statement 1 is incorrect. It is described as a whirling cone of low pressure over the poles
explanation

What exactly is a polar vortex?
It is described as a whirling cone of low pressure over the poles that is strongest in the winter months due to the increased temperature contrast between the polar regions and the midlatitudes, such as the US and Europe.

Features:
1. The polar vortex spins in the stratosphere.
2. Usually, when the vortex is strongest, cold air is less-likely to plunge deep into North America or Europe.
In other words, it forms a wall that protects the mid-latitudes from cold Arctic air.
3. But occasionally, the polar vortex is disrupted and weakens, due to wave energy propagating upward
from the lower atmosphere. When this happens, the stratosphere warms sharply in an event known as
sudden stratospheric warming, in just a few days, miles above the Earth’s surface.
4. The warming weakens the polar vortex, shifting its location somewhat south of the pole or, in some
instances, ‘splitting’ the vortex up into ‘sister vortices’.

Effects of Polar Vortex:
The split higher up in the atmosphere can give rise to both, sudden and delayed effects, much of which
involves declining temperatures and extreme winter weather in the eastern US along with northern and
western Europe.
A sudden stratospheric warming also leads to a warm Arctic not only in the stratosphere but also in the
troposphere as well.
A warmer Arctic, in turn, favours more severe winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes
including the eastern US.

statement 3 is incorrect. Geographic north pole- It is northern axis around which the earth rotates and is fixed.
the magnetic north pole is drifting fast from the Canadian Arctic and towards Russia.
explanation
What is Magnetic North Pole? How is itdifferent from Geographic North Pole?

The Earth has two north polesmagnetic and geographic.

1. Geographic north pole- It is northern axis around which the earth rotates and is fixed. The North Pole is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean.

2. The Magnetic North Pole (also known as the North Dip Pole) is a point on Ellesmere Island in
Northern Canada where the northern lines of attraction enter the Earth.

A compass needle will point to the Magnetic North Pole _ which is different from the geographic north.

both statements are incorrect. Surface waves are considered to be the most damaging waves.
Surface waves are also transverse waves in which particle movement is perpendicular to the wave propagation.
explanation
What are earthquake waves?

Earthquake waves are basically of two types _ body waves and surface waves.

1. Body waves: They are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and moves in all directions
traveling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name _ body waves. They travel only through the interior
of the earth.
Body waves are faster than surface waves and hence they are the first to be detected on a
seismograph. There are two types of body waves as primary waves and secondary waves.

2. Surface Waves: When the body waves interact with surface rocks, a new set of waves is generated called as
surface waves. These waves move along the earth surface. Surface waves are also transverse waves in which particle movement is perpendicular to the wave propagation. Hence, they create crests and troughs in the material through which they pass.

Surface waves are considered to be the most damaging waves. Two common surface waves are Love
waves and Rayleigh waves.

statement 2 is incorrect. Stratocumulus are often mistaken for rain clouds, when in reality it is quite rare to get anything more than the lightest drizzle from them, if anything at all.
explanation
What are stratocumulus clouds?
Stratocumulus clouds are low-level clumps or patches of cloud varying in colour from bright white to dark
grey.
They are the most common clouds on earth recognised by their well-defined bases with some parts often
darker than others. They usually have gaps between them, but they can also be joined together.
How do stratocumulus clouds form?
Stratocumulus clouds usually form from a layer of stratus cloud breaking up.
They are indicators of a change in the weather and are usually present near a warm, cold or occluded front.
What weather is associated with stratocumulus clouds?
Stratocumulus clouds can be present in all types of weather conditions, from dry settled weather to more
rainy conditions, but they themselves are often not the culprit.
Stratocumulus are often mistaken for rain clouds, when in reality it is quite rare to get anything more than
the lightest drizzle from them, if anything at all.

explanation
The Renke Commission and the Idate Commission have done commendable work in studying the
various problems faced by Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities and recommending
measures to address the issues more comprehensively.

statement 2 is incorrect. ‘India endorses the growth of the Blue Economy in a sustainable, inclusive and people centered manner through the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
explanation
The first Sustainable Blue Economy Conference was held in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. It was
organized by Kenya and co-hosted by Japan and Canada.
It builds on the momentum of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015
Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN Ocean Conference 2017 ‘Call to Action.
‘India endorses the growth of the Blue Economy in a sustainable, inclusive and people centered
manner through the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

statement 3 is incorrect. The Program is specifically designed to mobilize bottom-up actions by empowering local civil society organizations, and poor and vulnerable communities, including women and Indigenous Peoples.
explanation
About Small Grants Programme (SGP):
Global Environment Facility GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP)provides financial and technical support to
communities and Civil Society Organizations to meet the overall objective of global environmental benefits
secured through community-based initiatives and actions.
It was launched in 1992 with 33 participating countries.
The Program is specifically designed to mobilize bottom-up actions by empowering local civil society
organizations, and poor and vulnerable communities, including women and Indigenous Peoples.

How it functions?
Through a decentralized, national-level delivery mechanism, SGP finances community-led initiatives to
address global environmental issues.
It is currently implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF partnership.
The Programme funds grants up to a maximum of $50,000. In practice, the average grant has been around
$25,000. In addition, the SGP provides a maximum of $150,000 for strategic projects. These larger projects
allow for scaling up and cover a large number of communities within a critical landscape or seascape.

Significance:
Community-driven and civil society-led initiatives can generate environmental benefits, while supporting
sustainable livelihoods, gender equality and civil society empowerment.
These are actions needed at the local and regional level to address global environmental challenges and
complement other areas where the GEF works.

All statements are correct.
explanation
Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) are negotiable certificates issued against priority sector loans of banks. PSLCs aims that, banks can earn a premium for surpassing targets of priority sector lending. PSLCs are introduced to enhance lending under priority sector.

Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) scheme was first suggested in the report of former governor of RBI Dr. Raghu Ram Rajan led Committee on Financial Sector Reforms _ ‘A Hundred Small Steps’

There are four kinds of PSLCs:_

PSLC Agriculture: Counting for achievement towards the total agriculture lending target.

PSLC SF/MF (Small and Marginal Farmers): Counting for achievement towards the sub-target for lending to Small and Marginal Farmers.

PSLC Micro Enterprises: Counting for achievement towards the sub target for lending to Micro Enterprises.

PSLC General: Counting for achievement towards the overall priority sector target.

Rythu Bandhu: Telengana. Thus statement 3 is incorrect.

explanation
ARUNDHATI SCHEME- Assam

Key features:
Under the scheme, the government of Assam aims to provide 1 Tola Gold to brides belonging to all such communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding.
The scheme is named after Arundhati, wife of great sage Basistha. The government has set aside Rs 300 cr has been for the implementation of the Arundhati Scheme.
The benefit under Arundhati scheme can be availed upon formal registration of marriages under Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954.
The scheme is limited for economically weaker sections, whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakh.

The Delhi government has kicked off its pilot project of creating Delhi’s first ‘zero fatality corridor’. It has also issued actionable points to all agencies to ensure a 10% reduction in road accidents by the end of the year. As per the government’s plan, a 3km stretch between Burari Chowk and Bhalswa chowk will be taken as a case study for scientific assessment of accidents, road engineering, road-user engagement and for checking police enforcement and rapid emergency care. The aim is to reduce fatalities to near zero levels on this particular stretch.

Tikdam:
Now it is very tough for an aspirant to remember state specific schemes.However using some logic we can easily solve This question.Closely observe statement 3.It mentions Rythu bandhu scheme.Now any aspirant who is following newspaper would be aware with this scheme.Number of op-eds have been written on this scheme.It provides direct income support to farmers.Therefore you know that statement 3 is incorrect.Once you eliminate statement we will automatically arrive at the correct answer without knowing the other 2 statements.

all statements are correct.
explanation
Context: India’s first ‘career portal has been launched in Rajasthan.

Key facts:
It is aimed at addressing the needs of secondary
and higher secondary students for information
on scholarships and career choices.
It was launched with the support of United
Nations Children’s Fund.
The portal is expected to help the students take
‘informed decisions about their academic and
professional pursuits.

statement 2 is incorrect. India is a member country.: India is hosting 4th Summit of Global Digital Health
Partnership
explanation
About GDHP:
Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) is an
international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to
improving the health and well-being of their citizens
through the best use of evidence-based digital
technologies.
Established in February 2018, the GDHP provides an opportunity for transformational engagement between its participants, who are striving to learn and share best
practice and policy that can support their digital health systems.
lt has been created to provide an international platform to facilitate global collaboration and cooperation to share policy insights, best practices and evidence based implementation of safe, secure digital technologies to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of health systems.

statement 1 is incorrect. India is the second largest producer of silk after China and the largest consumer of silk.
explanation

E-COCOON
It is a mobile application launched by the Ministry of
Textiles for quality certification in silkworm seed
sector.
E app will help quality certification in silk worm
sector. It will be used by the Seed Analysts and Seed
Officers nominated under Central Seed Act for system
and product certification through real time reporting.

Background:
India is the second largest producer of silk after China
and the largest consumer of silk.
India’s silk production capacity is expected to reach
about 38,500 tonnes by 2020 from the current level
of 32,000 tonnes.

statement 1 is incorrect.
HOVEIZEH LONG-RANGE CRUISE MISSILE- Iran
explanation
HOVEIZEH LONG-RANGE CRUISE MISSILE
1. Iran has announced the successful test flight of
Hoveizeh long-range cruise missile.
2. The Hoveizeh Cruise Missile is part of the Soumar
family of cruise missile and has a range of over 1,350
km (840 miles).
3. It is designed to use against ground targets.
4. The Hoveizeh missile needs a very short time for its
preparedness and can fly at a low altitude and is
manufactured by the Aerospace Industries
Organization of Israel.

FATEH SUBMARINE
It is a ‘state-of-the-art domestically produced
Iranian submarine capable of firing cruise missiles. It
was unveiled recently in Bandar Abbas.
It is Iran’s first submarine in the semi-heavy
category.

EXERCISE TOPCHI
It is an annual exercise held by Indian Army to
showcase its artillery firepower, aviation and
surveillance capabilities. The latest edition was held
at Deolali Camp near Nashik.

statement 2 is incorrect. Launched by the US under USAID.
explanation
WOMEN’S GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND
PROSPERITY INITIATIVE

What is it? Launched by the US, it is an effort aimed
at helping 50 million women in the developing world
get ahead economically over the next six years.
It is a government wide project led by the senior
adviser and daughter to President Donald TrumpIvanka Trump. The initiative will involve the State
Department, the National Security Council and other
agencies.
It aims to coordinate current programs and develop
new ones to assist women in areas such as job
training, financial support, and legal or regulatory
reforms.
It seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing
world by 2025 through U.S. government activities,
private-public partnerships, and a new, innovative
fund at USAID.

statement 1 is incorrect. The bonds, which will have a tenure of five years, will be launched by SIDBI with the support of World Bank and UN Women.
explanation
WOMEN LIVELIHOOD BOND
Context: The World Bank, the Small Industries
Development Bank (Sidbi) and the UN Women, along
with 10 wealth management firms and leading
corporates has announced the launch of Women
Livelihood Bond- a new social impact bond to offer
credit to rural women entrepreneurs.

Women Livelihood Bond:
The bonds, which will have a tenure of five years, will
be launched by SIDBI with the support of World Bank
and UN Women.
The proposed bond will enable individual women
entrepreneurs in sectors like food processing,
agriculture, services and small units to borrow around
Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh at an annual interest rate of
around 13-14 per cent or less.
SIDBI will act as the financial intermediary and
channel funds raised to women entrepreneurs
through participating financial intermediaries like
banks, NBFCs or microfinance institutions.

statement 1 is incorrect. It is an essential micronutrient.
explanation
SELENIUM
Context: Scientists have found that nanoparticles
of selenium, an essential micronutrient, can be used
as an antibacterial agent. Scientists found that
selenium nanoparticles, owing to their unique
structure and properties, may be more effective than
antibiotics as they have a larger surface area and
therefore can be more in contact with the external
environment.

Key facts:
Selenium is found naturally in wheat, eggs, cheese,
nuts and sea food. It is an antioxidant and immunity
booster.

statement 1 and 2 are incorrect.
1. BERESHEET LUNAR LANDER – Israel
2. SELENE Orbiter- Japan

explanation
1. BERESHEET LUNAR LANDER – israel
2. SELENE Orbiter- japan
3. Orbital probe SMART 1 – European Space Agency

Israel’s First Lunar Lander- Beresheet_ was recently
launched on board Falcon 9.
Beresheet will attempt to become the first Israeli
spacecraft, and the first privately-operated mission,
to land on the Moon.
If successful, it will make the Jewish state only the
fourth nation to ever to achieve a controlled
touchdown on the moon’s surface. So far, only three
other nations have carried out controlled ‘soft
landings on the moon _ the United States, the former
Soviet Union and China. Spacecraft from several
countries, including India’s Moon Impact Probe,
http://www.insightsonindia.com 178 InsightsIAS
Japan’s SELENE orbiter and a European Space Agency
orbital probe called SMART 1, have intentionally
crashed on the lunar surface.

explanation
The concept of ‘Vision Zero’ is fast gaining international acceptance and is expected to leverage the efforts of
the Government of India to raise the occupational safety and health standards in the country so as to improve the occupational safety and health situation.

The concept of Vision Zero is based on four
fundamental principles viz. life is non-negotiable, humans are fallible, tolerable limits are defined by human physical resistance, and people are entitled to safe transport and safe workplaces.

The Vision is based on principles of Controlling Risks, Ensuring Safety and Health in Machines, Equipment and Workplaces and Skill Upgradation of Workforce.

statement 1 is incorrect. Elum Valley is located between the Swat and Buner districts in the province.
explanation
The Khyber Pakthunkhwa province in Pakistan is planning to construct a heritage park in Elum Valley,
which carries a historical significance to both the Hindus and the Buddhists.
Elum Valley is located between the Swat and Buner districts in the province.

statement 2 and 4 are incorrect. India’s strategic crude oil storages are currently located at Visakhapatnam (1.33mt), Mangaluru (1.5 mt) and Padur (2.5mt).
explanation
India’s strategic crude oil storages are currently located at Visakhapatnam (1.33mt), Mangaluru (1.5
mt) and Padur (2.5mt).

In the 2017-18 budget, it was announced that two more such caverns will be set up Chandikhole in
Jajpur district of Odisha and Bikaner in Rajasthan.