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The correct answer is Implement decisions of the Panchayat Samiti

Key Points

• The role of the Executive Officer in the Panchayat Samiti includes implementing the decisions made by the Panchayat Samiti.
• They are responsible for ensuring that the resolutions passed by the Panchayat Samiti are carried out effectively.
• The Executive Officer acts as a link between the Panchayat Samiti and the administrative machinery, ensuring smooth functioning and execution of policies.
• They also assist in the planning and development activities of the Panchayat Samiti.

Additional Information

• Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system in India, functioning at the block level.
• It coordinates and consolidates the activities of the Gram Panchayats within its jurisdiction.
• The Panchayat Samiti is responsible for the implementation of schemes for agricultural development, primary education, health, and sanitation, among others.
• The members of the Panchayat Samiti are elected representatives from the Gram Panchayats, and it also includes members from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
• The Executive Officer is usually a government-appointed official who ensures the administrative functions of the Panchayat Samiti are carried out efficiently.

The correct answer is Gir cow of Gujarat.

• Gir cow of Gujarat is an Indian breed of cow that gives more milk.
• This breed of cow is generally found in Gir forests of Gujarat.
• The primary use of this breed is to produce milk, it is also used in beef production in other countries.

The correct answer is rural population.

Key Points

• Rural development primarily aims to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas.
• The focus areas include agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities for rural communities.
• It targets marginalized groups such as small farmers, landless laborers, tribal populations, and women.
• Government schemes like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin) are examples of rural development initiatives.
• Rural development is crucial for reducing poverty, rural-urban migration, and regional disparities in India.

Additional Information

• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act):
• MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households.
• It focuses on creating durable assets like roads, canals, and water conservation structures in rural areas.
• This scheme aims to reduce rural poverty and promote livelihood security.
• PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin):
• It aims to provide affordable housing to rural poor families with basic amenities.
• Financial assistance is given to beneficiaries to construct pucca houses.
• The scheme promotes women's ownership of houses and social inclusiveness.
• National Rural Health Mission (NRHM):
• NRHM focuses on improving healthcare facilities and reducing maternal and infant mortality in rural areas.
• It addresses health disparities by strengthening primary healthcare systems.
• Programs like ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) are key components of NRHM.
• Key Challenges in Rural Development:
• Lack of infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water supply.
• Low literacy rates and inadequate healthcare services.
• Dependence on agriculture and vulnerability to climate change.
• Social issues such as caste discrimination and gender inequality.

The correct answer is Mukhiya.

From option (a) Hallikar, Amritmahal, Khillari, Bargur belong to indigenous draught breeds of cattle.

From option (b) Ongole, Kangrej, Deoni, Krishna Valley belong to indigenous dual - purpose breeds of cattle.

From option (b) Guernsey, Red Dane, Ayrshire, Jersey belong to exotic dairy breeds of cattle.

From option (d) Jaffrabadi, Surti, Murrah, Mehsana belong to indigenous buffalo breed.

From option (e) Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar belong to milch breeds of cattle.

All are cattle breeds except option (d), thus option (d) is the correct answer.

The correct answer is the Department of Rural Development and the Department of Land Resources.

• The Ministry of Rural Development has two departments namely
• Department of Rural Development and
• Department of Land Resource.
• In October 1974, the Department of Rural Development came into existence as a part of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
• After a few changes and conversions again, in 1999 Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment was renamed the Ministry of Rural Development.
• This Ministry has been effecting the change in rural areas through the implementation of a wide spectrum of programs that are aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, infrastructure development, and social security.
• The main objective of the Ministry:
• To alleviate rural poverty and ensure improved quality of life for the rural population especially those below the poverty line.

Roughage is a bulky feed containing mostly less digestible material like crude fiber and has low total digestible nutrient value. Roughages are mostly built up with high content of cell wall material with variable amounts of hemicelluloses, pectin, silica, polyuronides and other elements. Roughages also has a reduced amount of readily-available carbohydrate as compared to cereal grains. The presence of lignin in roughages greatly affects the digestibility and it acts as a physical barrier and inhibits fiber digestibility.

The correct answer is Self-Government.

Key Points

• Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
• It is a system of rural local self-government in India. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• Local Self Government is the management of local affairs by such local bodies that have been elected by the local people.
• PRIwas constitutionalized through the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grassroots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.
• In its present form and structure, PRI has completed 26 years of existence. However, a lot remains to be done to further decentralization and strengthen democracy at the grass-root level.
• After the Constitution came into force, Article 40 made a mention of panchayats and Article 246 empowers the state legislature to legislate concerning any subject relating to local self-government.

Important Points

• 73^rd Amendment Act (1992)
• Local governments were provided constitutional sanction through the 73^rd Amendment Act of 1992 which was enforced on 24^th April 1993.
• The 11^th schedule was added to the constitution through this amendment which contained 29 subject matters of the Panchayats.
• This act also added Part IX to the Constitution which contained provisions from Articles 243 to 243O.
• This amendment brought the state governments under constitutional obligation to adopt the new system of Panchayati Raj by the provisions of the act.

Additional Information

• Popular Government
• Democracy is the most popular system of government at present in the world.
• A federal government
• It is a system of dividing up power between a central national government and local state governments that are connected by the national government.
• Some areas of public life are under the control of the national government, and some areas are under the control of the local governments.
• Quasi-Government
• It is supported by the government but managed privately by a quasi-governmental healthcare agency.

The correct answer is Buffalo

Key Points

• More than 50 % of India’s milk production originates from water buffalo milk.
• The water buffaloes are preferred by some farmers due to the higher fat content in their milk as milk prices are determined by fat and solids-not-fat (SNF) content.
• The water buffaloes can also be sold for slaughter, unlike cattle, the slaughter of which is banned in most Indian states.

Additional Information Average composition of milk of different mammals (in %) 

Important Points

1. Highest Fat: Sheep
2. Highest Protein: Sheep
3. Highest SNF: Sheep
4. Highest Lactose: Mare
5. Highest Water: Mare

The correct answer is 535.78 million

Key Points

• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the 20^th Livestock Census in 2019.

The following are the key results of the 20^th Livestock Census:

• The total Livestock population is 535.78 million in the country showing an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Consus 2012
• The total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun, and Yak) is 302.79 million in 2019 which shows an increase of about 1% over the previous census.
• The total number of cattle in the country in 2019 is 192.49 million showing an increase of 0.8% over the previous Census.
• The Female Cattle (cows population) is 145.12 million, an increase of 18.0% over the previous census (2012).