanation-

UNNATI (UNispace Nano-satellite Assembly and Training by
ISRO) programme

The programme aims at capacity building in satellite
technology for participants from countries interested in developing space
programme by providing hands-on experience in building and testing of Nano
satellites.

The primary objectives of the programme are:

To offer a simplified and increased exposure to satellite
fabrication technologies as part of the UNISPACE initiative

To provide theoretical course on satellite technology

To provide intensive course on Nano satellite realisation
covering mission aspects design fabrication assembly integration & testing

To provide hands-on training to assemble integrate and test
a low cost modular Nano satellite

About the programme

UNNATI a capacity building programme on Nano satellite
development is an initiative by ISRO to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
first United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer
space (UNISPACE-50).

The programme provides opportunities to the participating
developing countries to strengthen in assembling integrating and testing of
Nano satellite.

UNNATI programme is planned to be conducted for 3 years by
U.R. Rao Satellite Centre of ISRO in 3 batches and will target to benefit
officials of 45 countries.

EXPLANATION

Some of the important Vultures

Option 1 is incorrectly matched: As per IUCN red list Himalayan Griffon Vulture is near threatened. The Himalayan vulture or Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. Closely related to the European griffon vulture (G. fulvus) and once considered a subspecies of it this species is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors.

Option 2 is incorrectly matched: The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World vulture native to India Pakistan and Nepal. It has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2002 as the population severely declined. Indian vultures died of renal failure caused by diclofenac poisoning. It breeds mainly on hilly crags in central and peninsular India.

Option 3 is correctly matched: The slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) is a recently recognized species of Old World vulture. For some time it was categorized with its relative the Indian vulture under the name of Òlong-billed vultureÓ. However these two species have non-overlapping distribution ranges and can be immediately told apart by trained observers even at considerable distances. It is considered as critically endangered as per the IUCN Red List data. The Indian vulture is found only to the south of the Ganges and breeds on cliffs while the slender-billed vulture is found along the Sub-Himalayan regions and into Southeast Asia and nests in trees.

Option 4 is correctly matched: The White-Rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is an Old World vulture native to South and Southeast Asia. It has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000 as the population severely declined. White-romped vultures die of renal failure caused by diclofenac poisoning. In the 1980s the global population was estimated at several million individuals and it was thought to be the most abundant large bird of prey in the world. As of 2016 the global population was estimated at less than 10000 mature individuals.

statement 3 is incorrect. It favours eastern Pacific
hurricanes and tropical storms. Record and unusual rainfall in Peru Chile and
Ecuador are linked to the climate pattern.

explanation

What are El NinoÕs effects?

El Nino affects global weather. It favours eastern Pacific
hurricanes and tropical storms. Record and unusual rainfall in Peru Chile and
Ecuador are linked to the climate pattern.

El Nino reduces upwelling of cold water decreasing the
uplift of nutrients from the bottom of the ocean. This affects marine life and
sea birds. The fishing industry is also affected.

Drought caused by El Nino can be widespread affecting
southern Africa India Southeast Asia Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Countries dependent on agriculture are affected.

Australia and Southeast Asia get hotter.

A recent WHO report on the health consequences of El Nino
forecasts a rise in vector-borne diseases including those spread by mosquitoes
in Central and South America. Cycles of malaria in India are also linked to El
Nino.

explanation

The Arab League formally the League of Arab States is a
regional organization of Arab states in and around North Africa the Horn of
Africa and Arabia.

5 observer states:

Brazil Eritrea India Venezuela Armenia

Statement 3 is incorrect: Under the Fugitive Economic
Offenders Act The Special Court may confiscate properties of an FEO which are
proceeds of crime benami properties or any other properties.

EXPLANATION

Enforcement Directorate

Directorate of Enforcement is a specialized financial
investigation agency under the Department of Revenue Ministry of Finance;
Government of India.

Enforcement Directorate is entrusted to enforce two
important laws viz:

Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 a civil law with
officers empowered to conduct investigations into suspected contraventions of
the Foreign Exchange Laws and Regulations adjudicate contraventions and impose
penalties on those adjudged to have contravened the law.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) – A Criminal
Law with the officers empowered to conduct investigations to trace assets
derived out of the proceeds of crime to provisionally attach/ confiscate the
same and to arrest and prosecute the offenders found to be involved in Money
Laundering.

Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act The Special Court
may confiscate properties of an FEO which are proceeds of crime benami
properties or any other properties. These properties may be in India or abroad.

The Special Court may exempt certain properties from
confiscation where any other person has a legitimate interest in them. Upon
confiscation all rights and titles in the property will vest in the central
government free from encumbrances (claims or rights in the property). The
central government may dispose these properties after 90 days.

Proceeds of crime will include properties (or equivalent
value) which have been obtained by committing a scheduled offence. The standard
of proof shall be Òpreponderance of probabilitiesÓ.

statement 1 is incorrect. The Councils have also been
endowed with wide civil and criminal judicial powers for example establishing
village courts etc.

explanation

Judicial Powers of the Sixth Schedule Council

The laws made by the state legislature on any subject that
comes within the jurisdiction of the councilwould not extend within the
jurisdiction of the autonomous council unless the council so directs by public
notification.

The President in regard to a Central Act and the Governor in
regard to a State Act may direct that the Central Act or State Act shall not
apply to an autonomous district or shall apply with such modifications as may
be specified.State Act shall not apply to an autonomous district or shall apply
with such modifications as may be specified.

The Councils have also been endowed with wide civil and
criminal judicial powers for example establishing village courts etc.

However jurisdiction of these councils is subject to
jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.

statement 1 is incorrect. The Smart Food initiative is
founded by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics
(ICRISAT).

explanation

The Smart Food initiative is founded by the International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) and aims to build
food systems where the food is good for you (highly nutritious) good for the
planet and good for the smallholder farmer. It is an initiative which will
initially focus on popularizing millets and sorghum.

Associations including the Asia-Pacific Association of
Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) Forum for Agricultural Research in
Africa (FARA) West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and
Development (CORAF) Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis
Network (FANRPAN) and the International Crops Research Institute for the
Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) together have formed the Smart Food Executive
Council.

About Smart Food Executive Council:

Formed under the aegis of the Smart Food Initiative that was
launched in 2013.

Need: Stemmed from the strategic thinking around the need
for food that fulfils the criteria of being good for the consumer good for the
planet and good for the farmer.

Objective: To diversify staples which can have the strongest
impact on nutrition the environment and farmer welfare.

statement 1 is incorrect. The programme will not be
notified under the Environment Protection Act or any other Act

statement 3 is incorrect. the Centre also plans to scale up
the air quality monitoring network across India incluidng rural areas. At least
4000 monitors are needed across the country instead of the existing 101
real-time air quality (AQ) monitors

explanation

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):

Achieve a national-level target of 20-30% reduction of PM2.5
and PM10 concentration by between 2017 and 2024.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will execute this
nation-wide programme in consonance with the section 162 (b) of the Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1986.

The plan includes 102 non-attainment cities across 23 states
and Union territories which were identified by Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015.

Non-attainment cities are those which have been consistently
showing poorer air quality than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
These include Delhi Varanasi Bhopal Kolkata Noida Muzaffarpur and Mumbai.

As part of the programme the Centre also plans to scale up
the air quality monitoring network across India. At least 4000 monitors are
needed across the country instead of the existing 101 real-time air quality
(AQ) monitors according to an analysis.

The plan proposes a three-tier system including real-time
physical data collection data archiving and an action trigger system in all 102
cities besides extensive plantation plans research on clean-technologies
landscaping of major arterial roads and stringent industrial standards.

It also proposes state-level plans of e-mobility in the
two-wheeler sector rapid augmentation of charging infrastructure stringent
implementation of BS-VI norms boosting public transportation system and
adoption of third-party audits for polluting industries.

statement 1 is incorrect. AWC the largest such census
in Asia is organised by Wetlands International.

explanation

¥ AWC the largest such census in Asia is organised by
Wetlands International is an international programme that focuses on monitoring
the status of waterbirds and wetlands.

¥ The data collected each year is shared by Wetlands
International with global conservation organisations such as IUCN and Ramsar
Convention while state coordinators share data with local wildlife departments
to ensure conservation and sustainable management of wetlands in the region.

¥ It also aims to increase public awareness on issues
related to wetland and waterbird conservation.

¥ The census is carried out each January as a voluntary
activity at national and local level.

¥ The AWC is co-ordinated by Wetlands International as part
of global programme the ÒInternational Waterbird CensusÓ.

¥ The AWC was started in 1987 and many birders were
initiated into bird counting and monitoring through this project.

¥ To take part one simply has to visit a wetland and count
the birds he/she see there.

statement 2 is incorrect. The SP model has four
segments viz. submarines single-engine fighter aircraft helicopters and
armoured carriers/main battle tanks

explanation-

Strategic Partnership guidelines

¥ SP model aims to revitalise defence industrial ecosystem
and progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector to design
develop and manufacture complex weapon system for future needs of armed forces.

¥ The guidelines lay emphasis on incentivisation of transfer
of niche technology and higher indigenous content.

¥ The SP model has four segments viz. submarines
single-engine fighter aircraft helicopters and armoured carriers/main battle
tanks which would be specifically opened up for the private sector.

¥ Under this policy one Indian private company would be
selected in each segment which would tie-up with shortlisted global equipment
manufacture.

¥ The most significant aspect is that warships of all kinds
surface and sub-surface have been included in the listing.

explanation

Tributaries

– left Hindon Sharda Giri Rishiganga Hanuman Ganga Sasur
Khaderi

– right Chambal Betwa Ken Sindh Tons

statement 2 is incorrect.The Nugu river runs through
the park.

explanation

Bandipur National Park:

Located in Karnataka.

Together with the adjoining Nagarhole National Park
Mudumalai National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary it is part of the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve making it the largest protected area in southern
India and largest habitat of wild elephants in south Asia.

The park is flanked by the Kabini river in the north and the
Moyar river in the south. The Nugu river runs through the park.

The highest point in the park is on a hill called Himavad
Gopalaswamy Betta.

explanation-

The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation
collectively The World Bank Group have provided this Global Solar Atlas in
addition to a series of global regional and country GIS data layers and poster
maps to support the scale-up of solar power in our client countries.

This work is funded by the Energy Sector Management
Assistance Program (ESMAP) a multi-donor trust fund administered by The World
Bank and supported by 13 official bilateral donors.

It is part of a global ESMAP initiative on Renewable Energy
Resource Mapping that includes biomass small hydro solar and wind.

The primary aim of this Global Solar Atlas is to provide
quick and easy access to solar resource data globally.