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The correct answer is Sovereign Exposure Exchange Agreement (EEA).

In News

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a three-billion-US-dollar Sovereign Exposure Exchange Agreement (EEA) with the World Bank to increase ADB’s lending capacity for developing countries.

Key Points

• This agreement is ADB’s first EEA with the World Bank and its sixth such agreement with other multilateral development banks since 2020.
• The total exchanged amount through these EEAs has reached 9 billion dollars.
• EEA is a risk management tool designed to reduce portfolio concentration risks, thus increasing lending capacity.
• Roberta Casali, ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management, highlighted the transformative nature of exposure exchanges in enhancing ADB’s reach and reducing concentration risk.

Additional Information

• Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Established in 1966, ADB is a regional development bank aimed at promoting economic and social development in Asia.
• Its headquarters are in Manila, Philippines, and it is composed of 68 member countries.
• World Bank
• Founded in 1944, the World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries worldwide.
• The bank’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C., USA.
• Sovereign Exposure Exchange Agreement (EEA)
• EEA is a financial arrangement where multilateral development banks exchange a portion of their sovereign credit exposure to reduce risks associated with concentration.
• It helps in diversifying credit portfolios and enhancing the lending capacity of institutions like ADB.
• Capital Usage and Lending Capacity
• By reducing exposure concentration through EEAs, ADB optimizes capital usage, thereby increasing its lending capacity.
• This tool enables the bank to extend more funds to developing nations for infrastructure and development projects.

The correct answer is Haryana.

Key Points

• Ghaggar River: The Ghaggar River is a seasonal river that flows primarily through the state of Haryana. It originates from the Shivalik Hills in Himachal Pradesh and flows through Haryana and Punjab.
• Seasonal Nature: The Ghaggar River is seasonal because it primarily depends on monsoon rains for its water flow. During dry months, the river often dries up completely, making it a non-perennial water source.
• Main River of Haryana: It is considered the main river of Haryana because of its historical and geographical significance within the state. The river supports agricultural activities during the monsoon season and is integral to the region's ecosystem.
• Historical Importance: Historically, the Ghaggar River is believed to be associated with the ancient Saraswati River mentioned in Vedic texts. Some research suggests that the Ghaggar-Hakra channel might have been the course of the mythical Saraswati River.
• Geographical Path: The Ghaggar River flows through major cities of Haryana, including Sirsa and Fatehabad, before entering Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, it dissipates into the Thar Desert without reaching the sea. This reinforces its importance as a regional water body for Haryana.
• Support to Agriculture: The Ghaggar River is vital for agriculture in Haryana during the monsoon season, as it provides water for irrigation, especially in districts like Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Kaithal.
• Hydrological Characteristics: The river contributes to the groundwater recharge during its peak flow, helping to sustain water levels in the region.

Additional Information

• Ghaggar River in Punjab:
• The Ghaggar River also flows through Punjab, where it supports agricultural activities. However, it is not considered the main river of Punjab, as larger rivers like Sutlej and Beas dominate the state's hydrology.
• Punjab's agricultural irrigation is heavily dependent on perennial rivers, unlike Haryana, which relies on seasonal rivers like the Ghaggar.
• Rivers in Rajasthan:
• In Rajasthan, the Ghaggar River loses its flow as it enters the arid Thar Desert. It does not have a significant impact on Rajasthan's hydrology compared to rivers like Chambal and Banas.
• Rajasthan depends on groundwater and man-made reservoirs for water rather than seasonal rivers like the Ghaggar.
• Uttar Pradesh's Rivers:
• Uttar Pradesh is home to major perennial rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti, which provide year-round water. Seasonal rivers like Ghaggar do not play a significant role in its hydrology.
• The state's agricultural output is significantly supported by the irrigation provided by perennial rivers and canal systems.
• Features of Seasonal Rivers:
• Seasonal rivers like Ghaggar are characterized by their dependency on rainfall for water flow.
• They play an essential role in regions with a monsoon-dominated climate by supporting temporary water needs for agriculture and ecosystems.
• However, these rivers often dry up during non-monsoon periods, limiting their utility for year-round water supply.

Important Points

• Ghaggar River and Historical Significance:
• The Ghaggar River is often linked to the ancient Saraswati River, which holds significant importance in Indian history and mythology.
• Several studies and archaeological findings indicate that the Ghaggar-Hakra channel was part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Environmental Challenges:
• Seasonal rivers like Ghaggar face challenges due to erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change.
• Efforts are needed to conserve and manage these rivers sustainably to support the regions dependent on them.

The correct answer is Option 3. 

Key Points

• Both statements are correct regarding direct taxes:
• Direct taxes are levied on taxable income earned by individuals and corporate entities.
• Examples of direct taxes include income tax, corporate tax, and wealth tax.
• These taxes are directly imposed on the income or wealth of individuals and entities.
• Gift tax is indeed a type of direct tax.
• It is a tax imposed on the transfer of property or assets as a gift from one individual to another.
• The person giving the gift (donor) is usually responsible for paying the tax, although in some cases, the recipient may be liable for reporting the gift.
• Gift tax is considered a direct tax because it is directly imposed on the transfer of property or assets.

The Correct Answer is Moldova.

In News

• Moldova Joins International Solar Alliance as 107^th Member.

Key Points

• Moldova has become the 107^th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• ISA was launched in 2015 by India and France during COP21 in Paris.
• The Alliance aims to promote solar energy development globally.
• It focuses on reducing technology and financing costs for solar energy.
• ISA supports sustainable energy adoption in both developed and developing nations.
• Moldova will benefit from technical assistance, financial frameworks, and multilateral partnerships.
• The goal is to expand Moldova’s solar capacity through ISA cooperation.

The correct answer is Stamen.

Key Points

• Stamens are the male reproductive organs of flowering plants.
• They contain an anther, the site of pollen development, and in most species a pedicel-like filament that conducts water and nutrients to the anther and positions it to aid in pollen dispersal.

Additional Information

• The female reproductive organ in humans is the uterus, also known as the womb.
• The uterus is a pear-shaped organ located in the lower abdomen, between the bladder and rectum. Its primary function is to house and nourish a developing fetus during pregnancy.
• The uterus is connected to the vagina by the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal canal.
• The ovaries, which produce and release eggs, are located on either side of the uterus and are connected to it by the fallopian tubes.
• The oviducts, also known as the fallopian tubes, are a pair of structures in the female reproductive system that connect the ovaries to the uterus. They play a crucial role in fertilization and pregnancy.

The correct answer is Jane Austen.

Key Points 

• The novel Pride and Prejudice were written by Jane Austen in 1813.
• It is a romantic novel based in rural England.
• Pride and Prejudice:
• It is an 1813 romantic novel of manners written by Jane Austen.
• The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness.
• Its humour lies in its honest depiction of manners, education, marriage, and money during the Regency era in England.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is Pingali Venkayya.

In News

• India commemorates National Flag Day on July 22 to mark flag adoption in 1947.

Key Points

• National Flag Day: observed on 22^nd July to commemorate adoption of the Indian National Flag in 1947.
• Adopted by the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, just before Independence.
• Designed by Pingali Venkayya, who began flag work after serving in British Army in South Africa.
• He published a book on flags in 1916 and proposed a flag to unite India.
• His tricolor design was adopted by the INC in 1931, and later modified for national use.
• The Tricolor symbolizes unity, freedom struggle, and national pride.

The correct answer is Sunderbans.

Key Points

• Coral reefs in India:
• India with its coastline of 7,517 km and subtropical climatic conditions has coral reef areas along its coastline and islands.
• All the three major reef types, atoll, fringing, and barrier, occur in India.
• In India, Coral reefs are present in the areas of Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep Islands, and Malvan. Hence option 4 is the correct answer.
• The Gulf of Kutch in the northwest, which has some of the most northerly reefs in the world) and Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar in the southeast.
• Coral patches are found in Ratnagiri, Malvan, and Redi, south of Bombay and at the Gaveshani Bank, west of Mangalore.
• Corals along the shore are found at Quilon on the Kerala coast to Enayem in Tamilnadu.
• Corals also occur on the east coast between Parangipettai (Porto Novo), south of Cuddalore, and Pondicherry.
• Among island corals, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Fringing and barrier) and Lakshadweep (Atolls) corals are found.

The correct answer is stagflation.

Key Points

• An economy that is suffering both rising inflation and stagnant economic output is said to be in stagflation.
• Stagflation was initially identified in the 1970s when an oil shock caused high unemployment and rapid inflation in many industrialised nations.
• Slow economic development and relatively high unemployment, sometimes known as economic stagnation, are the hallmarks of stagflation, which is also characterised by rising prices (i.e., inflation).
• An alternative definition of stagflation is a time when there is both inflation and a fall in the GDP.

Important Points

• A needed return's inflation risk compensation is represented by the inflation premium component.
• The difference between the actual gross domestic product (GDP) at the present and the GDP that would be present if an economy were experiencing full employment is known as the inflationary gap, a macroeconomic concept.
• Policies to boost the economy and fight deflation are referred to as reflation.

Bijapur and Golkonda were the two kingdoms in the Deccan which were conquered by Aurangzeb.

Key Points

• Aurangzeb wanted to establish a sovereign state over the whole of India.
• After conquering North India, he turned his attention to South India.
• He ordered the imperial army to attack in the south.
• In 1665-66 AD, the Mughal army first tried under the leadership of Rajput Raja Jaisingh to take over the Bijapur state, but success could not be achieved.
• In 1682 AD, Aurangzeb sent Shahzada Shah Alam with a huge army to fight against Bijapur, but he also did not get success.
• In April, 1685, Aurangzeb himself attacked Sultan Sikandar Alishah of Bijapur.
• In September, 1686, Bijapur surrendered.
• Aurangzeb merged the state of Bijapur in the Mughal Empire.
• Abul Hasan, the ruler of Golconda, was an opponent of Aurangzeb.
• Aurangzeb besieged the fort of Golconda in 1687 AD and succeeded in winning the fort of Golconda.
• Thus Golconda was included in the Mughal Empire.

Hence we can conclude that Bijapur and Golkonda were the two kingdoms in the Deccan which were conquered by Aurangzeb.